BALWINDER SINGH
Dubai
Summary
Seasoned Group Internal Auditor, holding comprehensive experience in internal audits, risk assessments and control procedures. Possess strong aptitude for regulatory compliance and financial analysis coupled with proven leadership skills. Have consistently contributed to improved operational efficiency and effectiveness through critical evaluation of business processes, identification of process risks and recommendations for corrective actions.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Group Internal Auditor
Arenco Real Estate
Dubai
08.2023 - Current
- Led and managed end-to-end operational, financial, and compliance audits across multiple business segments of the Group.
- Designed and executed comprehensive audit strategies tailored to the risk profile and operational complexities of each business unit, resulting in enhanced audit coverage, and increased overall audit effectiveness.
- Collaborated with cross-functional stakeholders, including senior management and business heads, to identify control gaps and recommend actionable improvements, contributing to strengthened internal controls and governance across the Group.
- Guided, mentored, and supervised audit teams through all phases of audit assignments, significantly enhancing team performance, engagement, and the quality of audit deliverables.
Assistant Internal Audit Manager
Bahwan International Group (BIG)
Dubai
05.2019 - 08.2023
- Led and executed internal audit assignments across various operational and financial areas of the Group, as directed by the Country Head – Internal Audit, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, risk management frameworks, and regulatory compliance.
- Conducted risk-based audits and control evaluations across sales, service, and procurement functions, resulting in improved audit efficiency and enhanced process controls.
- Prepared detailed audit reports highlighting key findings, control weaknesses, and actionable recommendations, enabling senior management to make informed decisions, and track performance against defined KPIs.
- Delivered audit findings and insights through professional presentations to management, fostering transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across business units.
- Performed targeted fraud investigations, identifying control breaches and financial irregularities, leading to fault detection, recovery of funds, and a significant reduction in financial discrepancies.
- Worked closely with process owners to implement corrective actions and strengthen internal controls, contributing to the overall risk mitigation strategy of the Group.
- Supported the development of the annual audit plan by identifying high-risk areas within the automotive operations, and aligning audit resources accordingly.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices, internal audit methodologies, and regulatory requirements to ensure effective, value-added audit outcomes.
Senior Internal Auditor
Sobha Engineering & Contracting LLC
Dubai
02.2019 - 05.2019
- Conducted a comprehensive end-to-end audit of the Inventory Management process at Sobha Glazing, identifying key control gaps and inefficiencies; presented findings and recommendations directly to the Chairman, resulting in enhanced inventory controls and operational efficiency.
- Audited Closed User Group (CUG) mobile usage, part of the HR and Administration function, has led to streamlined communication processes and substantial cost savings through policy revisions and improved monitoring mechanisms.
- Executed an audit of scaffolding and formwork materials management, evaluating the end-to-end tracking and utilization processes; developed and implemented robust controls for real-time movement tracking and consumption analysis, significantly improving material management and project efficiency.
- Collaborated with departmental heads to implement corrective measures, ensuring compliance with internal policies, and improving accountability and resource utilization across key operational areas.
Executive Internal Auditor
Bahwan International Group (BIG)
Muscat
12.2013 - 01.2019
- Developed yearly audit plans based on the risk assessment of different business segments, enhancing audit strategy effectiveness.
- Performed branch audits across the Group’s network, identifying operational inefficiencies, control weaknesses, and compliance gaps, and provided actionable recommendations that strengthened internal controls and optimized processes.
- Executed pre-payment audits to ensure proper approval workflows, supporting documentation, and policy compliance, reducing financial exposure, and improving vendor management practices. Achieving cost savings of over $80K through enhanced pre-audit protocols.
- Investigated and resolved fraud cases, leading to disciplinary action, including the termination of 13 employees, while also contributing to the establishment of stronger preventive controls and early detection mechanisms.
- Prepared and presented professional audit reports with detailed findings, KPI evaluations, and risk mitigation strategies, ensuring clarity and alignment with business priorities in communications to senior leadership.
Internal Auditor
Hotel Friends Regency Private Limited
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, policies, and guidelines, improving audit efficiency.
- Reviewed sales of Rooms, Banquet Halls, and restaurants daily, ensuring alignment with strategic plans and regulations, resulting in improved audit accuracy.
- Conducted surprise checks and reviewed cash management, uncovering discrepancies and enhancing financial controls, reducing financial discrepancies.
Education
Post Graduate Certificate Programme (PGCM) - Management - Public Accounting
All India Management Association
New Delhi12-2023
Bachelor of Commerce -
Panjab University
Chandigarh01.2010
Skills
- SAP
- JDE
- Microsoft Office
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Audit Reporting
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Risk Analysis
- Risk assessment
- Data analysis
- Internal controls
- Audit reporting
- Team leadership
- Fraud investigation
Certification
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
Issued: April 1, 2022 | Valid Through: December 31, 2025 - Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
Issued: June 1, 2018 | Valid Through: December 31, 2025
Accomplishments
- Award of Appreciation – Fraud Detection (Fuel Cards), 2015
Presented by the Chief Internal Auditor, Suhail Bahwan Group, Oman
Recognized for successfully detecting and investigating a major fraud case involving fuel cards. - Award of Appreciation – Duplicate Payment Detection
Presented by the Chief Internal Auditor, Suhail Bahwan Group, Oman
Commended for identifying duplicate vendor payments during pre-audit, contributing to significant cost savings. - Award of Appreciation – Fraud Detection (Procurement), 2019
Presented by the Chief Internal Auditor, Bahwan International Group, UAE
Honored for uncovering procurement-related fraud, reinforcing internal controls and fraud prevention measures. - Shukran Award – Audit Findings & Presentation
Presented by the Chief Executive Officer, Bahwan International Group, UAE
Acknowledged for delivering impactful audit findings and presenting strategic insights to top management. - Employee of the Month – 2024
Presented by the Board of Directors, Arenco Real Estate, UAE
Recognized for excellence in audit execution, findings, and presentations that contributed to process improvements.
Languages
Punjabi
First Language
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
Hindi
Proficient (C2)
C2
Urdu
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Group Internal Auditor
Arenco Real Estate
08.2023 - Current
Assistant Internal Audit Manager
Bahwan International Group (BIG)
05.2019 - 08.2023
Senior Internal Auditor
Sobha Engineering & Contracting LLC
02.2019 - 05.2019
Executive Internal Auditor
Bahwan International Group (BIG)
12.2013 - 01.2019
Internal Auditor
Hotel Friends Regency Private Limited
01.2010 - 01.2013
Post Graduate Certificate Programme (PGCM) - Management - Public Accounting
All India Management Association
Bachelor of Commerce -
Panjab University
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