Governance, Risk & AI Audit Executive
Resume:
E D U C A T I O N
MBA
Regenesys Business School
2020
BCompt
UNISA
2005
Matric
Florida Park High School
1998
C E R T I F I C A T I O N S
CISA AGA(SA) PIA
GIA Ethics Officer
PSIRA Grade A
CIA Pt 1 & 2
SAICA Articles
AI Audit Practitioner
P R O F E S S I O N A L
M E MBERSHIPS
IIA – Fellow Member (FIIASA)
ACFE – Member #707076
Ethics Institute – Full Member
Compliance Institute SA
SAICA – Associate #04930141
E X E C U T I V E
C OMPETENCIES
Board & Audit Committee
Advisory
Governance Framework
Design
Enterprise Risk Oversight
Strategic Audit Planning
Fraud & Forensic
Investigations
AI-Powered Audit Automation
Ethics Hotline & Culture
E X E C U T I V E P R O F I L E
A distinguished Governance, Risk and Audit Executive with over 24 years of progressive leadership across Big 4 advisory, JSE-listed entities, and multinational organisations spanning logistics, property, manufacturing, facilities management, and legal services. A proven architect of internal audit functions, enterprise risk frameworks, and ethics governance programmes
— built from the ground up across multiple industries and geographies. Recognised at board and EXCO level for combining deep technical rigour with strategic business acumen. Brings rare breadth across forensic investigation, IT audit (CISA), quality management (QMSE/ISQM), compliance, and ethics — consistently translating governance oversight into measurable organisational value. Fraud uncovered, functions established, and cultures transformed across every organisation led.
A I - DRIVEN AUDIT I NNOVATION
A forward-thinking audit leader who has embraced artificial intelligence to fundamentally transform how audit is delivered. By integrating AI and intelligent automation into the audit lifecycle, has achieved significant reductions in manual effort, accelerated risk identification, and elevated the quality and strategic impact of audit outputs. B O A R D & G O V E R N A N C E C R E D E N T I A L S Audit Committee Reporting EXCO Membership King IV Alignment Risk Appetite Frameworks Board Advisory – Redefine Properties Governance Framework Design External Auditor Reliance Achieved Ethics & Culture Oversight Deployed AI-powered analytics tools to automate data extraction, anomaly detection, and continuous monitoring — replacing processes that previously required days of manual work.
Leveraged large language models (LLMs) to draft audit reports, summarise findings, and generate risk-based audit programmes, dramatically reducing report turnaround time.
Implemented intelligent workflow automation (Power Automate) to streamline audit follow-up, evidence collection, and management action tracking across international offices.
Introduced AI-assisted performance benchmarking to identify productivity outliers and workforce inefficiencies across global teams in real time.
Champions a culture of digital audit innovation — upskilling audit teams on AI tools and positioning the audit function as a strategic, technology-enabled business partner.
AMIEN GASSIEP
M B A · C I S A · A G A ( S A ) · P I A · F E L LOW – I I A ( F I I A S A ) Head of Internal Audit Chief Risk Officer Governance Executive
*******@*****.***
Bosmont, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Code 08 SA Citizen
Available: 30 days
Internal Audit IT Audit (CISA) Forensic Investigations Risk Governance Board Advisory Ethics & Compliance QMSE / ISQM AI-Driven Audit Innovation
ISQM / QMSE Quality Mgmt
Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB)
Multi-Country Operations
Due Diligence & M&A
Reviews
PFMA / King IV Compliance
S Y S T E M S & T O O L S
SAP · JD Edwards · ACCPAC
ACL Analytics · CaseWare
TeamMate · ERA · ProAudit
QlikView · Risk Advisor
Aura (PwC QMSE Platform)
AI Tools: GPT-4, Copilot,
Power Automate, Power BI
MS Office Suite (Advanced)
R E F E R E N C E S
Andrew Konig
CEO, Redefine Properties
Thabo Phokane
CFO, Servest
Ziyad Rabaney
Consultant
24+
YEARS
LEADERSHIP
EXPERIENCE
8
AUDIT
FUNCTIONS
BUILT
R4M+
ASSETS
RECOVERED
50+
AUDIT CLIENTS
SERVED
7
COUNTRIES
OVERSEEN
C A R E E R H I S T O R Y
Internal Performance Audit Manager Mar 2025 – Present Trademarkia Global Legal Services Firm
Offices: USA · Mexico · India · South Africa · Poland · Philippines · Guyana ~300 staff KEY ACHIEVEMENTS & RECOGNITION — EXPANDED MANDATE
FINANCE OVERSIGHT
Accounts Payable &
Receivable
Banking & Cash Flow
Management
P&L Reporting
Breakeven Analysis
HR LEADERSHIP
Recruitment & Onboarding
Terminations & Disciplinary
Training & Development
Performance Management
️ OPERATIONS
End-to-End Process Oversight
Operational Efficiency Drives
Cross-Functional Optimisation
Global Office Coordination
This expanded remit reflects a rare level of executive trust — positioning Amien as a de facto Chief Operating Officer in addition to his audit leadership responsibilities. QMSE Manager – Quality Management Systems of Engagement Dec 2022 – Feb 2025 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Big 4 Professional Services Global presence across North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia ~8,000 staff (SA) Established the Global Performance Audit function for a multinational legal services organisation
— conducting operational and workforce audits across seven international offices and advising senior leadership on performance optimisation, cost efficiency, and strategic resourcing.
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Designs and evaluates productivity KPIs and staffing models to drive measurable operational efficiency across geographically dispersed teams.
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Implements Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) across international operations to enforce financial discipline and eliminate structural inefficiency.
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Integrates AI and automation tools into the audit process — replacing manual data gathering, automating performance reporting, and enabling real-time workforce analytics across all global offices.
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Uses AI-assisted benchmarking to identify top performers, flag underperformance trends, and provide leadership with data-driven staffing recommendations.
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Standardises performance evaluation frameworks and implements merit-based remuneration reviews, ensuring consistency and transparency across all jurisdictions.
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Trains Managers and Team Leaders to leverage performance data and AI insights to make informed talent decisions.
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Designed and launched a first-of-its-kind Performance Audit function within the organisation — establishing governance, methodology, and tooling from scratch.
Automated multiple manual audit and reporting processes using AI, reducing cycle times and enabling faster, more strategic decision-making at leadership level.
In recognition of performance and organisational trust, mandate was expanded beyond audit to encompass three critical executive functions:
Solely responsible for managing the QMSE function within PwC South Africa in full alignment with global ISQM standards.
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Coordinated Functional Area Leaders (FALs) across Core Audit, Broader Assurance Services (BAS), and Service Delivery Centre (SDC) on quality plan completion, risk assessment, and self-testing workpapers.
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Reviewed remediation of quality findings and monitored corrective action to ensure timely and appropriate resolution.
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KEY ACHIEVEMENT
Group Internal Audit Manager & EXCO Member Jun 2017 – Nov 2022 OneLogix Ltd JSE-Listed Niche Logistics Group
12 subsidiaries · ~2,214 staff · SA · Namibia · Botswana · Zambia · Mozambique · DRC KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Group Internal Audit Manager Group Project Manager
(Promoted)
Jun 2013 – May 2017
Servest Multiservice Group Private Facilities Management Group 9 divisions · ~40,000 staff · SA · Namibia · Botswana · Zambia · Nigeria · Ghana · Mozambique · UK KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Attended global PwC quality management "office hours" and ensured South African practice alignment with the firm's worldwide quality framework.
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Presented quality management outcomes and deficiency remediation status to senior leadership and governance forums.
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Sole manager accountable for QMSE governance across the South African practice — a high-trust, high-visibility role within the firm's global quality infrastructure.
Appointed to EXCO as the Group Internal Audit Manager — one of a small number of executives with direct board and Audit & Risk Committee accountability in a JSE-listed environment.
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Architected and launched the Group Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management, and Ethics Governance functions across 12 subsidiaries operating in 6 African countries.
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Developed and executed risk-based audit plans across the full Group including Linehaul, Cargo Solutions, Warehousing, VDS, Buffelshoek, Jackson, United Bulk, and Atlas 360.
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Presented risk, audit, and governance reports directly to the Board and Audit & Risk Committee, providing independent assurance on the Group's control environment.
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Oversaw the Ethics Hotline, gifts register, conflict of interest disclosures, and ethics investigations — embedding a culture of accountability across a geographically distributed workforce.
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Facilitated annual enterprise-wide risk assessment workshops; consolidated and maintained Group Risk Registers across all divisions including Corporate.
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Coordinated internal and external audit coverage to eliminate duplication and maximise assurance value.
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Achieved external auditor reliance on Internal Audit work — the gold standard of audit quality and independence in a listed company context.
Built the Group's Enterprise Risk Management framework and Ethics Hotline infrastructure from the ground up.
Served as a trusted governance voice at EXCO level — influencing strategic decisions on risk appetite, control investment, and organisational integrity.
Appointed to lead Internal Audit across one of South Africa's largest privately held services groups, with accountability spanning 9 operating divisions across Africa and the UK.
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Built the Group Internal Audit function and subsequently expanded mandate to include Risk Management, Compliance, Transfer Pricing Policy Monitoring, Ethics Management, Due Diligence reviews, and Special Projects.
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Secured endorsement from 9 Divisional Managing Directors and Financial Directors — a significant stakeholder alignment achievement in a highly decentralised group structure.
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Led fraud investigations across multiple divisions, resulting in dismissals and generating substantial financial savings for the Group.
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Reported to the Audit & Risk Committee on governance, risk, and compliance matters across all divisions and geographies.
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Promoted to Group Project Manager in recognition of exemplary performance and expanded strategic contribution.
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Obtained external auditor reliance on Internal Audit — maintained consistently across all 9 divisions. Group Internal Auditor – Head of Department Oct 2012 – May 2013 Shanduka Group Investment Holdings (~60 staff)
Head of Risk Management & Internal Audit Jan 2011 – Sep 2012 Redefine Properties Ltd JSE-Listed Commercial Property Group (~300 staff) KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Chief Internal Auditor Apr 2008 – Dec 2010
Bliss Chemicals (Pty) Ltd FMCG Manufacturing – MAQ Detergents (~700 staff) KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Internal Audit Manager Jan 2004 – Mar 2008
Nexia SAB&T Audit & Consulting Firm (~400 staff) Uncovered significant fraud and unethical conduct across multiple divisions, generating major financial recoveries.
Promoted to Group Project Manager — a rare elevation reflecting exceptional trust and strategic impact.
Established the Internal Audit department including charter, policies, procedures, and risk assessment methodology for a prominent investment holding group.
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Conducted high-level assessment of the control environment and oversight of the risk management process.
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Established and led the Internal Audit and Risk Management functions with full Audit Committee accountability in a JSE-listed environment.
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Developed a 3-year strategic audit plan, annual audit schedules, and the Group's enterprise risk management framework.
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Set up the organisation's Whistleblowers Hotline and contributed directly to the formulation of corporate strategy alongside executive leadership.
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Reported independently to the Board and Audit Committee on the adequacy of the Group's governance, risk, and control environment.
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Established IA and risk management functions; co-developed company strategy with the executive team.
Designed and launched the Group's Whistleblowers Hotline — enhancing ethical governance culture. Appointed Chief Internal Auditor with expanded accountability for SHEQ and Security functions — reflecting the organisation's confidence in audit leadership beyond traditional assurance.
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Conducted a series of forensic investigations leading to the dismissal of 6 senior managers including the Finished Goods Manager, Fleet Manager, Brand Manager, IT Manager, Logistics Manager, and National Key Accounts Manager — for fraud, bribery, conflict of interest, and gross misconduct.
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Recovered R4 million in unaccounted company assets through a coordinated asset verification and forensic investigation programme.
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Oversaw the audit of Oracle JD Edwards ERP implementation, ensuring control integrity during a critical system transition.
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Performance Excellence Award – 2010.
Recovered R4 million in assets; 6 senior dismissals; multiple supplier terminations for bribery and corruption.
Audit function elevated to also oversee SHEQ and Security — a testament to organisational trust and credibility.
Delivered internal audit, risk management, IT audit, and consulting mandates across 30+ public and private sector clients including National Treasury, Telkom, SASOL, IEC, and Statistics South Africa.
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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
External Auditor (SAICA Articles) Jan 2001 – Jan 2004 Nexia SAB&T Audit & Consulting Firm
KEY ACHIEVEMENT
Conducted IT audits covering general controls, application controls, logical access, system migrations, and IT risk assessments.
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Established audit committees, drafted governance charters, and developed fraud prevention frameworks for multiple client organisations.
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Internal Auditor of the Year – 2005 and 2006.
Highest performance evaluation score across the entire Internal Audit Division – 2006/2007. Completed SAICA articles with full-cycle audit, accounting, and tax experience across government entities, parastatals, Section 21 companies, and private corporates including SAPS, Airports Company SA, SABS, and Gauteng Housing.
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Team Player of the Year – 2002.
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