Internal Controls Manager
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Assess key business processes to identify control risks and weaknesses
- Design and implement internal control activities that reduce financial and operational risk
- Maintain control documentation such as process maps, narratives, and control descriptions
- Test control performance and track remediation plans to closure
- Coordinate internal control work with internal audit and external audit teams
- Support leadership with control reporting, findings summaries, and risk updates
- Train process owners on control responsibilities and evidence expectations
- Improve controls through automation and standardization where appropriate
- Monitor changes in systems, policies, and regulations that may impact controls
- Support incident reviews and root cause analysis after control failures
Top Skills for Success
Risk Assessment
Internal Control Design
Control Testing
Remediation Planning
Process Documentation
Financial Reporting Knowledge
IT Controls Knowledge
SOX Compliance
Audit Management
Stakeholder Management
Project Management
Clear Business Writing
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Senior Internal Controls Manager
Director of Internal Controls
Head of Governance Risk and Compliance
Director of Finance Transformation
Transition Opportunities
Internal Audit Manager
Compliance Manager
Enterprise Risk Manager
Finance Operations Leader
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
IT Controls TestingControl AutomationData AnalyticsVendor Risk ManagementChange Management
Development SuggestionsBuild practical experience by owning a control testing cycle end to end, partnering closely with IT on system related controls, and using simple analytics to spot exceptions and trends. Seek projects tied to system implementations or process redesign to strengthen automation and change management skills.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 85,000 to 110,000
Mid LevelUSD 110,000 to 145,000
Senior LevelUSD 145,000 to 190,000
Growth Trend
Stable to growing demand, driven by audit readiness expectations, regulatory compliance, and increasing reliance on enterprise systems and third party vendors.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
DeloittePwCEYKPMGAmazonMicrosoftGoogleJPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaWalmartUnitedHealth GroupExxonMobil
Industry Sectors
Financial ServicesTechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingEnergyTelecommunicationsInsuranceConsumer Goods
Recommended Next Steps
1
Review common control frameworks used in your target industry and align your experience to them2
Create a portfolio of two to three anonymized examples of control improvements you led, including the risk, the change, and the outcome3
Strengthen IT controls knowledge by learning how key systems manage access, changes, and data integrity4
Practice concise executive updates that summarize issues, impact, and next actions in plain language5
Target roles that offer ownership of both control design and remediation, not only testing