SOX Manager

Company: Fortune 500

Industry: Insurance

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Title: SOX Manager

Compensation: up to $125K

Position Overview

A fortune 500 insurance organization is seeking an experienced SOX Manager to oversee its Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance activities and strengthen internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR). This individual will play a central role in maintaining an effective control framework across multiple insurance operations, with particular attention to financial reporting accuracy, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and process improvement.

The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of SOX leadership, insurance industry knowledge, and experience collaborating with accounting, finance, IT, and audit teams.

Key Responsibilities

SOX Compliance & Risk Management

• Manage the annual SOX 404 compliance cycle, including risk assessments, scoping, quarterly certifications, control evaluations, and remediation.
• Identify financial reporting risks and establish appropriate controls across significant accounts and business processes.
• Coordinate SOX activities with internal and external auditors, finance leadership, and business stakeholders.

Financial & Insurance Controls

• Evaluate and improve financial controls involving insurance reserves, premium revenue, claims, reinsurance, and investment accounting.
• Support compliance with US GAAP, statutory accounting principles (SAP), and applicable insurance regulations.
• Review financial reporting procedures and recommend enhancements to improve control reliability and operational efficiency.

Technology & Process Improvement

• Partner with IT teams to evaluate IT general controls (ITGCs), automated processes, system access, and data integrity.
• Identify opportunities to simplify compliance activities through automation, standardized processes, and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) tools.
• Support control readiness during technology implementations, acquisitions, and other organizational changes.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Accounting, Finance, IT, Actuarial, Investments, Reinsurance, and Internal Audit teams.
• Prepare updates for senior management concerning SOX progress, control effectiveness, and outstanding risks.
• Help align internal controls with NAIC Model Audit Rule (MAR), SEC, and PCAOB expectations.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in SOX compliance, internal auditing, public accounting, or financial controls.
• Minimum 3 years of insurance industry experience , preferably within property & casualty, life insurance, or reinsurance.
• Thorough understanding of SOX 404, COSO principles, and internal controls over financial reporting.
• Working knowledge of US GAAP and insurance statutory accounting requirements.
• Experience evaluating financial and IT controls, identifying deficiencies, and coordinating remediation.