Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Ganiyat Ayankunbi

Summary

Experienced Senior Audit Manager with over 10 years of experience in internal/external auditing, risk management, SOX, GRC, cybersecurity, information technology, data analytics, quality assurance, financial, risk, compliance, project management, and operational areas in a variety of industries, including banking, wealth management, board of education, governmental, investments, and technology. Comprehensive knowledge and proven achievements in analyzing applicable laws/regulations and institution-developed control environments to give valuable solutions to meet organizational goals across diverse financial institutions. An initiative-taking individual who fulfills tight deadlines regularly, communicates effectively and thrives well in both independent and team environments.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of Internal Audit Professional Practices

Israel Discount Bank of New York
New York, NY
01.2023 - 12.2024
  • Developed and executed a comprehensive audit strategy to assess the effectiveness of the organization’s risk management and internal control processes
  • Developed expertise regarding the Bank’s IT infrastructure environment, including knowledge of IT control frameworks, key IT processes, relevant technologies, and design of risk-based IT audit control assurance tests
  • Focus areas included systems/security architecture, incident response processes, access controls, data leakage prevention (DLP) mechanisms and related fraud detection techniques, cloud computing security and the cyberthreat intelligence framework
  • Provided support for Internal Audit operations and Professional Practice, including reporting to the Audit Committee, Senior Management, and Board
  • Responsible for the issues management reporting process and support of key Internal Audit dashboard and metrics reporting
  • Served as Audit Tool (TeamMate) champion and expert, upgrades/testing, and troubleshooting
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive audit methodologies that improve the accuracy and efficiency of internal audit functions and assessed alignment with industry and regulatory guidelines and best practices
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams (e.g., IT Security, Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management) to assist the Board of Trustees in the effective execution of their fiduciary responsibilities and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization's risk management, internal controls, and governance processes
  • Provided accurate support for regulatory inquiries and requests relating to corrective actions to internal Audit remediations to SRs, MRBA, and Consent Orders
  • Established and maintained strong working relationships with trustees, executive management, Audit Committee members, and internal and external stakeholders
  • Performed quality reviews of risk assessments, issues validation, audit work papers, and other audit activities
  • Developed and implemented quality assurance policies and procedures to ensure compliance with industry standards
  • Responsible to stay abreast of the latest software vulnerabilities, malware, spyware, malcode trends, performing risk analysis and applying preventive and detective controls to information systems
  • Led the incident response team, responsible for detection and remediation of threats to information systems, along with the development of technical measures to prevent security breaches
  • Provided strategic thinking, thought leadership, and guidance on identifying key risks, assessing the design, and operating effectiveness of audit findings remediation action plan
  • Led the quality assurance practice for IT-related projects, conducting detailed analysis on deliverable quality, reviewing IT and application controls, monitoring resource capacity and budget, conducting risk and control self-assessment, and providing executive reporting
  • Drived operational process improvements related to quality
  • Provided training to enhance knowledge, competency, and understanding, ensuring personnel remain informed of process changes
  • Developed and implemented quality improvement strategies to meet key performance indicators (KPIs) related to estimating accuracy and compliance
  • Functioned as a mentor to junior auditors, enhancing team performance and delivery of services on complex audit engagements

Associate Vice President

Bessemer Trust
Woodbridge, NJ
12.2020 - 01.2023
  • Performed aspects of Financial/IT audits including annual planning, issue scope memos, document control environment, evaluating risk, designing & and executing audit programs, documenting test results, and preparing audit reports for senior management
  • Designed, developed, and utilized audit programs to ensure compliance with industry best practices such as IIA standards, ISACA standards, ISO standards, NIST, and GAAS
  • Assessed the state of governance, risk management, and internal control (GRC) processes to identify internal control gaps or weaknesses related to key business risks
  • Maintained monthly status updates with senior management within technology on issue remediation, corrective action plan owners on the issue tracking tool, provided guidance on building sustainable controls, and validation remediation for design effectiveness and sustainability
  • Conducted quarterly and ad hoc continuous monitoring by leveraging incident management, change management, and business processes including documenting the monitoring results
  • Performed general IT, application, and security reviews around data governance, identity and access management, cybersecurity, patch management, change management, System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), application controls (automated interfaces, manual input controls, automated workflows, and calculations, and project management monitoring
  • Provided subject matter expertise on building sustainable technology and business controls and contributed to the development of the Branch wide training material
  • Advised senior management to implement centralized secondary review functions within two business lines, significantly improving the control environment (1st Line of Defense and 2nd Line of Defense testing group)
  • Assisted in the implementation of cyber security controls, resulting in a 30% reduction in cyber incidents
  • Performed annual risk assessment and gap analysis for all information technology domains, including information security, infrastructure, and application
  • Followed up on the disposition of exceptions noted during audits, including internal, external, and regulatory exam reports
  • Effectively prepared a well-developed risk-based audit approach and documented high-quality working papers for information technology and integrated application audits, while ensuring alignment to current regulatory (e.g., FFIEC, NYSDFS 500, etc.) requirements and emerging risks and regulatory expectations
  • Executed and performed high-value IT audits, identified risks, assessed mitigating controls, determined “root causes” and made value-add recommendations to improve the control environment through well-developed audit reports
  • Led the IT audit to assess the effectiveness of controls in place for vendor management including vendor risk assessment, approval and onboarding, negotiation and contracting, procurement, and management consulting monitoring (e.g., SAS/SSAE reports, Service Level Agreement)
  • Met with the business leadership teams during engagement planning to gain an understanding of business processes, risks, and challenges
  • Identify key financial, IT, operational, and compliance risks and assess the adequacy of controls in place to mitigate risk
  • Utilized key performance indicators (KPIs), data analytics, and dashboards to measure and enhance the effectiveness of internal audit processes
  • Proficiently drafted comprehensive audit committee reports, ensuring clear communication of findings, recommendations, and insights
  • Reviewed and evaluated the control environment to ensure that it adequately and effectively ensures: the reliability of financial reporting; safeguarding of company assets; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and the efficiency and effectiveness of company operations
  • Discussed roadblocks and challenges that affected the company’s ability to support clients effectively both in the short-term and long term by participating in department meetings and taking notes for the audit team
  • Diverse assignments in all aspects of the business areas including Operations, Compliance, Risk, finance, Treasury & lending, and Information technology audits

