Deputy Manager Internal Audit

The Deputy Manager / Manager – Internal Audit (Offshore) will oversee all pre-audit activities, including preliminary validation, data verification, and documentation reviews. This role is crucial in identifying and reporting gaps or control weaknesses, ensuring timely resolution of audit queries, and coordinating audit readiness across various business functions. The position involves managing the offshore audit team based in Pakistan, ensuring quality deliverables and smooth collaboration with the Dubai Internal Audit team. Acting as the sole point of contact for the Dubai-based Audit Manager, the Deputy Manager will report directly to them and facilitate effective communication and audit coordination.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead and manage pre-audit review activities such as document completeness checks, initial validations, and policy compliance assessments.
- Prepare and present detailed pre-audit reports highlighting observations, risk indicators, and potential areas of non-compliance.
- Identify gaps in process controls and recommend preventive or corrective actions in collaboration with relevant departments.
- Ensure timely and accurate resolution of audit queries raised by internal or external auditors.
- Serve as the single point of contact (SPOC) for all audit coordination between the offshore team and the Audit Manager in Dubai.
- Supervise and monitor the daily performance of the offshore audit team in Pakistan, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and standards.
- Maintain a centralized database of audit documentation, working papers, trackers, and responses to support audit processes.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, and sales, to gather relevant data and prepare audit-ready files.
- Support the development, updating, and implementation of internal control checklists and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Ensure all audit tasks comply with the Internal Audit Charter and approved audit methodologies.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- CA Inter, ACCA, or CIA qualification preferred, with mandatory completion of 3.5 years of Articles, preferably in Internal Audit or Advisory.
- 5 to 6 years of relevant audit or risk management experience, ideally in a regional or offshore environment.
- Strong understanding of internal audit procedures, risk-based audit approaches, and control frameworks.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and audit or ERP systems.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

- Currently pursuing or planning to pursue certifications such as CIA, CPA, ACCA, or CISA is advantageous.
- Prior experience managing offshore teams or coordinating across multiple locations is preferred.
- Strong analytical and investigative skills with the ability to manage deadlines and multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated leadership and team management capabilities.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
- Commitment to professional integrity and confidentiality.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

- Timeliness and quality of pre-audit reports submitted.
- Number of gaps identified and resolved before the formal audit process.
- Average turnaround time for resolving audit queries.
- Offshore team productivity and audit task completion rate.
- Accuracy and completeness of documentation provided to the Dubai Audit Team.
- Reduction in recurring audit issues through effective pre-audit checks.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a critical function within a dynamic, cross-border audit environment, contributing significantly to the organization’s risk management and compliance framework.