Senior Specialist, Controls Assurance

Guardian Life Insurance • Holmdel Township, NJ

5d • $68,970 - $113,310 • Hybrid

About The Position

As an individual contributor on the Controls Assurance team within the corporate Internal Audit function, the Senior Specialist supports the Head of Business, Controls Assurance in assessing and executing internal controls over financial reporting. Guardian complies with the NAIC Model Audit Rule (MAR), a framework similar to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). The role involves internal controls testing and documentation, assessing the impact of control deficiencies, building relationships with and advising process and controls owners across business and functional areas, and facilitating management certifications and signoffs.

The role also performs direct-assistance controls testing for the Company’s external audit. It is highly visible and involves collaboration with management and staff across the enterprise and with the external audit firm. The specialist supports annual risk assessment, scoping, planning, and execution of the MAR program; helps monitor testing, evaluate and remediate deficiencies, review testing quality, and gather sub-certification deliverables; and responds to external audit requests and participates in special projects.

This is a hybrid position with three days in the office and two days working from home. Office locations are Hudson Yards, NYC; Holmdel, NJ; or Bethlehem, PA. The stated salary range is $68,970 to $113,310. The position may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation. Guardian describes its colleague benefits and resources as contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive; benefits apply to eligible full-time employees, and interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in internal or external audit, accounting, and/or finance, including Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) or Model Audit Rule experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or Management, Management Information Systems, or another related field.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Sound analytical skills, including the ability to analyze processes and assess risks and controls.
• Strong project management skills and ability to meet established deadlines.
• Ability to solve problems and identify root causes of process breakdowns.
• Ability to collaborate within and outside the department toward common goals and foster understanding and agreement.
• Knowledge of business processes, financial reporting risks, and related key controls.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Experience with TeamMate+.
• Professional accreditation, license, or designation such as CIA, CPA, CFE, CISA, or MBA.

Responsibilities

• Support annual risk assessment, scoping, and planning activities for the MAR program.
• Conduct the annual risk assessment and support completion of MAR scoping and planning activities.
• Review risk assessment and scoping results with stakeholders and help finalize the MAR program scope.
• Identify opportunities to use data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence to enhance scoping, planning, and program execution.
• Execute key components of the MAR lifecycle in accordance with established methodologies, regulatory expectations, and program timelines.
• Manage assigned responsibilities and meet established program deadlines.
• Monitor testing progress; answer questions from control owners and business testers; and help resolve execution challenges.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and results to Controls Assurance management and business stakeholders.
• Work with process owners to evaluate control deficiencies, develop remediation recommendations, and support deficiency documentation.
• Follow up on open deficiencies and monitor progress toward timely resolution.
• Perform quality assurance reviews to confirm testing is complete, accurate, and aligned with program methodology.
• Gather sub-certification deliverables and help identify and address obstacles to MAR attestation.
• Respond to external auditor requests in a timely, complete, and well-documented manner.
• Perform assigned control testing in support of the Company’s external audit.
• Participate in special projects and ad hoc control initiatives supporting departmental and company objectives.
• Build relationships with and provide guidance to process and controls owners across business and functional areas.
• Facilitate management certifications and signoffs.

Benefits

• The company describes benefits and resources as contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive; specific benefit offerings are not listed in the posting.
• The role may be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.
• Professional skill-building, leadership development, and philanthropic opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior