Risk Management & Independence Manager

Grant Thornton•Edison, NJ

6d•$112,000 - $168,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Grant Thornton is seeking a Risk Management & Independence Manager to join the team. This role will play a significant role in assisting partners, associate partners, managing directors (PMDs), and professionals in evaluating new opportunities or existing relationships for clients or affiliates subject to independence requirements. The manager will also contribute to GT's adoption and development of global independence quality control requirements and policies established by GTI. The Independence Group monitors various independence standard setters and regulatory bodies, including the AICPA, SEC, PCAOB, IFAC, GAO, and DOL. This role requires applying a broad knowledge of professional standards to assist engagement teams with independence evaluations and monitoring, and to support the development of GT's independence policies and quality control processes. The manager should be comfortable working both independently and within a team environment, managing competing priorities in a fast-paced, results-based team setting. The Independence Group liaises with quality control representatives from client-serving lines and with independence or risk management representatives from other GTI member firms to discuss the implications of professional services, business relationships, and other matters on the firm's independence and ethical responsibilities. The manager will assist PPMDs and professionals in advising on or performing relationship checks, assisting with acquisitions, and monitoring personal independence compliance. The Independence Group is also responsible for publishing independence policies and processes, developing training courses, and creating resources to enhance professionals' understanding of new requirements. This manager will assist in developing and maintaining independence-related publications and be involved in developing and presenting training. They will also participate in internal consultations to assist engagement teams with independence-related questions concerning non-audit services or business relationships, applying the more restrictive independence rules to enable informed business decisions.

Requirements

Five or more years of experience related to the accounting profession, with experience in a national office or independence office a strong plus
CPA is required.
Excellent analytical, technical, and professional skills including understanding of international accounting and consulting firms’ businesses.
Strong ability to acquire, synthesize, and present technical information.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills
Strong Microsoft Word skills required and experience with other Microsoft Office products (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
Strong project planning skills.
Experience managing projects, with an ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines.
Ability to work on highly technical material, with strong attention to detail.
Ability to work additional hours as needed

Nice To Haves

Experience in a national office or independence office a strong plus

Responsibilities

Consult with PMDs and professionals on the application of independence standards to a particular fact situation (e.g., scope of services, business relationships, employment, personal compliance).
Perform various Relationship Checking activities (e.g., processing relationship checks at various stages assisting teams with evaluating relationships reported, etc.) by using RCS.
Assist in monitoring independence for larger private equity firms for which the firm is maintaining SEC independence.
Support the evaluation of services and relationships for Grant Thornton Advisors LLC acquisitions.
Assist in training independence team in INDUS on the application of AICPA independence standards relating to nonaudit services or business relationship for existing and prospective private audit clients to assist engagement teams in clearing private audit client checks, including monitoring and supervising the INDUS team related to this initiative.
Assist in developing firm independence policies and quality control requirements which will involve documentation and regular updates.
Develop and present technical content for professional training programs or for other firm purposes.
Assist in maintaining and develop independence related resources or publications (e.g., nonaudit services matrices, etc.).
Liaise with representatives of Grant Thornton International and the member firms on potential independence matters, potential conflicts of interest and independence confirmations/representations.
Attend professional development and training sessions on a regular basis.
Perform other job-related duties or assist with special projects, as necessary.
Perform various Restricted List activities (e.g., assisting with engagement team requests, reconciling reports, working with Collaboration Center team to post approved edits etc.) leveraging RIL, RCS, Watch List and GRL.
Assist with monitoring the activities of independence standards setting and regulatory bodies (e.g., personal compliance, etc.).
Assist in reviewing filing alerts and preparing overview of independence safeguards implemented.
Perform various personal compliance activities (e.g., monitoring the timely transition and addition of investment accounts in the firm’s automated tracking systems, evaluating financial relationships reported, etc.) by using the firm’s compliance tools.
Assist in monitoring the annual certification process.
Assist in developing firm independence policies and quality control requirements.
Perform and conduct detail review of team members. Individual will be heavily involved in day-to-day oversight of independence compliance function.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously and competing priorities in a rapidly growing, fast-paced, interactive, results-based global team environment by leading and collaborating with diverse teams.
Perform other job-related duties or assist with special projects, as necessary.