Principal, Internal Controls

Skillsoft is seeking an experienced Internal Controls Lead to support the Director, Internal Controls & Projects in managing the Corporate Internal Controls team in maintaining and monitoring the company’s compliance efforts in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) requirements. In this role, you will have the opportunity to play a key role in providing support in the company’s continuous efforts to monitor and improve the company’s internal control environment as well as coordinate efforts around enterprise risk management activity and business continuity planning.

Responsibilities:

• Take a leadership role in SOX scoping and assessment of financial statement risks
• Partner with process owners to evaluate and document key financial processes and related financial statement risks, including review and update of process documentation, conducting walkthroughs, preparing test plans, reviewing work of others and conducting controls testing for more technical functional areas
• Collaborate with business partners to propose process improvements that will strengthen the internal control environment while having a positive impact on the business
• Coordinate, along with Director of Internal Controls & Projects and Chief Accounting Officer, the company’s requirements for its Enterprise Risk Management Program and Business Continuity Plan
• Assess the internal control design to identify any design gaps and provides guidance with implementation of new or revised controls
• Assist in identifying business risks, evaluating the implications and developing appropriate internal controls to address risks
• Prepare reporting for testing findings and recommendations to management in a clear, concise manner, presenting information appropriate to the level of management.
• Work with business partners to develop remediation plans and provides support with the remediation testing, advising them on control enhancements or process changes, as appropriate
• Partner with IT to ensure that system implementations, enhancements and changes are made in compliance with SOX requirements
• Proactively identify and monitor process and system changes
• Evaluate control operating effectiveness results, identifies control deficiencies, prioritizes resolution of deficiencies
• Review work of others and provide comments of testing and documentation
• Prepare clear, accurate and complete work papers in accordance with audit quality standards
• Assist with the development and implementation of training for business partners pertaining to SOX processes and procedures
• Liaise with internal and external auditors and responds to requests or reported issues in a timely manner
• Proactively identifies opportunities to streamline controls
• Contribute to our positive, team-oriented culture by maintaining cooperative relationships, facilitating the resolution of conflicts, as necessary, sharing information, and accepting and providing constructive feedback

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 8+ years of professional experience in an internal controls function and/or a public accounting firm with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, from accredited four year college or university (MBA preferred)
• Strong Internal Controls background
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office products
• Working knowledge of professional standards, regulations and frameworks required:
• COSO framework
• Sarbanes Oxley regulations
• PCAOB standards/guidance related to internal controls
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact with all levels within the organization
• Advanced analytical, organizational and risk assessment skills
• Experience with GRC implementation and management
• Ability to handle multiple responsibilities at a time with effective project management skills
• Ability to meet due dates (formal and self-imposed) with minimal supervision
• Possess an acute attention to detail and high quality in all deliverables and the ability to independently solve practical problems
• Have an innate curiosity with a default “trust but verify” mindset

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA/Chartered Accountant preferred
• Experience working in Big 4 accounting firms