Internal Audit Manager
Cravia Group Holding Limited
Total years of experience :16 years, 5 Months
I am working as Internal Audit Manager reporting directly to the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) for Cravia Group.
Responsibilities
• Manage the internal audit function and direct its activities and administrative responsibilities.
• Partner with senior management and department heads to conduct risk assessments and update the Group Corporate Risk Register by identifying, prioritizing and quantifying risks.
• Facilitate management in developing strategies to manage and mitigate risks and share feedback on business plans and strategy initiatives.
• Develop risk-based annual audit plan to focus audit efforts on key risks/critical issues and meet expectations of key stakeholders.
• Implement the annual audit plan, as approved by the ARC, including, as appropriate, any special task or projects requested by senior management and/or the ARC.
• Supervise the internal audit team and oversee the operational, financial and compliance audit engagements carried out across the GCC region i.e. United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar.
• Share audit findings and recommendations with management and work with them to develop action plans with implementation timelines that address the observations/control gaps on a timely basis.
• Liaise with management and maintain effective communication stream to ensure timely implementation of the action plans as per agreed timelines.
• Attend quarterly meetings of Audit & Risk Committee and Board of Directors to provide key updates about the Internal Audit Department's activities i.e. results of audit engagements and status of implementation of previous audit recommendations.
Achievements
• Prepared the Internal Audit Charter for the Internal Audit Department as per guidelines of Institute of Internal Auditors, USA
• Updated the Group Authority Matrix to ensure uniform practices and segregation of duties at department level and transaction level.
I worked as a Risk & Governance Analyst directly reporting to Director Risk & Governance in Head Office i.e. Agthia Group PJSC.
Responsibilities:
• Assisted Director Risk & Governance in maintaining and updating internal control processes, internal controls assessments, testing of internal controls performance and reporting on testing results.
• Performed risk assessments to identify, prioritize, quantify (to the extent practical and possible) risks faced by the group and develop Key Risk Indicators (KRIs).
• Facilitated management in developing risk mitigation strategies with independent and objective feedback on business plans and initiatives to manage and mitigate risks.
• Conducted fraud risk assessments to identify fraud scenarios, developing / mapping internal controls to address such scenarios.
• Documented process and control activities via narratives, matrices, and work flows etc.
• Ensured timely communication of findings and recommendations to management as well as monitoring remediation of issues and performing validation procedures.
• Developed / co-developed (where required) and updated Group operational policies and procedures focusing on effective risk management, vide implementation of internal controls, standardizing business processes across business units as well as improving process efficiency by simplifying and automating processes where applicable.
• Provided assistance and advice to the process owners in the implementation of approved policies and processes.
• Resolved VAT related queries for various stakeholders to ensure compliance with VAT Law and Regulations applicable in UAE and KSA.
Achievements
• Managed and completed VAT implementation for group entities in UAE and KSA in terms of configuring ERP (Microsoft Dynamics NAV) system's workflows and modifying business processes.
• Executed fraud risk assessment for Procurement and Supply Chain functions at Group level to identify and address control gaps.
I worked as Senior Internal Auditor directly reporting to Head of Internal Controls in Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC, a maritime and shipping company publicly listed on Dubai Financial Market (DFM).
Responsibilities
• Performed audits as per the risk based audit plan to provide reasonable assurance regarding the operating effectiveness of internal controls in place.
• Supported Head of Internal Controls in various tasks such as 1) Preparation of Annual Corporate Governance report as required by DFM and SCA, 2) Making quarterly presentation to the Audit Committee about ICD’s activities, 3) Performing overview of financial statements each quarter for the Audit Committee etc.
• Updated the risk registers for each department by coordinating with management for alignment with current business processes.
• Updated and validated compliance checklist in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations of Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Securities & Commodity Authority (SCA).
Achievements
• Revised the Internal Audit Charter and Policies & Procedures manual for the Internal Controls Department (ICD) as per guidelines of Institute of Internal Auditors, USA.
• Provided consultancy to various departments on compliance related matters and/or improvement opportunities.
I worked as Manager - Group Internal Audit directly reporting to GM Internal Audit at House of Habib - a leading group of Pakistan with presence in various businesses like Automobiles, Building Materials, Chemicals, Packaging, Retail etc. During my tenure, I conducted various internal audits in group companies and performed due diligence and other financial reviews.
Responsibilities
• Supervised the internal audit team to execute audits as per the approved audit plan to verify the adequacy and effectiveness of policies, procedures and reporting frameworks being used by the group companies.
• Compiled and presented reports to the management based on audit scope and findings along with recommendations.
• Monitored the follow-up of audit findings and their implementation to ensure that corrective measures are adopted on timely basis.
• Amended compliance checklists based on applicable accounting standards as well as corporate and statutory laws.
• Performed reviews of changes in corporate laws and tax regulations to analyze their impact on the businesses of Group companies.
Achievements
• Revised the overall audit strategy, audit plan and report rating criteria by applying group standards, COSO framework and risk based methodology.
• Conducted feasibility studies of new business ventures on management’s directive to provide independent opinion.
I worked as Senior Auditor in Advisory Services of Ernst & Young on various assignments related to internal audits, internal control gap analysis and documentation of policies and procedures manuals.
Responsibilities
• Supervised teams through planning, execution and completion stages of audit as per Ernst & Young methodology.
• Executed audit engagements by performing walk-through procedures and conducting detailed testing to ensure compliance with international accounting and auditing standards and statutory regulations.
• Discussed the audit findings with client’s management to finalize action plan and timelines for implementing the audit recommendations.
• Prepared audit reports detailing the audit observations, related risks and recommendations.
Achievements
• Promoted in consecutive years based on appraisals by Audit Managers
• Conducted in-house training sessions to facilitate professional development of audit trainees.
Achievements
• Promoted in consecutive years based on appraisals by Audit Managers
• Conducted in-house training sessions to facilitate professional development of audit trainees.
Received exemption for Masters Degree based on my certification as a chartered accountant
Have cleared all papers in C.A comprising of various subjects related to Accountancy and Finance
Scored first division at an average percentage of 64% in my exams
Scored 78% in my Intermediate Exams
Scored 7 A's and 2B's in my O Levels papers at an average percentage of 91%
