Financial Audit & Assurance

Role Overview

Financial Audit & Assurance Senior Auditor at HALA, a leading fintech player in the MENAP region with operations across UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

Company Overview

HALA is a fintech company founded in 2017 that aims to redefine financial services and build the future bank of SMEs. The company empowers small and medium enterprises to start, run, and grow their businesses by providing cutting-edge financial and technological tools. HALA currently holds multiple entities including HALA Payments and HALA Logistics, offering solutions that enable merchants to digitize payments and manage sales and operations. HALA is licensed by the Saudi Arabian Central Bank.

Role Purpose

The senior auditor will perform risk-based financial, accounting, and finance-related audits across HALA. The role involves planning and executing audits covering financial reporting, accounting processes, financial controls, treasury, revenue assurance, reconciliations, financial instruments, and other finance-related activities. The position will contribute to evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls, assessing compliance with regulatory requirements and accounting standards, identifying financial and operational risks, and providing practical recommendations to strengthen financial governance, reporting accuracy, operational effectiveness, and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Audit Planning & Scoping

• Perform audit planning activities, including risk assessments, audit scoping, and identification of key financial risks and controls.
• Develop audit programs and prepare testing procedures.

Financial Controls & Design

• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of financial controls.
• Identify control deficiencies and assess their financial and operational impact.
• Provide practical recommendations to strengthen the control environment.

Financial Records & Reporting

• Assess the accuracy, completeness, validity, and integrity of financial records, transactions, account balances, management reports, and financial statements.
• Review financial reporting processes and compliance with applicable accounting standards, including IFRS as adopted in Saudi Arabia, relevant SOCPA requirements, and other applicable local accounting standards.

Finance Process Audits

• Conduct audits of key finance processes, including financial close and reporting, journal entries, revenue recognition, expenditure management, fixed assets, provisions, accruals, intercompany transactions, and financial reconciliations.
• Review treasury operations, cash management, bank reconciliations, payment processes, liquidity management, and controls over financial assets and liabilities.

Revenue & Transaction Controls

• Evaluate controls over revenue streams, merchant settlements, transaction processing, refunds, chargebacks, commissions, and other financial activities relevant to HALA's FinTech operations.

Compliance & Regulatory Assessment

• Assess compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and recognized accounting and control frameworks, including SAMA requirements, Companies Law, SOCPA, IFRS, and other relevant regulatory requirements.

Technology Controls

• Review financial controls over technology-enabled processes, financial applications, interfaces, and data flows, in coordination with IT Audit and relevant technology stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct interviews, walkthroughs, and process reviews with Finance, Treasury, Accounting, Operations, Risk, Compliance, and other relevant stakeholders to understand processes and associated controls.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Finance, Treasury, Accounting, Risk Management, Compliance, Operations, and external stakeholders while preserving audit independence and objectivity.

Audit Testing & Analysis

• Perform substantive and control-based audit testing, including analytical reviews, sample testing, reconciliation reviews, journal entry testing, and validation of supporting documentation.

Risk & Findings Identification

• Identify potential financial misstatements, control weaknesses, process inefficiencies, fraud risks, and regulatory compliance gaps, and assess their implications for the organization.

Reporting & Communication

• Prepare clear, concise, and evidence-based audit reports, working papers, and executive presentations communicating audit findings, risk implications, root causes, and actionable recommendations.
• Present audit findings and recommendations to senior management and facilitate discussions to obtain agreement on corrective action plans, responsible owners, and target completion dates.

Follow-Up & Validation

• Monitor and validate the implementation of agreed management actions through periodic follow-up reviews.
• Provide independent assurance over the effectiveness of remediation activities, including validation of regulatory observations where required.

Internal Audit Planning & Governance

• Support the execution of the approved Internal Audit Plan.
• Contribute to the preparation of risk assessments, audit planning, Audit Committee reporting, and periodic updates on audit activities.

Professional Development

• Stay abreast of emerging financial risks, changes in accounting standards, regulatory requirements, FinTech developments, and evolving internal audit and risk management practices.
• Review audit working papers and ensure quality and timely delivery of engagements.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and professional development within the Internal Audit Department.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree or bachelor's degree.
• Minimum 4–6 years of experience in audit and assurance.
• Strong understanding of auditing principles and practices.
• Knowledge of internal controls and risk management frameworks.
• Strong understanding of financial accounting, auditing principles, internal controls, risk management, and financial reporting practices.
• Professional certification such as CIA, CPA, ACCA, CA, or other relevant accounting or audit qualification is preferred.
• Experience in a similar industry or field is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and meet deadlines.

Additional Information

• Inclusive and diverse culture that encourages innovation and flexibility in remote, in-office, and hybrid work setups.
• Highly competitive compensation packages, including the potential for shares.
• Regular training and an annual learning stipend to tackle new challenges and grow your career in a hyper-growth environment.
• Join a talented team of over 30 nationalities working in 7 countries.
• Autonomy, mentoring, and challenging goals that create opportunities for both personal and company growth.
• Significant responsibility and trust given to those responsible for their function.