Lead Specialist, General Audit

Is the opportunity to join a culture where “We Do the Right Thing,” and “We Courageously Shape Our Future Together” important to you? If so, Guardian is seeking a resolute motivated individual to join our team as a lead Specialist, General Audit.

As a lead individual contributor part of the Controls Assurance team (within the corporate Internal Audit function) you will support the Manager of the Control Assurance team with the assessment and execution of internal controls over financial reporting. The company complies with the NAIC Model Audit Rule (MAR), similar to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). This entails internal controls testing and documentation, assessing the impact of control deficiencies, building relationships, and providing guidance to process and controls owners across business and functional areas, and facilitating the needed certifications/signoffs from management.

In addition, you will be performing direct assistance controls testing in support of the Company’s external audit. This is a highly visible role collaborating with various levels of management and staff personnel throughout the enterprise as well as with the external audit firm.

You will

Conduct annual risk assessments and MAR scoping/planning activities.

• Prepare annual risk assessment and MAR scoping/planning activities.

• Review risk assessment and scoping exercise with stakeholders and finalize the MAR’s Program Company scope.

• Identify and support the use of data analytics as part of the scope exercise.

Actively execute and support the annual MAR program to achieve compliance, departmental, and company strategic objectives

• Utilizing an Agile “ways of working” methodology, execute on the components of the MAR lifecycle.

• Identify opportunities to use data analytics and automation capabilities.

• Manage effectively and efficiently the completion of your daily tasks within the program.

• Support self-assessors and monitor their testing progress.

• Effectively communicate progress, challenges, results within the CA Team and stakeholders.

• Work closely with process owners to identify recommendations for deficiencies identified during testing. Collaborate with the Manager of Controls Assurance to finalize the deficiency memo. Perform follow up of open deficiencies.

• Perform quality assurance reviews to verify effectiveness of testing approach.

• Gather certification deliverables and identify and address any obstacles to MAR attestation.

Execute on annual PwC deliverables and ad hoc control projects to achieve departmental and company objectives.

• Respond to PwC requests timely and completely.

• Participate and execute on ad hoc control projects.

• Support the PwC direct assistance effort by performing assigned testing.

You have

• Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in internal or external audit, accounting, and/or finance, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Model Audit Rule.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Sound analytical skills, with the ability to effectively analyze a process and assess risks and controls.

• Strong project management skills to meet established deadlines.

• Ability to solve problems and identify root causes of process breakdowns.

• Ability to collaborate with others, both inside and outside of the department, while working toward common goals and fostering understanding and agreement.

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields of study - Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or Management, Management Information Systems, or another related field. A master’s degree or equivalent a plus.

• Professional accreditations (CIA, CPA, CFE, CISA, etc.), licenses, or designations (MBA) are a plus or working towards acquiring.

Location /Travel

Hybrid role - 3 days in the office, 2 days WFH. Guardian offices located in Bethlehem, PA, or Holmdel, NJ.

Occasional 0-10% Travel

Salary Range:

$84,320.00 - $138,522.50

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals.  Through skill-bui