Position Summary:
This role is responsible for providing leadership and direction to the organization in its Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) internal controls program.  This position will report to the Chief Financial Officer and assist in developing internal controls that focus on SOX 404 compliance.  Additionally, this position will assist leaders across the organization in helping design effective internal controls that provide management assurance over financial reporting.  This individual will collaborate with the internal audit team on an operating effectiveness testing plan including identifying the critical steps in each internal control to ensure compliance.  This person will have to work well with individuals at all levels of the organization from the Board of Directors to Leadership to Staff and will have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Essential Responsibilities:
Job Function 1: Development of SOX 404 Methodology – 60%

Manage the development of the overall SOX 404 methodology to ensure best practices are followed. Make recommendations for improvement and drive changes to both controls and processes. Provide guidance to management on internal control, governance, risk, and compliance activities. Facilitate the execution of management’s SOX 404 risk assessment and scoping activities to ensure proper risk identification, process mapping and controls for a sustainable internal control framework. Collaborate with process owners in development of action plans to assess the adequacy of action taken by management to remediate deficiencies and gaps in internal control.  Monitor and follow-up as appropriate through effective project management. Assist with the preparation of annual and quarterly reporting to the audit committee including providing initial classification assessments of identified deficiencies as control deficiencies, significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. Develop, schedule, manage, and execute the annual SOX 404 audit plan that appropriately considers the relevant and evolving financial risks facing the company.  This includes Financial Reporting, IT General Controls, and Entity Level Controls. Manage the preparation and issuance of observations and SOX 404 management status reports to assure that all significant risks and internal control weaknesses are identified and that cost-effective recommendations to address deficiencies are generated. Prepare and review the audit testing plans over in-scope financial controls. Ensure effective and efficient external auditor reliance on SOX 404 workpapers is achieved. Assist with remediation of deficiencies as needed. Assist control owners with maintenance of internal control process and precision documentation. Create and maintain process flow charts to support identification of control points to assist external auditors with developing an understanding of relevant business processes. Maintain a matrix of information produced by the entity (IPE) for all key controls in the Company to ensure the completeness and accuracy of reports used by control operators.

Job Function 2: Alerus/Department Support and Teamwork – 40%

Works with Alerus leadership on the various business segments needs to ensure SOX 404 compliance. Assist with implementing transformational change that will ensure each department and the Company is meeting the standards of public company regulation and compliance. Engage with regulators and internal/external business partners to understand the impact of regulatory changes. Assess any software and tools that are currently used or needed for SOX 404 compliance. Help and assist with the sourcing of technology that will help drive efficiency within the SOX 404 development framework. Assist in any special projects needed within the department and throughout the company. Help foster a culture of continuous improvement, driving change within the department. Capable and willing to make the hard decisions as needed. Support new business initiatives as needed. 

Position Requirements:
Qualifications:

7 or more years of Financial Services industry experience.  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, CPA preferred. Significant auditing and internal controls experience and regulatory knowledge. Solid understanding of GAAP and SEC reporting standards and SOX 404 compliance standards. Proficient with all Microsoft products including Excel, Access, Word, and Power Point.

Personal Characteristics:

Detail oriented with excellent analytical skills.  Motivated self-starter and multitasker. Ability to work well with professionals at all levels of the organization. Adaptable to changing environment and time pressures. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.

Physical Demands - Must be met with or without a reasonable accommodation:

Extended periods of time sitting at a desk and using office equipment.  Ability to operate a personal computer/laptop for approximately 8 hours per day.  Extended time is spent reviewing physical and electronic documents.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.  Periodically, may also do light lifting of supplies and materials which weighs in at approximately 20 lbs.  Will spend most of time in an indoor environment.

Alerus Financial is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.