Lead - Internal Audit - CA

Experience in handling a team must.
Must have exposure of conducting audits of central support functions (treasury, risk and finance, importance to be given in same order).
The Internal Audit function at the firm plays a critical role as a third line of defense, in safeguarding the companys assets, reputation, and long-term sustainability. As Lead Audit, the incumbent will ensure strong risk management, controls, and governance across firm's various business.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS: INTERNAL: Various Business/Vertical heads
KEY STAKEHOLDERS: EXTERNAL: Regulators, Statutory Auditors
REPORTING STRUCTURE: Head - Internal Audit

QUALIFICATION: Chartered Accountant
EXPERIENCE:
- Strong familiarity with Companies Act, RBI / NHB and other regulatory requirements.
- Significant experience in developing, testing, and assessing internal controls.
- Strong analytical skill with knowledge and understanding of the HFC, NBFC and Banking systems, internal control, and reporting processes.
- 12+ years of total work experience in internal audit and risk management of NBFC/ HFC/ Banking, and reputed audit firms.
- Experience in undertaking audit for wholesale/credit or support functions or retail asset products.
KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct risk-based internal audits across business verticals including Retail Assets, Wholesale/Credit, and Support functions (Treasury, Finance, HR, IT, etc.)
- Perform independent assessments of business processes, controls, documentation, underwriting, monitoring mechanisms, and operational practices to identify associated risks and mitigants.
- Evaluate adherence to internal policies, SOPs, regulatory guidelines, and governance standards, and highlight deviations or control weaknesses.
- Review effectiveness of risk monitoring frameworks including Early Warning Signals (EWS), exception management, portfolio monitoring, and escalation mechanisms, where applicable.
- Identify gaps in process design, control execution, and risk management practices, and recommend practical corrective and preventive actions.
- Undertake thematic reviews, special audits, investigations, or assignments as directed by Senior Management, Audit Committee of the Board (ACB), or Regulators.
- Prepare Business Understanding Documents (BUDs), risk assessments, audit plans, and checklists to ensure comprehensive audit coverage.
- Execute audits end-to-end including planning, fieldwork, testing, documentation, stakeholder discussions, reporting, and closure tracking.
- Draft clear, concise, and actionable audit reports supported by adequate documentation and evidence.
- Monitor closure of audit observations and assess effectiveness of remediation actions implemented by auditees.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to drive timely resolution of audit findings and strengthen internal controls.
- Lead, guide, and mentor audit team members by reviewing workpapers, providing direction, and ensuring quality and consistency in audit execution.
- Stay updated on industry practices, emerging risks, regulatory developments, and changes in the NBFC and financial services landscape.
- Travel across locations/branches PAN India as required for audit assignments