Assistant Manager - (Internal Audit)

Job description / Role

JOB PURPOSE
The role of the Senior internal auditor in the initial stage will mainly focus on assisting in driving a number of corporate wide initiatives to set up the internal control framework for the company. The role will require strong project management skills paired with sound knowledge of retail business risks and leading practice controls. Eventually, the role will evolve to focus on typical internal audit activities as per industry practices.

3. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Understand the current state processes and procedures adopted by the company.
- Assist in preparing the entity level risk assessment to provide a means for applying professional judgments for development of the internal audit plan.
- Assist in evaluating business risks and make preliminary assessment as low, moderate, or high based on knowledge gathered to date, including: financial exposure (i.e., materiality), quality of internal controls at both the entity level and application/process level, changes in management structure, prior audit results, time or significant events since the last audit, and location risk.
- Lead and execute internal audit work effectively to assure proper controls exist and are functioning and risk is appropriately mitigated.
- Prepares an audit programme that describes in detail the nature, timing, and extent of the internal audit procedures for an individual audit project.
- Understand and evaluate processes and related controls.
- Execute tests of controls.
- Perform internal audit work of a complex nature that involves significant knowledge of internal audit techniques and technical problem solving skills.
- Create deliverables such as process documentation, process flowcharts, audit plan, risk and control evaluation matrix, summary of findings and management’s response, draft and final internal audit report and other working papers that document the engagement procedures and the results.
- Review work of team members (where applicable) on a timely basis and in a thorough and constructive manner
- Supervise the implementation of the audit approach and scope for individual projects, monitors objectives, and revises as appropriate.
- Make recommendations for new audit techniques to analyse the adequacy of controls and the effectiveness of operational procedures and processes.
- Develop creative, practical, and cost-effective recommendations for improvement.
- Ensure work is completed within agreed upon time frames.
- Prepare the draft report to a high technical standard and presentation quality and enhance its content based on application of knowledge and experience. May participate in presentation of report and audit findings to the Executive Committee/ Management.
- Possess in-depth knowledge and awareness of general business/economic developments and new pronouncements and standards, to gain an understanding of their links and impact to the business.
- Work on special projects or consulting engagements concerning significant corporate issues as directed by the HOID.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
- HOID, VP Finance and Admin, Department heads and Directors

External
- Brief interaction with external auditors. Assist in liaising with external consultants where required

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES
Minimum Qualifications
- University degree in Accounting and Finance.
- CIA/CPA

Minimum Experience
- 5-7 Years of internal audit experience in the retail industry or the big four companies with exposure to retail clients

Job-Specific Skills

Project Management kills:
- Developing project plans and calendars along with monitoring tools and templates
- Planning for meetings with respective project teams, preparation of meeting agendas and topics for discussion
- Assist the HOID in obtaining and analysing information from project team members and providing guidelines on internal controls related requirements
- Assist in summarising and reporting results of meetings and action plans assigned to project team members.
- Assist in periodic reporting of project progress, milestones, critical paths and challenges
- Assist the HOID in driving projects across departments and assist in ensuring the success and completion of projects in line with the overall project plan

Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of the IIA standards for internal audit
- Strong knowledge of conducting entity wide risk assessments, process level risk and control assessments, planning and execution of audits and reporting results
- Sound knowledge of accounting principles and process
- Solid time management and communication skills
- Quick learner and team player
- Developing project plans and calendars along with monitoring tools and templates
- Planning for meetings with respective project teams, preparation of meeting agendas and topics for discussion

Competencies
- Appreciates the value of team work and the importance of seeking feedback
- Coaches less experienced professionals.
- Understands the skill set of the engagement team and ensures that the individual team members are allocated sufficiently challenging work.
- Appraises team member performance in a constructive and timely manner.

About the Company

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is a family owned entity with a large portfolio of Swiss Watch brands. Thanks to its brand strategy and the vision of the late Mr. Ahmed Seddiqi, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons has enjoyed a steady expansion since its inception in the late 1940s.

At the group, we believe that each employee contributes to the growth and success of the company, and this is evident with the strong and loyal workforce of 480 plus employees, some of whom have been with the organization since 1968.

Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is the largest distributor of Swiss Brand watches in the Middle East. We offer world-class and exquisitely designed watches and jewellery. From a humble beginning of a single store in 1950s, today Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons portfolio consists of over 50 prestigious brands across 52 locations in the UAE.