Senior Forensic Auditor

Conduct forensic investigation of alleged or suspected frauds, violations of laws, regulations, corporate policies, or code of conduct assigned. Perform identification and collection of digital / electronic evidence in a manner appropriate for forensic review. Assist Internal Audit in evaluating the fraud risks and recommending the appropriate fraud risk response in line with the ADNOC Audit Procedures. Identify and evaluate potential Fraud Schemes & Scenarios for proactive detection of red flags and potential violations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Job Specific Accountabilities

• Governance
• Assist in tasks as assigned by Forensic Audit Management esp. in development of Forensic Audit objectives and plans, Organization structure, Job Descriptions of positions, identification and formalizing relationship with external sources and authorities as required to obtain necessary support during Forensic Audits, benchmarking practices in forensic capabilities with international standards and industry best practices etc.
• Contribute to periodic Fraud Risk Assessments for audit planning purposes and assist in the development of the Risk-based Work Plans, consistent with the inputs from the Audit Committee / CEO / Management, to determine the priorities of the Forensic Audit activities.
• Investigations
• Perform the assigned Forensic Audits of alleged or suspected violations of laws, regulations and corporate policies, including but not limited to theft, fraud, embezzlement, conflict of interest, collusion, kickbacks, record falsifications and unauthorized disclosure of information.
• Use Forensic tools, Continuous Control Auditing and Business Integrity Screening tools for proactive identification of red flags and undertaking forensic audits.
• Develop a detailed Forensic audit program for the assigned audits, including the objectives, potential scenarios, audit techniques and tools and submit audit program to the management for review and approval.
• Prepare Plans, case theory development, outcomes and computation of financial and other implications of Forensic Audits.
• Ensure that adequate working papers and all relevant information are continuously documented and updated in the automated Audit Management System / Secure drive-in accordance with pre-defined templates and audit procedures.
• During Forensic Audit, identify, obtain, analyze, and appraise related systems and evidentiary data / information and identify high-risk areas and key control points of the system to be reviewed.
• Appraise the adequacy of the corrective actions taken by management on Forensic audit recommendations through follow-ups and periodically review and update the status of management actions to Audit Management.
• Ensure that approved audit objectives have been met with adequate coverage of all relevant areas and sufficient audit evidence is obtained to support the conclusion and recommendations in accordance with professional audit standards.
• Coordinate with key stakeholders of Ethics and Integrity for e.g., Compliance Officer, Risk Management, Internal Audit, Legal, Human Capital, etc. at relevant stages of an investigation.
• Plan and conduct informational and admission seeking interviews.
• Follow-up with the Competent Authority for the implementation of actions arising from Forensic Audit reports and report the status to Forensic Management.
• Participate in conducting special reviews and undertake administrative duties as directed by Management.
• Participate in Investigation Committees / Disciplinary Committees as a member / observer when nominated by the Forensic Division and represent Audit.
• When assigned, review log of all complaints received, investigated and decisions implemented to ensure that the records are up to date / complete and wherever required, propose suo-moto forensic investigations to Forensic Audit / Audit and Assurance Management.
• Testify in internal committee hearings and court trials when necessary and instructed Forensic Audit / Audit and Assurance Management.
• Assist Forensic Audit Department Manager in fulfilling the responsibilities of a 'Hub' in the Hub and spoke model of managing Group Company investigations.
• Assist Forensic Department in providing consulting services to the Departments / Functions of the organisation on developing an effective fraud prevention and detection programs.
• Assist the Forensic Audit Division in fulfilling the 'Special Tasks' if any assigned by the Audit and Assurance Function Line Management.
• Assist Forensic Department in identification and collection of digital / electronic evidence in a manner appropriate for forensic review.
• Assist Forensic Department in applying cost effective and efficient Forensic Technology Solutions for electronic discovery of evidence.
• Apply forensic accounting techniques in investigations related to illegal and fraudulent transactions in accounts and financial statements.
• Apply appropriate tools and techniques for reviewing and correlating structured and unstructured data.
• Maintain a chain of custody and properly seal, handle, and store acquired Forensics evidence Implementation of data security, chain of custody and evidence handling procedures.
• Review the anti-fraud framework / Governance when assigned and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Under the supervision of Line Manager, independently review the adequacy of fraud risks registers and effectiveness of controls approved by Management to address fraud risks and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Conceptualize Fraud Schemes & Scenarios, determine likelihood & significance and carry out the review of existing fraud controls & their effectiveness for proactively identifying red flags for further review in Forensic Audits.
• Proactively identify potential violations from the results of review of Fraud risks and schemes.
• Assist in correlation and analysis of information across multiple internal and external information / databases to identify fraud scenarios for review.
• Identify and apply statistical models / techniques like Benford's law, Zipf's law, Relative Size factors etc. to identify outliers and derive meaningful patterns & fraud scenarios for review.
