Control Testing

Term from Risk Management industry explained for recruiters

Control Testing is a process where professionals check if a company's safety measures and rules are working properly. Think of it like doing a health check-up for a business's protective systems. These professionals make sure that policies, procedures, and safeguards that protect the company from risks (like financial losses, data breaches, or compliance issues) are effective. This is similar to how a home inspector checks if all safety features in a house are working. Other terms for this work include "Controls Assessment," "Controls Review," or "Controls Evaluation."

Examples in Resumes

Conducted Control Testing for 50+ business processes annually

Led Controls Assessment projects across multiple departments

Developed and implemented Control Testing procedures for financial reporting

Typical job title: "Control Testers"

Also try searching for:

Internal Controls Specialist Risk Analyst Compliance Analyst Controls Assessment Manager Risk Management Specialist Internal Auditor Controls Testing Analyst

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you design a control testing program for a large organization?

Expected Answer: Should explain how they would assess risk areas, prioritize testing efforts, create testing schedules, manage resources, and report findings to stakeholders. Should mention experience leading teams and handling complex projects.

Q: How do you handle situations where you find significant control weaknesses?

Expected Answer: Should discuss their approach to documenting findings, communicating with management, developing practical recommendations, and following up on remediation efforts.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What steps do you take when testing a control?

Expected Answer: Should describe the process of understanding the control's purpose, gathering evidence, sampling methods, documenting results, and making recommendations for improvements.

Q: How do you determine appropriate sample sizes for testing?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic sampling methodology, risk considerations, and how they balance efficiency with effectiveness in testing.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between preventive and detective controls?

Expected Answer: Should explain that preventive controls stop problems before they happen (like requiring approval before spending money), while detective controls find issues after they occur (like reviewing expense reports).

Q: What documentation do you need when testing controls?

Expected Answer: Should mention collecting evidence like procedures, approvals, system screenshots, and maintaining clear records of testing performed and results.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic control testing procedures
  • Documentation of test results
  • Understanding of common business processes
  • Basic risk concepts

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Independent testing execution
  • Risk assessment
  • Report writing
  • Stakeholder communication

Senior (5+ years)

  • Program design and oversight
  • Complex risk evaluation
  • Team leadership
  • Strategic planning

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic control concepts
  • Poor documentation skills
  • Lack of attention to detail
  • Unable to explain testing methodology
  • No experience with risk assessment

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