Aamir Syed

Senior Internal Audit and SOX/ICFR Compliance leader with 15+ years of experience across public sector, financial services, banking, and mining organizations in North America and the Middle East. Proven track record designing and testing internal control frameworks under SOX Section 404 and the COSO Internal Control–Integrated Framework, leading Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) programs, and directing fraud investigations involving asset misappropriation and abuse of authority. Trusted advisor to executive leadership and Audit Committees, with deep expertise in IT General Controls (ITGC), governance, regulatory compliance, and data-driven audit reporting.

CISA and CRMA certified; currently pursuing CIA certification.

Senior Internal Auditor - Toronto District School Board (TDSB) - Toronto, ON

(2019-01)

Lead risk-based operational, compliance, financial, and advisory audits for a public-sector organization with an annual operating budget exceeding CAD $3.5 billion.

• Conduct enterprise risk assessments using the COSO ERM Framework to identify operational, financial, compliance, and strategic risks across the organization.
• Evaluate internal controls and governance processes, identifying opportunities to strengthen compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Lead fraud investigations involving financial misconduct, abuse of authority, procurement irregularities, and asset misappropriation.
• Develop audit reports and present findings and recommendations directly to executive leadership and the Audit Committee.
• Liaise with external auditors, government ministries, and the provincial Auditor General's office on audit findings and compliance matters.
• Provide advisory services to senior leadership on governance, risk management, internal controls, and regulatory compliance.
• Mentor audit staff and school-level administrators on internal control best practices and risk management.
• Designed and implemented an organization-wide risk-based audit program spanning operational and financial processes.
• Strengthened procurement compliance by aligning internal policy with government directives, reducing control gaps identified in prior review cycles.
• Led multiple high-profile investigations into financial misconduct and policy violations, resulting in corrective action and process remediation.

Senior Internal Auditor - Ontario Internal Audit Division — Ontario Public Service - Toronto, ON

(2014-01 - 2018-06)

Managed the full internal audit lifecycle — planning, risk assessment, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up — across multiple government ministries and agencies.

• Conducted operational, financial, compliance, procurement, transfer-payment, and Value-for-Money audits.
• Performed risk assessments and evaluated internal controls, developing practical recommendations to improve governance and operational efficiency.
• Led compliance investigations involving ethics violations and fraud.
• Prepared executive-level reports and Audit Committee materials under aggressive deadlines.
• Supervised consultants and coordinated audit activities across multiple ministries and agencies.
• Supported audit engagements performed on behalf of the provincial Auditor General.
• Led audit and compliance oversight for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, covering programs with funding exceeding CAD $1.4 billion.

SOX / Internal Controls Consultant - ATB Financial - Edmonton, AB

(2012-01 - 2013-09)

Documented and tested Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) supporting enterprise-wide SOX compliance initiatives.

• Identified, documented, and evaluated key financial controls across multiple banking processes.
• Partnered with business process owners to strengthen internal controls and improve governance.
• Developed detailed process documentation and testing workpapers supporting management's SOX certification.
• Documented 25 critical business processes and evaluated 300+ key controls within aggressive implementation timelines.

Senior Internal Auditor - Endeavour Mining Corporation

(2008-03 - 2011-12)

Led SOX Section 404 compliance initiatives supporting CEO/CFO certification, aligned with Canadian NI 52-109 (Canada's SOX-equivalent certification requirement).

• Designed sustainable SOX compliance programs, including control documentation, walkthroughs, testing, remediation, and ongoing monitoring.
• Performed Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) assessments across mining operations.
• Evaluated IT General Controls (ITGC), application controls, logical access, change management, segregation of duties, and entity-level controls.
• Partnered with finance, IT, operations, and executive leadership to strengthen governance and regulatory compliance.
• Established the organization's SOX internal control framework, supporting long-term regulatory compliance.
• Redesigned HR and access-control processes, improving segregation of duties and reducing operational risk.

Senior Internal Auditor - Mashreq Bank - Dubai, UAE

International experience spanning banking operations, financial reporting, accounting, and internal controls across multinational business environments.

Supplies Change Supervisor - Tetra Pak - Dubai, UAE

International experience spanning banking operations, financial reporting, accounting, and internal controls across multinational business environments.

Senior Accountant - Siemens - Saudi Arabia

International experience spanning banking operations, financial reporting, accounting, and internal controls across multinational business environments.

Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting, Auditing & Economics