Assistant Lead, Internal Audit & Controls

The incumbent will be responsible for leading or participating in internal audit projects/ assignments (Operational & J-SOX), where he/ she will assess the adequacy of internal controls, efficiency and effectiveness of processes, risk management and compliance (especially concerning J-SOX). He/she will be expected to manage and perform these audit projects as an expert providing detailed and relevant recommendations to improve internal controls and mitigate risks across operational and financial processes.

He/ she will be expected to engage the relevant group company (GC) MDs and advise line management and business on how to implement audit recommendations and track the results periodically. He/ she may also be involved in special projects/assignments and ad-hoc activities of a varying nature on request.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Audits:

• Lead and perform operational audit assignments including planning, communication with auditees, developing audit programs, executing work assignments, preparing the audit report and explaining it to Local Management.
• Proficient at process mapping, flowcharting, and control documentation.
• Conduct the follow-up assessments to ensure that prior recommendations have been adequately implemented.
• Provide advice to Local Management and business operations on request, such as how to implement audit recommendations and providing templates, policies or best practices from other companies.
• Support the annual planning process by performing risk assessments of all operations.
• Support the continuous improvement process and proactively suggest how the quality and efficiency of audits can be improved.

J-SOX Audits:

• Lead and perform J-SOX audits in the BSAPIC region and other J-SOX consignment audits (as assigned and agreed with BSJ) to confirm the adequacy and strengthening of J-SOX activities, including planning, communication with auditees, executing work assignments, preparing the audit report and presenting it to Local Management.
• Conduct follow-up assessments to ensure that prior recommendations have been adequately implemented.
• Provide J-SOX training and advice to the business whenever needed.

Special Projects/ Assignments:

• On request, lead and perform special investigations (including suspected frauds) & ensure the quality and completeness of the investigation. Present the outcome of special investigations to local and regional management and follow up regularly to ensure that countermeasures have been properly implemented.
• Participate in other ad hoc projects and other special assignments if requested.

Stakeholder Management and Reporting

• Build and maintain effective country and regional relationships, liaise with defined keystakeholders to understand the business, and keep informed about changes inrisks facing the business.
• Engage with line management at the GC and support them on specific requests and/or consulting projects and provide advisory services to the business on an ‘as needed’ basis and as assigned by the Senior Manager, IAC.
• Anticipate and proactively address business (strategic, operational, financial) and regulatory issues/concerns.
• Effective negotiation skills, a proactive approach in communicating issues and strength in sustaining independent views.

Data Analytics Proficiency:

• Drive the IAC department's data analytics initiatives to improve audit processes, leveraging data analytics tools and methodologies to analyze complex data sets and generate insights.
• Identify opportunities to enhance audit coverage and efficiency through advanced data analytics.
• Provide training and support to the regional audit teams on data analytics tools and techniques

Other:

• Support the Senior Manager, IAC on IA activities and initiatives.
• Participate in and/or lead IAC initiatives at regional conferences.
• Manage other ad hoc tasks as required.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher and professional auditing qualification (e.g. CIA) or Finance/ Accountancy qualification (e.g. CA/CPA), other qualifications will be considered where relevant.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in Internal Audit, External Audit experience will be considered provided it is combined with Internal Audit. Commercial audit experience preferred.
• Solid knowledge of internal control frameworks, knowledge of SOX or J-SOX will be an advantage.
• Collaborative team player across all functional teams and relevant stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to professionally engage with business leaders (similar to GC MDs) and develop strong, supportive and transparent relationships. Aspire to become a trusted advisor.
• Dynamic personality with positive attitude and self-motivation.
• Excellent planning skills, meticulous and well organized, and able to multi-task.
• High level of integrity.
• Strong focus on relevance, quality & accuracy (including good helicopter view).
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, e.g., problem solving and root cause analysis, with attention to detail.
• Good written & verbal communication skills (confident, clear, precise, especially for presentations).
• Proactive (proposes improvement ideas and potential solutions to issues) and demonstrated ability to drive transformational changes in processes and culture.
• Ability to handle special requests and ad-hoc assignments (may be complex & require quick thinking with no prior reference).