SOLOMON MATTHEW

• Leading audit kick-off and exit meetings among stakeholders and system owners (business and IT) respectively in a diligent manner to gather needed information/evidence and address control gaps
• Conducting internal audit assessments, focusing on financial controls, IT audits (as part of a SOX financial statement integrated audit), compliance and operational risk across various departments for several global and multinational organizations
• Performing advisory and assurance audit services for high-risk and complex operations, employing strong judgment and a disciplined approach to assess financial and operational integrity
• Assisting in improving the organization's risk management, control, and governance frameworks, aligning with IIA standards and best practices
• Assisting with ICFR-related audit engagements, coordinating and collaborating with external auditors to ensure seamless integration and identifying process improvements to eliminate duplication of efforts
• Planning and executing audit engagements from initiation to completion, including interviews with process owners, documentation reviews, fieldwork, result presentations and follow-up
• Standardizing audit documentation to enhance output consistency, facilitating internal and external reviews, and ensuring adherence to IIA and regulatory standards
• Conducting peer reviews to ensure quality and continuity, sharing expertise with team members and enhancing their development
• Assisting in the implementation of data analytics techniques to enhance the identification of audit risks and improve audit scope efficiency
• Collaborated with external auditors to align internal audit processes and minimize audit redundancies.
• Mentored junior auditors, contributing to their professional development and enhancing team performance.
• Enhanced audit efficiency by implementing risk-based audit strategies and streamlining processes.
• Evaluated the accuracy of financial reporting systems, identifying areas for improvement and recommending corrective actions.
• Implemented best practices in auditing procedures through continuous learning and professional development activities.

Conducted end-to-end internal audit engagements, including planning, execution, and reporting, across various departments and business units

• Developin and implementing audit programs and testing procedures to assess the adequacy of internal controls and identify control weaknesses
• Evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, operational processes, and compliance with banking regulations; identifying and communicating observed internal controls weaknesses
• Conducting risk assessments to identify and prioritize areas of high risk, ensuring focused and effective audit coverage
• Collaborating with senior management to develop risk mitigation strategies and enhance internal control frameworks
• Preparing comprehensive audit reports, summarizing findings, recommendations, and action plans, and present them to the Audit Committee and senior executives
• Monitoring and tracking the implementation of audit recommendations, ensuring timely and effective remediation of identified issues
• Performing audits of key areas such as loan portfolios, credit risk management, treasury operations, and anti-money laundering (AML) controls and overseeing AML operations and regulatory compliance (AML/CTF).

• Led investigations, triaged and directed activities of team members into alerts/flagged transactions received from branches, business units relating to suspected money laundering/terrorist financing with 95% completion rate within timelines
• Reviewed Branch’s transactions log daily and ensured accuracy of payments, data entry and transactions posted by operators in cash and teller unit
• Monitored and reviewed Branch’s General Ledger accounts (Expenses accounts, Risk Asset accounts, Clearing and cash account, Suspense accounts) for any open items and ensured resolution with process owners
• Conducted statutory audit of assigned branches to determine accuracy of financial records recorded and measure operational efficiency in line with approved policies and procedures, ensured escalations of adverse findings
• Reviewed branch banking operations, provided senior management with proper operational analysis to aid management decision making on customer service excellence, cost control, asset management, income recovery, and effective operations procedures
• Monitored and reviewed Branch’s General Ledger accounts (Fixed Asset accounts, Clearing and cash account, Suspense accounts,), ensuring consistently balanced books at all branches in my cluster
• Ensured compliance with AML Act and KYC requirements/legislation at branch level and recorded Zero % sanctions ratings following internal/regulatory inspections
• Conducted statutory audit of assigned branches to determine accuracy of financial records recorded and measure operational efficiency in line with approved policies and procedures, ensured escalations of adverse findings.