Group Head of Internal Audit

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Head of Internal Audit will be responsible for providing the overall direction and leadership of the internal audit function for Abacus Group. This would include advising Senior Management on internal audit operations, evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls and organizational risk assessments as well as developing effective working relationships with key external stakeholders.

JOB ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS:

Key Result Area

Key Roles / Duties

Business Strategy and Board Alignment

• Developing the audit vision that provides timely information with bias and absolute integrity to business leaders.
• Setting and executing the strategy for Internal Audit in alignment with the overall Group strategy and drawing on diverse sources of information including competitor, industry, economic trends to advise on business improvement opportunities.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships and communications with the Audit Committee to ensure concerns are addressed and expectations met; approves and oversees the reports to the Audit Committee and senior management which address key business risks and control issues within the Company.

Effective Group Internal Control Environment

• Providing risk management and internal control leadership and supporting regarding effective operating and designed controls, risk mitigation strategies and overall compliance with the Group policies and procedures.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with Group EXCO team, providing guidance and/or consultation in the development of strategies to improve financial and operational performance of the business; act as an early warning system for business and financial risks; supports business ethics and integrity initiatives.
• Provides leadership in the development of audit plans, procedures and programs to evaluate the adequacy of the company’s internal control environment.
• Maintaining standard internal controls to ensure the identification of significant accounts, processes, assertions and risks, documentation of significant processes and the identification and evaluation of the control design, the performance of tests and controls and the overall assessment of financial reporting and internal controls.
• Developing and maintains strong working relationship with external auditors to ensure effectiveness of service delivery and appropriate resolution of findings/issues identified.
• Regularly monitoring and innovating, as appropriate, accounting practices and strategies to optimize business performance.
• Developing an organizational competency in the audit function by identifying and integrating best practices in work flow, measurement, technologies and resource configuration

Effective Financial Leadership

• Controlling appropriate expenses, and maximizing returns on investments to all Business Units at Abacus group and key stakeholders
• Responsible for deploying appropriate tactics to meet/exceed budgeted goals
• Oversees internal audit processes of the enterprise as well as the specific administrative activities associated with operating the Internal Audit (business planning, reporting, budgeting, etc.)
• Ensuring appropriate metrics are in place to manage business risks and improve decision making; ensure strong accounting and operational control environment to safeguard the Group business and improve operations.

People Management and Development

• Improves business performance through leveraging talent and organizational systems. Leads the selection, development, and retention of key leadership talent in division in order to build a high-performing, diverse workforce. Supervises the day-to-day activities of direct reports and promotes a work environment that is fair, equitable, feedback-rich and career opportunity-focused. Assembles a high performing leadership team that bridges the gaps in own competencies based on an exceptional understanding of business performance requirements
• Partners with Human Resources leadership to strengthen the organization performance through ensuring effective structures, processes, jobs, and performance management systems, along with the “right” people, are in place to support the strategic priorities of the business.
• Sets goals and expectations for direct reports with Business Performance Management (PM) tool and holds staff accountable for successful performance; coaching them by providing specific feedback to improve performance; conducts annual performance appraisal with direct reports; and ensures the same occurs at lower level of his/her organization
• Champions leadership development and workforce planning priorities by personally assessing, selecting, retaining and developing diverse, high- caliber talent that can lead the organization today and strengthen the leadership bench for the future; works with Human Resource Leader to anticipate future talent needs based on business growth plans, and allocates resources appropriately.
• Actively assists in transferring talented internal auditors out of the department into other challenging positions within the company.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal External Colleagues Subordinates

• EXCO
• Board of Directors
• Internal Auditors
• External Auditors
• Regulatory authorities

COMPETENCES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES):

Technical Knowledge/ Skills:

• Strong business acumen and service orientation.
• Outstanding strategic planning and management skills
• Extensive accounting skills, and knowledge of the business processes and systems necessary to execute work
• Depth of knowledge in generally accepted finance and accounting policies, principles and controls
• Depth of knowledge of accounting theory, auditing standards, procedures and related techniques.
• Knowledge of auditing information systems and systems designs.
• Strong working knowledge of information technology and its implications for business commerce and managing and controlling business operations
• Ability to determine emerging risk management concepts and control models
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with a broad group of stakeholders in order to foster trust and influence key decisions
• Able to build effective teams that are committed to organizational goals and initiatives

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• A Master's Degree in Business, Accounting, Commerce, Finance or other relevant discipline is required
• A relevant professional certification and active membership in a relevant professional association (such as CPA, ACCA, CISA, CIA) is required.
• A minimum of 7 years of related work experience in management of Internal Audit and/or Finance
• Superior knowledge of international accounting and auditing policies, procedures, principles and standards
• A high degree of computer literacy; experience with ERP financial systems is an advantage
• Current knowledge of industry practices, trends and issues
• Highly developed organizational, communication and presentation skills
• Exceptional negotiating and decision-making skills
• Strong management or leadership skills as exhibited by experience in effectively leading a team and/or chairing committees
• Excellent interpersonal skills as demonstrated by the ability to form professional relationships at all levels the organization and with appropriate external stakeholders.

How to Apply:

All applications will be received and Reviewed through Brightermonday Portal by Clicking on the 'Apply Here' section