The Forensic Auditor is primarily responsible for conducting independent and objective forensic examinations, fraud investigations, and reviews of suspected misconduct, financial irregularities, asset misappropriation, corruption, and other forms of control circumvention within the FSDH Group. The Forensic Auditor will support the Chief Audit Executive, Management and the Board Audit Committee (BAC) in strengthening the Group's fraud risk management framework, promoting ethical conduct, and safeguarding the Group's assets, reputation, and stakeholder interests. The role also involves supporting whistleblowing investigations, regulatory reporting, and liaison with relevant internal and external stakeholders, as authorised.
The Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities include:
- Performing forensic audit assignments as defined in the annual internal audit plan or as may be assigned by the Chief Audit Executive or the Board Audit Committee.
- Conducting forensic investigations into suspected fraud, financial irregularities, employee misconduct, conflicts of interest, corruption, collusion, asset misappropriation, and other suspected breaches of the Group's policies and procedures
- Investigate allegations received through the whistleblowing framework, management referrals, audit findings, regulatory correspondence, and other approved reporting channels.
- Perform proper planning of forensic audit/investigation engagements through audit pre-planning with the Audit Manager and/or Chief Audit Executive.
- Compile investigation plans defining the scope, objectives, allegations, procedures, evidence requirements, timelines, and report for each investigation.
- Ensuring timely documentation of audit/investigation working papers in the audit software.
- Ensuring that the documentation of audit/investigation workpapers conforms to internal audit methodology and leading practices as prescribed by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Institute of Fraud Examiners.
- Recommending effective processes as well as corrective and preventive actions that reduce risk.
- Ensuring that the audit/investigation observation/outcomes and findings are supported by sufficient, relevant, and reliable evidence.
- Facilitate meaningful input to enrich audit/investigation engagement from IT audit and data analytics.
- Seek and utilize data analytics possibilities in audit/investigation.
- Seek and utilize Artificial Intelligence possibilities in audit/investigation.
- Timely drafting of audit/investigation reports on assignments carried out.
- Provide investigative support for regulatory examinations, internal disciplinary processes, insurance claims, recovery initiatives, and legal proceedings, as authorised.
- Liaise with law enforcement agencies, regulators, external forensic specialists, and legal advisers as may be required.
- Carrying out ad hoc assignments as required.
- Performing ongoing identification of risks and possible mitigants.
- Vigorous follow-up with clients with outstanding issues in the Internal Audit Issues tracking database.
- Carry out whistleblowing and fraud awareness to staff members in line with the programme for the year.
- Timely submission of all returns - Fraud & Forgeries and Returns, BVN of Deceased watchlisting or Blacklisted Individual BVN, Monitoring of Employee Conduct.
- Demonstrate awareness on risk issues and promptly escalate material issues to the Chief Audit Executive.
- Perform any assignment as may be assigned by the Chief Audit Executive.
- Bachelor's degree
- Professional certifications such as CFE, CIA, CISA, ACA, ACCA.
- Minimum of five years of relevant experience.
Technical / Functional Skills:
- Ability to communicate at all levels, both orally and in writing.
- Investigative, analytical, conceptual, problem-solving and negotiating skills.
- Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, fraud-related legislation, data protection obligations, and professional standards.
- Due professional care.
- Proven leadership skills.