Tirana, Tirana, Albania
I am a versatile, insightful and accomplished accountancy professional who demonstrates advanced skills spanning all aspects of internal audit, legal and compliance. I excel when consulting with others to solve problems and maximize results. Throughout my career I have coupled an in-depth technical knowledge and leadership expertise, with a proven record of interpreting regulation and ensuring consistent regulatory compliance. I pride myself on delivering high quality outcomes within agreed timescales, including realizing both costs and time savings through efficient collaborative working. I am adept at managing multiple competing priorities under pressure, and using creative thinking to resolve emergent issues. I believe I am a natural team builder with a clear understanding of wider corporate context, and a true commitment to continual learning and improvement.
I was approached to join the National Agency of Natural Resources ("The Agency") in the role of Deputy Executive Director, given the expertise I hold in the audit, finance, accounting, legal, compliance, and management in the hydrocarbon industry. My role consist of performing a variety of complex management functions in order to achieve the Agency mission, which consists of developing and overseeing the exploitation of natural resources in a rational manner based on government policies in the mineral, hydrocarbon, and renewable energy sectors. Oversee the execution and monitoring of the implementation of the concessionary agreements, focusing on budgeting, financials, and technical aspects.
Consulting services to local and international entities on various aspects regarding financial, compliance, and legal.
In 2015 I undertook leadership of a combined team of c. 20 highly motivated staff (including recruitment) and membership of the senior management team. I was responsible for coordinating and overseeing internal audit strategy, identification of risk areas, communication of deficiencies, and definition & implementation of solutions. I drove the continual review and improvement of procedures/policies in line with market/industry developments, regulations, licenses, and petroleum agreements. I have liaised with external auditors and provided updates to senior colleagues on a range of internal control system topics, ICFR, and financial reporting status. Central to my success was maintaining a constant awareness of industry developments, trends, and best practices, and assessing potential impact upon the organisation. I also fulfilled a critical advisory role incl. developing manuals that support colleagues in applying regulations and achieving compliance. I was also head of the company’s whistle-blower unit which is also regulated by Albanian laws.
In 2012 I was headhunted to join Albania’s most operationally complex and highest turnover company, a Canada-based oil & gas E&P firm which employs 500+ staff and generates up to $700m yearly. I subsequently hired and developed an internal audit team of 4, and led them in the execution of a complex remit of duties. My activities included leading a comprehensive review and update of all audit processes, risk management procedures and operational activities to ensure they were fit for purpose and reflected the company’s current requirements. I coordinated all internal audit activities and proactively sought to improve the internal control environment and corporate governance; ensuring total compliance with all relevant regulations, laws and statutes. I also tested internal controls over financial reporting and provided analysis in order to identify gaps and propose changes to the Board. In this role I served as liaison point between the company and external auditors from various institutions on activities such as licensing, compliance, IFRS and statutory financial statement audits.
In 2005 I was recruited as Junior Auditor before securing promotion to Senior in 2008 based on my exceptional performance. During my time with KPMG I promoted knowledge share and skills development throughout the audit team; proactively identifying skills gaps and working collaboratively. I provided high-quality services to c. 50 national and international FSI entities and commercial companies representing industries such as telecoms, FMCG, construction, retail, energy, ISP and not-for-profit; clients incl. I served as key client liaison and team supervisor, leading engagements to audit financial statements and provide clients with assurance of their conformity with local GAAP, IFRS and / or Group reporting guidelines. This success was built on the application of my in-depth knowledge of IFRS, NAS and IAS. I also led the review of interoffice reporting packages for Group Audits, evaluated client procedures and potential risks, and devised / presented process improvements and controls to mitigate exposure and maximize compliance.