Financial Controls Testing Lead

St. James's Place (SJP) works in partnership to plan, grow and protect our clients’ financial futures. We deliver personalised, face-to-face financial advice to our clients, who trust us to manage their money to reach their goals. We provide this service via the Partnership, a network of qualified, expert advisors. We put financial wellbeing and responsible business choices at the heart of everything we do. We believe in the value of difference and know that diverse teams can help us problem solve and innovate for clients.

We look for people to join SJP to make an impact and to contribute to our culture which is based around long term relationships, doing the right thing, and being the best version of ourselves.

Location: Cirencester Office

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Employment Type: Permanent

Seniority: Associate

What you’ll be doing:

Working with the Financial Controls Testing Manager to test the key controls, develop the annual testing plan and report progress and controls weaknesses to key stakeholders.

This role will work closely with control owners to ensure risk, control and test plan details are maintained whilst ensuring that the risk and control system information Is kept up-to-date.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete controls testing in line with the testing plan for the year, working with stakeholders to ensure testing is completed efficiently.
• Take responsibility for the maintenance of risks, controls, test plans, test results, and action plans on the risk management system.
• Support the maintenance of the financial control framework through project change by working collaboratively with control owners to understand the nature of the changes and ensure controls evolve appropriately.
• Support the Controls Testing Manager in creating the annual controls testing plan and reporting on progress.
• Provide proactive advice to control owners and projects to strengthen the financial controls framework and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Track and report progress with internal and external audit actions, and controls remediation actions.
• Create training and guidance materials to control owners to increase understanding.
  
  

Who we’re looking for:

You will be either a qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA) or qualified through experience, ideally from a Financial Services background. You will have experience of testing a range of financial reporting controls, sourcing test evidence, writing test steps, documenting test results, and agreeing action plans for remediating control deficiencies.

You will be self-motivated with strong prioritisation skills able to deliver against challenging deadlines. You will have great communication skills, effective stakeholder management ability. You will have the ability to use questioning and active listening to understand/challenge financial reporting controls and convert this knowledge into actionable next steps.

What's in it for you?

• Private Medical paid for by Company.
• Meaningful protection benefits with real value, such as 10X life cover, PHI, and critical illness.*
• Non-Contributory Pension – 10% (increasing with length of service up to 15%) with further pension matching.
• Parental leave – 6 months full pay
• 28 days holiday entitlement plus bank holidays (based on full-time equivalent) with the option to buy up to an additional 5 days holiday
• Not applicable to Fixed-Term Contracts (standard uplift applies in lieu of the protection benefits)
  
  

Flexible Working We know that everyone works best in different ways, at different times and in different environments. We have introduced a hybrid working policy to provide greater flexibility for part-time work, job-sharing, remote working, and flexibility on hours. Our people are encouraged to work in a flexible way that suits their lifestyle, so please ask the question and start a conversation!

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

Reasonable Adjustments

We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

What's next?

Our team will be in touch. As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.