• Documentation and Reporting
• Prepare clear, comprehensive and cohesive Forensic Audit reports and memoranda in a timely manner and present the findings and recommendations of the investigation for review and approval.
• Prepare the Forensic audit report / memoranda with a conclusion, expressing professional opinions on the substance, accuracy and perpetrators of matter being reviewed and recommend improvement options to rectify reported deficiencies for Department Manager / VP-Group Forensic Audit's review.
• Recommend practical enhancements in Fraud related governance, risks, and control processes to assist in the achievement of the company's business objectives.
• Provide concise and timely updates on the progress of investigations & deficiencies identified and for reporting to concerned Management.
• Prepare presentations on outcome of Forensic Audits / investigations for presentation at the appropriate level of Management and to facilitate decision making on disciplinary actions.
• Provide inputs for presentation on the investigation findings and recommendations to Audit Committee.
• Prepare working papers with supporting evidence to adequately document forensic audits / investigations performed.
• Assist in the preparation of Audit and Assurance Function's monthly / quarterly / annual progress reports covering various areas including implementation status of Forensic Audit / Investigations Plan, budget performance, investigation recommendation's implementation status, department KPI status, areas of concerns requiring Audit and Assurance Function Management's attention etc.
• Assist in following up with the concerned for reporting the investigations to Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority, if required, as mandated by ADAA Law of 2021.
• Coordination
• Participate in reviewing the fraud related alerts raised during Internal Audit assignments to identify and initiate detailed investigations.
• Provide inputs on additional audit steps to be performed to confirm existence of a fraud alert.
• Assist in reviewing fraud scenarios / risks and the associated controls during routine internal audit engagements.
• Assist in providing assistance / consulting services to the Management Functions of the organisation to develop an effective fraud detection and prevention training program, including appropriate introductory training for new employees as well as ongoing training for all employees and managers.
• Assist in the preparation of Audit and Assurance Unit's monthly / quarterly / annual progress reports covering various areas including implementation status of Forensic Audit / Investigations Plan, budget performance, investigation recommendation's implementation status, department KPI status, areas of concerns requiring Audit and Assurance Unit Management's attention etc.
• Assist in providing professional advice on the Group Companies' Audit Committee Charter, IA Charter and Forensic Audit / Investigations Methodology / Procedures.
• Support the Secretary of the Audit Committee in arranging Audit Committee meetings, preparing the agenda and minutes of meetings (MOMs), and reporting on other matters related to Forensic Audit as prescribed in the Audit Committee Charter within ADNOC and Group Companies.
• Support in the periodic reporting to the Audit Committee and Senior Management on Forensic audit activities, performance, significant risk exposures, controls / governance issues, and other related matters within ADNOC and Group Companies.
• Assist in conducting workshops or presentations to create awareness about Forensic Audits and demonstrate value addition across the ADNOC.
• Assist in driving Forensic Excellence by development of leading practices, enhancement of procedures; preparation and submission of Forensic practice write ups as approved by Management in professional journals, conferences and competitions.
• Participate in the development and updates of the Audit & Assurance Charter, Forensic Audit Methodology and Procedures Manual.
• Actively engage in workshops and presentations to ADNOC Group Audit Council on dynamic and complex fraud risks.
• Conduct advisory activities to improve the status of anti-fraud controls in the operational process of ADNOC HQ and ADNOC Group Company. Drive implementation of top-down initiatives that originate at the ADNOC HQ level with implementation spanning across the group.
• Challenge the status quo to bring continuous improvement over Forensic audit delivery.
• Liaise with vendors and service providers to ensure the efficient and cost-effective acquisition of Forensic Audit resources.
• Forensic Laboratory
• Perform the assigned tasks for setup, effective and efficient operation of Forensic Lab, access to data in corporate systems such as SAP etc., collection of digital evidence, deploying Cost effective and efficient Forensic Technology Solutions for forensic analysis, electronic discovery of evidences and case management, Optimum and effective utilization of Business Integrity Screening Software.
• Assist Line Manager in conducting continuous R&D to identify cost effective and efficient digital tools and techniques for forensic analysis, e-discovery and case management.
• Configure and operate Fraud Detection systems e.g., SAP Business Integrity Screening System to support proactive and reactive Forensic Audits as per directions of Line Manager.
• Comply with data security, chain of custody and evidence handling procedures.
• Assist in providing orientation, guidance and troubleshooting on forensic audit tools to Group Forensic Auditors.
• Assist in providing Forensic Lab services and in fulfilling the Forensic Lab responsibilities of a 'Hub' in the Hub and spoke model of managing Group Company investigations.
• Assist in developing and updating procedures for Digital Forensic tools utilization.
• Develop centralised Forensic Audit dashboard to reflect performance of both Forensic Audit's ADNOC HQ and Group Companies Department.
• Perform periodic review of Digital Forensics and Forensic Audit services performance across the Group and provide feedback to the Line Management on areas of improvement.

