Abdullahi Lawan
Toronto,Canada
Summary
Detail-oriented Risk and control professional with over 10 years' experience in Internal Audit, Risk Assessment, internal control and IT General controls. Working across a range of Industries like Financial Services and International Development, I have led high quality risk-based Audits leading to process improvements, control resilience, and efficiency gains.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Internal Audit Manager
Citi Bank
Toronto
04.2022 - Current
- Working as an Internal Audit Manager, I am responsible for the overall execution of Internal Audit engagements (including SOX compliance Audits)
- In this role, I have led risk-based Audits of Strategic Business units and Cost Centres
- The Audit results have helped in evaluating the strength and adequacy of the bank’s Internal control system
- Conducting Internal Audit validations which include inherent risk assessment, identification and testing of key controls, and business monitoring
- Performing moderately complex validation and regulatory audits, conducting factual accuracy checks, and summarizing audit findings
- Led Audits that addressed regulatory concerns and improved the organizations regulatory compliance rating to 'Satisfactory'
- Identified Control gaps that helped to improve the data governance process and enhanced the accuracy of Strategic and Risk Reports
Assistant Finance Manager
Journalist for Human Rights
Toronto
02.2021 - 12.2021
- Responsible for delivering Month end accounting processes
- Preparing, analysing and interpreting financial statements for management’s strategic use
- Co-ordinate internal and external audits and ensure the successful implementation of financial controls
- Preparing the budget, monthly, and quarterly forecast and ensuring that budgetary performance in line with donor requirements
- Management of receivables and payables and reconciliation of bank accounts, accruals, prepayments, and aged debts
- Introduced and implemented an activity-based budgeting system that promoted transparency in fund utilization and delivered 20% cost savings
- Led the credit control initiative that reduced ageing receivable balance by 15%
Compliance Manager
British High Commission
09.2019 - 09.2020
- Responsible for supporting Business Teams on financial policies and processes, ensuring adherence to internal frameworks and regulatory legislations, and driving adherence to statutory and compliance standards
- I was also responsible to ensuring Value for Money in utilization of budgetary resources
- Implementing controls to prevent fraud and mitigate business risks
- Complete Compliance reviews and presenting monthly compliance dashboards to business heads for timely resolution
- Led the process of adopting and monitoring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as a result, there were no regulatory infractions
- Carried out Value for Money Audit on Vendors that helped the organization recover more than $80,000 from Vendors
Risk and Compliance Analyst
British Council
01.2018 - 09.2019
- Working in this second line of defense function, I was responsible for leading the Financial Control and reporting Framework process within the West Africa context
- I managed the Risk register for the West African cluster, conducting risk workshops, and risk review sessions aimed at proper management of risks
- Support the implementation of processes and policies to assess and/or monitor the effectiveness of risk governance frameworks
- I was also responsible for coming up with remediation plans to help address the Audit issues and control lapses
- Introduced a Whistle blowing platform which enabled staff members to speak up freely and anonymously
- This helped uncover areas of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
- Introduced new controls for the monthly bank reconciliation process leading to a 40% reduction in processing time
Internal Audit Officer
AXA Insurance Plc
05.2014 - 12.2017
- Conduct comprehensive risk assessments of the audit universe, develop, and execute audit plan (including integrated audits) using a properly designed audit program
- Report Audit issues to stakeholders, Audit committee, and the Board
- Monitor implementation of Corrective Action Plans to address weakness in the internal control system
- Conducting a Gap analysis for IFRS 17’s (New Financial Reporting Standard for Insurance Contracts) implementation
- This helped prepare the organization for the adoption of this standard
- Tested the effectiveness of anti-money laundry (AML) and financial terrorism controls which helped secure regulatory compliance
- Led the team that successfully onboarded a new Audit documentation and methodology software which enhanced the Internal Audit approach
- This included providing training and ongoing support to Internal Audit Staff
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Accounting
University of Ilorin
08.2012
Skills
- Risk Management
- Audit Reporting
- Data Analytics
- Control Testing
- Stakeholder Management
- Performance Reporting
- Leadership
- Mentoring
- Research
- FCRA
- Advanced MS Office
- Tableau
- Power BI
- SQL
- SaaS
Certification
- Chartered Professional Accountant, 07/21, CPA Canada
- Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), 08/17, ISACA
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), 10/20, ACCA
Personal Information
Title: Internal Audit/Compliance Manager
Timeline
Internal Audit Manager
Citi Bank
04.2022 - Current
Assistant Finance Manager
Journalist for Human Rights
02.2021 - 12.2021
Compliance Manager
British High Commission
09.2019 - 09.2020
Risk and Compliance Analyst
British Council
01.2018 - 09.2019
Internal Audit Officer
AXA Insurance Plc
05.2014 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Accounting
University of Ilorin