Financial Audit & Assurance

Who Are We

HALA is a leading fintech player in the MENAP region that aims to redefine financial services and build the future bank of SMEs. HALA aims at empowering SMEs to start, run, and grow their businesses by providing them with cutting-edge financial and technological tools.

HALA currently holds multiple entities in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt (including HALA Payments and HALA Logistics) and offers solutions that enable merchants to digitize their payments as well as manage their sales and operations.

Founded in 2017, HALA is currently licensed by the Saudi Arabian Central Bank.

Objective:

We are seeking a senior auditor to join our Internal Audit team and perform risk-based financial, accounting, and finance-related audits across HALA. The senior auditor will be responsible for planning and executing audits covering financial reporting, accounting processes, financial controls, treasury, revenue assurance, reconciliations, financial instruments, and other finance-related activities. The role involves evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls, assessing compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and accounting standards, identifying financial and operational risks, and providing practical recommendations to strengthen financial governance, reporting accuracy, operational effectiveness, and risk management. The position will also contribute to the execution of the approved Internal Audit Plan, development of audit methodology, supervision of audit resources, and delivery of high-quality audit reports and insights to senior management and the Audit Committee.

Responsibilities:

• Perform audit planning activities, including risk assessments, audit scoping, identification of key financial risks and controls, development of audit programs, and preparation of testing procedures

• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of financial controls, identify control deficiencies, assess their financial and operational impact, and provide practical recommendations to strengthen the control environment.

• Assess the accuracy, completeness, validity, and integrity of financial records, transactions, account balances, management reports, and financial statements.

• Review financial reporting processes and compliance with applicable accounting standards, including IFRS as adopted in Saudi Arabia, relevant SOCPA requirements, and other applicable local accounting standards.

• Conduct audits of key finance processes, including financial close and reporting, journal entries, revenue recognition, expenditure management, fixed assets, provisions, accruals, intercompany transactions, and financial reconciliations.

• Review treasury operations, cash management, bank reconciliations, payment processes, liquidity management, and controls over financial assets and liabilities.

• Evaluate controls over revenue streams, merchant settlements, transaction processing, refunds, chargebacks, commissions, and other financial activities relevant to HALA’s FinTech operations.

• Assess compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and recognized accounting and control frameworks, including SAMA requirements, Companies Law, SOCPA, IFRS, and other relevant regulatory requirements.

• Review financial controls over technology-enabled processes, financial applications, interfaces, and data flows, in coordination with IT Audit and relevant technology stakeholders.

• Conduct interviews, walkthroughs, and process reviews with Finance, Treasury, Accounting, Operations, Risk, Compliance, and other relevant stakeholders to understand processes and associated controls.

• Perform substantive and control-based audit testing, including analytical reviews, sample testing, reconciliation reviews, journal entry testing, and validation of supporting documentation.

• Identify potential financial misstatements, control weaknesses, process inefficiencies, fraud risks, and regulatory compliance gaps, and assess their implications for the organization.

• Prepare clear, concise, and evidence-based audit reports, working papers, and executive presentations communicating audit findings, risk implications, root causes, and actionable recommendations.

• Present audit findings and recommendations to senior management and facilitate discussions to obtain agreement on corrective action plans, responsible owners, and target completion dates.

• Monitor and validate the implementation of agreed management actions through periodic follow-up reviews and provide independent assurance over the effectiveness of remediation activities, including validation of regulatory observations where required.

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Finance, Treasury, Accounting, Risk Management, Compliance, Operations, and external stakeholders while preserving audit independence and objectivity.

• Support the execution of the approved Internal Audit Plan and contribute to the preparation of risk assessments, audit planning, Audit Committee reporting, and periodic updates on audit activities.

• Stay abreast of emerging financial risks, changes in accounting standards, regulatory requirements, FinTech developments, and evolving internal audit and risk management practices.

• Review audit working papers, ensure quality and timely delivery of engagements, and contribute to knowledge sharing and professional development within the Internal Audit Department.

Requirements:

• Master / bachelor’s degree

• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in audit & assurance

• Strong understanding of auditing principles and practices

• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and meet deadlines

• Knowledge of internal controls and risk management frameworks

• Strong understanding of financial accounting, auditing principles, internal controls, risk management, and financial