BARKHA NEBHANI

• Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
• Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.
• Developed and implemented business strategies to achieve business goals and stay competitive.
• Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
• Analyzed large amounts of data to find patterns of fraud and anomalies.
• Implemented internal controls to maintain integrity and accuracy of financial records.
• Developed and implemented procedures to detect and prevent fraud.
• Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to create and maintain fraud prevention strategies.
• Collaborated with team members to discuss fraud trends and brainstorm methods to combat this type of crime.

KEY ASSIGNMENTS:

• Led comprehensive Fraud Risk Assessments for several clients in Technology & Oil & Gas sector, evaluating the control framework, policies, and procedures. Conducted detailed interviews with key stakeholders, performed data analysis, and reviewed transactional data to identify potential red flags. Developed a comprehensive fraud risk register, allocating inherent risk ratings to different processes and functions. Presented the findings to the steering committee, highlighting the top fraud risks and recommending additional fraud controls to mitigate the residual risk. The implemented controls resulted in a significant reduction in fraud incidents, safeguarding the client's assets and reputation.
• Designed and implemented a tailored Anti-Fraud Risk Framework for multiple clients across various industries. Developed robust policies, procedures, and governance structures to proactively manage and mitigate fraud risks. Established clear reporting lines, communication protocols, and escalation procedures to ensure timely detection and response to potential fraud incidents. Conducted engaging training and awareness programs to educate employees at all levels about fraud prevention and detection, fostering a strong anti-fraud culture within the organizations.
• Conducted in-depth reviews of flagged transactions within the health underwriting process for a leading Insurance client, utilizing advanced data analysis and investigation interviews. As part of the review, I thoroughly examined the existing health underwriting policies and procedures of the Insurance client. This allowed me to assess the adequacy of controls and identify any potential loopholes that could be exploited for fraudulent activities. Identified potential fraudulent activities, leading to timely interventions that resulted in recoveries and possible legal actions against perpetrators. Provided actionable insights and recommendations, strengthening the client's health underwriting process.
• Managed the maturity assessment of fraud investigation procedures and anti-fraud framework for a leading logistics company in Qatar. Conducted extensive process and system walkthrough to evaluate the current state of fraud investigation protocols. Benchmarked the company's anti-fraud practices against industry best practices and regulatory guidelines. Identified gaps and weaknesses in the existing procedures and provided detailed recommendations for improvement. Developed an initiative roadmap, outlining prioritized action plans to enhance the company's anti-fraud capabilities. The implementation of these enhancements resulted in quicker and more effective fraud investigations, minimizing financial losses and preserving the company's reputation.
• Designed and developed fraud survey themes and a comprehensive questionnaire, ensuring alignment with regional requirements and industry standards. Circulated the survey to targeted participants, overseeing data collection, and employing advanced data analysis techniques to extract key insights and identify prevailing market trends in fraud prevention. Produced a detailed and insightful report, presenting the survey findings, and evaluating the market's maturity in fraud prevention practices. Provided valuable recommendations to enhance fraud prevention measures, empowering organizations to proactively mitigate risks and protect their assets.

• Conducted numerous Internal Audit and Internal Control Reviews for prominent organizations across the Telecom, Data Center, and retail sectors, fostering collaboration with clients to identify improvement opportunities in process efficiency, control effectiveness, and risk management.
• Led end-to-end Internal Audit engagements, from developing audit plans to presenting key findings to management and Audit Committee, while managing simultaneous audits for two clients and overseeing a team of 9-10 resources.
• Collaborated in the development of Internal Audit plans and Internal Financial Control reviews based on materiality and risk exposure, conducting process and system walkthrough, identifying risk findings, and implementing effective controls.
• Reviewed various critical processes, including Procure to Pay, Order to Cash, Customer Experience/Contact Center, Treasury & Insurance, Financial Reporting, Fixed Assets & Inventory Management, Hire to Retire, Product Lifecycle Management, and Contract Management.
• Pioneered Data Analytics strategies, reducing audit execution time by 40% through population-based reviews using tools like SQL, and provided interactive dashboards using Power BI for risk overview.
• Leveraged tools such as SQL to conduct the analysis on the customer base & complaints dump with a population of over 240 million line items.
• Produced findings and interactive dashboards using Power BI visualization tool to provide the overview of the risks & red flags.
• Conducted materiality assessments to determine IFC scope, assessed control designs, updated key risks, developed testing plans for critical controls, reviewed policies and procedures, prepared risk and control matrices, identified significant control deficiencies, performed control testing to evaluate the operating effectiveness of controls, and recommended enhancements.
• Contributed to developing the key test attributes across several processes for automated Continuous Control Monitoring tool launched by EY India.

KEY ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Customer Experience Audit for several Telecom operators in India:

• Led Customer Experience audits for major Telecom operators with revenue of ~200 billion AUD and a customer base of 193 million, evaluating customer touchpoints, contact center operations, and query/resolution processes.
• Conducted mystery shopping of prepaid & postpaid SIMs to identify on-ground gaps, analyzed customer data to assess the customer journey, and recommended process improvements.
• Recommended additional products and services, enhancing client offerings against industry benchmarks.

