Internal Audit Manager

Lead Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Controls for a Growing Industrial Automation Leader

Control Associates is seeking an accomplished Internal Audit Manager to design, implement, and execute our internal audit function. This strategic role offers the opportunity to build and lead a comprehensive audit program while partnering with senior leadership to strengthen operational, financial, and compliance controls across our organization.

About Control Associates:

For over 90 years, Control Associates has been at the forefront of industrial process automation as an Emerson partner serving pharmaceutical, chemical, power generation, and other critical industries across the New York tri-state area. As we continue to grow and evolve, we're investing in robust internal controls and audit readiness to support our long-term strategic objectives.

Your Role and Impact:

Reporting to the CFO, you'll be the architect of our internal audit function, developing annual audit plans, conducting enterprise risk assessments, and executing comprehensive control testing. You'll serve as the primary liaison with external auditors while collaborating cross-functionally to enhance our control environment. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution, requiring someone who can both design frameworks and roll up their sleeves to implement them.

What You'll Lead and Deliver:

Internal Audit Program Leadership:

• Develop and execute annual internal audit plans aligned with business priorities, regulatory requirements, and risk exposure

• Create and maintain comprehensive enterprise risk assessments incorporating operational, financial, compliance, IT, and strategic factors

• Design and implement audit testing schedules including walkthroughs, process documentation, control testing, and remediation follow-up

• Research and recommend internal audit software solutions to support current and future business needs

• Collaborate with external accounting firm on three-year audit readiness transformation project

Audit Readiness & External Audit Support:

• Serve as primary liaison with external auditors during interim and year-end audit cycles

• Coordinate PBC (Prepared by Client) requests, ensuring timely and accurate documentation delivery

• Train process owners on policies, controls, and best practices ahead of audit reviews

• Lead remediation activities for audit findings, ensuring timely and sustainable corrective actions

Internal Controls, Compliance & Risk Management:

• Evaluate effectiveness of internal controls across the enterprise, including foundational controls, record-to-report, order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, IT general controls, and segregation of duties

• Recommend enhancements to strengthen control environments, improve process efficiencies, and reduce risk

• Monitor compliance with company policies, GAAP, regulatory standards, and contractual obligations

• Maintain standardized audit documentation and workpapers in accordance with professional standards

ERP (IFS) Testing & Financial Accuracy:

• Perform targeted audits within IFS ERP system, validating data integrity, accounting accuracy, and compliance with system workflows

• Test financial and accounting modules (A/R, A/P, G/L, Expense Sheets, Fixed Assets, Inventory, Project Accounting) for proper configuration

• Assess system segregation of duties, access rights, and control points

• Identify and resolve misconfigurations or process gaps impacting financial accuracy

Finance & Accounting Support:

• Review new vendor setups in IFS, ensuring compliance with vendor master data controls and fraud prevention protocols

• Monitor timely completion of balance sheet reconciliations

• Support accounting team during peak periods (month-end, quarter-end, year-end)

• Review and test system updates to ensure proper posting controls and accounting treatment

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

• 5-8+ years of experience in internal audit, public accounting, risk management, or financial controls

• Domestic Big 4 public accounting experience required

• CPA certification required

• Strong understanding of internal control frameworks (COSO), financial reporting, GAAP, and audit methodologies

• Experience auditing or working within ERP systems (IFS, SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite)

• Advanced Excel and financial modeling capabilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• CIA and CISA certifications strongly preferred

Essential Skills:

• Excellent analytical, investigative, and critical-thinking abilities

• Root-cause analysis and problem-solving expertise

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to present findings to senior leadership

• Project management and organizational excellence

• High degree of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism

• Ability to work independently while managing multiple projects and deadlines

• Strong interpersonal and networking skills with ability to influence, inform, and build trust across all organizational levels

• Coaching and developmental mindset to support team growth

What Sets You Apart:

You thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments with shifting priorities. You can work independently to identify issues, develop solutions, evaluate alternatives, and present clear recommendations to management. You're equally comfortable collaborating in team environments and taking individual ownership. You have a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach to execution and can effectively communicate complex accounting standards to non-accountants across all business units.

How This Role Embodies Our Core Values:

Customer Focus: You'll prioritize internal stakeholder needs by delivering audit services that strengthen controls and support business objectives.

Collaboration: You'll achieve superior results by partnering with Accounting, IT, HR, Operations, and external audit partners to enhance our control environment.

Innovation: You'll encourage thoughtful, creative approaches to risk management and control design while implementing best practices.

Integrity: You'll build trust through responsible audit practices, confidential handling of sensitive information, and unwavering commitment to professional standards.

Passion: You'll bring enthusiasm, dedication, and strong work ethic to building a world-class internal audit function.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience plus performance bonus

• Base Salary range for this role is $135K-$165K, with bonus potential
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Generous paid time off
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Opportunity to build and lead internal audit function from the ground up
• Direct partnership with CFO and senior leadership

Ready to Build a World-Class Internal Audit Function?

If you're an accomplished audit professional with Big 4 experience who wants to lead enterprise risk management and internal controls for a growing industrial automation leader, we want to hear from you! Join Control Associates and apply your expertise to building robust audit and control frameworks that support our continued growth and success.

Location: Allendale, NJ | Reports to: CFO

Control Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace

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