Internal Controls Officer at Fort Knox Group

JOB PURPOSE

An Internal Controls Officer in a bank plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the bank’s operations. This role is vital for maintaining the bank’s operational integrity and ensuring that all processes are compliant with relevant policies, regulations, and standards.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Enforce internal control frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with Bank policies and processes, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Conduct risk assessments to identify areas of potential risk, fraud, or non-compliance.
• Perform internal process assessment / reviews as per defined frequencies (daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly) to assess the reliability and accuracy of financial transactions and operational information.
• Process Reviews: Conduct regular reviews of operational processes to ensure they are efficient and compliant with internal policies and external regulations.
• Control Testing: Test the effectiveness of operational controls, such as segregation of duties, authorization procedures, and physical security measure2.
• Incident Investigation: Investigate operational incidents, such as process failures or breaches, and recommend corrective actions.
• Internal Compliance Monitoring: Monitor compliance with operational policies and procedures and ensure that all departments adhere to established standards.
• IT Control Assessments: Assess the effectiveness of IT controls, including access controls, data integrity, and system security
• Cybersecurity process reviews: Conduct independent assessment of cybersecurity measures to protect against data breaches and cyber threats.
• System Implementation Reviews: Review new technology implementations to ensure they include adequate controls and comply with regulatory requirements.
• Change Management: Oversee the change management process to ensure that all changes to IT systems are properly authorized, tested, and documented.
• Financial Reporting Controls: Ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting by implementing and testing controls over financial transactions and reporting processes1.
• Reconciliation Processes: independently perform intra-day and inter-day reconciliation of specific GLs to ensure that all financial records are accurate and have supporting instructions.
• Perform fraud risk assessments, implement and monitor controls to detect and prevent financial fraud, such as unauthorized transactions or misappropriation of assets.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and standards, such as ISO 31000, COSO.
• Document internal controls review findings, observations, and recommendations in detailed reports and communicate results to management.
• Work with departmental managers and process owners to address control deficiencies and implement corrective actions, to ensure minimal audit exceptions identified by Internal Assurance.
• Provide training and guidance to employees on internal control principles, policies, and procedures.

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Educational Qualifications & Functional / Technical Skills
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field. 
• Professional Experience: 3-5 years of proven experience in internal auditing, internal controls, or risk management roles within a bank, Fintech or an audit firm. Skills
• Strong understanding of internal control principles, practices, and frameworks 
• Knowledge of internal controls regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ethical Standards: High ethical standards and integrity to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Up-to-date knowledge of changes in regulations, laws, and industry standards related to internal controls and risk management.
• Training and Development: Ability to provide training and guidance to employees on internal control principles, policies, and procedures.