Senior Manager of Internal Controls and SOX Compliance

About the position

Morningstar is seeking a Senior Manager of Internal Controls and SOX Compliance to enhance business partnership, innovation, and automation within the organization?s Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and internal controls program. This role is pivotal in assisting the Chief Audit Executive in the development and leadership of the internal audit plan, with a strong emphasis on internal controls and SOX compliance. The Senior Manager will also collaborate closely with the Chief Accounting Officer, providing expertise and practical solutions to advance the organization?s SOX controls program. This position involves leading and managing a global team of experienced auditors and controls experts, ensuring a comprehensive risk-based SOX audit plan that offers management assurance over the internal controls that support financial reporting. In addition to overseeing the SOX audit plan, the Senior Manager will have the opportunity to participate in and direct various reviews outlined in the annual audit plan, which encompasses operational, compliance, and consulting services. As a key member of the Internal Audit and Accounting leadership team, the Senior Manager will play a crucial role in promoting high ethical standards and driving data analytics and automation within internal audit activities to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This full-time position is based in Morningstar's Chicago office, operating in a hybrid environment that allows for three days in the office and two days remote work.

Responsibilities
? Manage the development of the overall SOX methodology to ensure best practices are followed.
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? Make recommendations for improvement and drive changes to both controls and processes.
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? Provide guidance to management on internal control, governance, risk, and compliance activities.
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? Facilitate the execution of management's SOX risk assessment and scoping activities to ensure proper risk identification, process mapping, and controls for a sustainable internal control framework.
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? Collaborate with process owners in the development of action plans to assess the adequacy of action taken by management to correct control deficiencies.
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? Monitor and follow-up as appropriate.
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? Lead and develop training material for the global accounting organization on effective control environment practices.
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? Partner with management on the implementation of new software and business processes to ensure the relevant financial reporting risks are identified and controls implemented.
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? Assist with the preparation of annual and quarterly reporting to the audit committee.
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? Develop, schedule, manage, and execute the annual Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) audit plan that appropriately considers the relevant and evolving financial risks facing the company.
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? Manage the preparation and issuance of observations and SOX management status reports to assure that all significant risk and internal control weaknesses are identified and that cost-effective recommendations to address deficiencies are generated.
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? Prepare and review the audit testing plans over in-scope financial controls.
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? Participate in the internal audit department's Quality Assurance and Improvement Program and external quality review.
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? Ensure effective and efficient external auditor reliance on SOX workpapers is achieved.
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? Promote high levels of ethical awareness.
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? Drive data analytics and automation within internal audit activities to gain efficiencies and increase audit effectiveness.
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? Recruit, develop, and manage a professional audit team with sufficient knowledge, skills, expertise, and professional certification to meet the audit requirements.
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? Ensure the professional development of the team through mentoring and internal and external training.
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? Interact and coordinate with the Company's external audit firm and cultivate external relationships.
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? Partner with the Internal Audit program to ensure effective allocation of resources across the complete Internal Audit plan.
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? Participate and direct other projects on the Internal Audit plan, such as regulatory or compliance audits.
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? Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements
? Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Accounting or Finance is required.
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? Master's degree is a plus.
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? CIA and/or CPA highly desired; CISA and CFE considered a plus.
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? Minimum of 10 years of progressive industry or public accounting experience (preferably with the Big 4 or national CPA firm and/or similar experience in corporate Internal Audit).
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? Excellent knowledge of internal audit standards, procedures, and techniques.
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? Experience managing financial, compliance, IT, and operational audits of processes and controls a plus.
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? Experience managing a global Sarbanes Oxley program.
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? Strong understanding of professional audit standards, COSO, and US GAAP.
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? Experience performing data analytics and driving automation to realize efficiencies a plus.
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? Knowledge of IT audit concepts utilized in executing audits.
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? Experience with electronic work paper tools (AuditBoard, Workiva, TeamMate, etc.) desired.
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? Strong skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and data analytics software.
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? Ability to effectively manage several projects in multiple locations and manage time and the team effectively.
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? Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to write clear and concise audit reports.
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? Proven ability to build and foster high-performance teams; build relationships with team members, business leaders, and global business functions.

Nice-to-haves
? Experience with electronic work paper tools (AuditBoard, Workiva, TeamMate, etc.) desired.
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? Experience performing data analytics and driving automation to realize efficiencies a plus.

Benefits
? Hybrid work environment (3 days in office, 2 days remote).
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? Tools and resources to engage meaningfully with global colleagues.
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? Flexible benefits to enhance work-life balance.

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