Senior Auditor

Lerch, Vinci & Bliss, LLP CPA Firm
Fair Lawn, NJ
12.2018 - 10.2020
  • Served as in-charge lead senior for audits, reviews, and compilations of various governmental, non-profit, and municipal entities
  • Conducted internal control and substantive testing, reviewing results to achieve 100% accuracy in findings
  • Designed effective and efficient audits for moderate to complex engagements and reduced audit costs by 10%
  • Assessed the design and effectiveness of internal controls by completing walk-throughs of complex business processes
  • Thoroughly reviewed financial statements to correct any discrepancies
  • Addressed and resolved non-routine complex and unexpected variance
  • Executed audit testing of cash, receivables, payables, revenues, investments, expenses, and payroll
  • Proactively built relationships and communicated effectively with clients to provide superior client service
  • Provided recommendations for business and process improvements based on knowledge gained relative to the client’s operations, processes, and business objectives
  • Knowledge of U.S
  • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), U.S
  • Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), and Public Company Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standards
  • Produced work for Manager and/or Partner review highlighting issues and providing potential solutions to issues identified
  • Successfully managed audit engagements from planning to reporting within budgeted hours, maximizing team efficiency

Hedge Fund/Private Equity Senior Accountant

SS&C Technologies
Union, NJ
02.2016 - 11.2018
  • Analyzed client financial statements and fund performance utilizing Excel models on a daily, monthly, and quarterly basis, resulting in a 15% average increase in client revenue
  • Assisted with month-end closing procedures, invoicing, and recording journal entries, as well as reconciling general ledger accounts
  • Used Power BI to create insightful dashboards that displayed real-time portfolio performance reports, helping the team increase the average return on investment
  • Provided clients with distribution and capital call analysis on their current investment portfolio in terms of risk assessment, total return, and efficiency
  • Performed daily and monthly reviews of the NAV, P&L, security prices, share classes, accruals, expenses, incentives, and performance fees between the internal system and fund administrator
  • Performed risk management through analysis of company liabilities and investments, and evaluated and managed capital structure, including partners
  • Conducted regular portfolio analysis based on various investment strategies and industry trends and communicated effectively with investment teams and senior management regarding underlying investments and market conditions
  • Performed detailed research to find solutions to resolve complex problems
  • Answering accounting procedure questions by researching and interpreting accounting policies and regulations
  • Identified operational processes inefficiencies and recommended necessary improvements
  • Reviewed investment partners' income and expense allocation work papers for a diversified client base under the partnership agreement; ensured timely deliverables of client data requests

Education

MBA - Management of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ
08.2023

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

Kean University
Union, NJ
05.2017

Skills

  • General audit principles
  • IIA
  • NIST
  • Cybersecurity
  • OCC regulations
  • Information technology
  • GAAP
  • Supervisory skills
  • People development skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Logical thought process
  • Structured thought process
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Geneva
  • Java
  • TeamMate
  • SAP
  • Oracle
  • ProSystem
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Project management
  • Time management
  • Data analysis
  • Data mining software
  • Principled behavior
  • Integrity
  • Confidentiality
  • Code of conduct
  • Risk assessment
  • Internal control frameworks
  • Regulatory compliance standards
  • Communication skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Relationship-building skills
  • Data management
  • Collaboration
  • Organizational skills
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Friendly, positive attitude
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Calm under pressure
  • Public speaking

Additional Information

Strong knowledge of general audit principles, IIA, NIST, Cybersecurity, OCC regulations, information technology, and GAAP., Excellent supervisory and people development skills, including ability to manage ambiguity and provide structure and guidance to staff members., Analytical skills: superior analytical and critical thinking skills; logical and highly structured thought process. Capability to deliver high-quality work with minimal supervision and guidance within tight deadlines., Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Geneva, Java, TeamMate, SAP, Oracle, ProSystem and Adobe Acrobat., Strong project and time management skills, ability to effectively balance competing priorities, and demonstrated success in completing projects/tasks on time., Proficient in performing data analysis using tools such as Excel, and data mining software., Principled Behavior: High integrity always maintains confidentiality. Fully complies with the code of conduct; acts responsibly protecting the reputation of the bank and mitigating controlling risks., Positive attitude, self-confidence, competence, and superb relationship-building skills., Strong knowledge of risk assessment, internal control frameworks, and regulatory compliance standards (e.g., SOX)., Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

Timeline

Head of Internal Audit Professional Practices

Israel Discount Bank of New York
01.2023 - 12.2024

Associate Vice President

Bessemer Trust
12.2020 - 01.2023

Senior Auditor

Lerch, Vinci & Bliss, LLP CPA Firm
12.2018 - 10.2020

Hedge Fund/Private Equity Senior Accountant

SS&C Technologies
02.2016 - 11.2018

MBA - Management of Technology

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

Kean University
Ganiyat Ayankunbi