Head of SOX Assurance

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.

The work pattern for the job is Hybrid 

The minimum and maximum salaries for this job role are below:

Minimum Salary -  188,800.00 

Maximum Salary -  236,000.00 

The Role:

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Head of Sox to lead our team in planning and delivering the annual SOX compliance cycle. This would be an opportunity for someone to apply their prior  knowledge and experience to establish new processes at Aspen. You would be able to effect change, be commercially minded in building relationships with the business and be able to manage the relationships with external audit. This leader would manage a US based team and report internally to a Global leader giving exposure to our Global teams.

Key Accountabilities: 

As the Head of Sox, your primary responsibility will be to lead the team in planning and delivering the annual SOX compliance cycle, from scoping through walkthroughs and testing. You will work closely with the Head of Operational Risk, developing and implementing Aspen’s ‘controls strategy’. Your role will also involve owning the policy framework for controls over internal reporting, ensuring that Aspen’s framework continues to meet regulatory changes and evolving market best practice. You will communicate policy expectations and minimum standards throughout Aspen’s business functions, developing strong relationships with process owners.

* Plan and deliver the annual SOX compliance cycle.

* Work closely with the Head of Operational Risk to develop Aspen’s ‘controls strategy’.

* Own the policy framework for controls over internal reporting.

* Ensure Aspen’s framework meets regulatory changes and evolving market best practice.

* Communicate policy expectations and minimum standards throughout business functions.

* Act as a key point of contact for External Audit.

* Coordinate with Internal Audit and Compliance as part of integrated oversight framework.

* Advise the Chief Accounting Officer of control testing results.

* Deliver insightful reporting to the Group Executive Committee.

* Provide reporting to Aspen’s Audit Committee on financial reporting risks.

Skills & Experience: 

* CPA, CIA, CFE or equivalent qualification.

* Strong in Sox technical capabilities and auditor engagement. Experience in engaging with external auditors and managing relationships with them.

* Experience in and able to manage through change.  The ideal candidate will be comfortable setting up new processes and dealing with a changing and maturing operating environment.

* Experience in public accounting audit and assurance services or corporate accounting in the insurance industry. (Property and Casualty experience highly preferred.)

* Strong sense of ownership and accountability.

* Strong in communication and influencing with the ability to build effective working relationships across the organization.

* Ability to speak to the business and build relationships with process and control owners

* Ability to plan and manage own workload including delivery to deadlines, budgets, and quality standards.

* Ability to work independently with limited required direction and guidance.

* Strong verbal and written communication skills.

* Experience in performing multiple projects and working with varying team members.

* Strong analysis, control design, and project management skills.

* Experience of using the Workiva tool is desirable.

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.