Manager Internal Audit
Aspire Zone Foundation
Total years of experience :21 years, 6 Months
Internal Audit Leader credited to assist the CIA by developing of Risk Based Internal Audit plan, staff plans & budgets; and by leading & managing Financial, Operational, Procurement, and Contracts & Performance Audits in order to provide independent & objective assurance and consultancy services to AZF, in relation to effectiveness & adequacy of internal controls, risk management and corporate governance processes.
Recruited, trained and managed 6 high-performing professionals.
Accomplishments:
Developed Internal Audit Charter, Manual and Methodology.
Completed 100% of risk based internal audit plan
Executive management reporting effectiveness by 20%
Managed overall internal audit function- annual risk assessment, internal audit plan evaluation, audits & follow ups execution oversight, team management, department’s budget monitoring and special projects management.
Consulted with CXOs and Oversight Governance body to analyze, discuss and report on risk & audit findings.
Accomplishments:
Attained average post audit survey rating of “highly satisfied” by transforming internal audit as a strategic, highly engaged, and value driven partner to the entire AZF-earned respect of CXOs’, business leaders and oversight governance body.
Improved compliance coverage by 30% through collaborating with legal compliance team on various key initiatives.
Boosted closure rate of internal audit findings by 35% via effective follow-up in partnership with executive management
Enhanced internal audit team’s skill set/diversity by 30% through strategic hiring/co-sourcing and direct coaching/mentoring of personnel
Improved assurance/compliance audits efficiency by 20% through consultation with several cross-functional oversight partners to identify and eliminate redundant activities.
Increased visibility of risks by enhancing ERP program and working closely with CXOs to identify and report key risks.
Led and managed financial, operational, performance, contracts audits, special assignments covering compliance, risk management, cooperate governance and internal controls pertaining to UAE’s Federal Government entities. Empowered junior staff to assume more responsibility.
Formulated short/long term plans for SAI, interacting with clients’ management & audit committees for smooth functioning of audit tasks.
Accomplishments:
Enhanced SAI Audit methodology and developed centralized audit programs for procurement and construction projects
Identified frauds of AED 27 Million within HR function of client as well as 60 Million fraud at procurement function of another client.
Developed next generation audit leadership for UAE
Led SAI Accounting Technical Committee (ATC)
Key Responsibilities - Audit and Assurance:
• Preparation of financial statements (as per the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and local regulator) including consolidated financial statements of local and foreign subsidiaries
• Drafted audit reports with clear description of issues identified, related business implications and provided recommendations to resolve the issues.
• Planned/conducted effective meetings with audit personnel, clients and other third parties. Maintained effective working relationships at all levels of management in client organizations and also with external auditors so as to share best practices.
Key Responsibilities - Internal Audit:
• Established risk based audit plans, determined the direction and objective of proposed audit methods and developed audit procedures in alignment with organizational goals/ standards.
• Assumed the overall leadership for the smooth execution of plans via team empowerment.
• Supervised appraisal and integrity of processes and systems to ensure that controls are adequate and effective in design and operation and as per policies/procedures and management objectives.
• Prepared procedures/policies for internal audit, assigned staff and budgeting hours for audits, tracked the progress of audits and provide technical assistance to auditors for smooth execution of internal audits.
• Scrutinized the audit working papers for identification areas of improvement and provide recommendations to improve establishment's accounting and management practices.
• Monitored the functioning of finance departments and provided appropriate recommendations/inputs to improve operations and reduce costs.
• Collected and analyzed data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, excesses, fraud or non-compliance with laws, regulations and management policies.
Training, Seminars and Workshops Attended: • State Audit Institution (SAI) - Methodology, Team Mate, ACL and Effective Leadership, Abu Dhabi, UAE • KPMG - Audit approach/Manual “KAM” and Global Working Paper Methodology, Pakistan and UAE • Other Trainings Workshops and Seminars by SAI and KPMG: IIA, ICAP, ACCA, IFAC and SECP • International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) • International Standards on Auditing (ISA) • Interpretation and Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles • Comparison between US GAAP and IAS/IFRS • Sarbanes Oxley Act • COSO based auditing • Report writing for internal audits