The Universal Service Fund Company is established by the Government of Pakistan (Ministry of Information Technology), under section 42 of Companies Ordinance, to utilize the funds for development of telecommunication services in un-served and under-served areas throughout the length and breadth of the country. USF CO Follows a corporate model which is first of its kind in Pakistan, an independent Board of Directors (BoD) is constituted to govern the affairs of the company. The BoD is equally balanced with four members from the government and four from the private sector from industry and consumers. USF executed projects worth more than US $400 million, with $300 Million as USF contribution, and all this is accomplished following internationally acknowledged fair and transparent competitive bidding process. It could possible by firstly designing and later efficiently monitoring the sound financial system and ensuring compliance of defined polices, selected processes and set procedures.
Currently I am working as Chief Internal Auditor with Universal Service Fund (USF) a company established by Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MOITT) of Government of Pakistan. USF is of one of the most successful organizations rendering Universal Service Obligations in the developing world.
 
Being a head of Internal Audit Department, my key responsibility is to provide an independent and objective assurance to Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors on Internal Control and Risk Management issues and also provide the consultancy services to senior management on Internal Control, Accounting, Tax, Regularity Compliance  and Risk Management issues.
 
Responsibilities:


Preparing a structured annual audit plan to ensure audit and compliance coverage of all the project’s activities including setting time frames, identifying resources required to meet audit & compliance objectives;
Perform and manage the full audit cycle including risk management and control management over operations’ effectiveness, financial reliability and compliance with all applicable directives and regulations;
Establish, maintain and overseeing an effective and efficient internal audit function to assess the appropriateness, completeness, effectiveness and efficiency of the risk management and internal control system, identifying areas to prevent loss, ensuring that risk management and internal control is in place to facilitate company strategies and business goals;
Effective monitoring over the integrity and effectiveness of the company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and systems of internal control;
Negotiating issues regarding goals, objectives, policies and procedures that affect strategic direction of audit committee of broad and critical segments of the company while maintaining independence;
Maintaining effective communication and supporting the needs of Audit Committee through regular meetings and reporting the results of routine audits and special assignments.



 

I am also assigned the responsibility to coordinate with the auditors from the office of Auditor General of Pakistan. It included managing correspondence, consolidating the comprehensive replies of the audit paras, discussions and representing the company on all relevant forums like office of the DG Audit, Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC), and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of National Assembly

AF works primarily with the collaboration of civil society organizations, networks and groups and has an outreach extending to all of Pakistan's districts. It is catalyzing critical groups in society to influence policy, legislation and programs for women's greater economic and political power in society. Currently Aurat Foundation is implementing Gender Equity Program (GEP) funded by USAID, AAWAZ Voice and accountability Program funded by DFID.
My main responsibilities at AF as Manager Internal Audit were as Follow:

Review the strategic priorities and activities of the AF’s Programme to assess and identify potential risks to the organization


Work with management to prioritise the risks and provides advice and guidelines to management and staff on development of risk management frameworks at different levels, including during annual planning process.

·       Prepare  annual audit work plan according to the risks assessment and senior management area of concern.
·       Plan and execute value adding and risk based audits in all Regions/Projects/Units/Functions and partners organizations at least once a year to verify adherence to AF and donor policies and procedures, and laws and regulations.
·       Undertake investigations on frauds and irregularities at management requests and as follow up on regular audit findings.
·       Produce timely audit reports to auditees with recommendations aimed at strengthening the overall control environment.

Provide periodic  audit summaries for Audit Committee.
Advise management on systems and procedures requiring improvement.

Achievements:
·       Established Internal Audit Department at AF.
·       Developed AF-Internal Audit Manual.

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund represents an innovative model of public private partnership (PPP) and was incorporated under section 42 of the companies’ ordinance 1984. It follows the regulatory requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. PPAF is being funded by the World Bank and other leading international donors.
Responsibilities:
·       Tailor the audit programs according to the scope of the audit assignment.
·       Perform the audit procedures to monitor the PO’s performance at various stages of implementation plan approved by PPAF.
·       Conduct the annual review of PPAF’s functional Units.
·       Review the performance of operational units against approved annual plan of activities.
·       Confirm the procedural compliance in making the financing agreement for CED, CPI & Capacity Building with PAD, OPM, and PFA & DCA.
·       Ensure the compliance with agreements of World Bank and other donor agencies.
·       Prepare detailed internal audit reports.
·       Prepare the audit program for special investigation assignment and carry out detail audit as per programme approved by Manager Internal Audit.

• Audit project activities of the Office and Partner organizations on continuous basis.
• Submit Periodic Audit report with recommendations on remedial measures to CEO.
• Design and implement efficient, effective and economical internal controls on behalf of the senior management to mitigate the risks at head office and to monitor the effective utilization of development funds by partner organization as per TOP.
• Review and strengthen the existing internal control systems and procedures on the basis of engagement results, changing environment and, discussions with the management.
• Review with the management, significant accounting and reporting issues, including complex or unusual transaction and highly judgmental areas, and recent professional and regulatory pronouncements, and understand their impact on the financial statements.
• Review with management all the matters required to be communicated to the Board of Directors as per generally accepted accounting principles.
• Review the process for communicating company code of conduct to company personnel, and for monitoring compliance with.
• Obtain regular updates from management regarding compliance matters.
• Pre audit of all corporate purchases of the company.
• Pre audit of salary.
• Perform other activities as required by the Chief Executive Officer.
• Liaison with external auditors.

• Assure compliance with company policies and procedures and their objectives. • Develop and implement a comprehensive, flexible and long-range program of engagement coverage using an appropriate risk-based methodology, including any risks or control concerns identified by Management. • Review the systems in detail in order to identify the control weaknesses in the existing system and recommendations thereon. • Apply analytical procedures on the financial information to verify justification of variances. • Formulate and evaluate the cost efficient control procedures. • Pre audit of all corporate purchases of the company. • Pre audit of salary. • Liaison with external auditors.

GT deals in pay phones & prepaid calling cards, distribution network, purchase and development of land for residential and commercial purposes having its offices in 30 cities and towns all around the country.
Responsibilities:
 
·       Design an efficient, effective and economical internal control (policies and procedures) on behalf of the Manager Internal Audit to mitigate the risks at head office and all branches according to the audit, taxation, corporate & other relevant laws and pronouncements.
·       Prepare the results of the engagements in the light of company’s policies and procedures for the review of Manager Internal Audit.
·       Review the existing internal control systems and procedures on the basis of engagement results and discussions with the Manager Internal Audit.
Assist in the establishment of standards of performance for internal auditing staff and review and discuss that performance meets the standards