Specialist, Financial Reporting Controls

As a team member in the Finance department at Nationwide, the opportunities are endless! You can grow and learn in diverse areas across many disciplines such as Advanced Analytics, Investments, Actuarial, Accounting, Risk Management, Critical Business Advisor, Internal Audit, and so much more. Let Nationwide help create your career journey! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

Internal Comp Grade is F3

This is a hybrid position located in Columbus Ohio and you will be required to come into the office as needed.

This role does not qualify for employer sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT extension program.

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Job Description Summary

Do you want to invest in yourself and thrive in an environment of innovation, problem solving, collaboration and learning? If you’re prepared to work in a technology-enabled, digitally-focused organization, where Controllership is a captivating and respected career, we want to hear from you!
As a Specialist, you'll work on many activities associated with the design, development, implementation, and administration of a robust internal control infrastructure over key financial reporting processes throughout the enterprise. You'll work closely with various internal partners representing key operational functions throughout the organization and serve as a first point of contact for questions regarding financial reporting control compliance.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Supports the day-to-day maintenance and sustainability of the FRC program. Duties include annual financial reporting risk assessments, assisting process and control owners with identifying internal control gaps, control testing consultation, issue remediation, reporting and answering partner questions related to the execution and status of the FRC compliance activities.

• Handles the annual financial reporting risk assessments and process design analyses. Conducts walk through with business and Nationwide Technology associates to validate the completeness and accuracy of the process and control documentation to confirm the risks associated to financial reporting are appropriately mitigated.

• Monitors and support quarterly executive sub-certification process and semi-annual control self-assessments which include evaluating the results for any issues, fraud and/or changes in people and processes.

• Monitors, evaluates and reviews management control self-assessment process to ensure compliance with internal control testing standards. 

• Monitors and coordinates with management on FRC issues and obtains management agreement regarding action steps. Ensures management action plans address the root cause of identified problems, have reasonable time frames to completion, are properly resourced /funded and are completed by stated due date. 

• Follow-ups and assesses the completion of remediation plans through validation procedures. Communicate the results of the issue closure with management and any potential remediation not implemented appropriately.

• Maintains and updates the Nationwide’s Financial Reporting Controls governance methodology, polices and procedures.

• Applies approved process and internal control documentation standards to the FRC program and ensures data integrity for information housed in the FRC library.

• Collaborates with team members and peer review of work of other team members, including providing feedback. Additionally, leads shorter-term projects/activities and holds team members accountable for on-time completion of activities/tasks.

• Contributes to FRC compliance reporting to senior management by assisting in the preparation and reviewing for issue themes and trends. Proposes improvements to reports to improve FRC's management reporting.

• Develops and generates internal status reporting for FRC team members about ongoing FRC compliance activities; may directly inform management (e.g. Controllers) as it relates to program results.

• Summarizes progress of activities, findings and conclusions to business unit leads, controllers and other program partners.

• Coordinates activities with internal audit, information risk management and external auditors to ensure efficient and effective coordination regarding the assessment processes and controls within the scope of the FRC program.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to Manager.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance, or equivalent experience preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Professional certifications such as certification in Internal Audit (CIA), Public Accounting (CPA), Information Systems (CISA), or Control Self-Assessment (CCSA) or commitment to study and prepare for certification is required.

Experience: Four years of related experience in audit, finance, accounting, regulatory compliance or similar field; public accounting preferred.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Proven knowledge in risk and internal control and security frameworks, principles and practices (e.g., COSO, COBIT, ITIL). Clear understanding of regulatory requirements of Model Audit Rule, Sarbanes-Oxley Act and/or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA). Familiar with GAAP and STAT accounting bases. Standard knowledge of information risk components and General Computer Controls. Management policies, practices and procedures. Communicate effectively and professionally, including the ability to express standard risk and control concepts to people without technical backgrounds, both verbally and in writing. Must effectively apply risk and control knowledge and execute audit testing standards and techniques. Applies an understanding of control frameworks which includes COSO and COBIT. Ability to conduct effective interviews and present information in one-on-one and small group situations to business managers, process owners, and team members. Skilled in collecting and analyzing complex data (e.g., actuarial scenarios and investment pricing), evaluating a variety of controls, processes, information and systems to developing effective response strategies. Adaptable to change and performs well in situations where shifting priorities and changing plans are the norm. Must have personal computer skills, as well as knowledge of related software, including PowerPoint and Visio presentations.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence. 

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resources Business Partner.

Values: Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values
Job Conditions:

Overtime Eligibility: Exempt (Not eligible)

Working Conditions: Normal office environment; extended and/or non-standard work hours as needed.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties. 

Benefits

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including: medical/dental/vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more. To learn more about the benefits we offer, click here.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.

NOTE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES:

We value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. Nationwide does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. All resumes submitted by employment agencies directly to any Nationwide employee or hiring manager in any form without a signed Nationwide Client Services Agreement on file and search engagement for that position will be deemed unsolicited in nature. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is subsequently hired as a result of the referral or through other means.