Internal Audit & Compliance Assistant Manager - TJ / 1898808

Kaizen Paints is seeking a qualified and experienced Assistant Manager – Internal Audit & Compliance to join their Shared Services Center (SSC) in Lahore, Pakistan. This role is pivotal in providing centralized internal audit and compliance support across the organization, collaborating closely with the head office, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and regional operations. The ideal candidate will independently conduct risk-based audits, compliance reviews, and ERP control assessments, with a strong focus on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and data-driven audit analytics. This position plays a key role in identifying control gaps, operational risks, and compliance issues, while recommending actionable improvements to enhance controls and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

- Plan and execute risk-based internal audits across various business units including head office, manufacturing plants, and regional operations to assess internal controls and compliance.
- Perform detailed process walkthroughs, control testing, and substantive audit procedures to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of internal control systems.
- Identify control weaknesses, operational inefficiencies, fraud risks, and compliance gaps, providing clear and actionable recommendations for process improvements.
- Prepare comprehensive and high-quality audit reports, effectively communicating findings to management to support decision-making and corrective actions.
- Conduct rigorous inventory audits, including surprise stock counts and reconciliations of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods to ensure accuracy and prevent losses.
- Review warehouse and dispatch operations to detect risks such as pilferage, leakages, and unauthorized activities, recommending necessary control enhancements.
- Evaluate sales processes, including pricing controls, discounts, and credit management, to ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Assess ERP system controls with a focus on Microsoft Dynamics 365, emphasizing user access management, segregation of duties, and system security.
- Utilize data analytics techniques to identify exceptions such as manual overrides, backdated entries, and unauthorized adjustments to provide data-driven audit assurance.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, standard operating procedures, delegation of authority frameworks, and applicable taxation regulations.
- Support the development and continuous monitoring of compliance frameworks and governance practices to strengthen the organizational control environment.
- Track audit findings and follow up rigorously to ensure timely implementation and closure of corrective action plans.
- Identify recurring control issues and systemic weaknesses to highlight trends and support long-term risk mitigation strategies.
- Assist in special reviews, investigations, and fraud risk assessments while maintaining professional skepticism and confidentiality.
- Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to travel and work on-site across various field locations as required to fulfill audit responsibilities effectively.

Required Qualifications

- ACCA Qualified/Finalist or CA Finalist/Part Qualified professional.
- Completion of articleship or training from a reputable firm.
- Experience with Big 4 firms is preferred.
- Proven background in manufacturing, FMCG, industrial, or other operationally complex environments.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience working within shared services or centralized audit functions is advantageous.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and ERP control environments.
- Proficiency in data analytics for audit purposes.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing organization with exposure to multiple business functions and locations.

This role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute significantly to the internal audit and compliance functions of a leading paint manufacturing company, ensuring robust governance and operational excellence across the organization.