Annika Stokoe

I am a highly effective, multi skilled professional with over 20 years’ experience in audit, risk and compliance, across the retail and finance sectors. I am conscientious, organised, results driven and I ensure all tasks are completed to the highest standards and with exceptional attention to detail. I have proven ability in working to and within deadlines to support delivery of business objectives.

I am a self-driven, motivated individual who is used to leading and working as part of a successful team, as well as working on my own.

Group Audit and Assurance Manager – Audit, Risk and Compliance team - ScS

November 2017 to present

Responsibilities include:

• Produce the annual corporate audit plan, through review of the principal and functional risks facing the company and individual functions;
• Develop and implement a risk based approach for the store and distribution centre stock and health and safety audit assessments;
• Continuous review of the corporate, stock and health and safety audit plans, to ensure focus remains risk based and value added;
• Delivery of the annual audit plan, covering corporate, stock, compliance and health and safety audits, in line with required standards and timescales;
• Plan, execute and report on the outcome of corporate audits and process improvement reviews to senior management; 
• Management of the field based auditors, to ensure all required store and distribution centre stock and health and safety audits are completed consistently and in line with required timescales;
• Established and manage an audit follow up process for all corporate, stock and health and safety audits;
• Development, review and update of functional risk registers for individual departments within the company, through quarterly meetings with senior management;
• Review and update the strategic risk register in line with external and internal influences and the company’s risk appetite;
• Reporting on key performance indicators on a monthly basis to the Board and senior management team;
• Production of high quality audit and risk papers to present at Audit Committees and Board meetings;
• Attend key stakeholder meetings to discuss performance of the Audit, Risk and Compliance team or to consult and challenge ongoing operational projects;
• Involved in the production and review of the annual report, in particular the risk management section;
• Reviewing potential changes to regulations or standards and providing updates to the Board in terms of the expectations of the company in relation to these changes; and
• Produce and review policies and procedures across the company, including procurement, health and safety, distribution and customer experience, ensuring key processes and controls are fully documented.

July 2012 to June 2017 (made redundant due to relocation of role)

Responsibilities included:

• Identifying risks and manage the delivery of the annual audit plan in line with allocated budget and timeframe;
• Planning and executing operational audits of various business areas using risk-based audit methodology;
• Utilising data analytics to obtain full account coverage of testing of specific internal controls;
• Conducting audits to identify non application or adherence of controls, which would potentially increase the risk of regulatory or financial implications for the company;
• Completing or supervising and reporting on the testing and adequacy of the internal controls;
• Producing reports in line with department standards, highlighting issues and providing corrective actions and areas for improvement;
• Completing audit report follow-up testing to identify if management corrective action plans were executed on time and convey results to senior executive management; 
• Managing and developing junior members of staff within the team;
• Actively engaging with senior staff to gain good understanding of the business and develop key stakeholder relationships; and
• Producing management papers to report on the status of ongoing audits and audit actions and present these to the Executive Committee.

November 2010 to June 2012 (TUPE’d to Deloitte in June 2012)

Responsibilities included:

• Planning and executing operational audits of business areas using risk-based methodology;
• Utilising audit procedures to verify that controls are operating, through testing and interviewing techniques;
• Analysing and concluding upon the effectiveness and efficiency of the control environment;
• Supervising and coaching junior members of staff within the team;
• Preparing audit reports for key stakeholders and Executive Management; 
• Developing and maintaining professional relationships with key stakeholders; and
• Completing audit report follow-up testing to confirm corrective action plans have been implemented.

June 2002 to October 2010 (TUPE’d to Ernst & Young in November 2010)

Responsibilities included:

• Conducting risk assessments and identifying controls in place to mitigate identified risks;
• Planning and executing risk based audits providing detailed and objective review of conformance with company operational policies and procedures;
• Testing the design and effectiveness of internal controls by completing walk-throughs of complex business processes;
• Utilising data analytics to obtain full account coverage of testing of internal controls;
• Performing audit report follow-up testing to identify if corrective action plans of management were executed on time and convey results to senior executive management;
• Maintaining professional relations with key stakeholders to ensure there is engagement from the wider teams; and
• Implementing all areas of audits consisting of audit planning, risk assessments, audit testing, control evaluation and issue remediation.

• January 2021 and January 2023 - IOSH Managing Safety
• January 2021 – Fundamentals of Risk Management course
• December 2002 - June 2004 - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• September 1997 - June 2001 - Northumbria University - 2:1 BA (Hons) International Business Studies
• September 1995 - June 1997 - City of Sunderland College - A Levels - Business Studies, German, French
• September 1990 - June 1995 - Boldon Comprehensive School - GCSEs – 10 subjects grades B-C