Job Purpose:
Help the organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, governance processes.
Provide independent assurance that an organization's risk management, governance, and internal control processes are designed and operating effectively.
IA being the Third line of defence, initiate a journey with the management, of bringing a preventive rather than an only detective/reactive approach in effective risk management and control.
Job Responsibilities:
Inputs of the Business Heads to identify areas of risk
Engage with the Business Heads on a defined frequency for business/process updates.
Involve in all key projects/new initiatives to gain an understanding of the same and provide inputs from a Risks & Controls perspective.
Encourage the business owners to share their area of concerns
Align the Business Heads on the Audit scope
Be transparent with the Business owners on the audit scope.
Be flexible to take their inputs on the timing of the meetings, sharing data, etc. considering their other work commitments.
Communication of the Audit findings to the Business owners
Share the Audit observations as and when they surface during the course of the audit.
Give due consideration to any mitigating controls/procedures or specific scenarios, if any.
Take the inputs of the Business owners for the recommendations/possible solutions to plug the control gaps.
Discuss tentative timelines for the implementing the recommendations.
Communication of Audit findings to the Audit Committee
Classification of the Audit findings and providing a risk ranking for presenting to the Audit Committee.
Present the Audit findings along with the overall status of the Audit Plan and other special initiatives/projects being performed by the IA function.
Agreement of the Business owners on the action plan for the recommendations.
Formally communicate the audit findings to the Business Heads and seek their responses and action plan with timelines.
Draw and share the plan for regular follow-up with the Business owners for implementing the recommendations
Schedule meetings at agreed frequency to check status of the implementation plan.
Conduct follow up reviews of financial, operational or regulatory compliance deficiencies noted during audits
Collaborate with the Head of Risk
Work closely with the Head of Risk in the Corporate Governance function to ensure that there are synergies in the working of both functions in hours as well as quality of work.
Coordination with Risk, Compliance and other assurance functions while maintaining Internal Audit independence.
Educate and train the IA Team
Educate and train the IA team on new auditing techniques and tools.
Address employee concerns and mentor them for their professional growth
Keep abreast of new standards on auditing
Technology & Digital Acumen
Understanding IT controls, cybersecurity, and digital business risks. Ensure technology-enabled assurance.
Ability to use data analytics to enhance audit effectiveness.
Awareness of emerging AI and automation-related risks and controls. Ensure AI adoption and automated ways of auditing
Overall responsibility of the IA Function
Group-wide Internal Audit leadership and oversight across various business verticals
Oversee and manage the internal audit department, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness, depth of knowledge, applicability, and cost effectiveness to best utilize available resources and achieve established objectives
Develop and monitor budget of expenses and audit hours
Keep abreast of all trends and developments in regulatory requirements, general accounting principles or audit techniques; implement and react quickly to any changes
Conduct investigations of irregularities discovered by or brought to the auditor’s attention
Investigate, as requested by senior management, fraud, embezzlements, and defalcations; work in cooperation with law enforcement agencies in any such cases as deemed necessary
Perform other related duties as required and assigned, consistent with the goals, objectives and responsibilities of the company
Skills:
Strong conceptual thinking skills and competencies – specially in the area of operational risks and internal controls and enterprise IT landscpe.
Strong ethical conduct and business acumen
Strong data analysis, analytical and organizational skills
Strong influencing, networking &advisory skills
Self-starter with strong self-motivation and a capacity to work in a newly established team
Working knowledge of professional auditing standards (IIA and AICPA)
Exhibits a significant level of tact and diplomacy in addition to normal courtesy
Broad conceptual judgment, initiative and ability to deal with complex financial and accounting issues
Maintains current knowledge and understanding of industry trends and practices in the areas of audit, compliance and risk management
Maintains strong knowledge of MS Word, Power Point, Excel and Visio and have the aptitude to easily learn financial software programs
Good verbal and written communication skills; work will require extensive personal contact with others
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities concurrently and complete projects on schedule with a high degree of accuracy
Educational Qualification : CA
Desired : CISA/CIA or a similar recognised certification in the domain of audit, risks & controls and IT frameworks.
Relevant Experience : 15+ years of Work experience in Internal Audit or the domain of processes, risks and controls, process re-engineering reviews, should have Knowledge of the processes & experience of conducting audits in hotel industry, Knowledge of merger & acquisition transaction audits, Knowledge of treasury & debt structuring audits, Exposure of organisation structure, tax and legal transaction audits, Sound knowledge & understanding of latest technology to facilitate audits with minimal time & efforts, Analytical mind set, practical approach & good inter-personal skills.
Desired: 5+ years of work experience with a Big 4 firms is preferred