Lead - Internal Auditor - CA

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic individual to lead our Internal Audit function. This is a critical leadership role with direct reporting to the Managing Director and the Board, offering a significant opportunity to drive risk management, regulatory compliance, and governance excellence within the organization. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned audit professional with a deep understanding of RBI regulations, strong analytical capabilities, and proven expertise in stakeholder and team management.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Audit Leadership:

- Develop and execute a comprehensive annual internal audit plan aligned with the company's strategic objectives, risk profile, and regulatory requirements.

- Oversee the entire audit cycle, including planning, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up, ensuring timely completion and high-quality deliverables.

- Provide strategic insights and recommendations to the MD and Board on internal control weaknesses, emerging risks, and opportunities for process improvement.

- Stay abreast of industry best practices, regulatory changes (especially RBI norms), and evolving risk landscapes to proactively adjust audit strategies.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:

- Ensure strict adherence to all applicable RBI regulations, guidelines, and circulars across all business operations.

- Conduct in-depth audits of compliance frameworks, policies, and procedures to identify gaps and recommend corrective actions.

- Evaluate the effectiveness of risk management frameworks, including operational, financial, credit, and IT risks, and provide recommendations for strengthening controls.

- Collaborate with various departments to embed a strong culture of compliance and risk awareness.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management:

- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the MD, Board members, Audit Committee, and senior management across all functions.

- Effectively communicate audit findings, recommendations, and progress to all relevant stakeholders in a clear, concise, and impactful manner.

- Act as a trusted advisor to management on matters related to internal controls, risk management, and governance.

- Liaise effectively with external auditors, regulators, and other third-party stakeholders as required.

Team Leadership & Development:

- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing internal audit team, fostering a culture of continuous learning, professionalism, and excellence.

- Allocate resources effectively, manage team workload, and ensure efficient execution of audit engagements.

- Conduct performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and identify training and development needs for team members.

Process Improvement & Governance:

- Identify opportunities for process efficiencies and improvements within various business functions and the audit process itself.

- Contribute to the enhancement of the overall corporate governance framework.

- Ensure the audit function operates with independence, objectivity, and adherence to professional standards.

Qualifications:

Education: Chartered Accountant (CA) is mandatory. Other equivalent professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CISA, CIA) will be an added advantage.

Experience:

- 10-15 years of progressive experience in Internal Audit, with a significant portion of that experience gained within an NBFC or the broader Financial Services sector.

- Proven experience in a leadership role within an Internal Audit function.

- Demonstrable expertise in understanding and applying RBI norms, regulations, and guidelines.

- Strong track record of managing and developing audit teams.

Skills:

- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

- Excellent communication (written and verbal), presentation, and interpersonal skills.

- Strong stakeholder management and influencing abilities.

- High level of integrity, objectivity, and ethical conduct.

- Proficiency in audit software and tools (e.g., ACL, SAP, etc.) preferred.

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.