Internal Controls Optimization Lead

Dow Jones & Company•Princeton, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Internal Controls Optimization Lead is a key member of the Internal Audit team, supporting the evaluation, streamlining, and enhancement of the organization's internal control environment. The role aims to reduce compliance costs while maintaining effective risk management. It spans traditional control frameworks and automated, machine-learning-enabled systems, and contributes to business process improvement initiatives and projects across Finance Operations. The Lead supports ongoing compliance monitoring and resolves internal control inquiries and enhancements. They evaluate and integrate evolving audit tools and knowledge, including AI-driven capabilities, into internal processes and controls, and communicate with stakeholders across departments as the Finance organization evolves. The position is based in the New Jersey office and reports to the Internal Controls/Compliance Manager.

Requirements

At least 5 years of related work experience in internal controls, audit, compliance, or finance operations.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, or equivalent work experience.
Knowledge of auditing principles and standards and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance.
Relevant background and understanding of Finance Operations processes, such as order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, and record-to-report.
Ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve internal control and compliance issues.
Proficiency in designing and implementing internal control policies and procedures.
Strong data analysis skills and prior business process improvement experience.
Ability to quickly understand, interpret, and communicate business and technical issues to varied audiences, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to quickly learn and use a variety of systems and developing AI solutions.
Strong organization, time management, and multitasking skills.

Nice To Haves

Professional certification or active pursuit of a CPA, CIA, or CISA.
Experience coordinating or managing projects for systems implementations.
Experience with financial systems modules, including ERP, billing, or reporting platforms.
Exposure to process documentation and improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

Lead or participate in assigned business process improvement initiatives and projects, identifying opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate controls.
Evaluate the control impact of process and system changes and recommend control rationalization and design enhancements that reduce manual effort without reducing assurance.
Support adoption of new audit and monitoring tools, including AI-enabled solutions, in day-to-day control operations.
Assist business operations with implementing new solutions.
Independently research and resolve general compliance issues, escalating appropriately.
Compile, analyze, review, and research Finance Operations data to support issue resolution, management reporting, and AI-supported improvement initiatives.
Maintain clear, audit-ready documentation of decisions, control changes, and remediation status.