Head of SOX and Internal Controls, Zum
$212-236k
Office located in Redwood City, CA
Student transportation services
Be an early applicant
Student transportation services
201-500 employees
Be an early applicant
$212-236k
Office located in Redwood City, CA
201-500 employees
Company mission
To bring student transporation into a new era enabling greater safety, sustainability, equity, and transparency.
Role
Who you are
- 8+ years of experience with SOX, IT audit, and IPE, preferably combined experience in the technology industry and a Big 4 accounting firm
- Recent position as an audit leader of public companies in a Big Four accounting firm or equivalent experience as an Internal Audit or SOX program leader in a public company environment
- Demonstrate strong project management skills and enhance the integrated control environment using current technology
- Controls Readiness / Controls Implementation Experience: Demonstrated background in preparing for and executing financial or IT controls programs (or similar compliance initiatives) in a fast-paced, innovative setting
- Technology Proficiency: Technologically savvy with advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills. You know how to do things like data visualization, detailed reporting, interpreting large datasets, and using Excel formulas for analysis to ensure data integrity. Exposure to modern ERP systems and control/risk management tools (e.g., Workiva, AuditBoard, Netsuite, Carta) is advantageous
- Strong Leadership and Communication Skills: Adept at leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication abilities are essential
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Skilled at analyzing processes, identifying risks, and devising effective, scalable controls. Experience driving process improvements that enhance efficiency and reliability is highly valued
- Professional Certifications: CPA, CA, CIA, CISA or similar accreditation preferred, demonstrating a deep understanding of the COSO framework and its application in dynamic, high-growth environments
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Management Information Systems or Finance
What the job involves
- As Zūm's Head of SOX and Internal Controls, you will play a key role in implementing internal controls and periodic testing of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFOR)
- This role will work closely with our outsourced service provider to coordinate and manage overall SOX compliance including design and operating effectiveness testing
- Reporting directly to the VP Corporate Controller you will oversee all aspects of the SOX compliance program
- Lead Risk Assessments: Drive comprehensive risk assessments across key financial and operational processes, including revenue, procure-to-pay (PTP), payroll, accounting, and infrastructure to identify control gaps and emerging risks
- Design and Implement Control Activities: Develop and operationalize a robust internal controls framework for financial reporting, grounded in the COSO model. Design preventive and detective controls that ensure data integrity and reporting accuracy, with a focus on scalability and audit readiness
- Execute the Controls Program Through Co-Sourced Providers: Oversee the day-to-day execution of the controls program by managing co-sourced partners and vendors. Ensure alignment with internal standards, timelines, and quality expectations, while maintaining strong coordination with internal stakeholders and auditors
- Integrated Monitoring Framework: Oversee the health, execution, and ongoing refinement of all internal controls, providing visibility into control performance. Rapidly identify gaps and recommend targeted remediations to establish a high-quality control environment
- Regulatory Compliance and Standards Adherence: Align control activities with prevailing regulatory requirements and recognized industry frameworks for internal controls, ensuring readiness for public-company standards or similar large-scale compliance obligations
- Controls Readiness: Coordinate with cross-functional teams to redesign or enhance systems and processes to achieve compliance and improve overall control effectiveness. Drive projects focused on addressing control gaps and proactively preparing for future control requirements
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with Finance, Operations, Compliance, and other stakeholders to build consensus on control objectives, adapting processes and policies to meet organizational needs at hyper scale
- External Audit Liaison: Serve as the main point of contact for external auditors on Internal Controls, ensuring efficient handling of audit inquiries and proactive resolution of any findings
- Evaluate and Map Business Process Flows: Conduct detailed mapping and analysis of end-to-end business processes, identifying and addressing financial reporting risks in a rapidly evolving environment
- Educate Stakeholders: Provide clear guidance on internal controls and financial risk concepts to diverse audiences, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement around risk management
Our take
The largest mass transit system in the US is student transportation, and it’s more than double the size of all others combined. It’s rife with inefficiencies, however: circuitous routes mean many students are spending more time travelling and less time sleeping, exercising, or participating in enrichment activities, affecting student outcomes and inequalities.
Zum is looking to overhaul school transport with the help of cloud computing and AI. It has a central hub from which it manages route planning and vehicle assignments across 4,000 areas and school districts in California, meaning fleet deployment, maintenance, and operational efficiency can be optimised. It also offers cameras and tracking in vehicles, and is committed to having a fully electric, 10,000-strong bus fleet by 2025.
It's an ambitious plan, but it’s clear that the US school busing system is in dire need of an overhaul. We’re seeing startups like Via offer a similar service to NY schools, gathering similarly strong momentum. With Zum having reached Unicorn status in 2024 thanks to new funding, and its California roll-out continuing without a hitch, it appears, for now, to be leading the modern student transportation startup pack.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
18% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 7 rounds)
Jun 2024
$32m
GRANT
Jan 2024
$140m
SERIES E
Total funding: $368.8m
Company benefits
- Medical, dental and vision benefits, including paid membership to One Medical
- Unlimited vacation policy
- Free daily catered lunches + fully stocked kitchen at HQ
- Ability to have a huge impact at an early-stage, mission-driven startup
- Fun office culture and a team you would be proud to work with
Company HQ
Redwood Shores, Redwood City, CA
Leadership
Ritu Narayan
(Co-Founder & CEO)Worked as a Lead Product Manager at Yahoo!, eBay, then took up a Sloan Fellowship at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Vivek Garg
(Co-Founder & COO)Spent over a decade as a Major in the Indian Army, then went on to found and lead BAPAR, before taking up a Researcher role at Stanford University's SEED Institute.
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