RMS-Independence-Associate

Associate Analyst, Risk Management

This role requires the candidate to execute globally defined processes built in accordance with the EY Global (EYG) Independence policies aimed towards safeguarding EY as an Independent auditor. These services are provided to EY country practices across globe enabling them to take decisions on new client acceptances and/or continuances.

The opportunity

Risk Management Services (RMS) is an internal function within EY GDS (Global Delivery services), responsible for protecting the organization from the risks that may arise from its professional practice. We work closely with all parts of the organization to identify and manage risks, providing coordinated advice and assistance on suite of services like Independence, Conflicts, Compliance, regulatory, policy and security issues as well as dealing with claims and queries regarding ethics. Formed in 2007, the RMS team is growing rapidly as a Center of Excellence for all standardized quality/compliance related activities.

This role will be part of the largest sub-service functions, i.e., Independence within Risk Management Services (RMS) responsible for assisting client-serving teams in maintaining EY's Independence for its existing and prospective audit/non-audit clients.

Auditor Independence is a regulatory requirement that aims to create an arm's length distance between the Accounting Firm, its client serving employees and EY's audit clients. This is done to ensure that that EY Member Practices and their professionals should be (in fact) and should appear to be (in appearance) free from interests that might be regarded as being incompatible with objectivity, integrity, and impartiality of the audit.

RMS Independence team is currently 950+ people strong, operating from 3 countries and 5 centre's: India (Gurugram, Kochi, Bengaluru), Poland (Wroclaw), Philippines (Manila). The team is closely integrated with Global Independence and has been involved in development of key Independence processes.

The role offers opportunities to work in a dynamic, growth-focused environment, with an objective of protecting EY's reputation as an independent auditor, by providing support on niche profiles to EY member firm practices. It also involves close collaboration with global teams and stakeholders to strengthen the compliance framework and foster a mindset of continuous improvement and client enablement.

As an independence professional, candidate will perform the procedures as laid down in the operating model on behalf of audit/pursuit teams.

Key responsibilities

• An associate analyst in the team will be primarily responsible to develop working knowledge of firm level Independence concepts. The individual will be performing work procedures as laid down in the EYG Independence policies along with attaining hands-on experience in research/analysis and making updates post review by project managers to various Independence workpapers, thereby helping client serving/audit/pursuit teams in mitigating independence-related risk.
• In this role, candidate will be required to perform a review of submissions of documents/ requests from client serving/pursuit teams to evaluate completeness, accuracy, of requests raised and then perform the procedures as laid down in the standard operating model. The individual will be required to communicate with project managers and team members from audit/pursuit teams to perform follow ups for responses and completion of procedures.

Technical expertise

• Thorough understanding and ability to interpret client's company structure, applicability of different entity attributes and relationships in accordance with audit client and affiliate definition as per EYG Independence policy
• Conduct secondary research using internal and external databases
• Analyze the research findings and provide preliminary recommendation in response to the research requirement
• Understand audit team's requirement and complete all assigned projects/tasks in line with the standard operating procedures
• Ensures quality, completeness and appropriateness of all tasks assigned
• Plans and organizes own work and keeps the project managers informed of status and activities
• Flags issues/potential challenges to the project managers at an appropriate time so that timely action can be initiated
• Understand and work towards to meet/exceed the defined individual KPIs for the role
• Build technical and process expertise over time
• Respond to Emails in a timely manner

Skills and attributes for success

• Display responsiveness by acknowledging emails and messages timely.
• Ability to work with an inclusive mindset.
• Must possess a client- centric and enablement mindset.
• Possess strong communication and inter-personal skills.
• Prioritize tasks and manage time effectively to meet client expectations without compromising on quality or deadlines and keeping others informed of status and activities.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and values.
• Understanding of existing technologies and willingness to adapt to new digital tools to enhance efficiency.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Graduates/Masters/post-graduate degree (preferably in Finance) from a reputed institute.
• 6 months to 2 years of experience in research and analysis within a professional services firm.
• Well-developed analytical, interpersonal, and communication (both verbal and written) skills in English

Technologies and Tools

• Intermediate level of knowledge in MS Office (Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, SharePoint etc.)
• Candidates with knowledge of Private equity domains along with navigating external databases like Capital IQ, Factiva will be preferred

What you can look for

• A team of people with technical experience, business acumen and enthusiasm to learn new things
• in this fast-moving environment.
• A team of professionals driven by growth and client enablement mindset, while safeguarding EY's brand name.
• A team that runs on foundational values of trust, respect, integrity and teaming.
• A team that functions with One-Team mindset and values diversity and inclusiveness.
• Opportunities to work with Global teams and stakeholders on strengthening the compliance framework.
• A team that thrives on continuous improvement and bringing in efficiencies to processes.