Website Barclays

Assistant Vice President (AVP) – SOX Assurance – Barclays

Opportunity & Grade Overview

Attribute Details
Organization Barclays
Position Title Assistant Vice President (AVP) – SOX Assurance
Corporate Grade Assistant Vice President (AVP)
Primary Locations Chennai, Tamil Nadu or Gurugram, Haryana (India)
Domain Focus SOX 404 Testing, Internal Controls, Markets Finance, & Financial Control
Regulatory Frameworks Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), COSO Framework, Basel IV
Values Framework Barclays Values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship)
Operating Mindset Barclays Mindset (Empower, Challenge, Drive)

Core Assurance & Audit Workflow

The role focuses on assessing, testing, and verifying the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls across Investment Banking and Markets finance operations:

[Risk & Control Identification] ➔ [Design Assessment & Test Planning] ➔ [Operating Effectiveness Testing] ➔ [Deficiency Prioritization & Stakeholder Delivery]

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

  • Design & Operating Testing: Execute end-to-end design assessments and operating effectiveness testing (OET) for business controls in accordance with annual SOX testing plans and quality standards.

  • Test Plan Development: Design detailed testing procedures and controls matrices to detect weaknesses across Product Control (PC), Financial Control (FC), Treasury, and Regulatory reporting workflows.

  • Issue Severity Prioritization: Evaluate control deficiencies and observations based on potential financial misstatement, operational disruption, and reputational risk.

  • Stakeholder Reporting & Remediation: Communicate testing observations, deficiency trends, and corrective action plans to senior business unit leaders and external audit teams.

  • Control Knowledge Repository: Develop and maintain centralized documentation, control testing guides, and training assets to upskill colleagues on internal control standards.

Technical & Professional Qualifications

Essential / Baseline Requirements

  • Audit & SOX Background: Practical experience in internal/external audit, internal controls, or SOX compliance—preferably within a global banking institution.

  • Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of accounting and reporting frameworks across Investment Banking, Markets Division, Product Control, Financial Control, and Treasury.

  • Control Communication: Ability to translate complex internal control concepts, testing results, and audit observations into clear business language.

Desirable & Advanced Competencies

Competency Area Knowledge & Tools
Regulatory Frameworks Applied knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), COSO Framework, and Basel IV regulations.
Data Analytics in Testing Experience leveraging data analytics for automated control testing and full-population sampling.
Productivity Tools Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Word) for reporting and executive presentations.

AVP Scope & Leadership Expectations

As an Assistant Vice President (AVP), the candidate serves as an authority on internal control frameworks, risk mitigation, and team leadership:

1. Leadership Modes

  • People Leader Track: Direct a team executing complex control assessments, establish performance objectives, provide coaching, and demonstrate Barclays’ LEAD behaviors (Listen, Energise, Align, Develop).

  • Individual Contributor Track: Lead collaborative assurance assignments, guide interdisciplinary specialists across finance and tech, and establish new testing methodologies.

2. Risk Governance & Strategic Advisory

  • Advisory & Influence: Advise senior People Leaders on escalating control risks, policy adjustments, and governance enhancements.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner across risk, finance, technology, and business line management to maintain a robust internal control environment.