Senior Manager SOX Financial Controls

Senior Manager of Financial Controls

The Enterprise Reporting Controls & Governance Group is responsible for Comerica's compliance with the provisions of Section 404 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("SOX"), and ultimately, providing certification that our internal control environment is operating effectively. The group reports administratively to the Chief Accounting Officer and works closely with key stakeholders across business units, corporate functions, technology, and the second and third lines of defense.

The Senior Manager, Financial Controls is responsible for the management and execution of the SOX program related to financial controls and key business processes.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead the transformation of the Enterprise Controls and Governance group and play a critical role in the refinement of the SOX program.
• Act as a change manager for continual improvement of the internal control environment.
• Sponsor or lead special projects related to department operating practices and/or emerging control matters impacting the organization.
• Perform SOX scoping and risk assessment, proactively monitoring changes that may impact the design and/or operating effectiveness of internal controls.
• Assist in the strategic direction of the group, including SOX program methodology, policies, templates, and procedures and provide recommendations for changes.
• Partner with Business Process Owners/Control Owners and provide walkthroughs of significant in-scope processes (both process narratives and process flow diagrams).
• Assess the appropriateness and completeness of keys risks and controls.
• Provide guidance, oversight, and review of testing of key controls, including design effectiveness assessments and operating effectiveness testing.
• Analyze the severity of control deficiencies, and their impact to internal controls over financial reporting.
• Create and deliver reporting on status and internal control related topics to executive leadership.
• Oversee coordination between internal team members, internal and external auditors, and system/control owners to ensure cohesive and collaborative execution.
• Facilitate group-wide training to interested and impacted stakeholders to ensure compliance with the SOX program office policies/procedures and regulatory standards.
• Review testing approach and align expectations with external auditors to ensure documentation and testing complying with industry standards (including PCAOB) and allows for reliance by the external auditors.

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills:

• CPA required. Other preferred certificates: CIA, CISA
• Deep understanding of risk management methodologies, frameworks, and principles (e.g., SOX and COSO)
• Strong learning ability to quickly understand and connect key concepts and dependencies
• Project management skills and a desire to drive sustainable change
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, initiative, and integrity
• Detail oriented and the ability to prioritize and deliver in a deadline-driven environment
• Experience managing a team consisting of internal and outsources resources, including reinforcing performance in others, and facilitating their skill development
  Proficiency with Microsoft Office, VISIO