Senior Manager - Internal Audit

Job Posting:

Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes and better businesses. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable. We proactively solve problems, adapt and grow to continuously serve our customers, communities and each other. Ferguson, a Fortune 500 company, is proud to provide best-in-class products, service and capabilities across the following industries: Commercial/Mechanical, Facilities Supply, Fire and Fabrication, HVAC, Industrial, Residential Trade, Residential Building and Remodel, Waterworks and Residential Digital Commerce. Ferguson has approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations. Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful. You will build a career that you are proud of, at a company you can believe in.

Role Overview:

The Senior Manager – Internal Audit within the Field Audit function reports to the Director – Internal Audit and is a highly visible and impactful role for Ferguson. Core responsibilities include:

• Support the creation and execution of the strategic direction of the North American Field Audit programs
• Oversee people management for the entire team including performance management, development, and coaching
• Lead the management of program content development, delivery of the North American Field Audit plan, and communication of results to all stakeholder groups including field leadership and functional VPs, ensuring reporting is driving change at the program level
• Lead creation of executive level trend reporting ensuring impactful analysis and socialization with various leadership teams preparing it for Director review
• Act as lead investigator driving direction of field investigations, proper escalation of findings, and communication of findings to relevant leadership

Location:

This role is approved to be fully remote and can be based anywhere in the United States. This role can also by hybrid out of Ferguson's corporate offices in Newport News, VA, according to Ferguson policy. Must be available to work East Coast hours.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leads an engagement ensuring that the planning, work, and reporting align with the IPPF framework and implements comprehensive auditing strategies tailored to organizational risk and Company-specific needs
• Provides guidance on selecting appropriate assurance and risk management methodologies based on the nature of the engagement and risk assessment.
• Aligns audit & advisory activities with enterprise’s strategic priorities
• Leads integrated assurance & advisory initiatives (such as assurance mapping) by coordinating cross-functional teams, evaluating methodologies, optimizing processes through automation, and advising management to leverage coordinated assurance efforts to enhance risk oversight and efficiency
• In addition to supporting the team’s individual effort, roll up your sleeves and dig into documentary evidence and data to identify root cause issues and emerging risks, and to substantiate project report-outs.
• Directs the development of concise, well-structured audit & advisory reports and communications that clearly convey findings, root causes, and recommendations that make valuable contributions to the organization
• Presents an executive summary of findings, conclusions, and results to senior management (SVPs, VPs, GMs, Sr Directors, Directors, etc.), highlighting critical risks and action plans
• Provides guidance to internal auditors on structuring findings, recommendations, and conclusions for clarity and impact
• Prepare Audit Committee presentation materials and socialize with management as appropriate
• Independently leads audit & advisory engagements, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and engagement risk assessments
• Guides and mentors members of the internal audit function, enhancing proficiencies and promoting professional growth
• Engages with executives and senior management, effectively articulating risk insights and recommendations
• Assesses the effectiveness of governance and risk management processes in overseeing and mitigating fraud risks, including establishing ethics policies, reporting mechanisms, and management responses. Provides recommendations for strengthening fraud risk management processes and relevant internal controls.

Skills and Expectations:

• For financial control programs, evaluates governance, risk management, and control processes over financial controls, assesses risks related to misstatements and noncompliance, and identifies discrepancies
• For compliance programs, evaluates compliance programs' effectiveness in providing information to governance bodies, monitoring compliance objectives, providing training, assessing adherence to regulations and policies, and recommending improvements to control processes
• For operational programs, understands the fundamental processes of supply chain management, including strategic sourcing, contract and vendor relationship management, procurement, warehousing, forward and reverse logistics, operational procedures, and inventory management
• Evaluates evidence with appropriate professional skepticism and ensures due professional care is exercised in all audit & advisory work
• Provides insights on internal audit function maturity, using benchmarking and leading practices to drive improvement
• Independently drafts or approves engagement communications and presentations, ensuring messages are clear, well-supported, and aligned with organizational priorities
• Provides constructive feedback to internal auditors on leading practices for written and verbal communications, including presentations
• Employs adaptive and effective questioning techniques to enhance audit & advisory interviews and discussions.
• Mentor direct reports on professional development and quality performance, perform formal appraisals, and handle all hiring, onboarding, and performance improvement needs
• Collaborate and liaise with partners and executive leadership to develop relationships and facilitate the achievement of objectives
• Demonstrates advanced conflict negotiation skills by independently managing disputes in high-profile audit & advisory engagements, using influence and diplomacy to foster productive dialogue between internal auditors and management (management that includes Director level), and coaching team members on effective resolution strategies
• Leverages advanced data analytics to enhance audit & advisory effectiveness by independently designing and implementing procedures that improve risk assessments and auditor efficiency, applying advanced analytical techniques such as statistical analysis to generate actionable insights, and advising team members on integrating data methodologies into audit engagements
• Seek out technological solutions (AI, automation) to create efficiencies in the testing process.
• Skilled at identifying and effectively articulating the root cause component of the control failure.
• Project manages an internal audit/advisory engagement from planning to final communications, handling resources effectively to achieve engagement objectives within the expected timelines.
• Evaluates governance structures and processes and their alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluates whether an organization's strategy-setting processes align with relevant governance, risk management, and control frameworks.
• Provides recommendations for enhancing risk management maturity and integrating ERM processes into annual audit planning.
• Support the Director - Internal Audit in annual planning efforts (to include risk assessments, Audit Plan creation, and objective setting), and identifying strategic direction
• Identifies discrepancies between documented risk management procedures and gathered evidence and discusses possible root causes with management.
• Thorough with extensive expertise in project handling complex engagements
• Proactively takes initiative and ownership in achieving assigned objectives, ensuring the delivery of high-quality audit/advisory work, and continuously developing skills.
• Demonstrates well-developed problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Great teammate, collaborative and exhibits flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related area, Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years progressive experience in Internal or External Audit, Accounting, mix of equivalent experience in Operations will be considered
• SOX 302 and 404 experience required
• Big 4 public accounting experience a plus
• Experience leading direct reports
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite including PowerBI and Visio; knowledge of Workday, AuditBoard, Oracle and Sage X3 a plus
• Experience working in a remote environment a plus
• Certification required (other certifications not listed below will be considered for applicability):
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) - The Institute of Internal Auditors - North America.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
• Travel 15-25%, including Canada

At Ferguson, we care for each other. We value our well-being just as much as our hard work. We are committed to a holistic approach towards benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical and financial well-being of our associates. Our competitive offering not only includes benefits like health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance and a 401(k) with a company match, but our associates also enjoy additional meaningful and inclusive enhancements that are adaptable to their diverse situations and needs, including mental health coverage, gender affirming and family building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and more.

#LI-Remote

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Pay Range:

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Actual pay rate may vary depending upon location. The estimated pay range for this position is below. The specific rate will depend on a candidate’s qualifications and prior experience.

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Estimated Ranges displayed are Monthly for Salaried roles OR Hourly for all other roles.

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This role is Bonus or Incentive Plan eligible.

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Ferguson complies with all wage regulations. The starting wage may be higher in certain locations based on local or state wage requirements.

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The Company is an equal opportunity employer as well as a government contractor that shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), which prohibits discrimination against qualified protected Veterans and the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(A), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability.

Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. is an equal employment employer F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Information