The Senior Accountant will support the Internal Controls function by assisting with the day-to-day management of the outsourced internal audit provider. He/she will coordinate the execution and communication of the internal audit function with process owners and management and will validate the accuracy of audit observations while providing ongoing support to ensure process owners, management and the audit providers are in agreement of final observations and action plans. He/she will also perform ad-hoc analyses and projects as requested by senior management.

• Assist in implementation and timing of annual internal audit plan developed from biennial comprehensive business risk assessment
• Collaborate on development of audit scopes, provide preliminary review of estimated budgets, monitor invoices against budgets and request variance explanations
• Identify appropriate process owners and coordinate other necessary resources (access, office space, technology, etc.) for each audit
• Minimize audit demands on process owners by generating reports, creating analyses and collecting documentation to directly provide document request list items to the audit team
• Participate in regular audit related meetings (scope, audit kick-off/close and status meetings)
• Review preliminary findings and address audit team questions throughout the course of fieldwork
• Work with process owners and audit team to address communication and/or performance issues
• Review and edit the internal audit report deliverables with process owners and the audit team to ensure accuracy, common understanding, and applicability to the Firm
• Distribute final audit results to process owners, management team, and committee members
• Support process owners in development and deployment of internal control initiatives
• Provide guidance and oversight to audit team as they monitor and document the implementation of audit action plans
• Direct and review the creation of audit presentation materials for recurring and special management meetings
• Organize and maintain audit files within Firm’s document management system
• Conduct special project and ad-hoc data analysis to identify and resolve control-related issues
• Recommend appropriate and pragmatic solutions to risk and control issues identified during audit activities and controls-related reviews
• Develop/maintain the Firm’s global internal control framework and benchmark against industry standards and best practices
• Identify opportunities to improve current processes and enhance the Firm’s approach to risk management

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• A minimum of 4 years of professional work experience
• Advanced capabilities and knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively complete projects
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and overseas as necessary (estimated to be minimal)

Preferred:

• Internal control/audit experience in financial operations and information technology
• Analytical reporting experience
• Experience working in a professional service firm
• CPA

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.