Internal Audit Manager

Job Purpose:

The Internal Audit Manager is responsible for supporting in planning, executing and reporting financial and operational audits whilst identifying inadequate, inefficient, or ineffective internal controls as well as recommending improvements. The Internal Audit Manager will be reporting to the Internal Audit Director.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Contribution

• Assist in the development and implementation of the Internal Audit Department’s strategy.
• Support in developing a plan based on an annually updated risk register to ensure compliance with the Group policies and procedures.
• Defining internal audit methodologies, guidelines and tools in line with international standards in order to ensure compliance with quality standards across the group.
• Perform adhoc reporting such as the preparation of presentations and status updates for the executive management, Audit Committee and Board of Directors as necessary.
• Ability to manage outsource audit.

Leadership

• The development and achievement of the Internal Audit departmental objectives.
• The development of audit reports for executive management.

Budgeting and Financial Performance

• Identify the manpower requirements for the Internal Audit Department and ensure the same is communicated and reflected in the department’s annual budget.
• Assist in developing the Internal Audit annual budget, including Financial and Operational requirements.

Internal Audit

• Participate the development of annual audit plans / programs to audit the core and non-core operations of the GROUP. The audit programs should provide assurance to the management with respect to internal controls, compliance with policies and procedures, and accuracy of information.
• The development of Internal Audit reporting mechanisms and protocols for the GROUP departments in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the Internal Audit process.
• Plan, coordinate and carry out financial, operational and special assignment audits on the operations across the GROUP departments and functions.
• Ensure the documentation of audit work results are in accordance with the GROUP’s Internal Audit policies and procedures as well as the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) standards.
• Execute and ensure day to day activities and operations are in adherence to the guidelines and responsibilities assigned to them and that all activities are being conducted properly.
• Develop and implement financial auditing programs for reviewing and appraising the soundness and adequacy of internal accounting controls, determining to which extent assets are properly accounted for and safeguarded from losses, and establishing the reliability of accounting data maintained in the books and records.
• Develop and implement operational auditing programs that are responsible for reviewing and determining the extent to which the company’s policies and procedures are followed.
• Evaluate and recommend action to be taken when there are weaknesses in internal controls, compliance with policies and procedures and accuracy of financial information.
• Draft Internal Audit reports along with the risk, impact and recommendations for each identified observation and conduct an exit / validation meeting with the respective process owners (e.g., head of departments / functions) to confirm observations.
• Submit the draft report to the process owners and request the respective management action plans.
• Submit the final Internal Audit reports along with the management action plans and completion dates.
• Evaluate audit results, weighing the relevancy, accuracy and perspective of conclusions against the accumulated audit evidence.
• Conduct periodic (annual, quarterly or monthly) tracking of newly identified and pending observations.
• Investigate and recommend action to be taken when there are weaknesses in internal controls, compliance with policies and procedures and accuracy of financial information.

Policies, Systems, Processes and Procedures

• The design, update and implementation of the Internal Audit Manual and related policies and procedures in order to ensure alignment to the organization culture as well as global audit practices.

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of the Internal Audit Department systems, processes and practices considering ‘international best practices’, improvement of business processes and cost optimization.

Reporting

• Conduct Gap Analysis reviews in order to identify weaknesses in THE GROUP’s financial and operational internal controls, policies and procedures and recommend opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of reports by meeting THE GROUP organizational requirements, in adherence to the company’s policies and quality standards.
• Identify and report the risks in the organization, poor controls, and procedural gaps and provide periodic updates on the progress of the audit plan.

Academic Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or any other related field.

7 years of relevant experience.

Skills & Competencies:

• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex information to non-technical stakeholders.
• In-depth knowledge of risk management frameworks, internal controls, and audit methodologies.
• Proficient in audit software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Personal Attributes:

• High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Language Proficiency:

• Arabic: Native language.
• English: fluent