Topic: IT Control Testing

Job Description

Position Description Document

Project Lead – IT Control Testing

Role Description

The GDC Advisory Services group is comprised of multiple sub-specialties. The Control Testing group is responsible for quality, timeliness, and overall effectiveness of the test-work performed at the GDC. Companies use control mechanisms/activities to prevent or detect errors in financial or other transactional records. These controls may be manually executed by employees or may be system enabled via an ERP. Control testing is a routine element of financial statement, compliance, or internal audits. Control testing may require a familiarity with IT related issues, various business processes, and financial statement presentation. As such, Project Leads in GDC Advisory Services draw a variety of prior work experience, subject matter expertise, and collaboration with other colleagues to support service delivery to our clients.
 

Client portfolios are assigned to project leads based on an assessment of skills and experience versus the client’s specific needs. Project leads will utilize the Associate pool to execute the client requests, such that the work product 1) is off high quality 2) meets client expectations, and 3) is delivered within the agreed upon turn-around time. Individual project teams may form, disband, and re-form based on the types of work that is requested from period to period. The Project Lead role is not solely an administrative or oversight function. Project leads are also expected to execute work requests and perform quality reviews. All project leads must demonstrate proficiency in performing quality reviews. Although Leads are typically assigned to a sub-specialty group, they may also be called upon to execute other types of audit procedures including but not limited to assistance in process and data analysis, research, and client security assessments.

There are three foundational principles of the Project Lead Role:

- Project leads pursue quality at all times. Individual leads are ultimately accountable to clients as well as GDC management for all matters pertaining to quality on their assigned projects.

- Project leads are dedicated to client service. Project leads present a critical path to developing relationships with clients, and feel ownership for the commitments that are made and the services provided. Project leads are advocates for their client’s needs.

- Project leads find the right solution. The scope of our work is broad and it is not expected that any one individual has the experience and skills to suit every situation; however, the project lead is responsible for reaching out to colleagues or management to find the right solution in support their projects.

Project Leads report to a designated Group Lead respective to their sub-specialty group. As Project Leads demonstrate mastery of their job roles and responsibilities, they become eligible to progress to Group and Delivery Lead roles.

During certain periods of time, work loads at the center may increase and require professionals to contribute overtime hours. Be advised that every effort is made to plan work in advance and/or ensure that work loads are equitably balanced.

Project Leads receive a substantial amount of training at the beginning of their employment and throughout the course of their tenure at the GDC. This training will include OPI General Training,  Advisory Overview, Compliance Training, and of course Process Specific Training. Certain training and orientation programs may require travel to the US.

General Responsibilities

• The first and foremost responsibility for GDC professionals is a commitment to outstanding client service.
Project Leads are expected to support client service delivery by consistently meeting quality guidelines within the established turnaround times (or allotted budget) for assigned requests.
• Project Leads will monitor and report on the status of their assigned projects/ portfolios; this may include but is not limited to, tracking of total budget hours, estimated remaining effort to complete, and stage of completion.
• Project Leads are responsible for reviewing the work of others to assess the level of quality, sufficiency, and alignment with agreed upon project deliverables.
• Project Leads will escalate issues to appropriate members of GDC management or engagement team contacts to support transparency in project reporting as well as issue resolution.
• Project Leads are expected to independently perform follow up activities on tasks assigned to themselves or other members of their project teams.
• Each individual is responsible for prompt and accurate time reporting by project using the group’s time tracking system.
• Each individual is responsible for maintaining compliance with the group’s independence and risk management policies at all times.
• Each individual is responsible for exhibiting personal and professional integrity and behaving in an ethical manner at all times.
• Each individual is responsible for the active management of their development and learning goals. Management and the group at large will provide support and guidance.

Requirements / Qualifications

The candidate must meet the following requirements:

• Strong academic credentials as evidenced by an undergraduate college degree in accounting / business / information systems from an accredited college/university (BBM / BSc / BBA / MCA / BCom / BE).
• The successful candidate will have a minimum 5 years of professional work experience in a client service industry (e.g. sourcing, Big4, internal audit, IT audit etc…).
• Candidates should have prior experience in managing projects involving delivery of work products to clients within specified time frames and budgets.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills should be demonstrated. Candidate will be required to interact with colleagues in the US via email, written instructions, phone, or other online collaboration protocols.
• Successful candidates will be able to write clear and concise reports that summarize the procedures executed, findings/observations, and noted recommendations.
• Candidates should be able to demonstrate solid reading comprehension skills and follow written instructions.
• Professional certifications such as CISA, CISSP, CISM, CA, CPA and/or other equivalent certifications are required.

Time Management

- Use appropriate criteria to prioritize workload and accomplish tasks within required timeframe
- Able to monitor the progress of work deadlines and provide proactive status updates against the same
- Successful candidates will be able to work on multiple projects during the day and manage competing deadlines

Technical Skills

- Prior experience in the IT field is required. Experience may include areas such as Security reviews, IT Strategy, or IT Audit.
- Candidates should have exposure to 1 or more ERP packages (e.g. SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, etc) or data analysis tools.
- Intermediate to Advanced level of proficiency with Excel (other applications such as Access or IDEA are also acceptable)
- Proficient in using Microsoft Standard Office Suite including Word, PowerPoint, Visio, and Outlook
- Able to effectively perform basic research functions utilizing standard search engines and other

Data Analysis

- Able to assess the level of sufficiency/completeness, consistency, and validity of data
- Candidates should be detail oriented
- Able to infer or draw conclusions from available source data
- Able to identify patterns and trends in data
- Able to effectively summarize research findings and determine relevance and applicability to the engagement

Personal Effectiveness
- Ability to create daily goals and actions items and demonstrate follow through against the same
- Able to clearly and concisely articulate issues and present recommendations for consideration
- Able to give and receive critical feedback
- Experience working in a team environment
- Experience in motivating and focusing team members to achieve desired goals
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Able to demonstrate organizational ability and effective documentation to support the audit trail as well as change management objectives
- Active listening and effective note taking

The following additional skills and requirements are desirable:

• Prior experience with Big 4 audit, tax, or advisory groups are a big plus. Prior internal audit, corporate compliance, or IT experience in the following areas is desirable: corporate information systems management, and/or information systems risk management; systems integration or systems outsourcing organization, including business development and project management experience.
• Project Management and quality assurance course work or certifications are plus (e.g. Six Sigma, Lean Sigma, etc).
• Able to effectively perform basic research functions utilizing standard search engines and other sources.
• Experience in researching, creating, and hosting effective public presentations.

 

Desired Candidate Profile

Control Testing, IT Audit, Risk Management

Company Profile

Outsource Partners International (OPI) is the largest firm worldwide dedicated solely to outsourcing finance and accounting functions. Our range of services includes accounts payable, receivables, payroll, cash management, tax compliance, general accounting and financial reporting. Our unique, highly customized service model combines experienced on-site staff with document imaging, automated workflow and offshore transaction processing, enabling clients to substantially reduce cost, shorten lead times for processes, improve financial reporting and focus on their core businesses.

OPI is built and managed by experienced professional accountants, most of whom are former Big Four accounting firm partners and managers. That heritage drives a strong spirit of partnership with our clients. Placing client service and quality above all else has enabled us to build a substantial portfolio of satisfied clients who reward us by acting as references and serving as real-life examples of the power of outsourcing.

OPI has more than 2300 professionals operating through offices in Bangalore, Kochi and Delhi in India; Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Detroit, Washington DC in US; London in UK and Sofia in Bulgaria. Additional information about OPI and its finance and accounting solutions is available at www.opiglobal.com.

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