Director Financial Controls

At Community Bank System, Inc. (CBSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we're committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CBSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsible for coordinating the assessment of the Company's system of internal controls, including planning, documentation, testing, assessment of control deficiencies and assistance in correcting deficiencies noted. Oversees IT general controls, interface controls, report testing and automated business process controls. Position will work closely with all departments to ensure the Company's internal control assessment is performed in accordance with PCAOB standards and SOX objectives and that all deliverables and timelines are met.

Essential Duties:

• Oversee the review of the company's internal control system including the following items:
  • Lead the annual SOX risk assessment, scoping and planning. This will include a comprehensive assessment of financial and IT controls.
  • Update and review walkthroughs of the main business processes of the Company.
  • Work with management throughout the Company to identify key controls and evaluate their design and effectiveness.
  • Update and/or review the documentation of all department control assessment documents.
  • Update flowcharts of revenue cycles and system processes to assist in identification of risk and data flow.
  • Assess and document the impact of IT on business and finance processes (financial applications, IT dependencies, IT General Controls and SOC reporting).
  • Perform testing and/or review testing of key internal controls.
  • Coordinate with external auditors on assessments, walkthroughs and identification and testing of key controls and IT dependencies to ensure testing is risk based and appropriate.
  • Coordinate outsourced IT General Control testing for in-scope systems.
  • Identify, document and communicate control deficiencies in a timely manner.
  • Assist in the process of correcting deficiencies noted.
  • Ensure accounting treatment throughout company is in accordance with GAAP.
  • Keep current with new pronouncements, both accounting and Sarbanes-Oxley related to ensure all are addressed in the Company's internal control assessment.
  • Supervision, training and mentoring of Financial Controls analyst(s).
  • Ensure Sarbanes-Oxley objectives, deliverables and timelines are met.
  • Manage SOX Compliance in software solution.
  • Report on progress to SOX Committee on at least a quarterly basis.
• Special Projects:
  • Assist in the implementation of internal controls in new or changing business process.
  • Assist in the assessment of the control environment of potential acquisition targets.
• As an integral member of the Accounting Department, this position is also responsible to provide assistance wherever necessary to help the department and the bank in achieving their annual goals.
• Maintain proficient knowledge of, and demonstrate ongoing compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to this position, ensure ongoing adherence to policies, procedures, and internal controls, and meet all training requirements in a timely manner

Education, Training and Requirements:

• B.S. or B.A. degree in Accounting or Finance
• Professional certifications such as CPA highly preferred
• All applicants must be 18 years of age or older

Skills:

Proficient knowledge of accounting principles and procedures including an understanding of risks and controls for both IT and Business Processes; strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and database management; strong communication skills- including written and verbal communications, interpersonal, analytical, negotiating and problem-solving skills; ability to work cross-functionally; strong organizational skills, follow-through and detail-oriented self-starter with the ability to work independently and see projects through to completion, meet tight deadlines and understand when to escalate matters, if needed. Ability to make effective and independent judgments, including the ability to develop creative solutions to difficult problems. Ability to juggle multiple high priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years' experience in a position responsible for evaluating internal financial controls or similar position including public accounting or internal audit.

Compensation:

Commensurate with experience plus potential for annual merit increase. In addition to your competitive salary, you will be rewarded benefits including: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk or sit. Use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, and speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to focus.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.