Joining H&T my first task was to build the internal audit function from the ground up. This was an exciting challenge, developing the structure and processes we use as we execute our audit plan in this FCA regulated environment.Reporting to the Board Audit Committee, Group Internal Audit adds value to the business through our audit work and as a challenging voice in key forums including ExCo and Project Committees as well as at Board level.

Recruited to provide expertise in risk-based audits. Other than performing operational and financial audits, my responsibilities included:• Risk and Audit Committees - prepared quarterly reporting to ensure risk themes/trends were clearly communicated, together with mitigation strategies; attended a numerous Group Risk and Audit Committees to present observations;• Internal Audit Methodology – responsible for Internal Audit’s methodology, developed a peer review process for audits, created a balanced scorecard for the team and managed our five year EQA review and subsequent actions;• Group Risk Methodology - reviewed the Group’s risk methodology to ensure it was fit for purpose recommending and enacting changes. Acted as a trusted advisor in aiding business units consider their risk appetite, determine a robust governance framework and by providing critical, constructive feedback, guidance and counsel;• Ownership of the audit plan - managed the annual audit planning process as well as liaising with functional and business unit leaders on an ongoing basis to ensure the plan was delivered, reacting to changing needs and addressing the evolving risks in the business;• Performing investigations - for example into losses unexpectedly incurred on construction projects as well as whistleblowing investigations of potentially fraudulent transactions and allegations of bullying in the workplace by senior managers, presenting results in reports and directly to management committees;• Projects - managed the development and rollout of Wates’ Business Continuity Planning, liaising with and coordinating multiple stakeholders. Lead member of other transformation projects including IR35 readiness and Corporate Criminal Offence risk assessment.

Promotion (effectively to Deputy Head of Audit) reflecting increased responsibilities. Additional responsibilities include:• Operational management of Audit team - directing and supervising the work of three other Regional Audit Managers and IT manager as well as five direct reports;• Respected advisor to senior stakeholders - a member of both the UK&I and Europe ‘Risk and Audit Committees’ (other members include Group CFO, Regional CEO and CFOs, functional/business leaders and external auditors). I would report Audit’s issues and analysis, for example identification and tracking of themes/trends in audit findings - aim being to focus on the value added messages. Monthly meetings with external auditors (PwC);• Developing and implementing risk focused methodology - working closely with colleagues in the Group Risk team; a key driver of the work was to make both auditors and auditees consider not only the impact of risks but also their root causes to better focus commercial remedial actions;• Managing the personal development and training of the team including recruitment of Regional Audit Managers (peers) as well as reports such as contract audit and data analytic specialists;• Delivering audit plan - managing and performing audits in accordance with the department’s risk-based approach. Promoting the use of data analytic techniques in audit assignments. During 2015 supervised and reviewed approximately 50 audits including reviewing work/reports prepared by IT Audit Manager;• Technical audits - supervised audits of project assurance, contract compliance as well as IT (information security and IT controls) audits providing critical push back;• Performing whistle blowing and special investigations (UK, Kenya, South Africa) for example into alleged theft of company resources and potentially anti-competitive behaviour. Overseeing and reviewing investigations performed by my team.

• Owner of annual Audit plan - responsible for scheduling, planning and reviewing audit work, liaising directly with Regional CFOs and CEOs in the UK&I and Europe as well as group functions. Consulting with business directors and senior managers on a regular basis to ensure that the audit plan is on target and reflects current risks and business developments;• Audit budget - preparing and managing budget for the year (approximately £750k excluding salaries) and authorising expenses;• Interviewed/recruited auditors in the UK, Greece, Malaysia and Hong Kong;• Special investigations for example into employee frauds, payroll investigations and performing due diligence on possible acquisitions. Special work includes assisting Regional CFO to ensure no hidden liabilities or exposures existed prior to the termination of a European legal entity;• Developing audit programmes to ensure process reviews are clearly directed and focused on key risks. Key audit areas include finance, HR, contract management, BCP, business ethics/human rights and IT.

• Global audit experience performing audits in North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as widely in ‘home’ regions of the UK and Europe;• Clear and concise communication in audit reports to explain the adequacy of internal controls, any risks or compliance issues that exist and making appropriate recommendations to eliminate or mitigate the risks as appropriate.

• Fraud investigations including blue chip director’s defence in SFO prosecution for false accounting. Responsible for reviewing all pertinent witness statements and preparing a ‘Proof of Evidence’ prior to Trial (i.e. critiquing the prosecution’s case and substantiating ours);• Business and asset valuations in both litigation and matrimonial disputes. Performed valuations of various businesses from magazine publishing companies to retail concerns, often based on limited or contentious financial information;• Loss of profits calculations. Responsible for preparing the claim for a FTSE 250 company seeking £4million against a supplier who breached their contract – work involved liaising with company directors as well as their accounts and IT departments. Responsible for the preparation of draft reports and their support workings in accordance with ‘Civil Procedure Rules’ requirements. In addition, responsible for liaising with appointing solicitors and have attended case conferences with Counsel;• Auditors’ and accountants’ negligence investigations. Involved in analysing audit files in order to determine the adequacy of the applied audit approach and the opinions subsequently derived from it.

• Fraud investigations - investigating misappropriation of funds by both senior and junior members of client staff. Analysing statements and minutes relating to mis-statement of a listed company’s published accounts. Reviewing and reporting on client’s Internal Audit reports into employee thefts;• Regulatory work - as part of a team working on a regulatory assignment for the European Commission’s Merger Task Force, responsible for analysing and reporting on client submissions to the Commission;• Valuations - worked on a number of valuation cases, including a four-month assignment in Saudi Arabia liaising closely with Corporate Finance. Valued manufacturing and supply businesses;• Expert witness work - responsible for drafting reports, including the calculation of quantum. Work has also involved critical financial analysis of third parties’ expert reports on matters of accounting and quantum.

Responsible for the audit of medium-sized businesses often including initial accounts preparation and tax computations.

Trainee Chartered Accountant, performing statutory audit work and account preparation for clients.