SOX MANAGER (North America)

The SOX Manager will be responsible for leading the SOX program in North America. This will include SOX testing, audits, and, on occasion, overseeing staff on multiple concurrent engagements, as necessary. The SOX Manager will be a working manager who is able to develop, execute, and manage all aspects of SOX including: planning, testing & reporting. In addition to SOX, this individual will also be required to conduct audits (operational & financial) along with another member of the team which will include fieldwork, report writing and presentation to audit management and senior business management. The SOX Manager will report to the CAE and assist in the annual Internal Audit risk assessment process and ERM. Over time, candidates who are successful in the SOX Manager role may have the opportunity to rotate into other assignments or be promoted within the function.

Duties:

• Build and maintain cross-functional relationships with leaders throughout the organization to assist in creating transparency and ensuring cooperation with various audits and process improvement projects.
• Manage and lead the SOX 404 compliance program including testing, reporting and monitoring of all business process cycles in scope (e.g. PTP, OTC, Inventory Management, Payroll, Financial Close, etc.) to improve the overall control environment. Most importantly, the individual must meet the deadlines and be able to work independently. Work with finance, audit, and IT departments to ensure compliance as several controls have IT dependencies.
• Perform walkthroughs of the various business cycles based on the flowcharts and Risk and Control Matrices and ensure they are updated every year or as the processes evolves and assess the effectiveness of the process and controls as needed.
• Manage the SOX auditors in North America and ensure all SOX testing for 404, ITACs, key reports are done timely.
• Assist in development of a comprehensive (ERM) risk management framework/strategy to facilitate identification, measurement, control and monitoring of key risk activities for all North America entities.
• Assist in preparing risk assessments and annual audit plans.
• Collect and analyze data, conduct interviews and document, summarize, and assist the Senior member in the Audit team during scoping, planning and during audits.
• Identify, recommend and implement the necessary improvements to accounting policies/procedures, internal business controls and help improve overall business efficiency.
• Prepare audit work papers and write audit reports detailing the audit findings and recommendations. Formulate recommendations to management to correct deficiencies and improve controls. Work as a business partner with the management team without impeding independence.
• Strong analytical, research, and organizational skills, issue identification/prioritization/ resolution, and report writing skills is required.
• Prepare internal audit reports for audit areas and audits assigned and help train the auditors to ensure they can broaden their skill sets.
• Participate in a variety of special projects assigned by management.

Skills:

• Possess a strong understanding of the COSO framework, Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Sections 302 and 404), financial reporting risks, internal controls, US GAAP, and IFRS, with the ability to make control recommendations to successfully mitigate key risks.
• Unparalleled ability to dig deep into the details but present high-level findings to business partners.
• A consistent drive to question the business and yourself on how to do things better and more efficiently.
• Ability to take initiative and get things started when there may be no established path
• Oracle experience highly desired.
• Manufacturing industry experience required.
• Thorough knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and compliance and substantive testing techniques including audit sampling methods. Prior experience with compliance auditing under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is a plus.
• Effective oral and written communication and analytical and time management skills and the ability to work with limited supervision.
• Experience with internal accounting controls and objectives and Sarbanes Oxley requirements.
• Have strong operating and financial controls evaluation skills.
• Possess the ability to work in cross-functional teams, cultivate leadership abilities and to develop operational and financial management skills.
• Demonstrate strong verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Possess project management skills with the focus on timely completion of tasks and the ability to identify and assess changing business process risks.
• Must have the ability to multitask.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• At least 7-9 years of combined experience in internal or external auditing, SOX compliance practices; Sarbanes-Oxley experience is required.
• Experience working in a SOX environment conducting SOX testing, SOX reviews and reporting required (preferably at a manufacturing company).
• Certifications such as CPA, CA, CIA, CISA, CFE. MBAs are preferred.
• Big Public Accounting experience desired.

