Riaz John

• I am an influential leader with excellent management and communication skills. 
• I possess a vast array of skills developed over 15 years of experience across a range of various clients/industries in external audit, internal audit, governance and the development of financial and operational control frameworks to facilitate risk management. 
• I am an inspiring and motivational manager with strong interpersonal skills. 
• I have the ability to develop a dynamic and competent team through continuous on the job training and by selecting and harnessing talent and providing staff with the opportunity to grow. 
• I represented the internal audit function of my major clients at the Audit Committee meetings.

Transformed the Internal Audit Function of my client within 12 months (Mtubatuba Municipality)

• Transformed the internal audit function by replacing the existing low performing team, building a strong business relationship with the executives as well as assuming the role of trusted advisor to the Chief Financial Officer and the Audit Committee. 

This was achieved as follows: 

• Working closely and consulting with executive management and the Audit Committee to understand the risks and needs of the business. 
• Based on the above analysis, developed a risk based internal audit plan for the group 
• Consulting and engaging with management to identify on-going challenges and providing support
• Creating a control conscious environment and an awareness of fraud for the entire group 
• Focused on areas to reduce business operational costs and enhance efficiencies
• On-going internal audit performance reviews and discussions with executive management and the Audit Committee
• Significantly Enhanced Control Environment + Developed a Platform for External Audit to adopt a controls reliance based audit approach
• Co-developed financial control frameworks for each of the core financial processes (order to cash, procure to pay, inventory, financial statement close process, payroll, fixed assets, contract management and supply chain management) through intensive workshops with executive and financial management throughout the group. 
• These frameworks were subsequently reviewed and agreed with External Audit for completeness to facilitate the adoption of the controls reliance approach.

Project achievements:

• Financial controls framework has been co-developed and embedded for the entire municipality
• Supply chain and Contract Management have also been co-developed and embedded for the entire municipality
• Drastically improved the overall financial control environment and control awareness across the municipality
• Endorsement by External Audit of the validity, completeness and accuracy of the control frameworks developed 
• Endorsement by External Audit of IA’s testing methodology and quality for reliance on the financial control framework
• This will form the basis for a perpetuity saving on External Audit costs 

Management and Implementation of the Internal Audit Plan (Transnet)

• At Transnet which was the largest internal audit engagement globally, I was involved with the consulting, management and implementation of the internal audit plan at Transnet Port Terminals and Transnet Pipelines. With a specific focus on identifying financial controls, risks, designing control frameworks to address these risks and ensuring compliance with these frameworks and controls. (eg. Critical Financial Reporting Controls, Location Audits, Supply Chain Management, Contract Management, Short Term Incentive)

Development of the Integrated Operational Framework (Transnet)

• I was also involved in the consulting, design and testing of the Integrated Operational Controls (IOR) at both Transnet Port Terminals (across all terminals throughout the country) and Transnet Pipelines (across all national depots) and have thus gained an invaluable insight into the operations of both businesses.

BCOM Honours - 2001

BCOM Undergrad - 1998

Member of SAICA and the IIA