Manager Internal Audit

YUSUF ESSOP MBA, CIA

***********@*****.** 647-***-**** www.linkedin.com/in/yusufessop

ACCOMPLISHED INTERNAL AUDIT LEADER

Experienced internal auditor with 20 years of establishing effective, efficient frameworks and internal controls, directing internal audit strategy, and implementing annual plans that fully address organizational risk appetite. MBA graduate with proven success in influencing organizational change by advising senior leadership teams on risk parameters, defining improvement opportunities, and making strategic recommendations. True business partner recognized for balancing objectives of audit and other business functions by collaborating in efforts to identify, define, address, and resolve compliance issues. Hands-on leader skilled in developing, equipping, and empowering teams of audit professionals. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Played key role in overhaul of Telus Communications’ international strategies via comprehensive audits.

Mitigated Verizon’s exposure to millions of dollars in penalties by identifying control deficiencies.

Revamped MPAC Internal Audit Department and brought it into compliance with IIA Standards.

Co-established Molson Canada’s audit risk universe and created company’s first internal audit plan.

Presented at 2018 IIA Canadian National Conference and have facilitated IIA training since 2007.

Member of Audit Committee for District School board of Niagara

Governance & Control Audits Integrated IT & Operational Auditing SOX Compliance

Project & Program Auditing Cyber Risk Assessment & Mitigation Relationship Management

Mentoring & Coaching Effective Reports & Presentations Transformation Auditing

ERM Assessment & Mitigation Quality Assurance Reviews Data Analytics Professional Experience

MUNICIPAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CORPORATION (MPAC); Pickering, ON October 2016–November 2018 Director – Head of Internal Audit

Directed entire internal audit program from design and development through implementation to administration to assure integrity and completeness of MPAC’s internal controls. Developed, lead, and managed delivery of risk-based internal audit plan while ensuring associate programs and objectives are realized. Cultivated and maintained positive working relationships with MPAC executive and operational management teams. Led team of six direct reports including audit manager and staff auditors. Managed nearly $1M annual budget. Key Achievements:

Aligned audit engagements with organizational risks by reengineering annual audit planning process and delivering plan that balanced assurance and advisory engagements with execution strategy.

Strengthened IT cyber security risk controls and information security by executing MPAC’s first cyber security risk assessment; identified vital transformative initiatives. Reviewed IT cyber security controls and Amazon web services controls. Developed road map to implement continuous monitoring tools.

Positioned organization to pass the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Quality Assurance Review by implementing key process improvements including an audit manual and proper corporate reporting.

Built confidence with Ontario Ombudsman by validating privacy controls and processes for Office of the Quality Service Commissioner.

Proved value of Internal Audit by developing and securing approval for key performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). Metrics and KPIs are now used to make training decisions and ensure key job skills are in place.

Supported operational process improvements by conducting detailed review of processes around 14 measures within MPAC service level agreements with all municipalities.

Identified areas for control process improvements by auditing process of placing condos on tax assessment rolls as well as process of adding new growth to municipalities’ tax rolls. Yusuf Essop MBA, CIA 647-***-**** Page 2 of 3

GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO, ONTARIO INTERNAL AUDIT DIVISION; Toronto, ON December 2009–October 2016 Senior Audit Manager – Treasury Board Secretariat, Transportation & Agriculture (April 2015–October 2016) Senior Audit Manager – Treasury Board Secretariat, Resources & Labour (December 2009–April 2015) Led team of up to eight experienced audit professionals to execute strategic risk advisory and compliance, operational, and financial audit services for Ministries of Government of Ontario. Key Achievements:

Aided Chief Prevention Officer’s efforts to improve Board governance for Health and Safety Associations by directing development of Board of Directors Governance Handbook.

Advised Ministry Labour and Office of Chief Prevention Officer on risk around design of monitoring mechanisms for new transfer payment agreements with Health and Safety Associations.

Led compliance audit of Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Geoscience Laboratories for Ontario Public Service costing and pricing policy plus associated guidelines. Made recommendations to improve cost allocation methodology, external pricing, and price benchmarking, which the Ministry fully embraced and implemented.

