As a leading regional bank, SouthState has been providing financial solutions to individuals, families, and businesses in the Southeast for more than 100 years. SouthState team members strive to create remarkable experiences while building meaningful and lasting relationships. We are proud to be a reflection of the communities we serve, and our team members share core values that make SouthState a great place to bank, and a great place to work.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES

It is the responsibility of the Audit Manager - Finance/SOX to take ownership of all tasks and challenges that they encounter in the operation of their assigned position.

The Audit Manager (Finance/SOX) will be one of the key members of Internal Audit's senior leadership team. Reporting to the Audit Director, the Audit Manager will lead audits of the Company's Corporate Treasury/Asset Liability Management functions within the Finance Division. The Audit Manager will be Internal Audit's point-of-contact and relationship manager for audits of the Corporate Treasury functions residing within the Treasury Analytics and Balance Sheet Strategies business units. The Audit Manager will oversee the planning, execution, and reporting of the audits in their assigned risk areas including leading multiple audits simultaneously utilizing the support of audit supervisors and staff in a team-based environment. This individual will also provide primary input to the risk assessment and audit planning process. The Audit Manager's performance will be impacted by his or her ability to build strong relationships with key management, address their most critical risk and control issues in a measurable way, and add value as a key source of internal control and risk management best practices.

In addition, the Audit Manager (Finance/SOX) will be Internal Audit's point-of-contact and relationship manager for oversight of Internal Audit's testing of significant financial reporting controls to evaluate the operating effectiveness of the controls in connection with Sections 404 and 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA). The Audit Manager will oversee and direct performance of work for and interaction with external auditors particularly on SOX and other annual audit testing for reliance; will provide guidance to other non-IT audit managers, and will assist in interface with regulators as needed. It is expected that the Audit Manager will possess and maintain adequate industry expertise and serve as an effective liaison with the bank's SOX team as to the inventory and design of SOX controls. The Audit Manager will oversee the planning, execution, and reporting of Internal Audit's annual SOX testing responsibilities simultaneously utilizing the support of audit managers, audit supervisors, and staff in a team-based environment.

Responsibilities:

• Manage audit/SOX testing in accordance with applicable standards, identify significant control issues, and provide quality recommendations.

• Oversee overall timely performance of quality audit/SOX and project work for external audit use and review.

• Assist in interface and coordination with external parties, including external auditors, regulators, and other work teams.

• Supervise planning, performance, and reporting of audit/SOX testing results by audit teams utilizing Internal Audit software.

• Serve as Internal Audit's primary point-of-contact for annual SOX testing.

• Provide input to the bank's SOX team and external audit firm as part of the annual SOX planning process, including control design and testing/delivery timelines.

• Provide ongoing dialogue to management regarding emerging risks or issues that need to be considered and/or addressed; build relationships with business line stakeholders.

• Foster a positive environment receptive to change, and effectively manage for a team environment.

• Provide input to the annual audit risk assessment and planning process relative to his or her areas of responsibility.

• Manage multiple competing priorities to ensure deadlines are met.

• Perform second level review of all work performed and results produced in his or her areas of responsibility including first draft of audit/SOX reports.

• Provides technical guidance to supervised personnel on issues or questions related to audit delivery.

• Supervise following up on open audit/SOX issues related to his or her areas of responsibility, including escalation of issues, and corrective action follow-up and validation.

• Provide periodic and annual performance reviews, as well as ongoing coaching, and supervision of development plans for supervised personnel.

• Provide subject matter expertise to the entire Internal Audit team related to his or her areas of responsibility.

• Support ongoing enhancements to Internal Audit function through various strategic initiatives.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPETENCIES

• Unquestionable ethics, integrity, and values.

• Ability to professionally handle confidential matters

• Proficiency with personal computers, experience with Excel and Word, preferred

• High degree of initiative, dependability and ability to work with little supervision

• Ability to accept and facilitate change, whether indicated by corporate needs, market or regulatory requirements

• Must be a self-starter and able to work independently

• Must be able to work at a faster than average pace and able to multi-task

• Must have the ability to perform mathematical calculations necessary to execute the duties of the job

• High level of energy, passion, and commitment to excellence.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Strong problem-solving skills, including creativity and innovative thinking combined with a willingness to challenge the status quo and act as a "change agent."

• Highly professional with strong interpersonal skills.

• Requires strong knowledge of Microsoft Office

Qualifications, Education, and Certification Requirements

• Education: An undergraduate degree in Accounting or a related business discipline is required. Graduate education such as Masters in Accounting or Business Administration is considered a plus.

• An active professional certification in at least one area (e.g., CIA, CPA, CBA, CISA, CFSA, CTA, etc.) is required. CPA certification is preferred.

• Experience:

  • Minimum 8 - 10 years of financial services internal audit, public accounting, or SOX/Risk compliance experience including at least 3 years in a managerial capacity.

  • SOX control testing experience in corporate setting, or Big 4 public accounting firm, preferably in a leadership role.

  • Experience with auditing the Corporate Treasury/Asset Liability Management functions within a financial institution.

  • Understanding of US GAAP, COSO principles, SOX 404 and 302 as well as FDICIA requirements.

  • Strong understanding of PCAOB and SEC requirements for compliance with SOX.

  • Understanding of IT controls relevant to ICFR controls, and SOC evaluation and reliance protocols for ICFR.

  • Strong technical, accounting, business, and auditing background with substantial experience gained in the banking industry or public accounting.

  • Strong knowledge of products, issues, risks, and the regulatory environment related to financial services.

  • Strong knowledge of management/internal control best practices.

  • Proven experience performing risk assessments and developing audit plans.

  • Proven experience managing audit teams.

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills with proven experience building strong relationships with senior and middle management.

  • Ability to interpret and explain complex information to a range of audiences and build consensus among different stakeholders.

  • Excellent leadership and relationship management skills and ability to influence outside of direct team, collaborate with different stakeholders, and drive and implement changes.

  • Strong analytical skills and the ability exercise judgment and solve complex problems.

  • Basic knowledge of the application of information technology to assigned risk areas.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS/CLASSES

Required annual compliance training; New Employee Orientation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to effectively access and interpret information on computer screens, documents, reports, and cash denominations, and identify customers. This position requires a large amount of time in front of a computer. This can be done sitting or standing with use of the right desk. This position may require bending and reaching.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Telecommuting roles no matter if hybrid or 100% full time telecommuting must have a secure home office environment that is free from background noise and distractions. They must also have a reliable private internet connection that is not supplied by use of cellular data (hot spot). Cable or fiber connections are preferred. Requirements are subject to change, as new systems and technology is delivered. Travel may be required to come to meetings as needed.