S4 Hana Internal Control Specialist

The Key Purpose of this role is to ensure the effective design, implementation, and operational readiness of internal controls during the rollout of SAP S/4HANA across the organization. This role works cross-functionally with global and regional stakeholders to assess business processes, identify risks, and embed robust control frameworks aligned with internal policies and regulatory requirements. The position requires strong expertise in internal controls, ERP transformation (preferably SAP S/4HANA), and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Internal Controls Design & Implementation

• Assess and validate the design effectiveness of internal controls embedded within S/4HANA business processes (e.g., PTP, OTC, RTR, inventory, fixed assets).
• Ensure controls are appropriately integrated into end-to-end process design during system implementation.
• Review and challenge process flows, control points, and system configurations to mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Support the definition and implementation of automated controls and system-based validations.

S/4HANA Transformation Support

• Partner with global transformation teams to embed internal control requirements into S/4HANA rollout phases (design, build, test, deploy).
• Participate in fit-gap analyses to evaluate control implications of process and system changes.
• Review functional specifications, configuration documents, and test scripts to ensure control coverage.
• Support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) with a focus on control effectiveness.

Risk Assessment & Compliance

• Conduct risk assessments across multiple business processes and geographies to identify key control requirements.
• Ensure compliance with Minimum Internal Controls Standards (MICS) framework, internal policies, and best practices.
• Identify control gaps and provide practical remediation recommendations aligned with business objectives.

Stakeholder Management

• Engage with stakeholders across finance, IT, operations, and external partners at local, regional, and global levels.
• Act as a trusted advisor to process owners, providing guidance on control design and optimization.
• Facilitate workshops and discussions to align on control requirements and implementation strategies.

Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate control effectiveness post-implementation and recommend improvements.
• Support the development of standardized control frameworks and documentation.
• Drive harmonization and simplification of controls across regions and processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives leveraging system capabilities and automation.

Success Measures: Effective integration of controls into S/4HANA processes at go-live. Reduction in control gaps and audit findings post-implementation. Positive stakeholder feedback and strong cross-functional collaboration. Improved efficiency through automation and streamlined controls.

Key Attributes and Competencies:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic project environment.
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to translate technical concepts into business language.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven.
• Ability to manage complexity and ambiguity effectively.
• High level of integrity and professional skepticism.
• Collaborative mindset with a global perspective.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across seniority levels and geographies.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or related field.
• Professional certification preferred (e.g., CPA, CA(SA), CIA, CISA, or equivalent).
• Experience7–10+ years of experience in internal controls, audit, or risk management.
• Strong experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP S/4HANA implementation or support.
• Proven experience working across multiple business processes (PTP, OTC, RTR, etc.).
• Experience in large-scale transformation or system implementation projects.
• Deep understanding of internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO, SOX compliance).
• Knowledge of SAP S/4HANA modules and integrated business processes.
• Experience with automated controls, GRC tools, and data analytics is advantageous.

Additional Information:

• Band: VII

SAB/ABInBev is an equal opportunity employer and all appointments will be made in line with SAB/ABInBev employment equity plan and talent requirements. The advert has minimum requirements listed. Management reserves the right to use additional/ relevant information as criteria for short listing.