Saif AlDhaheri
Internal Audit Manager
Abu Dhabi
Summary
Results-driven Internal Audit Manager with over a decade of expertise in government auditing and risk-based internal audit within a publicly listed defense company. Proficient in multi-year audit planning and providing strategic guidance on governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) matters. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and leveraging data analytics to enhance audit effectiveness while ensuring alignment with the 2024 IIA Standards and UAE regulations in highly regulated environments.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Internal Audit Manager
Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company (PJSC)
07.2024 - Current
- Contributed to diverse audit programs spanning operational, financial, IT, HSE, supply chain, governance, business development, and capital projects by reviewing control design and operating effectiveness and ensuring clear, high-quality audit reports and communications that conveyed the significance of risk exposures and their potential impact.
- Contributed in developing departmental audit methodologies and the organization-wide risk-based plan of engagements and contributed to leading the three-year risk-based internal audit plan aligned with the 2024 IIA Standards, and ADAA rules, SCA governance requirements.
- Built advanced proficiency through diverse assurance and advisory engagements across shipbuilding, MRO, hazardous materials strategies, procurement, business development, IT governance, while delivering strategic projects such as supply chain optimization, Industry 4.0 readiness (MOIAT TTP), BCM regulatory mapping, peer benchmarking.
- Directed audit follow-up, resolving implementation barriers and ensuring timely closure of agreed upon action plan.
- Managed IA operations: OPEX/CAPEX budgeting, audit universe build, enterprise risk assessment with service providers, and tendering/co-sourcing in line with ADAA rules.
- Partnered with the Chief Audit Executive in ARC and senior leadership meetings, reporting progress and emerging risks.
Head of Education & Health Affairs Section (Audit)
United Arab Emirates Accountability Authority
08.2023 - 01.2024
- Managed and optimized audit activities across the Education and Health sector, assessing adherence to regulations and standards.
- Supervision of a cross-functional team of 3-unit heads and 11 auditors, fostering a culture of excellence and goal achievement.
- Led revenue collection and internal control evaluations, identifying revenue loss, and maximizing resource use, while benchmarking against peer organizations.
- Led in-depth, sector-specific audits in education, health, and pension sectors, employing advanced analytical methods to prepare comprehensive audit reports. These reports not only pinpointed critical areas for improvement but also provided actionable, constructive recommendations, driving significant operational enhancements.
- Led the creation of a pioneering performance and accountability methodology, incorporating international practices and metrics from leading global audit institutions.
- Streamlined financial benefit targets, reduction in audit manhours, enhanced human capital ROI, and captured both quantifiable and non-quantifiable organizational benefits to auditees.
Audit Team Leader
Supreme Audit Institution
04.2021 - 08.2023
- Responsible managing a team of 4 members in reaching the specified goals in the approved audit plan and drafting the audit plan with the applicable audit methodologies of the pension sector.
- Responsible for the control process and the level of quality in the audit engagements.
- Application of Data Analysis in the process of identifying risks and comprehensive examinations of the Auditees financial operations.
- Establishing the operational work plan for the team in accordance with the approved audit plan.
- Responsible for generating engagement audit, financial statements, and stakeholder reports.
Financial and Compliance Auditor
Supreme Audit Institution
04.2015 - 04.2021
- Application of Audit Methodology when auditing the entity.
- Assessing the entity's overall financial control system.
- Discovering & gauging possible financial risks within the entity.
- Participated in the generation of exception reports, financial statement reports and stakeholder reports.
Education
BAS. in Business Administration - Financial Services
Higher Colleges of Technology
Abu Dhabi, UAE 09.2011 - 2014.07
International Foundation Program - IAFP
University of Reading
Reading, UK 09.2008 - 2010.07
Skills
- Risk-Based Internal Audit Planning & Execution
- Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Frameworks
- Regulatory & Standards Alignment (IIA 2024, ADAA, SCA, INTOSAI)
- Operational & Financial Controls Evaluation
- Fraud Risk Assessment & Data Analytics Integration
- Stakeholder & ARC Engagement & Reporting
- Process Improvement & Digital Transformation
Additional Responsibilities
Task Force Member of the G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group and SAI20 [2020-2023]
- India's Presidency of G-20 (2023, New Delhi, India).
- Indonesia's Presidency of G-20 (2022, Bali, Indonesia).
- Saudi Arabia's Presidency of G20 (2020, Riyadh, KSA).
Task Force Member on Strategic and Operational Plan [2021-2022]
Task Force Member of Centralized Data Analytics [2019-2021]
Protocol Committee Member for INCOSAI XXII and COSP 8th. [2019, 2016]
Certification
Integrated Management System Internal Auditor (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018), LRQA
Accomplishments
- TOEFL ITP – Overall Total Score 603 (2017)
- Royal Military Academy of Sand Hurst – United Kingdom Team Leadership Program (2009)
National Service
National Service (UAENSR) – Completed
Starting (4th Batch) from 29/08/2015 till 29/08/2016
Affiliations
Available Upon request
Timeline
Integrated Management System Internal Auditor (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018), LRQA
09-2025
Manage with Emotional Intelligence - Aspiring leaders, EDGE Group
10-2024
Internal Audit Manager
Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company (PJSC)
07.2024 - Current
Head of Education & Health Affairs Section (Audit)
United Arab Emirates Accountability Authority
08.2023 - 01.2024
Leading Successful Audits, Canadian Audit and Accountability Foundation (CAAF)
09-2021
Audit Team Leader
Supreme Audit Institution
04.2021 - 08.2023
Audit Assurance & Financial Crime, Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)
09-2019
International Auditor Fellowship Program, Government Accountability Office (GAO) - 640+ PD Hours
07-2018
Financial and Compliance Auditor
Supreme Audit Institution
04.2015 - 04.2021
BAS. in Business Administration - Financial Services
Higher Colleges of Technology
09.2011 - 2014.07
International Foundation Program - IAFP
University of Reading
09.2008 - 2010.07