Project Specialist

The Project Specialist in the Finance SOX/Quality Assurance Department is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls, recommending process improvements, and where appropriate standardizing work practices within the Finance organization. The individual will report to the Section Manager, Finance SOX/Quality Assurance. The Project Specialist supports all efforts related to the oversight and execution of the Company's SOX program. The Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) rules are federal regulations that require management to document, assess, and make representations regarding the effectiveness of the corporation's internal control over financial reporting. This position requires understanding of the design, operation, and maintenance of internal controls, interpreting changes in SOX requirements, and coordinating SOX compliance activities throughout the Company, for both business and IT controls. The individual coordinates with quality assurance and control functions throughout the Company to develop and implement best practices and works closely with both the internal auditing organization and external auditors. Additionally, the individual will conduct quality assurance reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls and the efficiency of the current processes.Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor's Degree Accounting, engineering, the sciences, economics, finance, or business and 5 years' work experience or
• Master's Degree Accounting, engineering, the sciences, economics, finance, or business and 3 years' work experience

Relevant Work Experience

• Understanding in accounting and auditing, required.
• Understanding in IT general controls and application controls, preferred.
• Understanding in financial reporting and IT risks, processes, and controls, including COSO and IT control frameworks, preferred.
• Experience and understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley Act 404 controls, preferred.
• Experience and understanding of investigative and root cause analysis approaches, preferred.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, required.
• Experience collaborating and engaging with large and diverse group of stakeholders, required.
• Ability to present information and successfully convey a point of view in a clear and concise fashion, required.
• Ability to deal with conflicts, required.
• Ability to maintain a high energy level, with proven ability to develop and implement innovative process improvement initiatives, required.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products, required.
• Knowledge of IT Systems such as Oracle, preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to build strong customer relationships
• Performs work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills

Licenses and Certifications

• Driver's License Required
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Preferred
• Other: Certified Information Systems Auditor Preferred
• Other: Certified Internal Auditor Preferred

Additional Physical Demands

• The selected candidate will be assigned a System Emergency Assignment (i.e., an emergency response role) and will be expected to work non-business hours during emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able and willing to travel within Company service territory, as needed.

Core Responsibilities

• Train, influence, and marshal SOX business and IT control owners and coordinators, and senior management stakeholders across all of Con Edisons affiliate businesses.
• Perform all oversight, execution and governance duties of the SOX Program Office in an effort to comply with relevant SOX requirements.
• Support the annual process to review and update the Companys SOX process documentation (e.g., business process and IT control narratives, risk and control matrices, and process flowcharts).
• Establish requirements and periodic reporting processes to confirm that SOX control owners, business process owners, and coordinators perform all required duties in support of the SOX Program Management Office.
• Track the status and remediation of any control deficiencies, significant deficiencies, or material weaknesses and act as Finances liaison to Auditing and the external auditor on all SOX testing matters.
• Coordinate process mapping and quality assurance reviews of financial controls to help identify gaps and improvement opportunities and support efforts to rationalize and seek automation opportunities within the SOX control environment.
• Participate in the establishment of new SOX systems to assist and review control design and documentation.
• Ensures that safe work practices are followed and the environment is fully protected in accordance with Company policy and governmental regulations.
• Work independently, maintain confidentiality and place a high significance on personal accountability. Promote a positive work ethic that supports our Corporate Values and Mission Statement and perform other related tasks and assignments as required.
• Sustains a workplace environment that fosters trust, leadership, professionalism, integrity, honesty and concern. Constantly strives for excellence and complies with Company policies and procedures.