Senior Financial Analyst - North America Controls CoE Subject Matter Expert

The North American Controls Center of Excellence (“Controls CoE”) is a customer-focused team that provides professional, expert advice to senior management in their execution of an effective internal control strategy.  The North American Controls CoE plays a key role in financial control oversight, and supports various projects and initiatives to develop, enhance and monitor internal control programs. Reporting to the Manager Control Programs, the Control Analyst will execute control consulting projects, support external audits and regulatory examinations of the business, and manage the closure process for previously identified gaps in internal control.  In doing so, the candidate will have an opportunity to work with business leaders to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of internal controls and related processes.  Candidate will work periodically directly with external third-party stakeholders and support required audit substantive requirements. As a result, this role is best suited to an internal control professional with strong relationship management, customer service, communication and influencing skills.

Position Responsibilities:

• Use appropriate judgment in dealing with unexpected issues and requests, demonstrating an ability to prioritize work.
• Play a role as part of the Controls CoE in achieving the goals of process improvement and best practices of internal controls and support team members to ensure timely and effective implementation of change initiatives.
• Participate in discussions, ask questions, and ensure understanding of issues before proceeding.
• Identify and recommend best practices, processes, and controls.
• Demonstrate commitment towards continuously updating knowledge and skills while incorporating feedback.
• Assist in the day to day supervision of CPA Development Program participant as it relates to relevant work.
• Build effective relationships and establish a high level of credibility with business unit contacts and external auditors
• Identify and recommend opportunities to refine Controls CoE service offerings
• Identify and escalate any customer service issues received from customers
• Schedule and participate in process walkthrough meetings with business leaders
• Obtain or prepare relevant process and control documentation (risk matrices, flow charts and/or narratives), as necessary
• Identify and assess inherent risks and related key controls
• Identify, document, and evaluate internal controls gaps
• Draft reports that accurately and concisely present findings, including practical and well-supported recommendations to improve internal controls
• Identify and escalate scope, schedule, cost or quality issues to the Manager/Director
• Participate in meetings to discuss findings with business leaders
• Work with auditors and regulatory examiners to understand the scope of testing required and its impact on the business; identify any opportunities to streamline the testing approach and reduce business effort
• Coordinate meetings/contacts involving auditors, regulatory examiners and the business (i.e. information gathering, walkthrough validation, and test sample collection)
• Coordinate the delivery of relevant information and audit evidence to auditors and regulatory examiners
• Identify and escalate any scope, schedule, cost or quality issues to the Manager/Director
• Provide senior business leaders with insightful analysis of options available to address auditor issues and recommendations
• As requested, advise business areas regarding audit scoping options, available sources of evidence, draft findings and management action plans

Required Qualifications:

• CPA designation preferred with 5+ years of relevant experience in progressive accounting roles
• Proven knowledge and experience from an internal/external audit role
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with influencing and negotiation abilities
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• Process analysis and documentation skills, including flow charting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience applying the COSO framework to internal control assessments
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, particularly in the area of using sound, independent judgment, problem-solving, organizing, planning and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of life and health insurance industry
• Public accounting experience

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].