Financial Controls Analyst

At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we're committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

We're looking for a Financial Controls Analyst to join our growing Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Controls function. This role plays a key part in upholding a strong internal control environment and ensuring SOX compliance across the enterprise. You will collaborate with business units, senior stakeholders, and external auditors to evaluate controls, mitigate risk, and strengthen financial integrity in accordance with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards.

Required Skills:

• Familiarity with SOX 404, COSO framework, and risk assessment principles.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) tools (AuditBoard strongly preferred)
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proficient reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, etc.
• Excellent problem solving and critical thinking mindset is essential.
• Must be detail oriented and have an ability to handle many projects simultaneously.

Essential Duties:

1. Execute control testing and walkthroughs across financial processes using AuditBoard.
2. Identify gaps, assess risks, and recommend enhancements to improve control effectiveness.
1. Ensure accounting treatment throughout the Company is in accordance with GAAP.
2. Stay current with new pronouncements, both accounting and Sarbanes Oxley related, to ensure all are addressed in the Company's internal control assessment.
3. Assist in developing and maintaining risk/control matrices and process documentation.
4. Prepare and deliver clear documentation for internal stakeholders and external auditors.
5. Support remediation efforts and monitor timely completion of corrective actions.
6. Engage with business partners to promote accountability and awareness of internal controls.
7. Contribute to the ongoing improvement of the control testing program and team processes.
8. Special Projects:
1. Assist in the implementation of internal controls in new or changing business processes.
2. Assist in the assessment of the control environment of potential acquisition targets.
9. Travel required up to 10% of the time (primarily for site visits, walkthroughs, and training)

• Bachelor's degree or above in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2 - 4 years of experience in internal audit, SOX testing, public accounting, or financial controls.
• Experience in banking, financial services, or a publicly traded environment is preferred.
• CPA, CIA, CISA, or progress toward certification is preferred.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience plus potential for annual merit increase. In addition to your competitive salary, you will be rewarded benefits including: 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, Medical, Vision & Dental insurance, 401K with generous match, Pension, Tuition Reimbursement, Banking discounts and the list goes on!

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk or sit. Use hands and fingers, handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, and speak and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to focus.

The Company is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

The Company will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. If you have a physical or mental impairment and would like to request an accommodation with respect to the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department.