Jeanne Helfant
Oakland,NJ
Summary
A proven financial leader with significant accomplishments in risk management, process improvements, financial analysis, and internal audit, in multinational corporations. Skilled at evaluating risk, designing procedures, and implementing controls for new processes. Independent, self-starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management. In depth knowledge of the IIA Standards, U.S. GAAP, FCPA and COSO internal controls framework.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Internal Audit/ERM
Embecta Corp.
Parsippany, NJ
04.2022 - Current
- Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, providing leadership in the oversight of all Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) activities
- Provide an independent assessment and evaluation of the Company's system of internal controls, risk management and governance processes
- Established the Internal Audit function building a team of eight auditors that includes two rotating interns in specialized areas of Data Analytics and ERM
- Developed a department strategy that focuses on delivering insights to the business and facilitates active risk identification
- Implemented a hybrid approach managing a team of third-party resources to complete SOX testing of ~350 controls achieving a 91% control pass rate in the first year of compliance
- Utilized co-source support to complete six to eight international projects annually ensuring compliance with the IIA Standards, GAAP, PCAOB, SEC and FCPA Regulations, company policies, laws, and regulations
- Implemented a bi-annual risk assessment process including the completion of 41 interviews including four board members and deployed a risk survey
- The results were used to create an annual audit plan of 17 operational, financial and compliance audits and special projects annually with a total of 35 projects and 99 audit observations identified since spin date
- Created a Data Analytics program to automate and advance the audit process creating six forensic analytic dashboards used to analyze the full population of data (including analysis of millions of records) and identify high-risk transactions for review in the areas of general ledger, accounts payable, procurement, vendor management, travel and entertainment and anti-bribery/anti-corruption
- Established 10 key performance metrics, including a monitoring dashboard used to manage and report on the progress of the of the Internal Audit function and remediation progress to the Audit Committee
- Achieved all metrics, key achievements included audit report issuance in an average of 35 days, customer survey results greater than 90% positive and average training hours of a minimum of 40 hours per auditor
- Established an ERM strategy and framework identifying 12 risks for mitigation and monitoring
- Routinely present to the Audit Committee, with a total of six presentations since spin date and three board updates on the ERM program
- Developed and foster strategic business partnerships with functional and regional stakeholders
- Established best-in-class SOX Compliance program for the company including design and implementation of more than 300 automated, configurable, and manual controls for the SAP S4 Hana implementation and manage the outsource of control testing ensuring fully reliance from the company’s external auditor
- Manage a department budget in excess of $2 million, reporting out on actual spend compared to the budget to the Audit Committee quarterly
- Established a Crisis Management program for the company including creation of a Crisis Management Playbook and facilitated the creation and update of seven site specific Business Continuity Plans and Cybersecurity controls.