Spearheaded liaison activities between Auditor General of Ontario and Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment during audits. Advised on appropriate interaction with Auditor General’s office and mediated issues.

As strategic risk advisor, provided counsel that positively influenced programs and transformation initiatives, such as Ministry of Environment’s Great Lakes Community Action Fund and Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Mining Act Modernization.

MOLSON COORS BREWING CO.; Toronto, ON February 2006–April 2009 Manager – Internal Audit

Managed and conducted compliance, operational, and financial audits for all internal business functions. Provided oversight and direction to team of two senior audit professionals. Key Achievements:

Established audit risk universe and first internal audit plan for Molson Canada; partnered with Director of Internal Audit.

Brought company into compliance with Sarbanes Oxley requirements by managing project from end to end. Identified controls, managed process documentation, and validated documentation; developed and facilitated SOX testing training course for 50 test professionals; reviewed test work papers for accuracy and compliance.

Addressed audit committee concerns regarding controls governing outsourced finance operations by leading global team to conduct internal audit in Chennai, India.

Defined robust excise tax processes and minimized regulatory exposure by conducting audit of processes governing nearly $670M in excise taxes.

Identified opportunities to improve advertising agency contract management by reviewing media and marketing processes governing $153M annual media spend.

TELUS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; Toronto, ON May 2004–February 2006 Manager – Internal Audit

Managed financial, operational, and regulatory audits for all customer facing business units including TELUS Mobility. Led six-member internal audit team geographically dispersed throughout four provinces. Key Achievements:

Influenced senior management’s decision to overhaul international strategies by managing two comprehensive audits of international operations.

Played key role in securing favorable court settlement by spearheading special audit investigation of recent acquisition, uncovering fraud in sales compensation program, and working with legal team to build court case against perpetrators.

Championed successful Sarbanes Oxley compliance initiative by conducting extensive quality control work that led SOX team to re-scope and streamline entire project.

Initiated and led development of enterprise risk profile after conducting extensive interviews with senior leaders of six separate business units.

Rebuilt internal audit team from one senior auditor to six internal audit staff through internal/external recruiting and training efforts.

Yusuf Essop MBA, CIA 647-***-**** Page 3 of 3

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS CORP.; Dallas, TX August 1999–November 2003 Team Lead – Internal Audit

Led and executed financial, operational, and regulatory audits of diverse business units/divisions across corporation. Supervised and conducted internal reviews using risk-based auditing and COSO methodologies. Provided training, development, and leadership for staff of ~50 personnel. Key Achievements:

Delivered nearly $10M in long distance billing and receivables improvements by leading controls advisory project to develop bad debt reserve analysis and write-off methodologies; led to team commendation from senior management.

Mitigated exposure to several million dollars in penalties by identifying multiple control deficiencies and recommending improvements to “Do Not Call” database/table updating function. Additional Experience:

ConAgra Inc. – Internal Audit Associate Jewel Food Stores, Inc. – Internal Auditor Urban Retail Properties Co. – Accountant Pandolfi, Topolski, Weiss & Co. – Staff Accountant Board Leadership

DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF NIAGARA September 2017–Present Audit Committee Member

Review and oversee financial reporting processes, internal controls, and independent auditors to support Board in corporate governance.

Teaching Appointment & Presentations

INSTITUTE OF INTERNAL AUDITORS (IIA) 2007–Present

Instructor Facilitator

Instructed and facilitated courses including: Evaluating Internal Controls – A COSO Based Approach; Audit Project Management; Enterprise Risk Management – An Introduction; Tools and Techniques for the Beginning Auditor; Operational Auditing – An Introduction; Operational Auditing – Advanced; Audit Report Writing; Evaluating Organizational Ethics, Root Cause Analysis for Internal Auditor and Risk Based Auditing..

Selected to present on Reputational Risk and Code of Conduct at 2018 IIA Canadian National Conference in Montreal. Education and Certification

UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR

Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

FANSHAWE COLLEGE

Diploma in Business Administration

Major in Accounting

INSTITUTE OF INTERNAL AUDITORS

Certified Internal Auditor

ITIL AXELOS

Foundation Certification - IT Service Management

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