As a leading regional bank, SouthState has been providing financial solutions to individuals, families, and businesses in the Southeast for more than 100 years. SouthState team members strive to create remarkable experiences while building meaningful and lasting relationships. We are proud to be a reflection of the communities we serve, and our team members share core values that make SouthState a great place to bank, and a great place to work.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES

The SOX Program Director is responsible for coordinating SouthState's efforts to identify all significant financial reporting controls and verify that testing is performed to evaluate the operating effectiveness of the controls in connection with Sections 404 and 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA).

Key Responsibilities

• Develop/enhance the SOX Framework with supporting standards, policies and applicable procedures as needed.
• Execute a SOX governance and oversight program that guides, monitors, evaluates, and reports on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
• Work with key business partners to determine in-scope processes, internal controls, applications, models and infrastructure for annual Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) testing.
• Provide guidance on SOX requirements for control/process documentation.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the financial reporting risk domain and compliance for SOX and FDICIA impacting processes and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with Risk Operations to develop the enterprise control framework supporting a shared inventory of key controls, including those significant to financial reporting
• Coordinate with business leaders and auditors (internal and external) to document potential or actual deficiencies in ICFR. Coordinate with partner business units for reporting to allow for consideration of issues relevant to financial reporting conclusions. Track the status of corrective actions to provide for timely resolution and reporting to the appropriate management and board committees, including the Disclosure Committee and the Audit Committee.
• Identify key risks and controls, recommend improved controls, perform controls readiness projects and identify and assess configuration and key attributes of controls in SOX Significant financial reporting related processes.
• Consult and collaborate with the business on current and emerging SOX-significant processes.
• Interface with business and other risk partners on projects as well as serving as an SOX Risk SME during the planning and execution of business initiatives.
• Work closely with finance and risk partners to promote enhanced efficiency and effectiveness using technology, automation, and common tools, taxonomy and processes across enterprise risk domains.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Five to eight years of relevant experience in internal audit, public accounting, or SOX/Risk compliance
• Understanding of US GAAP, COSO principles, SOX 404 and 302 as well as FDICIA requirements
• Ability to interpret and explain complex information to a range of audiences and build consensus among different stakeholders.
• Excellent relationship management skills and ability to influence outside of direct team, collaborate with different stakeholders, and drive and implement changes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including executive presentation skills.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability exercise judgment and solve complex problems.
• Strong understanding of PCAOB and SEC requirements for compliance with SOX
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to collaborate across multiple business areas.
• Understanding of IT controls relevant to ICFR controls, and SOC evaluation and reliance protocols for ICFR

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant Professional Certification - e.g. CPA, CISA
• Financial services or specialized industry experience
• SOX control testing experience in a Big 4 accounting firm, preferably in a leadership role.

The information below is to be updated by the HRBP and HR Compensation team only.