Head of Internal Audit

Corenza · India

About Company

A leading NBFC with ₹10,000+ crore AUM , specializing in rural and MSME financing through business loans, farm equipment finance, and affordable housing solutions.

Job Description

1. Strategy

• Lead the development of the organization's risk-based Internal Audit Plan.
• Understand business processes and operational nuances to support the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), operational systems, and internal controls.
• Conduct quarterly and annual assessments of the adequacy and effectiveness of audit, risk, and internal control systems, and present key findings to the CEO/COO.
• Establish and follow reporting protocols to enable proactive risk management in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging risks, and regulatory developments, providing strategic inputs to business leadership and the Board.

2. Operations

• Drive implementation and monitoring of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) across business functions.
• Develop and execute the annual internal audit plan, including defining audit objectives, scope, resource allocation, budgets, timelines, and manpower planning.
• Conduct periodic reviews of systems, processes, and organizational structures to strengthen compliance and minimize operational risks.
• Lead investigations into operational incidents, policy violations, and control failures, providing expert recommendations to senior management.
• Ensure timely and consistent reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee.
• Lead special audits and investigations as directed by Senior Management and the Audit Committee.

3. Compliance

• Review business operations for compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and governance standards.
• Analyze audit observations and oversee implementation of remediation and corrective action plans to minimize business risks.

4. Business Excellence

• Recommend improvements to existing SOPs and Delegation of Authority (DOA) frameworks based on audit findings to enhance governance and operational efficiency.
• Monitor progress of improvement initiatives, ensuring adherence to defined timelines, budgets, methodologies, and expected outcomes.

5. Technology Management

• Promote optimal utilization of audit technology and analytics platforms to improve audit effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Support troubleshooting, issue escalation, and monitoring of technology utilization.
• Identify opportunities to automate audit activities and integrate technology-driven solutions into audit processes.

6. Stakeholder Management

• Partner with the CEO, COO, CFO, and business leaders to strengthen understanding of business processes, risks, controls, and governance practices.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), advising business stakeholders and the Audit Committee on emerging regulatory developments, risks, and governance matters.

7. Governance & Quality Assurance

• Foster a culture of transparency, compliance, accountability, and ethical business practices.
• Develop and implement audit governance frameworks, quality assurance metrics, and performance monitoring mechanisms.
• Define and implement escalation protocols for timely resolution of audit observations, control deficiencies, and operational incidents.

Key Interactions

Internal Stakeholders

• CEO, COO, CFO, and Business Leaders to understand strategic priorities, business processes, and key risks.
• Audit Committee and Business Stakeholders for governance updates and audit reporting.
• Support Functions including IT, HR, Finance, Legal, and Compliance.

External Stakeholders

• Statutory Auditors
• Internal Audit Firms
• Third-Party Auditors and Assurance Partners
• Regulatory Auditors (as applicable)

Qualifications

• Chartered Accountant (CA) and/or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
• 12–15+ years of progressive experience in Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, or Assurance, with significant leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements, corporate governance, and internal control frameworks, preferably within the BFSI/NBFC sector.

Key Skills Required

• Deep understanding of NBFC/HFC regulations, lending operations, credit lifecycle, and operational processes.
• Expertise in Risk-Based Internal Auditing, Internal Controls, Governance, and Enterprise Risk Management.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and internal control frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and investigative capabilities.
• Proven ability to identify business risks and recommend practical, value-driven solutions.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management with the ability to influence senior leadership, Audit Committee members, and the Board.
• High integrity, ethical mindset, and commitment to governance and compliance.
• Strong communication, presentation, and report-writing skills.
• Experience leveraging audit analytics and technology to improve audit effectiveness.

Mandatory Requirement

Primary Job Profile : Internal Audit

Technical Skills : Compliance, Risk Management

Candidate Industry Requirement: NBFC, Bank