Control Testing & Assurance Lead

Job Title: Control Design & Testing Lead

Department: Finance Controls Office

Reports To: Ushana Amichand, Global Head of Finance Controls & Governance

Employment Type: Permanent

Role Description

• Lead the design and implementation of control monitoring, testing, automation and capability workstreams within the Finance Controls Improvement Plan.
• Bridge the gap between framework design and operational effectiveness by ensuring controls are monitored, tested, evidenced and embedded into day-to-day Finance operations.
• After the build phase, transition into the BAU Controls Testing & Assurance Lead role, owning the annual control testing programme, issue management and remediation tracking.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead delivery of control monitoring and reporting, systems and automation controls, and controls capability and culture workstreams.
• Define the KPI and KRI framework for Finance controls and implement the Finance Controls Dashboard to provide visibility of control performance and effectiveness.
• Develop control effectiveness measures, exception reporting and Audit Committee reporting on control health.
• Design and implement the control testing methodology and risk-based testing plan, including sampling approaches, evidence standards, deficiency grading and remediation tracking.
• Assess manual control dependencies and identify practical automation opportunities across Finance processes.
• Work with Data, Systems and Automation specialists to improve system access controls, workflow approvals, automated reconciliations and master data controls.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Finance Controls Training Programme for Finance control owners and related stakeholders.
• Define the control competency framework and support the embedding of controls objectives into Finance performance management.
• Transition to the BAU Controls Testing & Assurance Lead role from January 2027, owning the annual testing programme, issue management and remediation tracking.

Key Deliverables (not exclusive list)

• Control Monitoring & Reporting (30 Sept)
• Finance Controls Dashboard
• KPI/KRI Framework
• Control Testing Methodology
• Controls Testing Plan
• Management Reporting Pack
• Controls Capability & Culture (31 Dec)
• Finance Controls Training Programme
• Control Competency Framework
• Communications Plan
• Continuous Improvement Framework
• Data, systems & Automation Controls
• Automation Roadmap
• System Controls Framework
• Access Governance Standards
• Data Control Framework

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualification:
• ACA or ACCA fully qualified or
• CIA (Certified internal auditor)
• Minimum requirements
• 57 years in controls testing, internal audit, or SOX compliance
• Experience designing and executing risk-based control testing programmes
• Regulated financial services industry experience mandatory
• Experience with both ITGCs (IT General Controls) and business process controls
• Experience with deficiency grading, root cause analysis, and remediation tracking
• Experience producing control reporting for senior management and/or Audit Committees
• Desirable:
• Experience in a wealth management, platform, or fintech environment
• Experience designing KPI/KRI frameworks and control dashboards
• Experience delivering controls or compliance training programmes
• Big 4 audit or advisory background

Skills & Competencies

• Control Testing Expertise: deep knowledge of risk-based testing methodologies, sampling techniques, and evidence standards
• Data & Analytics: ability to leverage data analytics for continuous monitoring and control effectiveness assessment
• Dashboard & Reporting Design: experience designing executive-level control dashboards and KPI frameworks
• Automation Mindset: ability to identify and specify automation opportunities in manual control environments
• Training & Communication: ability to design and deliver engaging controls training to non-specialist Finance audiences
• Stakeholder Management: comfortable presenting control findings and recommendations to senior Finance leadership
• Issue Management: structured approach to tracking, escalating, and driving remediation of control deficiencies
• Systems Awareness: understanding of Finance systems (ERP, consolidation tools, planning tools) and associated control points
• Continuous Improvement: proactive mindset focused on embedding lessons learned and driving ongoing control enhancement