Talha Siraj

TALHA SIRAJ  - -- lease provide the text that needs spelling and grammar corrections. Freelance Consultant PROFILE ACCA Affiliate with 10+ years of diversified expertise in Internal Audit and Accounting & Finance. Formerly served as Manager of Internal Audit at Wackenhut Pakistan (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of the Pathfinder Group of Companies, until December 2024. Transitioned from the role to pursue advanced career opportunities as Freelance Consultant in the field of Audit & Accounting, leveraging extensive audit leadership experience and a passion for fostering financial acumen through training and mentorship. CORE COMPETENCIES  Finance and Accounting  Internal Controls  Accounting Software (QuickBooks and Tally)  Internal Audit  Data Analysis  Microsoft Office  Statutory Compliances  Taxation  Team building and leadership EXPERIENCE January 2025 – Present Freelance Audit & Accounting Consultant July 2022 – December 2024 Manager Internal Audit Wackenhut Pakistan (Private) Limited (Pathfinder Group)  Develop, implement, and oversee the Annual Audit Plan to ensure effective risk management and alignment with organizational goals.  Conduct regular meetings with Senior Management to discuss legal regulations, financial compliance (including IFRS), and strategies for improving internal controls.  Analyze daily payments pre-audit reports across all regions for group companies and communicate findings to the Internal Audit Head of Pathfinder Group.  Conduct a thorough monthly review of the group payroll, addressing any unusual fluctuations or issues, and formally raising objections as necessary.  Support the Internal Audit Head in managing and supervising audit resources across all regions to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.  Perform a detailed monthly review of bank statements to detect and investigate any unaudited payments.  Mentor and train subordinate staff, keeping them informed about updates in laws and regulations to enhance their performance and compliance.  Monitor adherence to audit observations and report any discrepancies or non-compliance issues to the Internal Audit Head.  Provide support to external auditors on matters related to internal audit to ensure a smooth and effective audit process May 2021 – June 2022 Assistant Manager Audit Facility Specialist & Multi Services (Pvt) Limited (Pathfinder Group) Later transferred to Wackenhut Pakistan (Private) Limited (Pathfinder Group)  Carrying out pre-audit of all Payments of the group companies in accordance with the company’s policies, and reporting the same on daily basis to Audit Manager.  Review of loan, insurance and other major payable schedules to ensure payments audited are aligned with the schedules.  Preparing Audit Database with respect to each payment made on daily basis.  Performing daily cash reconciliation with respect to petty cash of Finance Department.  Preparation of cash count reports for Audit Manager. August 2020 – April 2021 Senior Audit Executive Facility Specialist & Multi Services (Pvt) Limited (Pathfinder Group)  Carry out pre-audit of all payments of the group companies in accordance with the company’s policies, and reporting the same on daily basis to Audit Manager.  Prepare audit report for the issues highlighted as per the specimen of audit report.  Obtaining management comments over the draft Audit Report after which audit recommendation is given and final status.  Follow-up on the open audit points for subsequent compliance.  Prepare audit database with respect to each payment made on daily basis.  Carry out fuel audits (being the major expense of Group Company - Wackenhut) on weekly basis & reporting to Audit Manager.  Perform cash count audit of Finance and Operational Departments.  Perform daily cash reconciliation with respect to petty cash of finance department. August 2018 – August 2020 Audit Executive Facility Specialist & Multi Services (Pvt) Limited (Pathfinder Group)  Assist Senior Auditor in cash count audit of departments.  Assist Senior Auditor in Daily Pre Audit of All Payments of Group Companies.  Carry out department audits in accordance with the company’s policies & audit plan.  Check daily collection report forwarded to Internal Audit Department.  Check monthly petty cash bills of branches and departments for any discrepancies.  Check compliance regarding documentation of the employees’ expenses claims being forwarded to Internal Audit Department. OTHER EXPERIENCE 2016 – 2018 E-Accounting Trainer  Providing basic training of Accounting Software (QuickBooks and Tally). 2013 – 2016 Accounts and Finance Tutor  Tutoring students of Bachelor of Commerce and ACCA. ACADEMICS  Associate Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA – UK) Status: Affiliate  Bachelor of Commerce (University of Karachi) Status: Graduate OTHER CERTIFICATIONS  Certification in E-Accounting (QuickBooks, Peachtree, Tally).  Certification in Advance Excel XP (Financial Planning and Data Analysis)  Certificate in Financial Modelling References: To be furnished on demand