GRACE WATHOME
Pompano-Beach,USA
Summary
Dynamic internal control leader with extensive experience at DHL Global Forwarding, driving SOX compliance and risk assessment initiatives. Achieved a 25% reduction in control redundancies while enhancing operational efficiency. Skilled in audit planning and execution, with a proven ability to mentor teams and foster collaboration for continuous improvement.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
REGIONAL HEAD INTERNAL CONTROL MANAGER AMERICAS
DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING
10.2023 - Current
- Employing a risk-based methodology to create, document, and oversee the implementation and ongoing maintenance of comprehensive internal control policies and procedures in 23 countries, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and regional guidelines.
- Support regional controls reporting to guarantee the completeness and accuracy of results entered into CREST Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
- Coordinate with internal and external audits to ensure timely responses, eliminate major or repeat gaps, and promptly close any identified improvement opportunities.
- Notable achievements while in the position have included:
- In-depth review of regional controls, design and implementations led to a 25% reduction on redundancy of controls needed to mitigate risk areas.
- Managed the resolution of audit issues identified by both external and regional internal audits, providing support to address outstanding issues.
- Recipient of the 2024 DHL Group Annual Finance Awards Bronze trophy for outstanding contributions to internal controls.
SENIOR INTERNAL CONTROL MANAGER (USA)
DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING
10.2022 - 10.2023
- Analyze areas where process and control deficiencies are identified by internal or external audit, evaluate their risk implications, and draw the appropriate action plans for 40 US stations.
- Ensure internal control deliverables across the DHL Organization are consistent and meet the required quality standards through a rigorous quality assurance process.
- Involved in providing advice to improve and optimize internal controls, enhance, and transform internal audit approach and methodologies and performing risk assessments.
- Notable achievements while in the position have included:
- Created a quick reference guide that boosted the usage of National Approved vendors by over 37% within the Global Procurement Tool.
- An audit of accounts payable for Southern Border Customs Brokerage vendors revealed $2 million in backlogged costs over a 10-month period that were neither billed nor actioned, potentially leading to revenue leakage.
- Assisted in conducting internal audits, identifying critical areas for improvement that resulted in a 10% increase in operational efficiency.
CORPORATE INTERNAL AUDITOR
DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING
05.2021 - 10.2022
- Led financial, operational, and SOX advisory projects from start to finish for 25 DHL Americas subsidiaries, ensuring compliance with GAAP/IFRS.
- Internal Controls – Assess the adequacy in the design of the company’s internal controls and test the existence of these controls in different process e.g.: Order to Cash Cycle, Purchase to Pay Cycle, Financial Reporting.
- Financial – Audit subsidiary financial results according to the Global Audit plan to ensure financial statements comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP/IFRS).
- Operational – perform risk-based audits of subsidiary Americas locations to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, and/or profitability.
- Notable achievements while in the position have included:
- Based on audit results/suggestions implementation of new controls to mandate the lowest carrier selection by the dispatch team resulted in a potential cost saving opportunity of 47% or $3M.
- Review of Vendors Master Data resulted in uncovering expired or non-existence contracts valued at $19M to be obtained.
- Assessment of Health and Safety protocols resulted in reduced risks of employee injuries, accidents, and dangerous goods handling, leading to the re-implementation of safety guidelines at the stations.
- Data analytics uncovered multiple discrepancies in credit limits between accounting systems and operating systems, affecting 4,500 cases that need resolution based on updated contracts.
GLOBAL RISK & CONTROL ADVISOR
FALCK A/S
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Notable achievements while in the position have included:
- Co-authored a new internal control policy, based on the COSO 2013 Framework, for a global leader in emergency response and healthcare services, covering 30 countries.
- Successfully led the first phase of the new policy implementation, covering over 70 out of 100 subsidiaries. Provided feedback and guidance for accurate documentation of process flows and control designs, all within a 4-month period.
- Assisted the Compliance Manager with audit reviews, ensuring timely completion of certifications for our fleet of dedicated Critical Falck Ambulances and maintaining the necessary equipment and inventory to service our patients.
- Mentored junior auditors, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and increasing team productivity by 15% through targeted training sessions and workshops.
EXTERNAL AUDITOR
DELOITTE
06.2016 - 08.2017
- Completed integrated (SOX, US GAAP/PCAOB & IFRS) operational, financial, and compliance audits.
- Conducted detailed meetings with various process owners to gain required knowledge to document flowcharts and evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of the key controls.
- Using audit software and Microsoft applications, reviewed account balances to ensure financial statement accuracy and completeness whilst searching for errors or fraud.
EXTERNAL AUDITOR
PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS (PwC)
10.2011 - 03.2013
- Successfully planned and executed the company’s SOX compliance initiatives. Responsibilities included developing walkthrough and testing strategies, documenting materiality and scoping assumptions, designing testing schedules, coordinating with internal resources and external auditors, facilitating testing efforts, and monitoring progress to conclude on the design and effectiveness of the company’s control environment.
- Performed special reviews at the request of management as part of a team requested to perform a Carve –Out Audit, Agreed Upon procedures and reviews of different engagement jobs.
- Worked with Advisory group auditors to coordinate and perform ITGC SOX walkthroughs.
- Reported audit findings/opportunities to senior management and brainstormed ideas to mitigate risk, and streamline operations, if necessary.
Education
MAFM - Accounting and Financial Management
Keller Graduate School
Fort Lauderdale, FLBA -
Bachelor of Science in Arts
Glassboro, NJSkills
- SOX compliance and risk assessment
- Audit planning and execution
- Compliance review and internal controls
- Internal and external audit
- Communication and reporting
- Financial analysis and business process
- Fraud detection and process improvement
- Team leadership and written communication
- Individual assessment and audit coordination
Certification
- CPA, Certified Public Accountant (Pennsylvania License # CA056491)
- CFE, Certified Fraud Examiner (Member # 620973)
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Kiswahili
Native/ Bilingual
Danish
Elementary
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
REGIONAL HEAD INTERNAL CONTROL MANAGER AMERICAS
DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING
10.2023 - Current
SENIOR INTERNAL CONTROL MANAGER (USA)
DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING
10.2022 - 10.2023
CORPORATE INTERNAL AUDITOR
DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING
05.2021 - 10.2022
GLOBAL RISK & CONTROL ADVISOR
FALCK A/S
01.2018 - 01.2021
EXTERNAL AUDITOR
DELOITTE
06.2016 - 08.2017
EXTERNAL AUDITOR
PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS (PwC)
10.2011 - 03.2013
MAFM - Accounting and Financial Management
Keller Graduate School
BA -
Bachelor of Science in Arts