Ismail Abu Awad

Accomplishments:
• Instrumental in establishing/building internal audit Function in the organization and managing a team across group Energy Sector Companies for 6 months till August 2018:
• Department of Energy Head Office
• Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Company (ADWEC)
• Abu Dhabi Transmission & Dispatch Company (TRANSCO)
• Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC)
• Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC)
• Al Mirfa Power Company (AMPC)
• Authored the Company’s principal Corporate Governance Manual, listed charters & policies adopted by the Entity.
• Played key roles in deploying new audit methodologies and enhancing corporate governance, Enterprise Risk Management and control systems.
• Hand-selected to lead special assignments raised by the Management and Audit Committee.
• Entrusted to participate in strategic Committees and contribute to strategic decisions. Lend a strong hand in addressing demands on internal audits stemming from new strategies, regulations, practices, technologies, and risks.
• Assisted in the merger of two entities concerning Organization Structure, Job Description, Statement of Functions, Employee Placement and Operational Placement.
• Solidified reputation as a trusted advisor, driving cultural awareness of operational risk management.

Responsibilities:
• Commanding development and implementation of audit plan/strategy for the Department of Energy. Embedding agile auditing methodology & tools to provide stronger assurance.
• Directing development of Enterprise Risk Management across the Department of Energy, establishing ERM Framework
risk register for each department, top 10 risks and Risk Dashboard.
• Developing a risk-based audit plan, identifying areas of potential internal control exposure and areas for improving operational efficiency
• Developing programs for implementing corporate governance across the entity, including assessing and designing appropriate processes and controls.
• Leading several audits conducted within the Department of Energy Head of Office including Technical, Information Technology, Health Safety Environment and Financial Audits.
• Collating quarter reports for the Audit Committee about audit plan status and follow-up results, and submit annual reports to Audit Committee against full audit function results during the year

Accomplishments:
• Played a pivotal role in establishing Internal Audit Function. Critically and proactively support Audit Management in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.
• Led Enterprise Risk Management development and worked with Management to establish Risk Committee. Advised on risks, and insights into business operations and processes.
• Elected by the Chairman to handle special assignments/investigations.

Responsibilities:
• Provided vision, policy, strategy and direction during the establishment of the Internal Audit Department within the Bureau
• Authored Internal Audit Manual, and established annual audit plans including budget, resources, and timelines.
• Developed and maintained the Internal Audit Procedures to ensure that best practice is taken into account and that the audits address specific areas of risk management.
• Updated audit records and files on Internal Audit Governance Portal software.
• Partnered with the Legal Department to establish a Code of Ethics, policies to be lawful, highly principled, and socially responsible in all business practices.
• Agree on the action plan necessary to implement the audit recommendations, necessary to address key business risks and control issues within the Company.
• Collated quarter reports for the Audit Committee about audit plan status and follow-up results, and raise annual reports to Audit Committee against full audit function results during the year.

Responsibilities:
• Superintended Audit teams responsible for Finance and Business Processes such as Fixed Assets, Revenue, Payables, Payroll, Human resources, Procurement and Inventory Management.
• Assisted in the development of Enterprise Risk Management. Drove implementation of ERM policy, processes and various initiatives by enabling internal stakeholders
• Identified areas requiring additional audit coverage to ensure that systems, procedures and internal controls have been effectively adhered to.

Accomplishments:
• Ownership for Enterprise-level risk identification, management, and analytics.
• Consistently improve efficiency and adequacy of the organization's Risk management, Control & Governance processes.
• As Compliance Officer, generated Annual Corporate Governance Reports as per UAE Law no 518 for 2009.
• Led development of proper Asset Management system in NMDC
• Hand-selected to manage projects concomitantly to Internal Audit role.

Responsibilities:
• Served as a Consultant and proffered strategic advice for the establishment of the ERM for NMDC. Monitored updates, progress and challenges associated with execution goals.
• Contribute towards a larger goal of a fully integrated enterprise risk management framework - developed flow charts for the whole company processes, mentored Process owners in identifying risks and documenting mitigating controls.
• Chip into knowledge management sessions within the practice. Conducted training for the departments to handle their Risk Registers and evaluate the internal control completeness.
• Successfully managed the transition from traditional Internal Audit to Risk Based Audit. Authored Internal Audit Manual and developed annual plans.
• Led audit engagements for all departments from planning, fieldwork, reporting and completion stages following International Audit Standards.
• Established audit objectives, and strategies and planned for the effective and efficient performance of these audit assignments.
• Conducted preliminary review of assigned areas to help establish scope and develop audit plans (including those of
testing).
• Proffered strategic recommendations to improve internal controls. Analyzed and revised administrative, financial and operational procedures and policies, highlighting weaknesses and recommending remedial actions to strengthen the internal control systems of the organization.
• Tracked “actions must be taken” by various audited departments/divisions according to audit reports and enforced corrective action plans, as agreed with the audits.

Previous Professional Experiences:
• August 2001 - August 2002: Junior Auditor, Talal Abu Ghazaleh & Co.