Internal Control Analyst

Role Overview

You'll drive automation, AI, and data analytics-led SOX control testing across Ford's global process landscape — spanning multiple business units, geographies, and process areas — leveraging modern data analytics, automation enablement, and Generative AI tools to streamline "Smart Review" execution, eliminate manual testing effort, and enhance audit coverage. This role suits an experienced, forward-thinking professional looking to bridge the gap between risk compliance and digital modernization. Beyond core compliance testing, you'll need an agile mindset — flexibly adapting to ad hoc management initiatives, pilot projects, and cross-functional problem solving as business needs evolve.

Scope & Scale

• Testing coverage spans Ford's global process landscape across multiple business units and geographies
• Regular engagement with process owners and stakeholders across multiple time zones

Direct exposure to senior stakeholders, including process owners and functional leadership, in addition to day-to-day coordination with global IC teams

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• SOX Control Testing: Independently execute SOX-mandated control testing across Ford's global process landscape, ensuring strict adherence to compliance timelines and quality benchmarks, applying sound professional judgment built from prior audit experience.
• Smart Reviews: Conduct data-driven "Smart Reviews"—leveraging data analytics and AI-assisted pattern and anomaly detection where applicable—to proactively identify control gaps, process bottlenecks, and operational inefficiencies.
• Data Analytics & Automation Translation: Analyze manual control test steps, apply data analytics techniques to identify testing patterns and exceptions, and translate manual steps into automated workflows in partnership with transformation teams.
• Critical Evaluation & Root Cause Analysis: Apply critical thinking to challenge surface-level explanations, evaluate control design effectiveness, and drive investigations to true root cause — including professionally challenging initial explanations to validate the actual root cause.
• Insightful Communication: Articulate complex control gaps, system workarounds, and root causes clearly to global process owners and senior stakeholders, including defending testing conclusions when challenged.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with local management, process owners, and global IC teams across time zones to design and implement sustainable remediation plans.
• Agile Governance: Maintain and update Risk Control Matrices (RCMs) and process documentation, leveraging GRC platforms such as AuditBoard / Optro or similar GRC platforms.
• Mentorship & Quality Oversight: Provide guidance and quality review support to junior team members, drawing on depth of prior audit/IC experience.
• Dynamic Project Support: Maintain flexibility to support emerging management priorities, special project support, and executive reporting.

Tools & Technology

Selection Criteria

• Audit Exposure: Strong, hands-on foundation in internal controls, internal audit, risk frameworks, and statutory/internal audit methodologies, gained through 3–4 years of relevant experience.
• Data Analytics Aptitude: Demonstrated working experience using data analytics tools and techniques (e.g., Alteryx, Power BI, SQL) to analyze large datasets, identify trends/exceptions, and support control testing conclusions.
• AI Aptitude: Demonstrated working experience using AI tools for drafting, summarizing, analyzing control documentation, or applying AI/ML concepts to anomaly detection and pattern recognition.
• Tech Aptitude: Hands-on experience with data-driven tools such as Alteryx, Power BI, or RPA concepts.
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Proven ability to analyze ambiguous situations, apply professional skepticism, identify root causes, and independently drive practical solutions — not just flag issues.
• Agile Mindset: Comfort with ambiguity; proven ability to pivot between structured testing and urgent, unstructured requests.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong presentation and coordination skills; comfortable presenting findings to senior stakeholders and working with diverse global teams.
• Continuous Improvement Bias: Analytical mindset with curiosity to explore data patterns, automation, and AI-driven opportunities.
• Global Collaboration: Comfortable working with cross-functional, geographically distributed teams across multiple time zones.
• GRC Tool Experience: Hands-on experience with Audit Board or similar GRC platforms. 

• Chartered Accountant (CA) / Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) / Certified Management Accountant (CMA) / equivalent professional qualification, with 3–4 years of relevant experience in Internal Controls, Internal Audit, or related risk/compliance functions.
• Demonstrated working experience using AI-enabled tools in an audit, controls, or compliance context.
• Prior hands-on experience with AuditBoard/ Optro (preferable)