Director - Internal Audit
Qatar District Cooling Company (Qatar Cool)
Total years of experience :18 years, 2 Months
• Set the risk-based annual audit plan for Qatar Cool in alignment with the company’s risk profile to optimize audit coverage.
• Design and implement the systems required to direct the Internal Audit division including risk-based planning, resource utilization, quality assurance, and performance. Monitor those systems on an on-going basis and update them as needed to ensure the efficiency of the division.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Internal Audit division providing guidance, encouraging teamwork, and facilitating related professional work processes in order to achieve high performance standards.
• Direct auditors in conducting audit field work and approve audit reports prior to issuance to executive management.
• Present regular and ad-hoc management reports related to the internal audit department and provide recommendations to the CEO on new opportunities, highlight critical issues and challenges, and provide strategic insight to ensure effective decision-making.
• Report to the Audit Committee on the progress of the audit plan and other departmental activities, as required, to support decision-making.
• Play a vital role in the company’s risk committee and collaborate with the Risk Management function to ensure an enterprise-wide risk management approach is implemented.
• Consult with management/staff of the various departments on process controls in order to ensure effective risk management and controls are established, functioning and maintained to achieve objectives and manage risks in each department.
• Identify process risks and recommend risk mitigation mechanism to the senior management in order to enhance the organization’s effectiveness and mitigate the vulnerability to identified risks.
• Carry out special assignments/projects/investigations as assigned by the Audit Committee and CEO.
• Actively promote understanding and acceptance of Internal Audit including definition, benefits, process, roles and responsibilities.
• Prepare the department’s budget and ensure effective financial performance monitoring.
Assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities and the Executive Management in addressing their responsibilities relating to the system of internal control, the integrity of the Company's financial statements and financial reporting process, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Primarily responsible for the execution of the annual risk based audit plan and the dynamic assessment of risks and proposal of updates to the plan.
• Participated in planning and developing scope, detailed audit program and appropriate procedures for each audit in accordance with department standards, IIA Standards and relevant laws and regulations.
• Managed and participated in audits including responsibility for work paper review, identification of risks/audit findings, report preparation and escalation of relevant issues identified in the audit process.
• Documented / reviewed all audit work performed using TeamMate to ensure appropriate working papers are maintained.
• Evaluated existing policies and procedures and evaluated the design efficiency of internal controls then performed audit procedures to test the operational effectiveness and reliability of the controls.
• Identified and assessed materiality of control weaknesses by understanding underlying causes and provide practical recommendations as to how they can be mitigated.
• Drafted/Reviewed audit findings, reports and correspondence to Citco Management and Group Internal Audit Management ensuring writing is clear, concise and accurate.
• Followed-up on audit issues in the Issue Tracking Database for timely resolution.
• Championed a customer focused culture to deepen audit client relationships and ensure Management is kept abreast of audit activities/findings, presented audit results to Management and determined if appropriate and timely action is being taken for all significant items reported.
• Performed special/adhoc projects requested by Management.
• Provided leadership, coaching and general guidance to staff by providing direction and communicating expectations.
• Fostered risk and control awareness across the organization by working with Management and second line of defense functions.
• Continued self-development to expand or maintain an understanding of the business line’s key processes and business applications.
• Developed audit programs and planned audit engagements to determine the adequacy of the system of internal control by assigning and managing audit steps, documenting audit processes and preparing and analyzing work plans, all within the set budget, time and resources.
• Assigned and led audit staff in the validation of the design and effectiveness of internal controls and the identification of processes deficiencies by testing the controls against company procedures.
• Analyzed the collected data/evidence to provide an objective opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the control system and the efficiency of performance of the reviewed activities, while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Discussed audit findings with the relevant department/corporate Management as well as Audit Management after documenting the observations in written reports that contain recommendations to Management on how to mitigate the noted risks, improve the operations, potentially reduce the costs and better achieve organizational goals.
• Conducted special/adhoc reviews, as requested by Management, with the purpose of increasing controls.
• Maintained a great business relationship with key stakeholders that supported the implementation of recommendations and monitored/followed up the progress and adequacy of correction actions while recognizing further improvement opportunities.
• Displayed up to date proficiency in Internal Audit practices and professional standards and applied this to the execution of audit engagements.
• Provided guidance and training to auditors on audit techniques and professional documentation standards to ensure proper work performance and accuracy and evaluated their performance throughout and after the completion of audits.
• Completed/reviewed the presentations and attended/presented to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as well as represented the Audit department in company formed committees.
• Prepared for and conducted field compliance and financial audits across the company’s international offices and projects. (Average Travel: 10-14 days / month).
• Checked on the accuracy and compliance to the company’s accounting, administration, human resources, procurement, cost monitoring and auditing standards, procedures and internal controls.
• Prepared and discussed audit observations with management.
• Drafted audit reports that included the major risks identified and followed up on corrective actions taken in response to internal audit recommendations.
Performed walkthroughs and tests of controls of accounting cycles and assisted in audit reports.