Today officially marks my last working day at KPMG East Africa!

Today officially marks my last working day at KPMG East Africa!

After 1yr and 5months, I'm leaving KPMG East Africa. I will miss my team of Associates and other business unit sub-teams that I have been collaborating on various projects.

I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I was given to grow my skills, share my experience, collaborate with teams and showcase my competence on various Advisory and IT audit engagements as highlighted below:

Roles, Responsibilities, and Achievements while at KPMG East Africa:

• Prepared reports to update the partnership bi-weekly on the status of the IT audit engagements, IRM audits, directive audits, risk documents, billings, resource allocation, contracts, business development, risk scenarios, training, public trust initiatives, learning, and development.
• Attended the business unit weekly meetings and shared ITA updates to the senior management team.
• Managed the client portfolio, and monitored budget overruns, and disbursements.
• Led IT Audit engagements including; Directive IT Audits, KEPSS reviews, enterprise-wide quality assurance reviews, collaborated on group audits, IT governance reviews, reviewed SOC 1 and SOC 2, and data privacy impact assessments, etc.,
• Reviewed documented audit files, the tests done and reviewed the quality of the fieldwork and deliverables prepared by seniors, associates and other team members.
• Provided thought leadership in enhancing the IT audit function’s risk identification, assessment methodology, audit approach and practices, and facilitated the process while maintaining business relationships across the firm.
• Attended and presented during the regional IT in Audit meetings weekly.
• Kept abreast of emerging technologies with the IT environment and helped in developing audit plans to counter whatever risks that might be associated with the application of such technologies.
• Contributed to the successful design and implementation of audit strategic initiatives through positive and continuous stakeholder engagement; building an understanding of end-to-end project scope and requirements; effective communication; and the identification and management of project risks, all completed within known time and resource constraints, and through continuous support of all members of the team.
• Attended client meetings including debriefs, kick-offs, status meetings, group audit calls, close-out meetings and Board Audit Committee (BAC) and Board meetings.
• Coached IT audit teams on several engagements, and assignments, and ensured that tests are completed as per the agreed IT Audit methodology, scope and timelines.
• Attended management meetings weekly where I updated the management team on IT in audit activities.
• Reviewed and ensured that risk documents were completed on time, and contracting was done on a timely basis.
• Supervised the QP file preparation process.
• Ensured audit quality throughout the IRMs, and other IT audit engagements.
• Supported the Partner in managing the day-to-day operations of the IT in audit delivery teams.
• Established and maintained a comprehensive, dynamic audit assurance strategy for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Delivered concise assurance reporting to relevant stakeholders including senior management, the Board of Directors, and regulators to ensure that responded to the regulator’s requests as needed.
• Communicated with stakeholders, supervised team performance, coached a team of 24 associates, and reviewed the work products of my team.
• Expanded skills as an effective project manager in coordinating IT audit projects and aligned with the audit department’s strategic objectives, both regionally and globally.
• Became a trusted business advisor and served as a relationship manager to provide assurance, insight and objectivity with direct teams and across the organization, including fostering global partnerships towards a shared vision and enhancing collaboration across the third line of defense teams.
• Monitored the business for changes that may affect the risk environment and impact the audit assurance strategy and audit plan.
• Identified and implemented innovative methods and tools to bring efficiencies to the audit process.
• Utilized technology and data analytics to continually learn and innovate, share knowledge with team members, and enhanced service delivery.
• Acted as a leader and role model and continuously improved myself and the IT Audit team department.
• Coordinated engagement sub-teams from different BUs to ensure deliverables are submitted timely.
• Reviewed documented IT audit screens on KCW, the tests done, and review the quality of the fieldwork and deliverables prepared by seniors, associates, and other team members. Ensured that sign-off is done before the file close-out dates.
• Participated in developing audit plans, and scope of engagements, and reviewed UIT builders for all clients, and information request lists.
• Introduced reviews on data privacy during engagement, and developed an audit program for privacy reviews.
• Attended senior management meetings on a weekly basis and updated the FS audit management team on IT in audit activities.
• Reviewed and ensured that risk documents, and contracts, are completed and invoices dispatched are dispatched on time.
• Followed up on delayed payments as per the contractual terms.
• Ensured audit quality throughout the engagements.
• Supported the Partner in managing the day-to-day operations of the audit delivery teams.
• Reviewed risk documents, contracts, and invoices for engagements.
• Reviewed SOC reports on client engagements.
• Established and maintained a comprehensive, dynamic audit assurance strategy for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Joined the Women In Leadership Agenda (WILA) and attended the relaunch event.
• Published seven (7) articles on thought leadership.
• Attended four industry events where I also participated as a guest speaker.
• Contributed to the successful design and implementation of audit strategic initiatives through positive and continuous stakeholder engagement; building an understanding of end-to-end project scope and requirements; while ensuring effective communication; and identification and management of project risks, all completed within known time and resource constraints, and through continuous support of all members of the team
• Provided thought leadership in enhancing the IT audit function’s risk identification, assessment methodology, audit approach, and practices, and facilitate the process while maintaining business relationships across the firm
• Worked collaboratively with the Advisory team and FS team to ensure that we successfully complete audit engagements before set deadlines. i.e. expanded skills as an effective project and practices manager capable of contributing to the overall advancement and coordination of the audit department’s strategic objectives, both regionally and globally.
• Participated in BU activities including the recruitment process, completed performance reviews for PMees, conducted training for recent graduates
• Championed and communicated the weekly learning hour program and ensured that the team attended learning hour sessions.
• Participated in firm-wide activities e.g. participated as a speaker on various panel and internal events e.g. the IWD 2022 and IWD 2023 celebrations, moderated events.
• Prioritized the teams' welfare and progress in various aspects
• Achieved 100% compliance with KPMG compliance requirements
• Identified new opportunities.
• Etc.

IT Audit and other training attained

• 500 Complex issues for Lead IT Audit Professionals.
• 400 Advanced concepts for IT Auditor's assessment.
• Sentinel Requestor training.
• Sentinel Entity Management Roles and responsibilities.
• QPR Certificate for IT audit reviewers.
• WIP Evaluation training.?
• GX_AUD_KCW22_ICA_UPD_ITA_PRO.
• Global Data Privacy Training 2022
• Information Protection Fundamentals 2022
• Global Independence training 2023 - Manager and Above
• COVID 19 Health and safety training
• Business Continuity

+ other mandatory trainings.....

See the captions below:

Participated as a moderator during the KPMG East Africa Private Enterprise Women Leaders Breakfast Roundtable.

Thank you note from the Head of KPMG East Africa Private Enterprise

Awarded the KPMG East Africa Value Champions Award 2022. Given to individuals who bring KPMG Values to life

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/veronica-rose-cisa-cdpse-b24b91124_newyear-award-winner-activity-7018657657037205504-y9ey?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Facilitated a session on Keeping children safe online. Topic: Keeping children safe online

Participated as a panelist during the International Women's Day 2022 Fireside chat

Trained children on being cyber-aware and shared tips for them to be able to recognize cyberbullying and report instances immediately - at the KPMG Uganda Office

Industry event notification

Joined KPMG on January 2022 - May 2023