Internal Audit Lead - Financial Risk

About the Role

We are looking for a Lead Auditor specializing in Finance, Treasury, and Financial Risk to independently manage full audit cycles across key financial sectors such as finance, treasury operations, and risk management including credit, capital, and liquidity. This position entails thorough planning, execution, and reporting of audits to evaluate governance effectiveness, risk management practices, and internal controls.

The role requires full ownership of audit projects—from initial risk assessment and scoping to validation of findings and collaboration with stakeholders—ensuring compliance with Central Bank of UAE standards, IFRS, and internal policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive audits of finance and treasury functions including financial reporting, accounting, liquidity management, funding, investments, payments, and taxation.
• Plan and conduct audit engagements autonomously using a risk-focused, high-quality approach.
• Ensure adherence to IFRS, CBUAE regulations, and internal controls, pinpointing gaps and recommending improvements.
• Review treasury management policies including cash handling, foreign exchange risk, and hedging to guarantee sound governance.
• Stay updated on changes in financial reporting standards, regulatory demands, and fintech developments, integrating these into audit strategies.
• Evaluate external audit feedback, determine impacts on internal controls, and monitor corrective actions to completion.
• Use advanced data analytics to detect irregularities, potential risks, and weaknesses across financial and treasury operations.
• Implement data-driven audit methods, applying data models, dashboards, and automation to enhance audit quality and efficiency.
• Contribute to evolving the risk-based audit plan with thematic assessments and continuous auditing practices.
• Confirm that audit procedures align with regulatory requirements, accounting standards, and internal governance.
• Evaluate the robustness of financial risk management processes, including credit, market, and liquidity risk assessments.
• Offer proactive insights on emerging risks affecting financial, regulatory, and operational dimensions of the company.
• Constructively challenge controls and processes to foster a solid culture of risk and control.
• Deliver audit results through clear, risk-oriented reports and practical advice to the Head of Internal Audit.
• Communicate findings effectively to senior leaders and maintain influential stakeholder relationships to advance timely remediation.

Candidate Profile

• Over 7 years’ experience in internal/external audit or financial control within banking, fintech, or financial services.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or similar fields.
• Preferably holding or pursuing certifications such as CPA, ACCA, CA, CIA, or CISA.
• Deep expertise in finance, accounting, treasury operations, and familiarity with IFRS and UAE Central Bank regulations.
• Proven ability to lead audits covering financial reporting, treasury activities, liquidity, and risk management.
• Solid understanding of internal control frameworks like COSO and risk-based auditing methods.
• Skilled in data analytics and visualization tools including SQL, Python, Power BI, and Tableau.
• Strong analytical skills to examine complex workflows, identify risks, and challenge control measures.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building capabilities; adept at presenting to executives.
• Capacity to work with independence, juggle multiple tasks, and maintain high-quality outputs in fast-moving settings.
• Exemplifies professional skepticism, integrity, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Fluent in English.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements with autonomy and trust from the outset.
• Opportunity to work in a fast-growing company offering ownership and career growth.
• Access to employee stock option programs.
• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage.
• Flexible perks allowing spending on health, wellness, education, or professional growth.