Manager, Internal Controls

Title: Manager, Internal Controls (SOX)

Location: Edison, NJ (4 days in office)

Compensation to: $220K

Industry: Energy, Renewables, Construction

Travel: As needed for field operations

Internal Controls leader to build and scale a SOX‑compliant control environment for a newly public, project‑based construction organization. This role drives governance across decentralized field operations, long‑term contracts, procurement, and complex revenue models.

What You’ll Lead & Own:
• Build and enhance a SOX 404 internal control framework across corporate and field operations.
• Oversee risk assessments and control scoping for POC revenue recognition, WIP reporting, job cost accounting, procurement, and fixed assets.
• Evaluate control design and operating effectiveness; lead deficiency tracking, root‑cause analysis, and remediation.
• Maintain and improve narratives, flowcharts, and RCMs to support a fast‑growing, project‑driven environment.
• Serve as the primary liaison with External Audit and Internal Audit, managing PBCs, walkthroughs, testing, and timelines.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, Procurement, IT, and Project Management to embed practical, scalable controls.
• Guide teams through new systems, process changes, and remediation plans with clear, actionable control insights.
• Deliver training to process owners on control expectations and documentation standards.
• Drive automation, standardization, and governance reporting, including dashboards and certification support.
• Bring deep SOX, construction/project‑based accounting (POC, WIP, change orders), and newly‑public company experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, with accounting, finance, business or management degree preferred.
• CPA or similar required.
• Experience with establishing a Sarbanes Oxley program.
• 5-8 years of Internal Audit experience with a Public Company or Big 4 Public Accounting experience or public/private Internal Audit experience.
• Proven understanding of internal control requirements, operating workflows, generally accepted accounting principles, and accounting processes.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Office and Workiva.
• Experience working within a COSO / risk-based framework required.
• Experience in the Construction industry a plus
• Travel as needed for field operations

At WatsonBarron, we share a philosophy when it comes to recruiting - focus on people. Great companies, no matter the product or service, are run by people. We have made a commitment to the careers and businesses of those who lead. We seek out the best and the brightest in the accounting & finance industries and introduce them to clients with the highest expectations. We do this with a tireless commitment to detail. This commitment has made WatsonBarron the selected recruiter for many of the region's top professionals and ground-breaking companies. These range from incubator companies focused on technology and cutting-edge diagnostics, to Fortune 500 entertainment, pharmaceutical, consumer products, publishing, consulting, manufacturing, and financial services firms. See more jobs posted at https://watsonbarron.com/careers-page