Head of Financial Compliance & Governance
Taiga Motors
Total des années d'expérience :20 years, 8 Mois
Establishing the Governance functions and setting internal controls to ensure compliance with the NI 52-109 and the stock exchange requirements.
• Ensuring that internal controls are well-designed and implemented to meet the requirements of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) in terms of Governance, Assurance and Reporting.
• Creating and elevating the role of Governance functions within the group, such as Audit, Risk and Compliance.
• Structuring work flows by analysing, streamlining and automating processes, and developing process flowcharts.
Leading the corporate Audit & Risk functions of the University.
• Establishing a world-class Governance function to support the University's strategy, mission and vision, and to promote its activities, reputation and image.
• Developing an internal audit and risk management strategy, which defines the activities and performance expectations related to the function, which guides the development of risk-based internal audit plans, both annual and long-term.
• Managing the internal audit and risk management process by implementing professional practices that comply with sound management and reporting practices, as well as internal audit and risk management standards.
• Evaluating the governance process and formulating relevant recommendations favoring its improvement, particularly in terms of the promotion of ethics, the effective management of the organization's performance, and the management of risks and controls.
• Advising the Audit Committee and General Management in process reengineering, best practices and management activities in order to improve work processes, increase the performance of the University, and reduce the risks associated by setting new controls and improving existing ones, and complying with standards, applicable rules, regulations and requirements.
Leading the corporate Internal Audit department across Canada.
• Developing the Internal Audit function within Indigo Group to provide full-fledged auditing and advisory services that include operational and non-operational sites.
• Automating the audit work (implemented Compliant IA tool) and engaging in process re-engineering, which is leading to more efficient workflows and savings.
• Leading audit, risk management, and fraud investigation work assignments, resulting in enhancing corporate governance within the group.
• Setting up the whistleblowing function based on research, awareness and analyses.
• Assisting in the development of the group’s strategy and change initiatives.
• Active member of the management team and participating in meetings across the national and international locations.
• Managing a corporate Internal Audit, Risk Management & Compliance function across international locations for a retail group having Fashion, Home Furnishings, Food & Beverage, Cosmetics, Multimedia and Real Estate lines of business, and employing around 12, 000 employees, resulting in gradually upgrading the Audit methodology, reporting, systems, policies & procedures, plans, coverage, and communication with the business towards international best practices.
• Engaging with the Board of Directors and Top Management in revamping the Corporate Governance process, thus strengthening the Board charters (Audit & Risk, Nomination & Corporate Governance, Compensation & HR, Brand and Real Estate), effective establishment of new functions, structures and strategy, and work style of the Board (Planning, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, approvals etc.).
• Collaborating with management on developing a system that guarantees risk identification and analysis while designing/facilitating workshops to ensure the proper implementation of policies and procedures at all times.
• Coordinating assignments with external auditors and ensuring that related parties are aware of work coordination and well briefed on areas of concern, leading to efficient workflows and avoidance of redundant work, and spreading awareness about areas that need attention.
• Leading other types of projects as needed or requested, such as cost reviews, and whistleblowing & fraud investigations.
• Established a corporate risk-based Internal Audit function across operator and non-operator international locations, resulting in more efficient workflows, cost savings of USD500K a year, and more effective policies and procedures.
• Improving the quality of Internal Audit by bringing up issues that were never looked upon and enhancing the effectiveness of the business.
• Leading the ISO 9001:2008 Project at the company’s Head Office resulting in obtaining the certification for the company.
• Supporting in the establishment of an Enterprise Risk Management function and as a result, raising the risk awareness and creating better Risk Managers.
• Ensuring compliance with the London Stock Exchange listing requirements, therefore enabling the company to be eligible for listing.
• Conducting special assignments for Top Management (Cost analysis, investigations etc.), thus reducing the risk exposure and setting better controls at the corporate level.
• Completed my MBA degree while working with the company.
• Managed a team of 5 audit professionals, which resulted in delivering quality services to clients mainly in the Financial Services sector.
• Offered training to the department’s staff, which enhanced their auditing and soft skills.
• Participated in the business development of the department by preparing proposals, which led to gaining new clients.
• Handled client relationships, communications and follow-ups leading to more valuable and stronger relationships with the clients, evidenced by higher scores and more positive feedback in client satisfaction surveys.
• Increased communication with all department heads to impress cultural acceptance of Internal Auditing as an aiding function and not a criticizing function alone, thus creating an added value that was appreciated at all functions and levels.
• Designed and implemented an effective system of controls resulting in better preventing and detecting errors.
• Prepared the business plans for the Internal Audit function that ensured effective performance and achievement of business objectives.
• Prepared the yearly audit plans that served to audit the company operational and financial processes.
• Assisted the Head of Department in day-to-day management of the department by attending meetings, responding to queries and requests of the company’s Management, planning, and implementing quick wins for different issues.
• Defined performance and quality indicators for business processes in coordination with divisions through appropriate research and analysis, which led to utilizing SMART objectives and creating a performance-based culture.
- Offered training in the form of presentations and lectures.
- Provided management consultancy services to a number of firms.
• Assigned as ‘in-charge’ of the key account in Ernst & Young, EQUATE Petrochemical Co., to offer audit and advisory services.
• Earned 4 promotions for personal achievements and development.
• Prepared risk assessment matrices, questionnaires and audit plans resulting in more efficient planning and risk identification and treatment.
• Drew mega and major business process information flowcharts (process maps) that helped in documenting business activities and identifying control gaps.
• Prepared Internal Audit, Internal Controls Review and Risk Management Gap Analysis reports to provide applicable recommendations to clients and improve the control structure.
• Identified system control weaknesses in various information systems and addressed IT security issues with clients.
• Participated in special assignments such as pre-implementation review and ERP/Software controls review that led to successful implementation and use of automated business solutions.
• Engaged in successful marketing efforts to attract new clients and improve the market share of the TSRS department.