Key Achievements:

• Implemented process improvements, reducing complaint response time by 30% and ensuring 95% compliance with response time requirements.
• Identified revenue leakage of up to AUD 150K and unauthorized transactions worth AUD 50K, proposing robust controls for risk mitigation.
• Enhanced governance on customer waivers and discounts, achieving cost savings of AUD 50K.
• Enhanced CRM system efficiency and mobile app user experience, reducing errors.

2. Leading Broadband & Cloud Service Provider:

• Led the annual Internal Audit planning and execution for various processes, including Fixed Asset Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Customer Experience, Procurement, and Regulatory Compliance.
• Identified control deficiencies, such as fixed asset misappropriation and contract non-renewals, recommending initiatives for improvement.
• Assisted Head of Internal Audit in audit planning, scoping, audit execution & management/ Board reporting.
• Collaborated with management to monitor and implement action plans based on internal audit findings.

Key Achievements:

o Identified key gaps and control deficiencies in the existing processes such as

• Misappropriation of fixed asset and obsolete inventory of over AUD 1 million,
• Non-timely renewal of customer contracts amounting to 2.5 million exposing the client to risk of customer defaults,
• Absence of proper supporting or 3-way match (Invoice-PO-GRN validation) before payment processing,
• Compliance risk of up to AUD 500K, etc.

o Suggested additional products and service offerings to align with industry benchmarks.

3. Global Data Center in India & Singapore:

• Managed multiple projects at the Data Center client, including Internal Audit, Internal Financial Control review, Enterprise Risk Management, and Transition support.
• Conducted Internal Audit & Internal Control review for several processes like Service Delivery, Supply Chain Management, Treasury & Insurance, Order to Cash, etc.
• Developed and Enhanced ERM Frameworks: Revamped and strengthened Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks for multiple organizations, aligning them with industry-leading practices and ISO 31000 or COSO risk management standards. Defined risk impact-likelihood matrices, risk hierarchies, risk appetite, and robust risk assessment methodologies.
• Comprehensive Risk Evaluation: Conducted thorough examinations and evaluations of established and potential risks across diverse business units. Collaborated closely with risk owners and key stakeholders to assess risks' significance, develop mitigation plans, and implement effective control strategies.
• Enterprise Risk Registers and Risk Treatment Plans: Developed and maintained comprehensive Enterprise Risk Registers encompassing risks across all Level 1 (L1) processes. Determined inherent risk ratings and mapped existing controls to evaluate residual risk levels. Defined risk treatment plans to avoid, minimize, or detect risks, ensuring a proactive risk management approach.
• Managed the Finance transformation initiative for a prominent Global Data Center and served as the PMO lead to facilitate a seamless shift of the Finance and Supply Chain Management function. Developed detailed project plan with key milestones, target timelines, assigned stakeholders and key dependencies. Regular monitoring the status of activities against the project plan. Responsible for highlighting the delays and proactively suggesting the corrective action. Led weekly status meetings & steering committees with the project coordinator, concerned stakeholders, and senior management stakeholders likes of Directors, VPs, CFO, etc.
• Redesigned delegation of authority (DOA) to ensure clear segregation of duties and revised thresholds.

Key Achievements:

• Became a trusted advisor for risk matters, identifying future opportunities for the client.
• Recommended SAP S4 HANA enhancements, reducing GL redundancies and improving efficiency.
• Identified the key gaps in the existing processes and recommended initiatives to mitigate the process/ system design deficiencies.
• Designed the target operating model, policies, processes, organizational structure in line with leading practices and approved initiatives.
• Developed chart of accounts to align with the Parent Co. & reduced GL redundancies. Supported in conducting UAT for the transition from the legacy system to the new ERP.
• Investigated the procurement inconsistencies & red flags and further recommended control requirements to avoid or timely detect the errors or frauds.

• Developed auditing program to address risks and evaluate regulatory requirements.
• Performed internal audits of financial and departmental operations, developing risk assessments and conducting process walkthrough for compliance with documented processes.
• Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings.
• Reviewed financial statements for adherence to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and corporate regulations.
• Coordinated with external auditors and documented process reviews.
• Prepared and distributed risk and audit reports to appropriate personnel.

• Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings.
• Conducted technical and analytical reviews of tax returns to check for accuracy and qualified deductions.
• Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
• Kept up-to-date with tax changes and industry trends by participating in professional organizations, opportunities, and networks.
• Used accounting software to issue tax returns and prepare consolidated reports.
• Collaborated cross-functionally to identify account issues and propose solutions.
• Prepared reports and materials to assist with audits.
• Maintained and enhanced internal controls to preserve confidentiality of records.
• Prepared year-end journal entries to prepare for annual audit.
• Developed detailed financial recordkeeping methods and procedures to support fiscal reporting.