Generic Accountabilities

Supervision

• Plan, supervise and coordinate all activities in the assigned area to meet functional objectives.
• Train and develop the assigned staff on relevant skills to enable them to become proficient on the job and deliver the respective business objectives.

Budgets

• Provide input for preparation of the Function / Division / Department / Section budgets, assist in the implementation of the approved Budget, and work plans to deliver business objectives.
• Investigate and highlight any significant variances to support effective performance and cost control.
• Implement approved Function / Division / Department / Section policies, processes, systems, standards and procedures in order to support execution of the work programs in line with Company and International standards.

Performance Management

• Contribute to the achievement of the approved Performance Objectives for the Function / Division / Department / Section in line with the Company Performance framework.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Design and implement new tools and techniques to improve the quality and efficiency of operational processes.
• Identify improvements in internal processes against best practices in pursuit of greater efficiency in line with best industry standards in order to define intelligent solutions for issues confronting the function.

Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) and Sustainability

• Comply with relevant HSE policies, procedures, controls, applicable legislation, and sustainability guidelines in line with international standards, best practices and ADNOC Code of Practices.

Reports

• Provide inputs to prepare MIS and progress reports for Company Management.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS :

Internal

• Regular contacts with operational level management within ADNOC and Group Companies.
• Frequent contacts within ADNOC and Group Companies at all levels of Management up to SVPs with respect to audit programs, the conduct of the audits, audit reports, findings and recommendations.
• Regular contacts with ADNOC Group Companies' Internal Audit Managers and staff with respect to knowledge sharing of standards, frameworks, methodologies, policies, and processes across ADNOC and Group Companies.
• Participate in Forensic Audit and risk awareness presentations to senior management, including Group Companies' management and Audit Committees.

External

• Occasional contacts with Forensic / Internal Audit Service Provider(s) to co-ordinate audit activities, when required.
• Occasional contacts, as required, with Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) regarding government audits and reporting of cases as required in ADAA Law, 2021.
• Frequent contacts with ADNOC External Auditors and other assurance providers to ensure adequate audit coverage and minimize duplicate efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS :

• Bachelors in accounting / Auditing or equivalent discipline.
• A Master's degree is preferred.

Minimum Experience & Knowledge & Skills

• 10 years varied experience in internal audit, audit & fraud risk assessment, investigations, case handling, management, project management and implementation, ethics and compliance or related functions.
• Experience in oil & gas sector is an advantage.
• Knowledge of forensic investigation tools such as ACL, IDEA, Intella, encase would be an advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of International Professional Practices Framework for Assurance and other related frameworks / standards (e.g., COSO) and their interpretation / application to Fraud prevention and Forensic auditing practice.
• Experience of working in an ERP environment.
• In-depth knowledge of best practices for corporate processes, including, but not limited to, Sales & Marketing, Procurement, IT, Legal, Human Capital, Operations etc.
• Sound knowledge of fraud risks and scenarios in various processes of an organisation.
• Experience in interacting with Senior Management.
• High interpersonal skills in line with the Corporate Role that requires interaction with all levels of Management in ADNOC and Group Companies.
• Understanding of digitalization in Forensic processes, especially in the oil and gas landscape.

Professional Certifications

• CFE is mandatory.
• Accounting Certification (preferred) e.g., CPA, CA, CMA, CFA.
• Internal Audit / IT Audit / Internal Controls Certification (at least one mandatory) e.g. CIA, CISA, CCSA, CCEP.