In the context of the creation of an autonomous CHC internal control department, the CHC Internal Control Lead is a key member of the CHC ASEA Finance organization. Responsible for establishing and maintaining a reliable control environment adequately supporting the countries operations, he/she is a key interlocutor of local managements.
His/her initiatives aim at ensuring, at local level, the reliability and exhaustiveness of the financial information, the security of assets as well as the compliance with established guidelines and procedures. In addition, his/her actions contribute to the efficiency of business processes and projects.
Based on his/her experience of complex environments and thanks to his/her ability to work effectively with cross-functional partners, the CHC Internal Control Lead develops an effective internal control program. In particular, he/she conducts a risk-assessment process, identifies internal control deficiencies, recommends improvements, helps to develop adequate action plans, and follows up their implementation. Progress updates as well as practices inconsistent with Sanofi standards are communicated in transparency and regularly to the local management. Overall, the CHC Internal Control Lead plays an essential role for the reinforcement of the level of internal control within the countries in scope.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
MAINTAIN THE CONTROL ENVIRONMENT
Internal Control Framework
- Support process owners / department in the implementation of the CHC Internal Control Framework,
- Supervise the annual Control Self-Assessment performed by control owners,
- Support Local Management with the definition and implementation of remediation plans,
- Test local mandatory controls based on the quarterly global testing campaign.
Procedures and policies
- Support the formalization of local procedures, ensure they are in line with the rules defined in the Group policies, standards and guidelines, updated regularly, adequately approved and communicated
- Ensure policies, standards and guidelines issued by Corporate / Region are locally communicated.
Trainings
- Train newcomers on internal control topics and when specific needs are identified,
- Support the departments for training employees on policies and procedures,
- Develop targeted actions to increase internal awareness of some specific populations as well as country management.
Other control activities
- Maintain and update whenever necessary the country delegations of Authority (DOA) in Workday, consistently with Global guidelines,
- Conjointly with process owners, monitor the definition and enforcement of proper segregation of duties rules,
- Review annually the segregation of duties conflicts and related mitigating controls,
- Collaborate to initiatives aiming at reinforcing internal control,
- Ensure that internal control aspects are considered in all new projects.
MONITORING AND RELATIONSHIP WITH AUDITORS
- Act as a key point of contact for the Internal Audit before, during and after internal audit reviews,
- Ensure a timely and detailed follow-up of the implementation of internal audit recommendations,
- Support activities conducted by external auditors related to internal control and facilitate exchange of information between the affiliate and external auditors,
- Follow up internal control weaknesses highlighted by external auditors, ensure adequate action plans have been defined, follow up implementation and report progress.
REQUIREMENTS
MAJOR SKILLS AND COMPETENCES
- Excellent grasp of processes, risks, and controls,
- Strong financial and analytical skills,
- Demonstrated leadership and recognized capacity to serve as a leader among peers,
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects, work effectively with cross-functional partners and drive process improvement initiatives across an organization,
- Strong inter-cultural skills and eagerness to work in a very international setting,
- Solid listening and communication skills,
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills as well as communication skills to build commitment create adherence and report to management.
- Ability to handle and simplify complex matters and propose innovative solutions
- Ability to challenge the status quo and identify more proficient and secure ways of doing things
- Ability to influence system designs based on understanding of functionality and different stakeholder needs, while ensuring compliance with internal control requirements
- Fluent written and spoken English
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Relevant experience in external and/or internal audit,
- Demonstrated ability to define and implement a risk assessment and monitoring program,
- ‘Big 4’ auditing experience will be considered,
- Pharmaceutical industry experience is a plus,
- Knowledge of internal control principles.