CONFIDENTIAL
Job Title Group Internal Controls Manager Location Chertsey Head Office Reporting to Head of Financial & ESG Controls
Role Overview The Group Internal Controls Manager plays an important role in supporting the design, implementation and embedding of a robust SOX-like internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) across Compass Group. Compass Group aims to operate a robust UK Corporate Governance Code control environment and as part of this seeks to achieve control standards aligned with US SOX over its ICFR. This role will be at the forefront of this ambition, supporting the evolution of the Group’s ICFR framework in a proportionate and scalable way. The successful candidate will bring recent, hands-on experience implementing, operating and/or auditing strong (including SOX) frameworks, and will apply this expertise to help elevate the Group’s internal control maturity across a large, decentralised global organisation. Operating as part of the Group Second Line of Defence, the role partners closely with countries, head office functions, Internal Audit and External Audit to ensure controls are appropriately designed, documented, tested, remediated and governed in line with UK Governance Code, SOX and ICFR expectations. Key Responsibilities ICFR Framework enhancement • Support the implementation and enhancement of financial controls to align with a SOX-style
ICFR framework across Compass Group. • Support the design of risk assessments, scoping methodologies, materiality thresholds and
control rationalisation. • Support the development and maintenance of Risk and Control Matrices (RACMs) aligned to
best practice (SOX standards). • Drive consistent application of best practice concepts such as key controls, Information
Produced by the Entity (IPE), IT-dependent controls, entity-level controls and management review controls (MRC).
• Document end-to-end process flows to support risk identification, control design, testing and audit requirements
Embedding Controls • Work hands-on with countries and head office functions to understand processes, facilitate
standardisation, and embed best practice (SOX style) controls into end-to-end financial processes.
• Provide expert challenge and guidance to process and control owners on design, documentation and evidence standards.
• Translate technical requirements into clear, practical guidance suitable for a decentralised operating model.
CONFIDENTIAL
• Build strong control capability across the business through training, coaching, sharing of best practice and knowledge sharing.
Testing, Deficiencies & Remediation • Perform testing of design and operating effectiveness of key controls. • Review testing performed by the business, ensuring alignment with best practice including
SOX methodology. • Assess deficiencies including severity evaluation (deficiency, significant deficiency, material
weakness). • Perform root cause analysis and support the design of robust remediation plans. • Track remediation progress and ensure timely and sustainable closure of control issues.
Audit & Governance • Act as a key UK Governance Code, SOX and ICFR liaison with internal audit and external
audit. • Contribute to bi-annual controls compliance reporting & review. • Support governance and controls reporting to key stakeholders.
Skills & experience • Recent, hands-on experience implementing, operating and/or auditing SOX 404 internal
controls. • Strong working knowledge of UK Governance Code and SOX methodologies including
scoping, risk assessment, key control identification, IPE, sampling, testing and remediation. • Experience working with external auditors on controls audits or readiness programmes. • Strong understanding of core financial processes (Record to Report, Order to Cash, Procure
to Pay, Hire to Retire). • Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge
stakeholders. • Pragmatic mindset with the ability to apply rigour proportionately. • Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent). • Background in SOX compliance, Internal Audit, External Audit or Risk Assurance.
What This Role Offers • Opportunity to support the enhancement of a robust UK Corporate Governance Code
control environment to achieve control standards aligned with US SOX in a FTSE 20 global organisation.
• High visibility with senior stakeholders. • Ability to help shape the Group’s ICFR framework and long-term SOX roadmap. • International exposure and strong professional development opportunities.