Internal Audit Manager

1. Position Overview

As a member of the Asahi Kasei Group, SAGE Group is strengthening its J-SOX evaluation response and internal audit function in line with requirements from its Japanese parent company.

This position will serve as a core member of SAGE Group’s internal audit function and will be responsible for J-SOX evaluation, internal control assessment, internal audit activities, remediation progress monitoring, and communication with management, Asahi Kasei, and the external auditors. This role is expected to operate as a Working Manager who both manages the function and performs hands-on work.

For J-SOX, this position is responsible for planning and executing full-scope evaluations, including Company Level Controls (‘CLC’), Finance Reporting Controls (‘FRC’), Process Level Controls (‘PLC’), and Information Technology General Controls (‘ITGC’), for locations representing a significant portion of SAGE Group revenue, and for appropriately reporting the evaluation results.

2. Position Purpose

The purpose of this position is to lead SAGE Group’s J-SOX evaluation and internal audit activities from an execution standpoint and to support the framework that enables the CFO and CEO to appropriately evaluate and conclude on the effectiveness of internal control.

In particular, this position will consistently manage the J-SOX evaluation required by Asahi Kasei, including evaluation planning, scoping, walkthroughs, testing, documentation, deficiency assessment, remediation monitoring, and reporting to management and the parent company.

In addition, with support and review from the CFO and the SOX advisory support designated by the CFO, this position will promote the implementation and use of SOX management tools as needed. The objective is to standardize and visualize workpapers, evidence, review and approval workflows, progress monitoring, issue tracking, and remediation status, thereby improving the overall level of internal control management across SAGE Group.

Furthermore, for deficiencies and improvement items identified through J-SOX evaluation and internal audit activities, this position will perform root cause analysis, develop remediation actions, coordinate with relevant stakeholders, and follow up on remediation progress. The role will also promote understanding of SOX/J-SOX and internal control among local stakeholders and support continuous improvement of the overall control environment across SAGE Group.

3. Key Responsibilities

3.1 J-SOX Evaluation Planning, Execution, Reporting, and Improvement of the SOX Management Framework

• Develop the annual J-SOX evaluation plan based on the direction of the Japanese parent company and SAGE management, including scoping of locations, processes, and controls to be evaluated.
• Perform and manage evaluation planning, design effectiveness assessment, and operating effectiveness testing for J-SOX processes, including CLC, FRC, PLC, and ITGC.
• Prepare, update, organize, and retain risk and control matrices (‘RCM’), population validation documents, sample selection materials, test workpapers, evidence files, and related documentation. Where needed for clarification or visualization, consider preparing process narratives, flowcharts, or similar documentation.
• For testing activities, appropriately operate a pre-sampling quality review process, including validation of population completeness, documentation of extraction logic, reconciliation of population counts, and confirmation or approval by IT or the Control Owner.
• Promote the implementation and use of SOX management tools, and establish owner assignments, review authorities, sign-off procedures, and related governance settings. With support and review from the CFO and the SOX advisory support designated by the CFO, drive standardization and quality improvement of the SOX management framework.
• Organize evaluation results, issues, remediation status, and progress, and report them in a timely manner to the CFO, CEO, Asahi Kasei, external auditor, and other relevant stakeholders through dashboards, progress reports, or similar tools.
• For identified deficiencies and improvement items, perform root cause analysis, develop remediation actions, coordinate with stakeholders, follow up on remediation progress, and promote risk reduction and control improvement at each location.
• Promote understanding among local internal control stakeholders regarding the purpose of SOX/J-SOX and internal control, evaluation procedures, the importance of evidence, and key points for control operation. Support the implementation of recurrence prevention measures and the development of a stronger control environment.
• Support the development of management’s conclusion on the J-SOX evaluation results.

3.2 Internal Audit Activities

• Develop a risk-based internal audit plan for SAGE Group.
• Perform internal audits over financial reporting, business processes, compliance, IT controls, site management, and other relevant areas.
• Based on audit results, provide recommendations for process improvement, control enhancement, and documentation improvement.
• Prepare internal audit reports and report results to management.
• Continuously follow up on audit findings and remediation actions, including deadlines, responsible owners, and progress status.

3.3 Coordination with Management, Parent Company, and External Auditors

• Timely report and share the progress, key issues, risks, findings, and remediation status of J-SOX evaluation and internal audit activities with the CFO, CEO, and the SOX advisory support designated by the CFO.
• Respond to requests, questions, and additional information requests from Asahi Kasei.
• Communicate with external auditors, including manage internal audit related audit requests, PBC items, issue analysis, and remediation responses.
• Coordinate with internal control stakeholders at each location to collect necessary evidence, conduct interviews, and drive remediation activities.

4. Key Outputs

Key outputs include the J-SOX evaluation plan, scoping materials, RCMs, test workpapers, population validation documents, issue and remediation tracking materials, reports for management and the parent company, and internal audit reports.

5. Required Experience, Skills, and Preferred Qualifications

• Practical experience in internal audit, internal control, SOX/J-SOX, financial statement audit, or financial reporting controls. CPA, CIA, or equivalent professional qualification is preferred.
• Basic understanding of financial reporting processes, monthly and annual closing, accounting systems, ERP, and IT general controls.
• Experience preparing and reviewing RCMs, process narratives, flowcharts, test workpapers, or similar documentation is preferred.
• Practical ability to perform root cause analysis for control deficiencies, assess severity, develop remediation plans, and follow up on remediation status.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with management, the parent company, external auditors, and local stakeholders, as well as the ability to conduct business in English.
• Experience in internal audit or internal control assessment in a manufacturing environment, J-SOX or SOX compliance experience, or practical experience in an audit firm, internal audit function, SOX PMO, or controllership function is preferred.

6. Reporting Line and Key Stakeholders

This position will primarily report to the SAGE CFO and will coordinate, as needed, with the CEO, Asahi Kasei, external auditor, and the Finance, IT, and Operations functions at each location.

Because J-SOX evaluation is a management assessment, the ultimate responsibility for the evaluation remains with the CFO and CEO. This position serves as the execution lead supporting that assessment and is responsible for evaluation planning, progress management, documentation quality, issue analysis, and remediation monitoring.

This position will also work with the SOX advisory support designated by the CFO and will drive J-SOX evaluation and internal audit activities while receiving necessary support and review on SOX methodology, documentation standards, review perspectives, progress management, and evaluation of improvement items.