Financial Controls Manager

• Perth office based, Newcastle Street, East Perth, 6000
• Reporting to the National Manager Internal Audit & Control Assurance
• Hybrid working model (2 days working from home & 3 days working in the office)

Compass Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (Top 20) and is the global market leader in providing food and support services to customers in the workplace, schools and colleges, hospitals, at leisure and in remote environments. We operate in over 25 countries, employ c.600,000 people, and are a recognised top 10 employer worldwide.

In Australia, Compass Group Australia (CGA) currently generates $2.2bn revenue per annum, servicing over 350 clients across over 700 sites, with c.18,000 employees. We offer a supportive team culture in a value-based organisation with balanced ‘work from home’ arrangements. 

About the Role

The Financial Controls Manager is a key management role within the company Controls, Assurance & Audit (CAA) function. The role supports the design, implementation and embedding of a robust SOX-like internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) framework, across Compass Group Australia.

The position will help transition from the current Key Financial Controls (KFC) programme to a SOX-ready financial controls framework by documenting risks, processes, controls and evidence standards; building RACMs and process maps; supporting control owners; and establishing disciplined testing, remediation and governance practices.

A critical success factor for this role is practical change leadership. The Financial Controls Manager will partner with Line 1 finance and operational process owners to make risk and control ownership clear, evidence-based and embedded into business-as-usual ways of working rather than treated as a compliance exercise.

Responsibilities:

ICFR / financial controls framework enhancement

• Support the implementation and enhancement of CGA’s financial controls, in line with Group SOX-style ICFR control framework and UK Corporate Governance Code expectations, including theft and fraud risks and controls.
• Develop and maintain ICFR scoping, risk assessment, RACMs, process flows, key controls, control objectives and evidence requirements for core financial processes.
• Rationalise current KFC activities into a structured, risk-based and SOX-ready framework, including consistent application of leading practice concepts such as key controls, Information Produced by the Entity (IPE), entity-level controls and management review controls.

Embedding control processes

• Partner with Finance, business process owners and support functions to understand and document end-to-end processes, risks and practical, operable controls, including theft & fraud risks and controls.
• Translate ICFR, SOX and control requirements into clear business guidance, training, job aids and practical examples suitable for CGA’s operating model.
• Support management of change activities that build Line 1 capability, reinforce ownership and embed control discipline into BAU routines.

Testing, deficiencies and remediation

• Design and support financial and theft & fraud controls testing methodology, covering design effectiveness, operating effectiveness, evidence quality and control dependencies.
• Review testing performed by the business and CCA team, including quality review of key control documentation, evidence and conclusions.
• Assess, report and track deficiencies through to sustainable closure, including root cause, severity, business impact, remediation evidence and audit readiness.

Governance, reporting and insights

• Develop and review meaningful reporting, dashboards and insights on control performance, design gaps, remediation status, evidence quality and emerging risk themes, including theft & fraud.
• Support governance forums, steering updates, control owner forums, management attestations and stakeholder reporting.
• Maintain control libraries, RACMs, testing workflows and remediation tracking through GRC or equivalent systems, while incorporating leading practice and Group direction.

People leadership and capability building

• Develop good working relationships with fellow CAA team members to foster a culture of operational excellence, collaboration and professional challenge.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with key stakeholders, building trust while analysing, challenging and influencing constructively.
• Support the CGA Group Finance team and broader Finance team in ensuring the needs of key stakeholders are met while preserving CAA team integrity and independence.
• Operate in accordance with Compass values and actively support and participate in Compass culture.
• Model high standards of integrity, confidentiality, professional judgement and accountability.

About You

• Experience
• 8+ years in financial controls, internal or external audit, SOX/ICFR, risk assurance or related governance discipline, with recent hands-on exposure to SOX-style or ICFR frameworks preferred.
• Technical capability:
• Strong knowledge of COSO, SOX 404 / ICFR, RACMs, key controls, sampling, testing, evidence standards, deficiency assessment and remediation across core financial processes.
• Qualifications:
• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business or related field required; CA/CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent desirable.
• Process and assurance skills:
• Able to document end-to-end process flows, identify financial reporting risks, challenge control design and work effectively with internal audit, external audit and Group control teams.
• Stakeholder and delivery skills:
• Confident communicator with strong planning, coordination and influencing skills, able to manage multiple priorities and build trust with senior stakeholders and process owners.
• Systems and judgement:
• Competent with Microsoft Office and control documentation tools; Power BI, Tableau, Visio, Optro (AuditBoard), Oracle or BlackLine experience advantageous;
• Demonstrates integrity, confidentiality and sound judgement.

Benefits

• Hybrid Work Arrangement, 2 days from home
• Modern central designer offices close to public transport and staff parking available
• Year end bonus structure available based on performance.
• Tailored employee benefits program such as retail and health insurance discounts, novated leasing options
• Opportunity to develop your career with a global organisation

If you're ready to take the next step in your financial controls career and contribute to something bigger, we want to hear from you! For any questions, doubts, or for a confidential chat, please reach out to gilzugmeyer@compass-group.com.au 

We are committed to ensuring a recruitment process that is fair, inclusive, and accessible to all. If you require any adjustments or alternative methods of communication during the process, please let us know our team will support you in the way that works best for you.