Internal Auditor Specialist

Role Overview

Internal Auditor Specialist at Americana Restaurants. This is a full-time position responsible for reviewing and evaluating the organization's internal controls, processes, policies, and mechanisms to ensure adequacy, effectiveness, and compliance with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

Role Purpose

Review and evaluate the organization's internal controls, processes, policies, and mechanisms to ensure they are adequate, effective, and in compliance with company policies and procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. Assist Internal Audit in achievement of department objectives through planned internal audit reviews and ad hoc assignments in accordance with the Internal Audit Charter.

Key Responsibilities

Audit Planning & Execution

• Plan and execute financial, operational, and compliance audits, investigations, and ad hoc assignments.
• Develop risk-based audit programs and contribute to identification of key risks and controls during each audit project.
• Develop detailed audit work programs incorporating test schedules and sampling methodology to ensure audit objectives are met.
• Complete assigned audits within agreed time and budget.

Control Assessment & Testing

• Evaluate and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls.
• Conduct interviews with key stakeholders to obtain understanding of processes and controls.
• Ensure that supporting work papers are clear, relevant, and contain sufficient evidence to support audit conclusions, properly documented in line with the Internal Audit manual.
• Base conclusions clearly on evidence gathered and testing performed to ensure audit objectives are met.

Compliance & Standards

• Where appropriate, familiarize yourself with and assess compliance with International Accounting Standards (IAS), regulatory requirements, Company Policies and Procedures, and Delegation of Authority (DoA).
• Ensure compliance with Internal Audit Departmental standards and Policies and Procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Company Policies and Procedures.

Reporting & Communication

• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate audit reports.
• Discuss and validate any audit exceptions, weaknesses, or concerns highlighted during reviews with client, identifying related risks and recommended corrective actions.
• Agree reports with management and obtain management responses and target action dates.
• Inform the Audit Lead or Manager of progress and make all escalations on a timely basis.
• Assist in development of the audit plan and preparation of periodic reports to Management and Audit Committee.

Follow-up & Quality Assurance

• Undertake proactive follow-up of outstanding audit issues, thorough validation, and obtain requisite evidence before closure of issues.
• Perform peer review of work performed by other audit staff, where required.
• Complete and wrap-up relevant Audit files in compliance with established Quality standards.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong rapport with key operating and corporate associates.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or other relevant areas.
• Professional certificate or currently studying towards qualification: CA, CPA, ACCA, CIA, or CISA.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant experience in Internal Audit or Internal Controls with Big Four firms and/or in FMCG industry.
• Fluency in Arabic is advantageous but not mandatory.