Primary Location: Needham, MA

Travel: Up to 30-35% including international

• The Internal Auditor will be responsible for executing Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance testing, operational and financial audits, and supporting internal control improvements across various business cycles. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and cross-functionally. The position involves collaboration with global teams, including EMEA and APAC, and may require flexible working hours to accommodate international meetings.
  Key Responsibilities
  • Conduct walkthroughs of business cycles using existing flowcharts and Risk and Control Matrices (RCMs); update documentation annually or as processes evolve.
  • Assess process and control effectiveness during walkthroughs and document new cycles as needed.
  • Perform SOX testing across business cycles such as FSCP, PTP, OTC, Inventory Management, Payroll, Financial Close, Treasury, and Tax, adhering to defined test attributes and guidance.
  • Execute key report testing and ensure comprehensive and timely documentation.
  • Conduct operational and financial audits with senior team members; prepare audit work papers and reports with findings and recommendations.
  • Ensure consistent quality in SOX testing and documentation, including tracking and monitoring deficiencies.
  • Collect and analyze data, conduct interviews, and assist in communicating audit/SOX results and follow-up actions.
  • Participate in special projects as assigned by management.
  • Conduct physical inventory counts or cycle counts as needed, ensuring audit/SOX-compliant documentation.
  • Collaborate with EMEA and APAC SOX teams; attend meetings during early mornings or evenings as required.
  Required Skills and Experience
  • Strong understanding of the COSO framework, SOX (Sections 302 and 404), financial reporting risks, internal controls, US GAAP, and IFRS.
  • Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards, compliance and substantive testing techniques, and audit sampling methods.
  • Effective oral and written communication, analytical, and time management skills.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • Experience with internal accounting controls and SOX compliance.
  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; ability to work in cross-functional teams.
  • Project management skills with a focus on timely task completion and risk assessment.
  Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in internal/external auditing and SOX compliance.
  • Experience in a manufacturing/CPG environment.
  • Sarbanes-Oxley experience is required.

The Senior SOX Auditor will be responsible for executing Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance testing, operational and financial audits, and supporting internal control improvements across various business cycles. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and cross-functionally. The position involves collaboration with global teams, including EMEA and APAC, and may require flexible working hours to accommodate international meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct walkthroughs of business cycles using existing flowcharts and Risk and Control Matrices (RCMs); update documentation annually or as processes evolve.
• Assess process and control effectiveness during walkthroughs and document new cycles as needed.
• Perform SOX testing across business cycles such as FSCP, PTP, OTC, Inventory Management, Payroll, Financial Close, Treasury, and Tax, adhering to defined test attributes and guidance.
• Execute key report testing and ensure comprehensive and timely documentation.
• Identify and develop testing programs for key controls as processes mature.
• Maintain and update the Risk Control Matrix and deficiency tracker; monitor progress on control deficiencies.
• Conduct operational and financial audits with senior team members; prepare audit work papers and reports with findings and recommendations.
• Formulate and communicate recommendations to management for control improvements.
• Ensure consistent quality in SOX testing and documentation, including tracking and monitoring deficiencies.
• Collect and analyze data, conduct interviews, and assist in communicating audit/SOX results and follow-up actions.
• Lead meetings with location management to discuss SOX testing results and suggest process improvements.
• Participate in special projects as assigned by management.
• Conduct physical inventory counts or cycle counts as needed, ensuring audit/SOX-compliant documentation.
• Collaborate with EMEA and APAC SOX teams; attend meetings during early mornings or evenings as required.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong understanding of the COSO framework, SOX (Sections 302 and 404), financial reporting risks, internal controls, US GAAP, and IFRS.
• Experience with SAP is highly desired.
• Prior public accounting experience is preferred.
• Experience in the manufacturing or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry is required.
• Knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards, compliance and substantive testing techniques, and audit sampling methods.
• Effective oral and written communication, analytical, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Experience with internal accounting controls and SOX compliance.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; ability to work in cross-functional teams.
• Project management skills with a focus on timely task completion and risk assessment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 5–7 years of experience in internal/external auditing and SOX compliance.
• Experience in a manufacturing/CPG environment.
• Professional certifications preferred: CPA, CA, CIA, CISA, CFE, MBA.
• Big Four public accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Sarbanes-Oxley experience is required.