Internal Control Manager at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Job Description

• The purpose of Internal control is to implement & maintain a robust control environment, through a series of documented policies and procedures, which aids management to better control organizational activities and assures that work quality and overall efficiency are not compromised.

If effectively implemented and carefully monitored, it provides reasonable assurance that:

• Ford's assets are adequately protected against fraud, or other forms of unlawful conduct.
• Financial statements are accurate and fairly reflect the results and status of the business.
• The actions of individuals within the organization are fully consistent with stated management policies, and with applicable governmental laws and regulations.

Responsibilities
What you’ll do:

Responsibility 1 (Description of Primary Duty):

• Maintain an effective, efficient, and sustainable Internal Control environment to ensure appropriate controls are in place. 
• Support and/or facilitate regular meetings with Finance and Operational management to communicate, track & report on Corporate Control Metrics.           
• Cascade control issues, trend data, new policies, updated approval authorities, emerging issues, and best practices.                        
• Develop, deploy, and monitor the Sarbanes-Oxley (S-Ox) Compliance Plan through the Control Testing Campaign (MCRP) process.             
• Manage and report identified control deficiencies. This includes facilitating training sessions to functional skill team leaders throughout International Market Group (IMG) to convey the current year requirements and provide training on how to complete MCRPs including question interpretation, documentation, and sample requirements.
• Facilitate the development of Operation Identified Comments (OIC) and corrective action plans to provide sustainable resolution of identified control deficiencies. 
• Report and follow up on identified control deficiencies. 
• Facilitate interpretation of global policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Perform and assess process reviews, evaluate controls, map processes, and report findings.
• Maintain and coordinate working relationships and complementary control activities with partners (e.g. PricewaterhouseCoopers, General Auditor's Office, Regional Investigation Coordinators, and Office of the General Counsel).        
• Deploy new internal control initiatives and plans to work more efficiently and continually educating or mentoring operational areas to ensure compliance to company’s policies and procedures.

Responsibility 2 (Description of Primary Duty):

• Monitors, evaluates, and provides recommendations for effective compliance to policies and procedures for the general operation of the Ford environment and its related activities to prevent illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.                        
• Responds to alleged violations of rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and Standards of Conduct by evaluating or recommending the initiation of investigative procedures.
• Provides reports on a regular basis, and as directed or requested, to keep the Senior Management and Corporate Committees informed of the operation and progress of compliance and internal control efforts.    
• Provide technical input and recommendations regarding changes to policies, systems, processes, procedures, and methodologies.    

How you’ll measure success:

IMG Control Performance Metrics compliance.

• Provide senior operating and finance management with actionable information to improve or maintain effective internal controls and to assure the integrity and reliability of Financial Reporting. 
• Support the preparation of the Certification and Representation process for IMG Business Unit (CaR IC Schedules).
• Lead and independently perform risk assessments in key operational areas to evaluate and process map the control points, identify control gaps, and make recommendations on closure actions.                                
• Provide consultancy and guidance on the development of corrective action plans to address “high- & medium risk” control breakdowns including review of proposed implementation actions, sustainability testing, and comment closure.    
• Interpret Corporate policies and procedures to drive efficiencies and effective practices on a cross functional basis and drive for consistency of processes.
• Support the preparation of Internal Control documentation for submission to the South Africa IC meeting and IMG Audit Committee.            
• Create and maintain matrices, ensuring alignment with Corporate Approval Authorities (CAAs).
• Co-ordinate and support South Africa audits performed by the Company’s independent internal audit, i.e. GAO

What you’ll bring:

Strategic Thinking    
Innovation    
Collaboration & Partnership:

• Interdepartmental Collaboration - Work closely with the IMG IC & Corporate IC Team to ensure alignment of strategies and sharing of best practices.
• Cross-Functional Projects - Participate in or lead projects that involve multiple departments, promoting integration and cohesion across the organisation.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Engage with key stakeholders to understand their needs and provide solutions that support the overall mission of the team.

Qualifications
Your background:

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with Professional certifications (e.g. Certified Internal Auditor, Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant).              

Experience:

• At least 3-5 years leadership /managerial experience in internal/external audit, accounting or finance positions. Experience in Forensic audit will be added advantage.   

Technical Skills:    

• Analyzing and decision-making skills.
• Analyzing and documenting process flows and making recommendations to improve controls and processes.
• Ford Finance, Accounting, and operational systems knowledge.    
• Experience in various Ford Finance, Accounting & Manufacturing organizations.
• Auditing and/or control environment experience.
• Analytical approach and strong decision-making and judgement skills.    
• Advance Excel and Presentation Skills.        
• Must have knowledge of the Sarbanes Oxley Act (S-Ox).        
• Understanding of Automotive Industry & Manufacturing.    

Soft Skills:

• Leading discussions across organizations.                
• Interpersonal and active listening skills.                    
• Working in unfamiliar and unstructured environment.                
• The ability to present to senior management up to an including Corporate President Level (LL1).                    
• The ability to manage independently a diverse workload ensuring effective prioritization
• Adaptable and persuasive with strong written and verbal communication skills.    
• An unimpeachable level of integrity and accountability.            
• Strong motivational and self-starter characteristics with a drive for results.
• An understanding of the importance of quality and the philosophy of continuous improvement.                        
• Analytical approach and strong decision-making and judgement skills.    
• Pays Attention to detail.