Internal Auditor

The Role
Department: Finance Reporting to: Audit Committee Location: Dubai, Family Office Job Purpose: The objective of this role is to establish internal audit departmment, design intrnal audit charter, and yealy audit plan. This role is an independent assurance function responsible for evaluating the design and operational effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, financial processes and governance across the Family Office, with emphasis on Real Estate Joint Ventures and governance structures. The Internal Auditor will ensure integrity in financial reporting, compliance with JV agreements, and alignment with best practices, while advising on improvement opportunities and overseeing remediation. Key Responsibilities 1. Audit Planning & Risk Assessment • Develop and maintain a risk-based annual audit plan that prioritizes high-risk areas including real estate JV operations, escrow, cash collections, project cost overruns, governance, and compliance. • Perform periodic enterprise risk assessments across all entities (Family Office, Real Estate JVs, Energy JVs) and update audit scope accordingly. • Coordinate with management to gain audit access and understand evolving business operations, new projects, and regulatory changes. 2. Real Estate JV / Project Audits & Governance Reviews • Audit project financials, escrow accounts, sales collections, cash calls, and cost allocations within Real Estate JV structure. • Verify that JV accounting is aligned with project plans, escalation clauses, JV agreements, and regulatory (RERA / escrow) guidelines. • Evaluate governance frameworks: Board / committee structures, decision rights, reporting flows, segregation of duties across JV partners. • Examine deviation from budgets, cost overruns, unapproved change orders, and ensure there is traceability, justification and approval. 3. Audit of Family Office & Other JVs / Entities • Conduct audits of internal controls over payables, receivables, payroll, treasury, procurement, corporate tax and VAT processes. • Review intercompany and related-party transactions, ensuring arm’s-length pricing, contract compliance, and transfer pricing integrity. • Evaluate effectiveness of bank compliance, facility documentation, covenant adherence, and finance operations. 4. Compliance, Control Testing & Analytics • Design and execute control testing (operational & financial) to assess the effectiveness of key controls across business cycles. • Use data analytics techniques to mine trends, identify anomalies or red flags (e.g. unusual variances, duplicate invoices, deviations). • Monitor compliance with policies, DOA (Delegation of Authority), internal standards, UAE regulatory requirements (VAT, Corporate Tax). • Test ERP system controls, user access, segregation of duties, change management, and data integrity. 5. Audit Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement • Prepare clear, concise audit reports highlighting findings, root causes, control gaps, risk impact and actionable recommendations. • Present results and insights to senior management and Audit / Governance Committee, facilitating discussions on remediation. • Track and follow up on corrective action plans, evaluating management’s responses and closure status. • Produce periodic dashboards / summary reports (quarterly/annual) showing audit coverage, high-risk areas, unresolved issues and trends. 6. Governance & Oversight Support • Serve as a co-advisor on governance matters related to JV partners, investor relations, board reporting, and internal policy updates. • Collaborate with legal, compliance, tax, and operations to embed robust control environment, policy updates, and continuous improvement. • Provide guidance to management on emerging risk areas (e.g. ESG, regulatory changes, market volatility) and pre-audit reviews. 7. Continuous Improvement & Methodology Upkeep • Maintain and enhance internal audit methodology, templates, tools, and best practices. • Benchmark internal audit practices, introduce automation (e.g. workflow tools, analytics, dashboarding). • Stay updated on industry standards (COSO, IFRS, JV accounting practices) and integrate lessons learned.

Requirements

• Professional qualification: CIA, CPA, ACCA, CA, or equivalent. • 10+ years of internal audit / assurance or external audit experience, especially in real estate, construction, joint ventures, or asset-heavy businesses. • Deep understanding of JV accounting, real estate project controls, escrow mechanics, and regulatory compliance (like RERA, escrow laws). • Strong command of internal control frameworks (COSO), risk management, control testing, and data analytics. • Proficiency in audit tools, analytics (ACL, Power BI, IDEA or similar) and ERP systems. • Excellent communication, report writing, stakeholder management and presentation skills. • High integrity, independent mindset, and ability to work with senior executives and multiple entities.

About the company
The Ghazanfar Group began as a small trading enterprise along the historic Silk Road and has evolved into one of Afghanistans leading private entities. From our roots in Andkhoi as traders, we expanded into the wholesale market of consumable commodities, entering the petroleum industry in 1989, and have since diversified into banking with the establishment of Ghazanfar Bank, and construction through Ghazanfar Construction.
Our strategic focus is on making meaningful investments in Afghanistans infrastructure and human capital. We are committed to projects that contribute to the nations recovery and development, aiming to improve living standards, create jobs, and enhance economic stability. As Afghanistan navigates significant challenges, our efforts are directed towards supporting the countrys growth through sustainable real estate, banking, and large-scale construction projects.