BASSEM ESSAM ALKHOULY
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Accomplished professional specializing in internal audit leadership and risk strategy, with expertise in COSO and internal controls. Proficient in governance, board reporting, and compliance advisory, with a focus on fraud investigations and resilience planning. Demonstrated success in financial and IT audits, operational excellence, and executive engagement. Multilingual communicator with a proven ability in team leadership and strategic problem-solving.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Head of Internal Audit & Controls
Takaful Emarat Insurance
Dubai
12.2024 - 11.2025
- - Develop and execute a multi-year Internal Audit Strategy aligned with business objectives, governance needs, and regulatory expectations.
- - Lead full Internal Audit function across operations, finance, HR, IT, medical networks, claims, underwriting, AML/CTF, and investments.
- - Advise Board Audit Committee on systemic risks, emerging threats, governance gaps, and regulatory exposures.
- - Strengthen Internal Control System (ICS) in line with COSO 2013 and support company-wide control maturity.
- - Lead regulatory readiness, coordinate with CBUAE/SCA/DoH examiners, and validate management responses.
- - Oversee BCP/DRP enhancement, fraud investigations, advisory reviews, and process reengineering initiatives.
- - Introduce audit analytics, continuous auditing, and enhanced methodology as part of QAIP.
- - Mentor audit team and oversee quality of working papers, testing, and final audit reports.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Worked flexible hours, covering nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Improved efficiency and productivity by acquiring new skills.
- Applied critical thinking to analyse problems, evaluate solutions and select best decisions.
VP – Head of Credit Audit
Ajman Bank
Ajman
08.2008 - 12.2024
- - Built and led Credit Audit function from inception, establishing policies, methodologies, and governance frameworks.
- - Designed and executed annual credit audit plan covering corporate, SME, commercial, and retail lending.
- - Assessed underwriting quality, credit structuring, collateral, documentation, portfolio monitoring, EWI indicators, and provisioning.
- - Provided strategic insights to senior management and Audit Committee on credit trends and systemic vulnerabilities.
- - Ensured compliance with internal policies, CBUAE regulations, Sharia requirements, and IFRS 9.
- - Oversaw ICAAP-related assurance, stress testing inputs, and credit risk appetite evaluation.
- - Introduced data-driven audit tools and analytics to strengthen credit governance.
- - Trained and supervised credit auditors, conducted internal quality reviews, and enhanced audit execution.
Assistant Manager – Credit Audit
Commercial Bank International
UAE
08.2007 - 08.2008
- - Executed credit audits across major lending segments.
- - Identified weaknesses, deviations, and compliance gaps.
- - Delivered recommendations improving credit governance.
- Provided support to manager during audits, ensuring accurate reports.
Senior Officer – Credit Audit
Mashreq Bank
UAE
11.2005 - 08.2007
- - Conducted audits for retail and Islamic finance portfolios.
- - Strengthened policy adherence, documentation, and control testing.
Operations Officer
Mashreq Bank
Dubai
02.2004 - 10.2005
- - Managed branch operations, AML controls, ATM oversight, and compliance.
Senior Cashier
Egyptian American Bank
Egypt
02.2001 - 01.2004
- - Managed cash operations, reconciliations, customer transactions.
Auditor
PwC Egypt
Egypt
05.1999 - 01.2001
- - Performed statutory audits, financial reviews, and control assessments.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting Major
Alexandria07.2000
Internal Control Diploma -
Arab Academy For Science & Technology
Alexandria09.2000
Some College (No Degree) - Credit Standards
American University in Cairo
Cairo11.2002
Certified Fraud Examiner - Fraud
Associations OF Fraud Examiners
USA 02.2023 - 04.2023
Skills
- Internal Audit Leadership
- ERM & Risk Strategy
- COSO & Internal Controls
- Governance & Board Reporting
- Fraud & Special Investigations
- BCP/DRP & Resilience
- Financial & IT Audit
- Team Leadership
- Communication skills
- Team building
- Leadership
- Quality Assurance
- Troubleshooting
Certification
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – ACFE
LANGUAGES
Arabic – Native
English – Fluent
REFERENCES
Available upon request
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
- AML & Sanctions Compliance
- Forensic Audit & Investigations
- Islamic Finance
- Basel II Audit Role
- Performance Management
- Risk Management
- VAT Training
Timeline
Head of Internal Audit & Controls
Takaful Emarat Insurance
12.2024 - 11.2025
Certified Fraud Examiner - Fraud
Associations OF Fraud Examiners
02.2023 - 04.2023
VP – Head of Credit Audit
Ajman Bank
08.2008 - 12.2024
Assistant Manager – Credit Audit
Commercial Bank International
08.2007 - 08.2008
Senior Officer – Credit Audit
Mashreq Bank
11.2005 - 08.2007
Operations Officer
Mashreq Bank
02.2004 - 10.2005
Senior Cashier
Egyptian American Bank
02.2001 - 01.2004
Auditor
PwC Egypt
05.1999 - 01.2001
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting Major
Internal Control Diploma -
Arab Academy For Science & Technology
Some College (No Degree) - Credit Standards
American University in Cairo