Senior Director, Internal Audit
Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD)
Franklin Lakes, NJ
04.2003 - 04.2022
- Recruited, developed and managed the US audit team including 3-5 direct reports who have anywhere from 3-5 direct reports each
- Ensure the audit process is aligned to the IIA standards and the audit teams execute audits in compliance with the IIA standards, PCAOB and SOX requirements
- Participated in the overall strategy setting for the Internal Audit Department as well as the company’s ERM program
- Overall responsibility to manage the Compliance audit process to analyze and review individual site and company compliance with regulations including FCPA, Sunshine Transparency Reporting, AdvaMed and EUCOMED managing 45-50 projects annually
- Established compliance audit process, liaising with Ethics and Compliance (E&C) function, executing a Distributor Audit Program and corresponding Distributor risk assessment (OUS) to ensure compliance with FCPA and local country laws
- Management and oversight of the global SOX Compliance program for the company including management of the external consultants (PwC) that complete SOX testing for the company achieving a 98% pass rate
- Led the financial investigations process for the global company, which includes leading investigations in the areas of compliance with Corporate Finance Policies as well as the Code of Conduct in partnership with Ethics and Compliance (E&C)
- Conducted an average of 25 investigations annually
- Led reviews in high-risk countries to identify and document Fraud and Compliance controls in place to mitigate corruption risk
- Documented a listing of more than 100 controls that were standardized across regions
- Participated in the Functional Leader’s Group and Global Compliance Council
- Instrumental in the implementation of six Data Analytics forensic dashboards that use visual reporting to help analyze the full population of data to help identify trends
- Deliver annual regional training sessions on Internal Control requirements, SOX, COSO etc
- On an ongoing basis
- Partner with the external auditors to present relevant guidance from the PCAOB
- Integrated SOX programs for the company’s major acquisitions creating one best in class controls framework of approximately 1,500 key controls
- Assisted with the development of presentations and pre-reads for the Audit Committee on Audit and Compliance
- Liaison with the external auditors to ensure risks are appropriately identified and evaluated
- Successfully identifying and implementing mitigating controls and procedures to avoid a Significant Deficiency
- Engaged in consulting projects and provided advisory services to management on process redesign and major system initiatives including constructive challenge review of Quality process
- Responsible for designing and executing global risk assessments, work-paper documentation requirements and review of audit programs developed by audit teams
- Senior Audit Manager (7/09 – 8/15) Managed the global SOX program and review of internal control environment
- Rationalized SOX control framework from ~3,500 controls to 1,200 key controls by implementing a top- down approach to scoping
- Managed COSO Internal Control Framework mapping to ensure compliance with regulations
- Member of the Finance Advisory board, nominated to participate in the implementation of improvements across the Finance Organization
- Developed and implemented Mission, Vision and values for the Finance organization creating a communication strategy
- Monitored the global SOX control environment and incorporated the most recent pronouncements, strategies, and developments from the PCAOB into the global controls framework
- Worked as a business partner with key stakeholders to ensure compliance with SOX requirements and timely remediation of issues ensuring the control pass rate remained above 90%
- Led the strategic development of the tools and processes embodied within the global SOX Compliance Program
- Developed the annual SOX scoping and testing strategy
- Implemented the Archer tool for SOX compliance
- Managed a global controls rationalization project that reduced the total number of SOX controls and tests by 60%
- Summarized and presented control assessment information to senior management and the external auditors
- Managed approximately 15 operational/financial audits annually including planning, scoping using a risk-based approach, completion of fieldwork and reporting in North America, Latin America and Europe
- Executed a plan for the testing of 50% of the total company controls through the use of internal audit
- Liaison for the company’s external auditors and managed the internal audit support work that is completed on their behalf.
General Accounting Team Leader
Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD)
Franklin Lakes, NJ
10.2006 - 07.2009
- Supervised the day-to-day operations of the General Accounting Department
- Managed, motivated, and developed three to six accounts and analysts at various levels including junior, staff and senior
- Coordinated the reporting of financials for multiple plants and businesses, ensuring compliance with administrative policies, regulations, and acceptable accounting practices
- Managed and prepared the budgeting, projections and 3-year forecast for operating expenses for over 60 corporate cost centers
- Coordinated the submission of and prepared schedules for the corporate tax packages for multiple legal companies
- Conducted multiple Value Stream Mapping sessions reducing the monthly close time by ½ day
- Prepared monthly reporting packages for Accounts Receivable and Inventory balances, including an analysis of financial metrics
- Corporate General Accounting team member for the SAP upgrade project to version 6.0
- Ensured compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements including review and tests of controls and managed the annual SOX sign-off for Corporate.
