Lead Specialist, General Audit

As a lead individual contributor part of the Controls Assurance team (within the corporate Internal Audit function), the Lead Specialist, General Audit, will support the Manager of the Control Assurance team with the assessment and execution of internal controls over financial reporting. The company complies with the NAIC Model Audit Rule (MAR), similar to the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act (SOX). This entails internal controls testing and documentation, assessing the impact of control deficiencies, building relationships, and providing guidance to process and controls owners across business and functional areas, and facilitating the needed certifications/signoffs from management. In addition, you will be performing direct assistance controls testing in support of the Company’s external audit. This is a highly visible role collaborating with various levels of management and staff personnel throughout the enterprise as well as with the external audit firm. You are a collaborative, detail‑oriented audit professional with experience supporting internal control programs, including Model Audit Rule (MAR), Sarbanes‑Oxley (SOX), or similar regulatory control frameworks. Knowledgeable about business processes, financial reporting risks, and related key controls, with strong organizational skills and the ability to meet program milestones and deadlines. Skilled at building trusted relationships with business partners, control owners, and audit stakeholders across a complex organization. Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven environment and demonstrating effective project management, communication, and problem‑solving skills. Responsibilities Support annual risk assessment, scoping, and planning activities. Conduct the annual risk assessment and support completion of MAR scoping and planning activities. Review risk assessment and scoping results with stakeholders and help finalize the MAR program scope. Identify opportunities to use data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence to enhance scoping and planning activities. Execute and support the annual MAR program, including key components of the MAR lifecycle in accordance with established methodologies, regulatory expectations, and program timelines. Identify opportunities to apply data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence capabilities to improve program execution. Manage assigned responsibilities effectively and efficiently while meeting established program deadlines. Support control owners and business testers by monitoring testing progress, answering questions, and helping resolve execution challenges. Communicate progress, challenges, and results clearly to the Controls Assurance team management and business stakeholders. Work with process owners to evaluate control deficiencies, develop remediation recommendations, and support preparation of deficiency documentation. Perform follow‑up activities for open deficiencies and monitor progress toward timely resolution. Perform quality assurance reviews to help confirm testing is complete, accurate, and aligned with program methodology. Gather sub‑certification deliverables and help identify and address obstacles to MAR attestation. Support external audit deliverables and special projects. Respond to external auditor requests in a timely, complete, and well‑documented manner. Perform assigned control testing in support of the Company’s external audit. Participate in special projects and ad‑hoc control initiatives that support departmental and company objectives. Qualifications Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in internal or external audit, accounting, and/or finance; experience with Sarbanes‑Oxley (SOX) and Model Audit Rule. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or Management, Management Information Systems, or another related field. A master’s degree or equivalent is a plus. 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, both inside and outside of the department, while working toward common goals and fostering understanding and agreement. Experience with TeamMate+ is desirable. Professional accreditations (CIA, CPA, CFE, CISA, etc.) or designations (MBA) are a plus. Job Details Location: Hybrid role – 3 days in office in the Hudson Yards, NYC, or Bethlehem, PA office; 2 days WFH. Salary Range: $86,210.00 – $141,635.00. This role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation. Benefits apply to full‑time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most company benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Accommodations Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Employment Eligibility In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America