Internal Audit Support

Zada E Stephens

Bowie, Md 240-***-**** ************@*****.***

Internal Audit

Senior Internal Auditor with experience in managing and overseeing attestation (compliance, operational and internal controls) audits. Expertise in conducting audits and reviews of policies, processes, and practices against US Federal contractor operating requirements, related to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). Entrepreneurial spirit with strong analytical skills, combined with the ability to build strong relationships. Dedicated and detail-oriented professional with a proven track record in internal auditing and risk management. Known for strong analytical skills and the ability to grasp complex information quickly. Adept at leading cross-functional teams and improving organizational processes. Passionate about fostering positive and collaborative team environments that achieve department goals.

Areas of Expertise

Cross-functional Team Leadership Auditing Grasping Complex Information

Risk Management Analytical Thinking Data Analysis Process Improvement Critical Thinking

Organizing Acumen

Professional Experience

Merit321 (Cohn Reznick 6-month Contract) Tysons Corner, VA Jan 2025 – June 2025

Support Auditor (Reconciliation)

Performed test work on multiple types of contracts audits (“DCAA type audits”). Effectively analyzed transactions, recognizing potential allowability/allocability issues, conducted appropriate research, and collaborated closely with managers on resolving issues.

Performed audit procedures in accordance with firm standards and GAGASA in an accurate, thorough, and timely manner.

Assisted with pre-engagement planning and execution.

Applied concepts of materiality and audit risk.

Prepared detailed work papers that are informative, indexed, cross referenced and can easily be understood and explained.

Accenture, Arlington, VA April 2009 - December 2024

Internal Audit Lead, August 2012 - December 2024

Led and managed internal controls and operational audit engagements that supported incurred cost proposal and other ad hoc regulatory compliance projects. Established subject matter expert (SME) related to financial and accounting compliance with regulatory requirements and government policies. Supervised, mentored, and provided performance feedback for offshore 12-member audit team.

•Generated audit plans for statistical sampling that identified unallowable costs based on the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 31/CAS to support external government audits.

•Conducted analysis of transactions for compliance with Federal policies and FAR/CAS guidelines.

•Developed and presented training to teams on internal policies, expense reporting and compliance requirements.

•Analyzed trends and data for areas of process improvement.

•Built relationships with external government auditors as well as internal cross functional teams.

•Prepared and reviewed audit reports and documentation that ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

•Acted as liaison between other functional global areas with the organization.

•Led continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.

•Utilized procurement expertise to ensure compliance with internal policies as well as government regulations.

•Provided project milestones to internal / external clients to ensure audits were completed within budget and deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality.

•Designed internal templates for ease of analysis, reporting, and documentation.

•Utilized SAP Ariba for procurement compliance

Internal Control Analyst, Operations, April 2009 - August 2012

Ensure Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance by analyzing, documenting, and identifying adequacy of internal controls for business processes. Managed CAPs (Corrective Action Plans)

•Consulted with management to determine how process changes might affect key controls.

•Documented and updated processes through narratives, flowcharts, and internal controls matrix to support SOX compliance initiatives.

•Evaluated test results and develop and execute remediation plans.

•Performed SOX testing and coordinate with business owners that ensured timely completion of documentation, testing and remediation efforts.

•Prepared reports and presented findings to business owners.

•Improved SOX compliance from 50% to100% by executing test plans.

•Met report deadlines 100% of the time by effective use of time management techniques.

•Achieved 100% of SOX deadlines despite having assumed additional markets to test.

•Reassessed controls to determine value of testing which resulted in 25% revision of controls.

•Maintained professional relationships with process owners which enhanced continued SOX compliance.

•Increased overall pass rate within 3 - month period from 0% to 80% by recommended process revision.

Education

Master’s Business Administration (MBA) - Accounting

University of Phoenix, AZ

Bachelor of Science (BS) Mathematics

Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA

Graduated Magna cum Laude

Certificates

Internal Auditing – Fundamental Principles & Concepts - Alison.com (Completed: June 2025)

Technology

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and PowerPoint) SAP Financials

Cvent SAP Ariba SAP Fieldglass CWT Analytics IQN myTE CostPoint Power BI Citrix

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