Job Description
Position Purpose
The Business Controls Function (BCF) consultant should be a risk management professional having experience in financial, operational and anti-fraud internal controls to help mitigate risk in (CLIENT) commercial market in Middle East. The position reports directly to the Regional BCF Lead and close working with Market BCF for day-to-day oversight. The corporate BCF management provides governance, training, guidance and the framework and tools necessary for the resource to meet the job’s requirements. This role supports Market BCF in conducting activities related to anti-bribery and corruption (AB&C), and fraud monitoring, execution of a financial, operational and fraud risk assessment, third party monitoring, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, and other risk management activities. The position interacts closely with Market BCF and also acts as a partner to Commercial, Law & Compliance, Finance, Market Access, Medical, and other functions, for mitigating key risks faced in middle east, with support from the corporate BCF management’s regional associates.
Duties & Responsibilities
Financial, Operational & Fraud Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Expert in identifying and mitigating financial, operational and fraud risk assessment with assistance and oversight from Market BCF and Regional BCF, through proactive risk assessment.
- Work with local management to identify risks utilizing the corporate BCF’s framework, including monitor higher risk areas and development of efficient and effective mitigation actions and process improvement opportunities.
- Consult and collaborate with Market BCF, corporate BCF leadership and Business Process champions (BPCs) in recommending changes to globally designed controls, processes or procedures (including locally executed controls that differ from globally designed controls/end-to-end process).
- Participate in execution of Annual Risk Assessment Program covering the operational and fraud risks. Present the results of Risk Assessment to the Local Management and the Regional BCF Leads. Perform quarterly/ periodic updates of the key risks identified in the Risk Assessment.
- Actively identify, evaluate and report on deficiencies in the market’s internal controls over financial reporting, including out of period financial statement adjustments, control failures identified during the quarterly financial statement close, Sarbanes-Oxley testing performed by a central SOX team, and Global Internal Audit & Assurance (GIA) Department observations.
- Participate in design and control deficiency remediation plans. Partner with Market BCF and BPCs to evaluate nature, remediation, severity, and pervasiveness of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting.
- Proactively ensure that the local market executes internal controls over financial reporting as required by the Company’s internal control standards and policies and procedures.
- Assist Market BCF to submit quarterly change in control reporting to corporate BCF management, working with local Business Process Owners (BPOs) and the BPCs to identify innovative risk mitigation and control enhancement strategies, in particulate for significant organizational, process or system changes.
- Monitor and update the status of deficiencies and related remediation identified in GIA observations resulting from commercial market audit.
- Respond promptly to Market/ Regional BCF inquiries in the aforementioned areas to assist in preparing corporate BCF leadership for presentation to the CFO and other senior management.
Investigative Support
- Provide periodic investigative support under Law & Compliance and BCF International Lead’s supervision (e.g., matters of occupational fraud, compliance matters, policy and procedural violations, etc.).
- Gather and analyze documentation and data, facilitate interviews, provide an understanding of financial controls and understand possible override, participate in remediation planning and execution.
Audit Support
· Assist and support as necessary local operations and Finance with internal and external audits. Activities include responding to inquiries and ensuring audit requests are satisfied, serving as the primary liaison between GIA or the external auditor and the business (e.g., providing explanations regarding controls, policies and procedures, end-to-end business processes, identifying and facilitating control owner discussions, reviewing and consulting on findings and observations, etc.)
BCF & Finance Project Management
- Participate on special projects and data analytics activities designed to enhance compliance, improve performance or increase efficiency within the commercial market. Actively participate on all Corporate financial/compliance systems implementations to ensure the appropriate internal controls over financial reporting and compliance are incorporated into the system and related business processes.
- Assist Market BCF and local market Finance Director with special projects, including financial planning and analysis, and process improvement and simplification opportunities.
- Work with local Finance management to help ensure channel inventory level compliance (i.e., to ensure days on-hand inventory is not in excess of prescribed levels without receiving approval for permissible exceptions).
- Prepare the fixed asset verification and update at least annually or more frequently as deemed necessary based on risk factors.
- Determine adequacy of inventory cycle count methodology and monitor the results of counts conducted at CLIENT or third party warehouses.
Skills
AB&C and Fraud Monitoring Activities
- Assist in testing and monitoring transactions for employee expenses, corporate cards and account payables payments through a dedicated platform.
- Summarize findings and align with the Market / Regional BCF prior to closure
- Escalate severe issues to Market/ Regional BCF as necessary, including for determination of whether investigations are required.
- Assist corporate BCF management and Law & Compliance with monitoring (other than routine disbursements and T&E testing described above), as required, to help ensure compliance with laws and regulations, industry codes of ethics, and CLIENT policies and procedures.
Third-party Risk Management
- Contribute to the third party risk management program planning with the corporate BCF, including determination of distributor and contract sales organization (CSO) monitoring procedures, contract review, and interviews of local management to identify risk areas of concern to local CLIENT management.
- Assist with third party review and execute on-site monitoring engagements under Market BCF and Regional BCF oversight.
- Prepare and present results to local market and corporate BCF senior leadership, including development of remediation plans.
- Follow-up to ensure prompt and effective remediation plan implementation.
Education/Experience
- Certified Public Accountant or equivalent. Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Internal Auditor and similar designations desirable.
- Basic understanding of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (or similar local legislation), and local/regional industry codes governing interactions with healthcare professionals and organizations is required.
- Appreciation of and ability to articulate key compliance risks facing global pharmaceutical manufacturers necessary.
- 5 to 8 years total professional experience in accounting, audit, investigative and similar functions. Big 4 public accounting / consulting experience desirable.
- Prior pharmaceutical manufacturer or similar experience desirable
- Experience executing risk assessments, detailed transaction testing, and suggesting internal control and remediation measures required.
- Understanding of accounting principles, financial statement audit and disclosure requirements, and internal controls required.
- Experience or desire to learn about conducting third-party risk assessments and monitoring activities (e.g., distributors, contract sales organizations, etc.).
- Experience in financial analysis and data analytics desirable.
- Previous Finance department experience a plus (e.g., financial analysis, budgeting, close responsibilities, financial system implementations, etc.).
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or similar degree required. Advanced, graduate degree desirable.
Developmental Value
- Opportunity to enhance understanding of the key financial, operational and fraud risks facing pharmaceutical manufacturers and their commercial environments, while working with senior leaders.
- Opportunity to be part of a professional and high performing team of over 90 professionals, that is continually evolving and reacting to the key, top-of-mind risks facing senior management and an integral contributor to the Company’s overall enterprise risk management program.
- Develop the ability to impact and influence within the Company to deliver superior business results and protect shareholders.
- Collaborate with key leaders in various functions including Commercial, Finance/Accounting, Law & Compliance, Investigations, Business Process Owners, and Global Internal Audit & Assurance, while building relationships and executing tasks that help create career opportunities and broaden experience and skill set.
- Development through support provided by a dedicated corporate BCF leadership team of strategically located professionals and subject matter experts responsible for the department’s framework and governance (including updated work instructions, training, analytics, prompt responses to day-to-day inquiries, and coaching).
