Senior Specialist, Controls Assurance

Guardian Life

. Support the Head of Business, Controls Assurance with assessment and execution of internal controls over financial reporting .

Posted 11/5/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $68,970 - $113,310 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in internal controls over financial reporting, particularly under the NAIC Model Audit Rule and Sarbanes-Oxley frameworks. Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills are essential for collaborating with stakeholders and executing control assessments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Internal Controls TestingSarbanes-Oxley (SOX)Model Audit Rule (MAR)Risk AssessmentProject Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Internal AuditFinancial ReportingControl Deficiencies AssessmentData AnalyticsAutomationQuality Assurance ReviewsProcess AnalysisControl FrameworksDocumentationRemediation Recommendations

Soft Skills

Strong Communication SkillsAnalytical SkillsProblem-SolvingCollaborationOrganizational Skills

Tools & Technologies

TeamMate+

Certifications & Qualifications

CIACPACFECISAMBA

Industry Keywords

Financial Reporting RisksBusiness ProcessesRegulatory Control FrameworksExternal AuditStakeholder Engagement

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support the Head of Business, Controls Assurance with assessment and execution of internal controls over financial reporting
Perform internal controls testing and documentation under the NAIC Model Audit Rule (MAR), similar to SOX
Assess the impact of control deficiencies
Build relationships and provide guidance to process and control owners across business and functional areas
Facilitate management certifications and signoffs
Perform direct-assistance controls testing for the Company’s external audit
Collaborate with management, staff personnel, and the external audit firm
Support annual risk assessment, scoping, and planning activities
Conduct annual risk assessment and support MAR scoping and planning
Review risk assessment and scoping results with stakeholders and finalize MAR program scope
Identify opportunities to use data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence
Execute key components of the MAR lifecycle according to methodologies, regulatory expectations, and timelines
Monitor testing progress, answer questions, and resolve execution challenges for control owners and business testers
Communicate progress, challenges, and results to Controls Assurance management and business stakeholders
Evaluate control deficiencies, develop remediation recommendations, and support deficiency documentation
Follow up on open deficiencies and monitor resolution progress
Perform quality assurance reviews of testing
Gather sub-certification deliverables and address obstacles to MAR attestation
Respond to external auditor requests
Perform assigned control testing for external audit
Participate in special projects and ad hoc control initiatives
Report to the Head of Business, Controls Assurance

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum 3+ years of relevant experience in internal or external audit, accounting, and/or finance, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Model Audit Rule
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or Management, Management Information Systems, or another related field
Strong written and oral communication skills
Sound analytical skills, with the ability to effectively analyze a process and assess risks and controls
Strong project management skills to meet established deadlines
Ability to solve problems and identify root causes of process breakdowns
Ability to collaborate with others inside and outside of the department
Experience supporting internal control programs, including MAR, SOX, or similar regulatory control frameworks
Knowledge of business processes, financial reporting risks, and related key controls
Strong organizational skills and ability to meet program milestones and deadlines
Experience building relationships with business partners, control owners, and audit stakeholders
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
Preferred: master’s degree or equivalent
Preferred: experience with TeamMate+
Preferred: professional accreditations, licenses, or designations such as CIA, CPA, CFE, CISA, or MBA
Legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship

Benefits

Comp & perks

Support and flexibility to achieve professional and personal goals
Skill-building opportunities
Leadership development opportunities
Philanthropic opportunities
Contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources
Benefits for full-time eligible employees
Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and pregnancy-related limitations