Saadullah Ashar

A results-driven Chartered Accountant (ACA) and seasoned Internal Audit & Risk Management professional with over 8 years of progressive experience across large-scale manufacturing conglomerates. Operates within the Internal Control – Integrated Framework and the IIA International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF), reporting directly to Board Audit Committees and Boards of Directors to deliver independent assurance on governance, risk management, and internal control effectiveness. Demonstrated expertise in enterprise-wide risk-based audit planning, ERM framework design, SOP development, fraud risk management, Oracle ERP controls, and IFRS compliance across Textile, Chemical, Glass, Energy, and FMCG sectors.

Manager – Internal Audit & Risk Management at Ghani Global Group of Companies (Ghani Chemical Industries Ltd. | Ghani Global Glass Ltd. | Ghani Global Holdings Ltd. | Ghani Chemworld Ltd.) (2025-03 – Present)

Reporting Line: Functionally accountable to the Board Audit Committee and the Board of Directors; administratively reports to Group CEO.

• Architect and execute the Group-wide annual risk-based internal audit plan across four entities in alignment with IIA Standards and the COSO IC Framework, covering Procurement, Sales & Receivables, Treasury, Production & Costing, Inventory, HR & Payroll, Fixed Assets, and Civil Works.
• Present audit findings, root-cause analyses, and management action plans directly to the Board Audit Committee and Board of Directors, ensuring material control deficiencies receive timely Board-level visibility.
• Oversee the end-to-end audit lifecycle — risk scoping, fieldwork, control testing, and remediation follow-up — upholding independence and objectivity per the IIA Code of Ethics.
• Design and maintain an ERM framework aligned with COSO ERM (2017) and ISO 31000, encompassing risk identification, quantitative and qualitative risk evaluation, risk appetite definition, and residual risk monitoring.
• Develop and track Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and risk heat maps, enabling early-warning monitoring and trend-based reporting to the Board Audit Committee.
• Facilitate enterprise-wide risk identification workshops with plant and department heads to maintain the Group's risk register.
• Integrate ERM outputs with the annual risk-based audit plan to align audit coverage with high-residual-risk area.
• Develop and implement SOPs for mission-critical processes including O2C, P2P, Civil Works, Warehouse & Inventory Management, Leave Encashment, and Treasury Management, benchmarked against international control frameworks.
• Lead business process re-engineering initiatives, identifying control gaps across the five COSO components and recommending redesigned workflows to improve operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Direct enterprise-wide asset tagging, physical verification, and reconciliation across all Group plants and Head Office in compliance with ICAP TR-6 and IAS 16, providing Board-level assurance on fixed asset register integrity.
• Provide independent oversight on forensic investigations, fraud risk assessments, cost reviews, and special audit assignments, delivering actionable intelligence and Recommendations to the Board Audit Committee and senior management in compliance with ACFE Fraud Risk Management principles.
• Collaborate with Oracle ERP administrators and IT stakeholders to design and operationalise system-based controls, including automated three-way purchase order matching, segregation-of-duties (SoD) configurations, and exception-reporting dashboards, strengthening IT general controls and audit trail integrity.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the internal audit team, instilling a risk-intelligent, control-focused culture aligned with IIA IPPF standards and fostering continuous professional development in areas including IFRS, data analytics, and forensic auditing.

Deputy Manager – Internal Audit and Risk Management at Sapphire Textile Mills Limited (2023-01 – 2025-02)

• Business Process Re-Engineering: Conducted comprehensive assessments of existing business processes to identify control deficiencies and design weaknesses; formulated targeted recommendations to strengthen process controls and enhance operational governance.
• Risk-Based Audit Programmes: Designed and executed risk-based audit programmes encompassing fieldwork, control testing, process walkthroughs, and working-paper documentation across P2P, O2C, Inventory, Fixed Assets, IT General Controls, and Stores functions.
• Treasury & Banking Controls: Performed detailed Bank Reconciliation Statement reviews and treasury function audits, assessing the adequacy of cash management controls, payment authorisation frameworks, and liquidity risk oversight.
• Variance & Cost Analysis: Conducted in-depth variance analysis and pre- vs. post-costing comparisons in coordination with plant technical directors, delivering actionable insights to improve manufacturing cost management and operational decision-making.
• Control & Compliance Assessment: Assessed the design and operating effectiveness of operational, financial, and IT system controls, pinpointing risk exposures and compliance gaps across complex manufacturing environments.
• SOP Development: Developed and implemented process-specific SOPs across key audit domains to standardise internal controls and embed governance best practices across the organisation.

Senior Audit Associate at Shinewing Hameed Chaudhri & Company (Chartered Accountants) (2018-11 – 2022-06)

• Audit Team Leadership: Led multi-member audit engagement teams — planning and assigning work, supervising fieldwork, coaching junior associates, and maintaining timely reporting to managers and engagement partners in compliance with ISA standards and ICAP quality control requirements.
• Financial Reporting: Prepared and reviewed financial statements and required disclosures in full compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Analytical Procedures: Performed rigorous analytical procedures to identify unusual trends, financial anomalies, and performance deviations, informing audit risk assessments and enhancing the reliability of audit conclusions.
• Financial Modelling & Advisory: Prepared budgeted financial statements, cash flow analyses, and feasibility studies to support client strategic planning and investment decision-making.
• Industry Exposure: Delivered statutory audit and assurance services across Textile, Manufacturing & Retail, Investment, Sugar, Power & Energy, Education, and Employee Benefit Fund (Provident Fund, Gratuity, and Pension) sectors.

Chartered Accountant (ACA) – ICAP, Lahore (2024-06)

Intermediate in Computer Science – BISE, Lahore (2015-12)

Matriculation – BISE, Lahore (2013-12)