Internal audit & risk executive (CIA, CISA, Bachelors in finance)
OBS Group
Total years of experience :13 years, 9 Months
OBS is a privately held, diversified group with operations in the Middle East, UK and emerging markets. They mainly operate in automotive, retail, distribution, Logistics and Real estate.
To conduct and manage all the internal audit and risk activities in the organization.
Preparing the audit schedule for all the group companies and resource planning to ensure completion of audits within agreed timelines with the department heads.
Performing a risk analysis before every audit and preparing a risk assessment report.
Conducting risk-based (focused) audits based on the risk rating in the risk assessment report.
Conducting audits of all the departments (Finance, operations, Real estate, HR, IT, etc.).
Introduced controls for IT department to protect data, implement access controls, security for intrusion and hacking etc.
Preparing Audit report with all the findings and supporting evidence and reporting the risk associated and recommendation for the findings.
Meeting and correspondence with Auditee department head to agree on the final report and resolving any issues and conflict by explaining the risk associated with every finding reported.
Providing recommendation after audit completion regarding policies, process and procedures. Also assisting with design and consultancy of the same if requested by the auditee department.
Preparing executive summary for the chairman and the board after each audit, highlighting the high-risk points and areas requiring attention.
Maintaining a risk register for all the major ongoing projects in the organization, doing constant follow up and escalation in case of any delays or issues faced in the project.
Reviewing all the major contracts from risk point of view before they are signed by the signing authorities.
Investigating any fraud and preparing a final investigation report with all the finding and audit trail attached.
Planning and supervising annual inventory counts for the retail outlets and warehouses.
Preparing a variance report after the inventory count and send it to department heads with queries.
Investigate and resolve any major variances reported after the inventory count.
Conducting regular store audits for all the retail locations and preparing report for the department heads with all issues noted.
Performing a surprise spot check for the retail stores and reporting and discrepancies noted.
❖ Sharaf retail-New brands • Dubai, UAE • December 2013 to Dec 2015
Loss & Prevention Executive
Sharaf Retail is one of the leading retailers in the Middle East and Far East, operating some of the world's best-known international brands to the highest standards as well as bringing unique brands to the market such as Sharaf DG, Adventure HQ, , Carolina Herrera, Agent Provocateur, Colette, Forever 21, Cotton On, Woolworths Gisellablu, Aurora Wild, Hello Kitty Spa, Chill Out, Café Italia and Yellow Hat
Key Responsibilities:
-Review of implemented controls and procedures through periodic store audits.
-Surprise spot checks in all the retail store to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures
-Investigating and reporting of fraud, theft and similar incidents with in the retail division.
-Conducting interviews with the staff to report details of incidents, frauds and discrepancies
-Data mining for analyzing retail stores data to identify trends of any irregularities and fraudulent activities within the store.
-Prepared stock count policy and procedure manual to minimize the risk of stock variances.
-Supervising and scheduling all periodic and random cycle inventory counts.
-Investigating, resolving and reporting the variances and discrepancies identified in the inventory count
-Preparing and analyzing daily / weekly / monthly store sales MIS and review of sales person key performance indicators (discounts, conversion, footfall, average basket value).
-Regular CCTV reviews to check compliance with policies and to reduce the risk of fraudulent activities in store.
-Discount analysis on weekly basis to ensure stores are adhering to the limits provided and they are approved by the management.
-Implemented and audited quality management standards, operation procedures, consulted on optimizing retail outlet performance & improved day to day operations.
-Preparing, implementing and documenting policies and procedures for all the retail stores ensuring key risk and control points are addressed.
-Organized various security, health & safety and environmental risk based assessments and consulted on improving work standards to ensure adherence to laws & regulations.
-Audited & assessed business controls and introduced process improvements to reduce: lead times, eliminate non-value added activities, streamline processes, reduce waiting time, reduce accidents, etc.
❖ Al Tayer Group • Dubai, UAE • Sep 2008 to Nov 2013
Auditor
Al Tayer Group UAE represents some of the world's most renowned brands in the Automobile (Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar, Maserati and Ferrari) Fashion (Gucci, Armani, YSL, Jimi Choo, Harvey Nichols, Blooming Dales, D&G, Thomas Pink, GAP, Coach, Banana Republic, Bottega Veneta, Loro Piana, Stella Mc Cartney, Jean Paul Gaultier & Moschino) Jewellery (Bvlgari, Gerrard, Pomellato, Azza Fahmy, Azal, Asprey and Boucheron) . Home (Mamas & Papas, @Homes, Crate and Barrel & Aati) . Perfume & Cosmetics (Areej, Bobbi Brown & Korres) . F&B (Café Nero, Café More and Cosi)
Key Responsibilities: • Initiated and led operational, financial and compliance audits for ATG companies as per the audit schedule.
• Examined segments of the business on a sample check basis to ensure the unit reflects the correct status of the internal control of company's financial as well as system management.
• Preparing the audit schedule for all the group companies & assisting Internal Audit Manager in resource planning to ensure completion of audits within agreed timelines with the clients.
• Developing strategic audit plan, formulation and execution of work program and recommending improvements
• Conducting store audits to ensure compliance with recommended business practices
• Reporting findings from store visits and resolve any observed deviations from business rules.
• Prepare schedule and conduct perpetual (monthly) inventory count of the group to ensure that stock ordered and received are in order, any shortage or damage have been properly recorded and an optimum stock availability is always maintained.
• Investigating and resolving the variances and discrepancies identified in the inventory count
• Conduct special field audit/investigation & market survey on the request of the operating companies and management
Department audit and special assignments: From my auditing activities I have been in-depth knowledge of the following industries and departments within Al Tayer Group: • Retail Operations (Inventory, Store audits, safety and security, Cash handling, Systems checks) and finance (back office operations)
• Food and Beverage operations and finance (Al Tayer F&B Operations)
• Automotive vehicle sales and Service Centre - Luxury and economical cars. (Al Tayer Motors)
• Interior Décor and construction (Aati Contracts)
• Travel and tours sales, operations and finance (Al Tayer Travels)
• Real estate operations, rentals, servicing (Al Tayer Real Estate)
• Logsitics (Al Tayer logistics, shipping, warehousing, Danzas)
• Group support functions (Finance, HR, Marketing, IT, Facilities management)
CIA - Certified internal auditor
• BFCM (Bachelors in finance and computers management), June 2010 Cyprus institute of marketing, Sharjah, UAE.
• Matriculation from Pakistan Education Academy, Dubai, UAE. (Federal Board Pakistan),