Internal Controls Manager - Assurance

We are seeking a motivated and technically strong Internal Controls Manager – Assurance to join our growing FTSE 250 business. The role can based in Manchester or London. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Internal Controls, you will play a key role in planning, coordinating, and delivering assurance activities over the design and operating effectiveness of the Group’s internal controls.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, ambitious setting and is passionate about providing independent, risk-based assurance and supporting continuous improvement through clear, evidence-based insight.

About the role:

You will support the planning and execution of the Group’s financial, operational and compliance internal controls assurance programme. You will work closely with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts to plan and deliver assurance reviews, assess control design and operating effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Senior Manager Internal Controls in the ongoing development and delivery of the Group’s internal controls assurance plan, aligned to key financial, operational and compliance risks.
• Conduct design effectiveness reviews of financial, operational and compliance controls, create/review process maps, and work with the business and SMEs to identify control design gaps and agree remediation actions.
• Perform operating effectiveness testing of controls, provide clear, evidence-based assurance conclusions and recommendations.
• Provide guidance and best practice advice to financial, operational and compliance control owners on remediation activities and internal control improvements.
• Assist in preparing control assessment findings and recommendations for Executive and Board Committees.

Competence, Knowledge & Skills:

Competence:

• Proven experience in internal controls assurance, internal audit, or risk-based assurance roles, preferably within a regulated organisation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to deliver clear, evidence-based assurance conclusions.
• Strong ability to formulate proposals, provide recommendations, and collaborate with risk and control owners to address control weaknesses.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders, providing constructive challenge while maintaining professional independence.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong understanding of internal controls frameworks and assurance methodologies.
• Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Confidence working to tight reporting deadlines.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking capability, forming sound judgements from control testing evidence.
• Methodical and disciplined approach, balancing attention to detail with a clear understanding of the broader context.

About Us:

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 644,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £103.3 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.

Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.

Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years and in 2025 named a Great Place to Work®.

At AJ Bell you can expect a friendly working environment with a strong sense of teamwork, we have a great sense of pride in what we do, and this is reflected in our guiding principles.

Our perks and benefits:

• Competitive starting salary 
• Starting holiday entitlement of 27 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service
• Holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 8%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Death in service scheme
• Paid time off for volunteer work
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Talent development programmes
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
• Casual dress code
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals

Hybrid working:

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues. 

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work. 

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need. 

If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we'd love to speak to you