Finance Controls Manager

Since Aspen was founded in 2002, we have become a leading, diversified specialty insurance and reinsurance company. We respond thoughtfully and creatively to find the best outcomes for our clients and business partners through carefully-tailored solutions.

We believe the way we work is just as important as the work we do, and we are guided by our core values of respect, honesty, trust and professionalism.

Aspen is a great place to develop your career offering an exciting and challenging environment where achievement is rewarded.

Role Purpose 

The Group Finance Controls Manager, is a managerial level role collaborating across multiple functions with the aim of supporting the delivery of resilient and effective financial operational controls and service delivery to stakeholders both internal and external to Finance.
The role is to manage the design & implementation, enhancement, uplift and maintenance of finance processes and controls (both SOx and non-SOx) across end-to-end finance systems and procedures. The role is also intended to partner with the first line team/process owner to investigate and manage the remediation of all control deficiencies.

The role is to develop a culture of end-to-end process and service excellence throughout the finance organisation, aligned to an effective control environment and establishing a strong accountability model at all levels. 
The individual will establish and maintain strong relationships through the business and functional Stakeholders, as well as the second and third lines of defence to ensure we deliver stable services in the support of business outcomes and to a SOx standard.

Key Results Areas

Strategy and Planning 

• Implementation of the first line (finance) SOx and non-SOx controls to ensure appropriate purpose design and effective controls operation and remediation of control weakness/ failure; establishment of accountability model directly linked to performance management. 
• Contributes to functional strategy development and prioritises operational deliverables and activities of team to support delivery of overall business targets.
• To ensure that operational risk within finance & finance processes is supported by controls and to understand the severity of the key risks to Aspen's, both existing and emerging.
• Support Aspen’s strategic priorities by helping to ensure that informed business decisions are made related to risks in proposed and existing processes.

Policy, Process and Procedures 

•    Support the end-to-end Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICOFR) compliance, including Business Process controls,   and Entity Level Controls (ELC), to ensure SOx compliance.
•    Conduct control risk assessments based on qualitative and quantitative factors.
•    Review and assess control deficiencies, develop remediation plans and determine adequacy of mitigating controls. 
•    Make recommendations for accounting policy changes, as and where applicable.
•    Make recommendations for and support in the standardization of processes and procedures together with associated controls across all finance jurisdictions.
•    Manage the quarterly and annual SOX 302 and 404 disclosure processes.

Technical Performance 

•    Drive the transformation and maintenance of Aspen Finance’s risk and control roadmap, controls, controls narratives etc. thereby ensure compliance with SOx best practice.
•    Assist business leaders with control remediation plans, leveraging plans from other functions and incorporating industry leading approaches.
•    Support first line finance teams, via coaching, preparing session and in-meeting support, through process walkthrough meetings; create and maintain process flow diagrams, narratives and Risk Control Matrices (RCM).
•    Assists management in identifying risks, defining control objectives and monitoring compliance efforts.

Knowledge

•    Strong understanding of SOX 404 and 302, SOC 1, COSO, U.S. GAAP and various risk assessment practices.
•    Strong understanding of external auditor requirements and expectations for SOX / ICOFR compliance.
•    A proven conceptual and strategic thinker who is capable of distilling, packaging, and presenting complex information in a clear, concise, and compelling manner
•    Sound commercial judgment, able to understand complex processes and structural issues with capacity to go into detail, draw connections, explain succinctly and act decisively and quickly
•    Strong understanding of the underlying needs of the business.
•    Industry acumen, including knowledge of business operations, finance, and risk
•    Innovative and able to drive change in order to simplify and strengthen policies, processes and procedures
•    High level of personal confidence; able to lead and manage projects and change through influence and persuasion
 

Skills

•    An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries.
•    Leadership courage with the ability to challenge key business decision-makers
•    Must be able to build strong relationships within the business and the wider risk team and community
•    Bring immense curiosity; challenging the status quo and stirring innovative approaches to existing processes and operations
 

Experience

•    BA/BS in accounting, finance, or another relevant field.
•    CA, CPA, CIA, CFE or equivalent preferred but not required.
•    Specific professional qualifications (and broad business qualifications) at the level of degree or equivalent.
•    Qualified within own personal discipline, with extensive post-qualification work experience to include:
•    7+ years of progressive work experience in public accounting audit and assurance services (including internal audit of a publicly traded company) OR progressive work experience in corporate accounting with prior experience testing and/or managing internal controls over financial reporting.
•    Significant experience in the insurance/financial services industry.
•    Managing relationships with internal business customers. 
•    Project management/co-ordination, including managing multiple projects and complex projects to quality, time and budget.
 

At Aspen we know that having a diverse and inclusive workforce is good for our people, good for our business and good for the environments in which we operate.  We therefore welcome applications from people which allows us to draw on diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences.