Edward Blaise
Orlando
Summary
Public/Private Accounting professional with 10+ years of progressive SOX and Internal Audit experience
Results-driven audit professional with strong background in financial analysis, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. Proven track record in optimizing audit processes, ensuring accuracy, and enhancing operational efficiency. Valued for strong focus on team collaboration, adaptability to changing needs, and unwavering commitment to achieving organizational goals. Recognized for analytical skills, leadership qualities, and high standards of professionalism.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Audit Supervisor
Withum
12.2021 - 02.2023
- Lead engagement team staffs on the planning and execution of an audit engagement to effectively and efficiently provide world-class client service
- Oversaw the day-to-day operations of the audit engagement from staffing, planning, risk assessment, fieldwork, financial reporting and the conclusion
- Provided supervision, training and support to the engagement staff and promote open communication to the engagement manager and partner
- Collaborated with managers and partners on client issue resolution and make recommendations for operational or internal control improvements to the client
- Managed multiple engagements concurrently with various teams to efficiently meet client deadlines
- Created and track engagement budgets to review for inefficiencies that may arise during the audit
- Prepared financial statements and footnotes
- Reviewed audited financial, operational and regulatory compliance deficiencies and conducted follow-ups.
- Strengthened client satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and professionally throughout the auditing process.
- Assisted in creating annual audit plans based on risk assessments to address key business objectives.
- Mentored junior auditors, providing guidance and feedback for professional growth and development.
Senior SOX Internal Auditor
AssuredPartners
06.2020 - 12.2021
- Managed all phases of the audit process for various insurance branches: planning, control testing, substantive testing, financial analysis, and preparation of deliverables; Present project status, Open Item status and improvement suggestion to management
- Adhered to SOX compliance through the completion of site audits – including the implementation of new controls, identification of control gaps, and completion of detailed level documentation surrounding related risks
- Communicated audit findings with senior management, and partners with business and risk stakeholders to drive a strong control environment message
Senior Internal Auditor
Wyndham Destination
12.2018 - 03.2020
- Planned, set-up and executed detailed internal control testing in support of the SOX compliance program
- Planned, managed and executed walkthroughs and mapped the existing processes identifying any gaps
- Assessed effectiveness of application controls and key reports relating to business processes
- Assessed business environment, existing financial controls and risk challenges, and risk management approaches and recommend appropriate risk approaches
- Prepared and/or supervised the preparation of high-quality work papers to ensure consistency between test objectives, evidence obtained and test results, ensuring they are well-documented in accordance with department standards
- Prepared and/or supervise the preparation of draft reports and ensure that documentation clearly supports the conclusions regarding each audit objective
- Supervised audit team and keep SOX Supervisors apprised of testing status and escalate exceptions / key issues
- Partnered with management in updating current process documentation over internal controls, and to ensure effective controls are in place to address key business and financial reporting risks
- Used problem solving and critical thinking skills to identify internal control deficiencies, evaluate risk implications, and draw the appropriate conclusions
- Monitored remediation actions, timelines, and progress and follow-up on the implementation of recommendations as a result of SOX compliance audits, review and validate remediation plans
- Maintained an effective and efficient planning, execution and coordination of work between testing team and process owners across the organization and maintain a working relationship with external auditors
- Evaluated the reliability and integrity of information and the efficient and effective use of resources
Manager / Senior Accountant
Hospital Corporation of America, HCA
11.2017 - 12.2018
- Maintained General Ledger as a Manager
- Prepared monthly journal entries, analyses and account reconciliations as required to accurately close the monthly fiscal period as a Senior Accountant
- Prepared detailed monthly actual to budget variance reports to support Shared Service Center management in the review of monthly operating performance and allocation as a Manager
- Compiled monthly statistics and key indicators as a Manager
- Prepared monthly reconciliation for all Balance Sheet accounts with particular emphasis on cash, including documentation to support all balances as a Senior Accountant
- Accurately stated reconciling items and investigate proper accounting transactions to clear them off the account as a Senior Accountant
- Ensured that all processing and reporting deadlines are consistently achieved as a Manager
- Responded to requests for information from Corporate, Internal Audit, Hospital management and other internal management as a Senior Accountant
- Ensured that privileged and/or proprietary information is adequately safeguarded against disclosure as a Manager
- Ensured timely reporting of 10K and 10Q
- Followed GAAP and SEC reporting
Experienced Associate
PricewaterHouseCoopers (PwC)
08.2013 - 11.2017
- Demonstrated and applied foundational knowledge of the technical accounting and financial reporting standards under the GAAP, GAAS, and PCAOB
- Applied applicable auditing standards when performing auditing work, taking proactive steps to be familiar with the firm's audit methodology and guidance
- Elevated potential issues on a timely basis after gathering key facts
- Leveraged team members and appropriate technical resources to assist in resolutions
- Responsible for the quality of work and performing critical self-reviews
- Demonstrated professional skepticism, independence, and objectivity
- Reported in a timely manner to Managers and Partners
- Performed a wide range of audit and accounting procedures impacting industry-specific issues
- Audited complex areas/transactions as well as prepare financial statements and related reports
- Kept manager/partner aware of engagement status and problem areas
- Interacted and communicated with clients to gather information to ensure timely engagement wrap-up
Education
Masters - Accounting
Southern New Hampshire University
Bachelors - Economics
University of Florida
Skills
- Financial Statement Auditing
- Audit Planning and Execution
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Employee Supervision
- Internal control evaluation
- Risk Assessment Analysis
- Fraud detection techniques
- Internal Controls
- Audit Planning
- Internal Auditing
Certification
- CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner
- CSOE – Certified Sarbanes Oxley Expert
- CIA
- – Certified Internal Auditor (In Process)
- CPA
- – Certified Public Accountant (In Process)
Timeline
Audit Supervisor
Withum
12.2021 - 02.2023
Senior SOX Internal Auditor
AssuredPartners
06.2020 - 12.2021
Senior Internal Auditor
Wyndham Destination
12.2018 - 03.2020
Manager / Senior Accountant
Hospital Corporation of America, HCA
11.2017 - 12.2018
Experienced Associate
PricewaterHouseCoopers (PwC)
08.2013 - 11.2017
Bachelors - Economics
University of Florida
- CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner
- CSOE – Certified Sarbanes Oxley Expert
- CIA
- – Certified Internal Auditor (In Process)
- CPA
- – Certified Public Accountant (In Process)
Masters - Accounting
Southern New Hampshire University
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