Controls Manager

Job Description

At abrdn, our purpose is to enable our clients to be better investors. Clients worldwide trust us to find future-fit investment opportunities that deliver the outcomes they want. Our technology and insight empower them to make better decisions, while the powerful partnerships we build help to enhance the expertise that we offer. By enabling clients to invest responsibly, we help build a better world.

About the Department

The abrdn Finance Controls Office has been newly established in response to increasing global regulatory focus on internal controls, including the upcoming UK Corporate Reform agenda. This initiative requires us to enhance our existing internal control environment and implement an advanced assurance process. The Finance Controls Office is a dedicated and ambitious team, responsible for strengthening internal controls across Finance and supporting the wider business in implementing the procedures necessary to provide a robust external attestation.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Internal Controls practitioner to join our newly established Finance Controls Office, based in Edinburgh. In this role, you will be part of a team tasked with supporting the business through the implementation of key phases:

• Design evaluation of existing processes and controls

• Assessment of operating effectiveness of controls

• Remediation support for design and operating weaknesses

• Attestation and results reporting

Key Responsibilities

Process Assessment & Documentation:

• Evaluate the abrdn Finance control environment for assigned in-scope processes through documentation review, workshops, and updating process and control documentation.

• Document processes, risks, and controls, assess deficiencies, and track remediation activities to ensure enhancements meet SOX-style standards.

Testing & Reporting:

• Perform and review testing of the design and operating effectiveness of controls, reporting results and collaborating with business leads to agree on necessary improvements and timelines.

Team Collaboration:

• Work collegiately within the Finance Controls Office and broader Finance team, supporting overall team activities, deliverables, and assisting with other risk and control-related activities as required.

Risk & Control Management:

• Support the maintenance of risk and control databases for the Finance Function, including documenting risk events and issues in internal systems on behalf of the Finance Controls Office.

About the Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Qualified accountant, auditor, or operational risk specialist with experience in internal control testing.

• Experience in testing internal controls, particularly design and operating effectiveness, control quality, and high evidencing standards.

• Although the primary focus of this position relates to UK regulatory change, a number of the processes and controls operate across abrdn’s global business and therefore experience of operating across a global business is required

• Intellectual curiosity to understand and provide insights that strengthen the internal control framework.

• Outcome-focused, with the ability to facilitate collaborative work within and across teams.

Disability Confident Employer

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you have a disability and would like to apply for one of our UK roles under the Disability Confident Scheme, please notify us by completing the relevant section in our candidate questionnaire, and one of our team will reach out to support you through the application process.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone.If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.