Asham Al Masri CIA CMA CFE CRMA CCSA CC

• Plan, organize and carry out the internal audit function including the preparation of an audit plan which fulfils the responsibilities of the department.
• Conduct and update risk assessment.
• Assess departmental needs, establish priorities for audit coverage, and develop short- and long-range audit plans, monitor and periodically report status to the Chairman.
• Discuss and agree recommendations for improvements at appropriate management levels in collaboration with the Directors and Process Owners.
• Make recommendations on systems and procedures being reviewed, report on the findings and recommendations and monitor management, response, and implementation
• Ensure by follow-up reviews that agreed recommendations have been implemented effectively.
• Coordinate audit work, review audit reports prior to formal release and review associated working papers to ensure reports are properly supported
• Prepare the annual budget for audit department.
• Undertake any other specific investigative tasks at the direction of the Top Management/ Chairman.
• Manage the Organization and Methods function of the Internal Audit Department.
• Problem solving skills with a capacity to identify the key issues, to analyze processes and make recommendations for improvements.
• Ability to perform and evaluate the quality of the audit work.
• Ability to foster cooperation through people management skills
• Effective oral and written communication skills in both English and Arabic

I was the Department Head as the Group Internal Audit Manager, reporting to the Chairman, responsible for Managing the Internal Audit function.

The Internal Audit function at AAB was outsourced to KPMG, during which I had been reporting to the KPMG Risk Consulting Director, following the KPMG Internal Audit Methodology. Currently, I am reporting to the Internal Audit Director after the KPMG contract came to a close.
I have been involved in developing the Annual Audit Strategy, planning and executing the annual Internal Audit Plan for AAB by developing robust audit work programs, performing financial, operational and compliance audits, as well as ad-hoc reviews. I have also been responsible for providing supervision, ongoing training, and coaching to the audit staff and other professional tasks which may be assigned by the IA Director.


Key Responsibilities:

- Assist the IA Director in preparing, updating and executing a comprehensive risk-based Audit Plan and Strategy.
- Assist the IA Director in preparing the IA Department Budget and Resource Plan, with periodically monitoring.
- Plan the audit engagement and define the scope, objectives and timelines, develop audit programs that reflect key risks and clear understanding of business operations, departmental/ process goals and objectives.
- Conducting Operational, Financial, Compliance and IT audits and following up on previous audit recommendations.
- Conducting Fraud risk assessments and investigations.
- Delegate and allocate engagements among supervisors and staff, and follow up on staff assigned responsibilities to ensure meeting the deadlines.
- Identify, analyze and evaluate potential issues and risks, then facilitate the resolution of such issues by developing recommendations to enhance internal control processes and information systems.
- Conduct exit meeting with management and prepare presentations and executive summaries for the Board of Directors.
- Prepare, maintain and review internal audit working papers, IA memos, administrative records and other internal communications as per Records Management and IIA Working Paper Standards.
- Preparing KPIs, Training Plans and annual performance evaluations of IA staff, and interviewing candidates for the department’s open vacancies.
- Complying with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Standards and Guidelines and Code of Ethics.

Worked as a Finance Manager for the Hotel, responsible for the Financial reporting, Accounting and Bookkeeping, Supervision of daily/weekly/monthly Accounting functions and activities carried out by staff like reconciliations, journal entries, payroll and admin matters, inventory stock counts, etc.

Worked as a Freelancer, providing consultancy services, and feasibility studies.

The Sultan Center Co. (better known as TSC) is a dynamic organization based in the Middle East that incorporates a diverse portfolio of successful companies. With retail as its primary focus, TSC is Kuwait’s largest independent retailer in the Middle East. At that time, TSC was operating 58 outlets in Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Lebanon and has more than 7000 employees.
key accountabilities:
- Execute an efficient and effective audit approach as defined by Internal Audit Management and ensure that all assigned jobs are completed timely and within budget.
- Assess internal controls and provide proper recommendations, to improve internal control weaknesses focusing on cost reductions and increasing efficiency of operations.
- Develop required audit programs & procedures to review and assess the adequacy of internal controls in operations.
- Conduct surprise visits to different locations to perform operational audits of key risky areas by performing cash counts, inventory stock takes, document tracing and vouching.
- Ensure company departments' are in compliance with the company’s policies, plans, procedures, and applicable laws & regulations, and report on deviations.
- Investigate reported or discovered incidents of asset misappropriation or possible fraud incidents.
- Ensure previous audit observations are addressed by Management through conducting continuous follow ups.
- Prepare comprehensive audit reports and communicate effectively (in writing and orally) to the Management.

The EAI is a group of companies; these companies operate in various fields like IT solutions, Aviation Services, Outsourcing services, Hospitality, Ticketing &Travel and others.
key accountabilities:
Reporting to Internal Audit Manager:
- Assisting the Audit Manager in establishing Internal Audit policies and procedures and work programs.
- Conducting field work related to financial, operational, compliance audits and any consulting jobs requested by Management.
- Assess internal controls and provide proper recommendations, to improve internal control weaknesses.
- Ensure sister companies are in compliance with the Group’s policies, plans, procedures, and applicable laws & regulations.
- Prepare draft audit reports with observations and relevant recommendations.

The department that I work for is responsible for all local departments and entities in the Emirate of Ajman including not specific to; Municipality, Free Zone, Immigration and Neutralization, Land & Properties, Ajman Port, Police, Chamber of commerce, Real Estate Investment Establishment and many other local departments.
The department's mission is to; Evaluate and test internal controls, and Performing financial or operational audit engagements.