Senior Financial Controls Manager

Overview

As Head of Internal Controls, you will lead the UK Internal Controls function and own the ICFR programme, shaping the control framework across the group. You will partner with Finance, Audit and senior stakeholders to test controls, address risks and support governance obligations. The role combines technical accounting oversight with hands-on control testing and remediation, enabling robust financial reporting. You will drive cross-functional collaboration and elevate control maturity in a complex financial services environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and ongoing enhancement of the internal control framework
• Own the ICFR programme (SOX 404, UK Corporate Governance Code, and related controls)
• Oversee annual control testing across financial, operational and compliance domains
• Assess control design/effectiveness via walkthroughs and testing
• Identify gaps and remediation plans with management
• Document key business processes and end-to-end workflows
• Provide guidance to UK Finance and senior stakeholders
• Collaborate with external and internal audit teams
• Direct internal controls and finance-related projects
• Maintain relationships with UK/regional/global stakeholders while ensuring independence
• Oversee technical accounting activities (UK/US GAAP, consolidation, policies)
• Lead, manage and develop the Internal Controls team including a Technical Accountant

Key requirements

• ACA, ACCA or equivalent professional qualification
• 5–10 years’ progressive external audit or relevant internal controls experience in complex financial services or insurance
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, financial reporting risks, SOX and COSO
• Strong understanding of UK GAAP and US GAAP
• Experience in a control-audited environment
• Proven experience managing, developing or leading a team
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Strong project management and organizational capabilities
• Collaborative, commercially minded and proactive approach
• Experience with audit or controls technology platforms is advantageous

• leadership
• influencing senior stakeholders
• analytical thinking
• SOX 404
• COSO framework
• ICFR

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