ASSOCIATE, INTERNAL AUDIT

Job Purpose

To support internal audit activities focused on payment processes by assisting in risk assessment, control testing, and data analysis, helping to evaluate the effectiveness of payment controls and identify areas for improvement in the procure-to-pay and disbursement cycles.

Key Accountability Areas

Risk Assessment and Planning:

• Assist in identifying key risk areas within payment cycles (e.g., invoice processing, payment approvals, vendor master data, and disbursements) during internal audit planning.
• Support the audit team in engagement planning for payments audits, including scope definition and risk prioritization.
• Help prepare engagement commencement letters and coordinate initial communications with Finance, Accounts Payable, and Treasury process owners.

Understanding Processes and Internal Controls:

• Support documentation of end-to-end payment processes, including procure-to-pay (P2P), payroll payments, and manual/automated disbursement workflows.
• Assist in mapping key internal controls over payments such as three-way matching, approval hierarchies, segregation of duties, and payment release controls.
• Help test the design and operating effectiveness of payment-related controls under supervision.

Audit Execution:

• Participate in payments-focused internal audit assignments using a risk-based approach.
• Assist in executing audit programs covering areas such as duplicate payments, unauthorized transactions, payment timing, and vendor validation.
• Contribute to ad hoc reviews of payment exceptions, suspicious transactions, or reported control failures.
• Support reviews of new payment systems or ERP modules and assist in pre-implementation control assessments.

Performance Analysis:

• Assist in analyzing payment data to identify anomalies such as duplicate payments, aging liabilities, unusual payment patterns, or high-risk vendors.
• Support evaluation of key payment KPIs (e.g., payment cycle time, early payment discounts, error rates).
• Help identify inefficiencies in payment workflows and suggest improvement opportunities.

Auditing and Monitoring:

• Assist in continuous monitoring of payment transactions using ERP reports and BI tools to detect exceptions or control breaches.
• Support tracking of remediation actions related to payment audit findings and follow-ups with process owners.
• Help gather stakeholder feedback on payment control effectiveness and operational challenges.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Contribute to drafting audit observations related to payment risks, control gaps, and process inefficiencies under guidance.
• Ensure audit documentation is complete, accurate, and well-organized, including workpapers, testing results, and supporting evidence.
• Assist in preparing clear and structured audit reports highlighting payment process risks and recommendations.

Role Accountability

HR Proficiency:

• Ability to obtain updated soft and technical skills related to the job.

Delivery:

• Perform the planned activities to meet the operational and development targets as per delivery schedules.
• Utilize resources effectively to achieve objectives within efficient cost and time.
• Provide a periodic report formatted by detailing the deviation and execution of planned tasks.

Problem-Solving:

• Solve any related problems arise and escalate any complex operational issues.

Quality:

• Ensure quality requirements to develop effective quality control and processes including specifications for products or processes or related activities.

Business Process Improvements:

• Coordinate well-defined written systems, policies, procedures, and seek automations opportunities as much as possible.

Compliance:

• Comply to related policy and procedures and work instructions.

Health, Safety, and Environment:

• Ensure compliance of relevant safety, quality, and environmental management procedures and controls within defined area of work activity to guarantee safety, legislative compliance, and delivery of high-quality products/services.

Academic Qualification

Work Experience

Technical / Functional Competencies