Mazen Abdul Wahed

Led the internal audit (IA) department, directing strategic planning and execution of comprehensive internal audits focused on risk management and compliance. Oversaw preparation and presentation of detailed audit reports and findings to the audit committee, facilitating informed decision-making. Managed department resources, optimising utilisation in audits and advisory projects. Played a key role in coordinating audit committee meetings. - Drove increased sales from new customers by recommending improving sales diversification through better market segmentation. - Mitigated errors, improper transactions, and fraudulent activities by identifying segregation of duties (SoD) gaps and assisting in developing the SoD matrix. - Avoided potential risks and enhanced operational efficiency by authoring the corporate risk-based internal audit plan. - Achieved utility cost annual savings via energy-saving measures at cold storage areas.

Founded the internal audit department at the group level, overseeing operations of eight subsidiary companies in the FMCG, catering, and manufacturing sectors with approximately 10,000 employees. Developed and disseminated governance documents approved by the board, ensuring uniform compliance across the group. Created and delivered internal audit and advisory reports, facilitating strategic decisions at the executive and board levels. - Avoided penalties imposed by customers by recommending developing and implementing a compliance review program for each customer’s contract. - Generated annual savings for a subsidiary by identifying point-of-sale fraudulent activities. - Delivered completion of the annual IA plan and high-quality, impactful audit engagements by efficiently managing departmental resources. - Led decreased IA observations by establishing a standardised audit framework across the group.

Crafted policies, procedures, and audit charters for internal audit departments in various industries and government entities. Led internal audit and advisory projects, managed a project portfolio, and enhanced audit capabilities and compliance. - Expanded EY’s risk and performance improvement advisory services across Riyadh and MENA. - Won advisory service engagements through effective business development and nurturing strong client relationships. - Prevented penalties for a major Saudi bank by successfully contributing in managing and delivering a significant remediation follow-up project. - Generated revenue by creating policies and procedures for physical inventory counts and training for a major government-owned utilities company.

Conducted audits, reviews, and compilations across a diverse client base, identifying financial discrepancies and optimizing tax strategies. Played a key role in client liaison, discussing and resolving control issues. - Identified tax savings for clients and improved financial reporting through optimised tax strategy. - Resolved tax disputes with governments, saved clients’ money, and optimised customer satisfaction.

- Conduct review and compilation engagements for clients in different industries. - Prepare and submit clients' YE and interim financial statements to partner. - Analyze and summarize client tax matters and reconcile accounting net income to taxable net income. - Prepare and submit clients' tax returns to Federal and Provincial Governments. - Discuss and follow-up with Federal and Provincial government to solve any client's disputes.

A. Corporate Credit Officer 2000– 2002 - Prepare commercial credit files for $250K and above and formulate application forms. - Interview clients, create full documented credit files & conduct call visits to observe client environment and premises. - Perform Financial Statements analysis, credit risk assessment & provide recommendations to the Bank’s Credit Committee. - Review loan portfolios & negotiate settlements and reschedule problematic loans. B. Development Unit Controller 1998 – 2000 - Help in planning the implementation phases of a real-time & on-line banking system and achieve bank’s goal before the beginning of Y2K. - Inquire amendments on new IT system to meet Lebanese banks & Central Banks’ circulars and environment. - Check transactions vouchers and reporting errors to IT and Management. - Control the execution of bank's transactions during the parallel run of the new & old IT system. - Mentor tellers and back office during parallel run of the two IT systems. - Help in the preparation of the new IT system’s transactions manual and flow charts for new procedures. - Recommend amendments on new procedures and train the employees on the new IT system. C. Credit Card Officer 1997 D. Accounting Officer 1996