Dhiraj Alijar

Enterprise Risk & Compliance leader with 20+ years' experience driving internal audit, governance, and risk management programs across Asia-Pacific and global markets. Combines deep expertise in SOX, COSO, and IPO-readiness frameworks with deep expertise in cybersecurity, cloud and risk assurance with innovative use of data analytics and AI to strengthen controls, anticipate emerging risks, and enable growth. Recognised for partnering with CFOs, Risk and Audit Committees to deliver forward-looking risk insights, high-impact audit outcomes, and public-company-ready governance.

Proven record of reducing high-risk exposures by 40%, achieving 100% SOX compliance, and leading award-winning compliance programs.

Director, Controls & Compliance - Microsoft Corporation – ASEAN - Singapore

(2022-10)

Lead risk management and compliance across 6 ASEAN subsidiaries, delivering strategic and emerging risk insights to senior leadership in alignment with COSO & ISO 31000.

• Reduced high-risk deal exposure by 40% through early screening and targeted interventions, directly supporting audit readiness.
• Rolled out a globally adopted AI-driven compliance analytics tool, improving early detection of risk indicators by 50% and enabling proactive remediation.
• Partner with Legal, Privacy, IT Security, and Finance to design controls for new initiatives, embedding compliance into onboarding and deal processes.
• Chair Microsoft's Emerging Risks Working Group for Cloud & AI, influencing global Responsible AI, Cybersecurity resilience policy.
• Achieved 100% SOX compliance and "Green" audit ratings across all subsidiaries; collaborate with Internal Audit to resolve findings swiftly.

Compliance Lead, APAC Area HQ - Microsoft Corporation – ASEAN - Singapore

(2018-01 - 2022-09)

Directed compliance and risk governance across APAC, leading the APAC Compliance Committee and integrating risk considerations into strategic planning.

• Led Microsoft's Next Gen Compliance Analytics initiative, delivering an AI-powered detection tool for high-risk transactions; recognised with the Microsoft Worldwide Best Compliance Workstream Award 2022.
• Maintained APAC risk heat-map and briefed CFOs and GMs on emerging risks, enabling proactive pivots and resource allocation.
• Designed the APAC Subsidiary Compliance Support Model, later scaled globally to 100+ countries.

Group Finance Manager, Controls & Compliance, South East Asia - Microsoft Corporation – ASEAN - Bangkok, Thailand

(2015-07 - 2017-12)

Oversaw internal controls and compliance across 9 Southeast Asian countries, embedding risk awareness into all business units.

• Introduced "Compliance Scorecard" to monitor control health, reducing audit findings year-on-year.
• Initiated "Open Transactions Analytics," now the foundation of Microsoft's global High-Risk Deal Analytics programme.

Controls & Compliance Manager, India - Microsoft Corporation – ASEAN - Gurgaon, India

(2011-04 - 2015-06)

Led risk and compliance for Microsoft India, embedding a "compliance-first" mindset into high-growth strategies.

• Built and standardised controls for anti-corruption, ECIF, and spend management, significantly reducing non-compliance incidents.
• Earned the Microsoft India CFO Award (2014) for excellence in finance, risk, and compliance leadership.

Manager - KPMG – Risk Advisory Services - India, UAE, UK

(2003-09 - 2011-03)

• Spearheaded major compliance and governance initiatives in the Middle East, including establishing a comprehensive group compliance framework for Ithmar Group (Dubai) and launching Rana Investments (Saudi Arabia) from inception into a fully operational, regulator ready investment firm.
• Led the audit of a UAE investment holding company and its diverse portfolio (construction, retail, hospitals, education), designing a common framework, audit program, and board level reporting structure to strengthen governance and control consistency across sectors.
• Directed SOX 404 and internal audits for global clients across technology, healthcare, and manufacturing, enhancing control evaluation and integrity in preparation for IPO readiness.
• Managed a 30 member forensic team in a major IT fraud investigation, delivering actionable insights and remediation strategies.
• Provided risk advisory and regulatory compliance support to clients in RSA and UAE, building familiarity with GCC regulatory environments and sector specific requirements.

Chartered Accountant Internship - S. Bhansali & Associates

(2000 - 2003)

Auditing, financial reporting, and compliance testing across industries.

Chartered Accountant (CA) - The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (2003)

Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting & Finance - Annamalai University (2002)

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - ISACA (2005)

Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) - SCCE (2017)