Manager, Global SOX Program & Controls Assurance

PPG Industries

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Global SOX Program & Controls Assurance is responsible for the governance, execution oversight, quality, and continuous improvement of the company’s Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR) program. Reporting to the Global Audit Director, this role leads regional business process SOX and IT SOX Managers to support annual SOX certification requirements and external auditor reliance objectives. The position connects Corporate Audit Services, Controllership, Information Technology, external auditors, and management. It oversees risk-based scoping, control coverage, testing methodologies, quality standards, and timely execution across IT General Controls (ITGCs) and business process controls. The role also leads program reporting, quality assurance, continuous improvement and automation, and management and development of SOX Managers. Some travel may be required, less than 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience in SOX compliance, Internal Audit, External Audit, Risk Management, or Internal Controls.
At least 3 years leading large-scale SOX or controls assurance programs.
Experience working in a multinational organization across multiple regions and time zones.
Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
Strong understanding of SOX Section 404 requirements, ICFR, the COSO Framework, IT General Controls (ITGCs), automated controls, and business process controls.

Nice To Haves

CPA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent certification is desirable.
Prior public accounting experience supporting SOX audits is strongly preferred.
Experience overseeing external auditor reliance programs is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with ERP environments such as SAP.
A track record of implementing automation tools, analytics capabilities, and continuous controls monitoring processes is an asset.

Responsibilities

Own and manage the global SOX testing program supporting management’s annual ICFR certification.
Establish annual SOX program objectives, timelines, milestones, and reporting requirements.
Partner with Corporate Controllership, IT leadership, and Internal Audit management to maintain a risk-based SOX framework.
Oversee annual SOX planning, including risk assessment, financial reporting scoping, location coverage, and key control identification.
Ensure consistent testing methodologies, documentation standards, issue evaluation, and reporting across regions.
Serve as the primary Internal Audit leader for SOX governance and program administration.
Direct and oversee SOX Managers responsible for testing execution, and coordinate resource deployment across the annual testing plan.
Monitor program completion, resource utilization, issue resolution, and adherence to timelines; escalate risks, delays, significant deficiencies, and emerging concerns to senior management.
Provide hands-on support and review assistance during elevated workloads or critical testing cycles.
Establish and maintain quality standards that support external auditor reliance on Internal Audit testing.
Review testing workpapers, conclusions, control evaluations, and issue documentation; drive consistency across business process and IT control testing.
Partner with external auditors on testing expectations, documentation standards, and reliance requirements.
Ensure testing evidence supports management certification and external auditor reliance objectives.
Work with Controllership and IT stakeholders to assess changes in systems, processes, acquisitions, divestitures, and organizational structure that may affect SOX coverage.
Ensure appropriate testing strategies for manual and automated controls.
Develop executive-level reporting on program status, testing progress, deficiencies, remediation, and key risks.
Prepare presentations and reporting packages for senior management, Controllership leadership, audit leadership, and Audit Committee stakeholders as required.
Communicate program health, emerging risks, resource needs, completion forecasts, and status updates to external auditors.
Lead continuous improvement of the SOX program, including greater use of data analytics, automated control testing, and full-population testing where practical.
Partner with Internal Audit leadership to improve audit software, workflows, reporting dashboards, and testing efficiency; evaluate emerging technologies, automation, and AI-enabled solutions.
Promote standardization and simplification of testing methodologies across the organization.
Directly manage SOX Managers, set performance expectations, develop development plans and succession planning, foster regional collaboration, and coach SOX Managers and supporting auditors.