SOX Compliance Specialist

Job Title

SOX Compliance Specialist

Job Description Summary

The SOX Compliance Specialist reports to the SOX Compliance Manager. This role is responsible for assisting with Cushman and Wakefield’s annual SOX 404 compliance cycle and corresponding activities. The core responsibilities include the mapping out and in-depth testing of relevant business process controls, identifying and reporting of control gaps, follow-up of remediation actions, and educating control owners and business functions on controls compliance. This role is critical to the ongoing evolution of the firm’s SOX 404 program.

Job Description

Qualifications (education) required for filling the position:

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Economics, or Finance

Other professional qualifications required for filling the position:

• 2+ years of external or internal auditing with a public accounting firm or publicly-traded company, preferably public experience.

Foreign language skills required for filling the position:

• Fluent English (both oral and written)

Required skills for filling the position:

• Expertise in Sarbanes-Oxley 404 compliance
• Understanding of GAAP accounting and internal control concepts, Segregation of Duties and risks, etc.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel
• Apply knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, IT general controls, and the COSO 2013 framework
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders. Work collaboratively and constructively across geographies, functions, and time zones. Provide accurate and timely reporting of status and results
• Problem solve root causes collaboratively.  Critical thinking and problem solving that result in process improvements
• Excellent soft skills, including communication, management of direct and indirect reports, negotiation, and being able to drive win-win solutions wherever possible
• Demonstrate strong analytical, accounting and audit skills
• Detail oriented
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, follow-through, and manage multiple tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines.
• Self-starter with flexibility, desire, and eagerness to take ownership of related tasks and responsibilities in order to keep the project on schedule.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

Responsibilities of the job-holder:

• SOX Documentation:  Assist the process owners with updating process flowcharts and other, key SOX documentation as needed
• SOX Project Management Participation:  Assist with the strategic annual, quarterly and on-going Sarbanes-Oxley 404 and 302 compliance delivery with SOX 404 compliance managers and their stakeholders. 
• SOX Scoping:  Assisting with risk assessment analysis and scoping SOX processes and controls in support of regions / C&W SOX 404 certification
• SOX testing:  Perform SOX 404 controls testing for C&W locations globally, including testing areas such as revenue, purchasing, financial statement close, fixed assets, client accounting, payroll, IT General Controls, and corporate financial controls testing

Regular tasks:

• Process flowchart updates & mapping of key and non-key controls
• Completion of risk assessment analysis in order to scope out processes and controls per region to include in the annual SOX testing cycle
• Execution and documentation of process walkthrough discussions and associated controls testing
• Follow-up and validation of controls remediation actions
• Assistance with delivering SOX Controls & Compliance trainings
• Liaison with the external auditors to facilitate their review and testing of the firm’s control environment as part of the annual financial reporting cycle

Main records and documents kept by the job-holder:

• Process flowcharts
• Risk assessment documentation
• Process walkthrough and controls testing evidence documentation

and integrity in line with EMEA Controllership objectives.

• Management of financial data integrity through the SOX control framework and systems mapping.
• Support month end processes, coordinate outsourced partner operations during critical periods to meet management reporting deadlines.
• Monitor quality of Balance Sheet Recs across trading and holding entities and timely preparation thereof, focussing in particular on accruals/prepaids, payroll, inter-company and bank reconciliations and managing effective reporting matrices for issue escalation.
• Facilitate recharge requirements as required including calculation support and methodologies for business allocations and statutory recharges in accordance with transfer pricing requirements.
• Manage key balance sheet key provisions, specifically Legal and PI/Insurance provisions.
• Support International Treasury and the Business on treasury related requests ( eg FX, cash flow reporting, loan & interest settlement and related reconciliations).
• Support FP&A teams in a business partnering capacity in key areas such as Occupancy related costs and accrual needs.

• Present to senior finance leads as required in the support of key balance sheet reviews and analysis.
• Identify and recommend updates and improvements for accounting systems and ongoing process improvements to the Controllership team for maximum efficiency.

• Support KPMG audit needs, including components of the group audit and general audit enquiries.
• Support process queries with a resolution mindset as well as ad-hoc project support activities commensurate with the role.

Knowledge & experience:

• Degree in Finance & Accounting or other applicable subject.
• 2-3 years experience in SOX / Internal Audit / External Audit.
• Highly motivated with an ability to take ownership and strong attention to detail.
• Reliable and pro-active team player focused on delivering an exceptional service.
• Ability to organize and prioritise workloads whilst working to tight and regular deadlines.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Adaptable and energetic, with ability to work as part of a team, as well as under their own initiative
• A good level of Excel knowledge and experience is essential for analysing data.
• A good understanding of Workday, Hyperion Essbase & HFM is highly desirable.
• IFRS knowledge is an advantage
• Fluent in English, other languages are desirable but not essential.
• Experience working in an outsourced Finance environment would be an advantage

• Demonstrate flexibility to meet competing and evolving business needs and drive results with urgency.
• Critical thinker with a ‘Think Customer’ mindset
• Manages compliance & change with a continuous improvement approach.
• Excellent communicator, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Build collaborative networks with key stakeholders
• Shares knowledge and building personal talent / own development.
• Develop a culture of accountability and ownership.

What we can offer:

• Competitive compensation and benefit package
• Great learning and development opportunities 
• Benefit package includes cafeteria, mental and physical health care package, community bike ticket, and loyalty-based elements 
• Modern, award-winning office with a view of the Danube
• Central location, excellent public transport 
• Youthful and supportive work environment
• Additional holidays to compensate for Hungarian public holidays falling on a weekend
• A steadily growing, 100+ year-old international company

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”