Finance Manager
Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD)
Franklin Lakes, NJ
11.2004 - 10.2006
- Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and eliminate the instances of customer contract abuse and distributor rebate fraud
- Effectively monitored distributor rebate submissions utilizing SAP and Business Warehouse to create a distributor rebate audit schedule
- Managed, developed, and motivated audit staff, by providing training and setting challenging goals and objectives
- Led a six-sigma cross-functional project team to earn a green belt certification, goal of the project was reviewing the Contract Qualification process to prevent contract abuse and rebate fraud
- Liaised with various internal departments within BD to manage product diversion activities including Rebates, Contracts, Distribution Management, Legal and Business Analytics
- Delivered presentations to various levels of management, including the US Leadership Team, within the sales and finance organizations
- Delivered training for an internal BD course “Great Financial Performance” Finance for Non-Financial Managers.
Audit Supervisor
Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD)
Franklin Lakes, NJ
04.2003 - 11.2004
- Supervised and developed audit staff
- Planned and performed operational, compliance, and financial audits as the auditor-in-charge
- Performed audits in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific/Japan
- Working supervisor managing the team’s day-to-day activities, work schedules, reviewed work papers, performed project assessments, setting deadlines, while also performing audit procedures for key sections of the audit
- Performed post-audit performance assessments as well as annual performance evaluations and goal setting
- Developed various audit programs including Pricing Management, Distributor Rebates, Travel and Entertainment and E&Y Assist
- Prepared data for investigation in audits by analyzing data via various computerized audit tools, such as ACL and Monarch
- Participated in a broad mix of audits and special projects including SAP post-implementation audits, financial reviews and special projects relating to Sarbanes-Oxley including tool implementation.
Senior Auditor/Staff Accountant
ISP/GAF Corporation
- Assisted with risk assessment of auditable entities of the corporation analyzed various levels of inherent and control risk used to develop proposed annual audit plan
- Provided guidance on company policies
- Participated in the monthly close, account analysis and prepared journal entries
- Compiled annual schedules for use by the external auditors and annual report presentation.
Senior Auditor
Prudential Insurance Company
- Performed all stages of audit cycle for operational, compliance and financial audits including planning, fieldwork, and reporting to senior management
- Performed in-depth, detailed financial, compliance and information technology audits working in teams of four to five auditors as well as independently.
Internal Audit Supervisor
International Specialty Products – ISP/GAF Corporation
06.1995 - 04.2003
- Supervised, directed, and motivated Senior, Staff, and Interns in conducting operational, compliance and financial audits for domestic and international locations
- Prepared audit reports for issue to senior management
- Performed follow-up procedures to ensure audit findings were implemented.
Senior Auditor
Quest Diagnostics
- Performed all stages of audit cycle for operational, compliance and financial audits including planning, fieldwork, and reporting to senior management
- Performed in-depth, detailed financial, compliance and information technology audits working in teams of four to five auditors as well as independently.
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Accounting -
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ05.1995
Skills
- SAP v40b, v60 and vS4 Hana
- HFM
- BPC
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Internal Audit Strategy
- Internal Controls
- Data Analytics Proficiency
- GAAP Principles
- SOX Compliance
Certification
- Certified Public Accountant, 2004, Inactive
- Certified Internal Auditor, 2021
- Executive Presence & Influence Certificate -Wharton School of Business - In Progress
- Six Sigma Green Belt
Memberships Affiliations
- Associate Resource Group (ARG) Co-leader
- Institute of Internal Audit (IIA)
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
- Gartner
- AdvaMed
Timeline
Head of Internal Audit/ERM
Embecta Corp.
04.2022 - Current
General Accounting Team Leader
Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD)
10.2006 - 07.2009
Finance Manager
Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD)
11.2004 - 10.2006
Senior Director, Internal Audit
Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD)
04.2003 - 04.2022
Audit Supervisor
Becton Dickinson and Co. (BD)
04.2003 - 11.2004
Internal Audit Supervisor
International Specialty Products – ISP/GAF Corporation
06.1995 - 04.2003
Senior Auditor/Staff Accountant
ISP/GAF Corporation
Senior Auditor
Prudential Insurance Company
Senior Auditor
Quest Diagnostics
Bachelor of Science Degree - Accounting -
Seton Hall University