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Fairfax, VA

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Summary Director Audit Risk Management, MBA, CPA Connect with me on LinkedIn using: ►►► Mernestm@aol.com ◄◄ ◄ All Invitations to Connect Welcome LION – LinkedIn Open Networker **************** Recruiters, HR Managers, Hiring Managers connect with me to get access to my network deep in industry leadership. **************** Open to relocation. Preferred Locations: Greater Boston Area, Eastern U.S. Region, Texas Results oriented Chief Audit Executive with significant experience overseeing operational, financial, IT, fraud, SOX, and contractor audits at Fortune 500 companies in a diversity of industries including oil & gas, retail, consumer products, hospitality, and energy. Experienced with enterprise risk management, audit team reorganization, outsourcing, adding value, and reporting to audit committees, CEOs, and CFOs. If you would like to brainstorm or collaborate on any of these perspectives, call me at 703-537-0175. Experience Founder | Director Audit Risk Management Audit Risk Management Leadership in the Greater Boston Area 2013 – Present (1 year)Greater Boston Area Attending Networking Events Researching Industry Leaders Tracking Industry Trends Participating in Industry Discussions Guest Services, Inc. - Leading U.S. provider of hospitality management services Audit Director Guest Services, Inc. - Leading U.S. provider of hospitality management services October 2007 – April 2013 (5 years 7 months)Fairfax, VA Recruited to define, deploy, and direct risk-based audit framework, serving as critical advisor and contributor to executive leadership team and Audit Committee. Mentored, coached, and trained 3 team members. Evaluated enterprise-wide operations and client contracts, ensuring compliance with corporate and government regulations, and product pricing agreements. Approved and summarized audit results and recommendations for senior management, devising strategies and action plans to address findings, mitigate risks, and improve efficiency. Developed and delivered broad-based staff training to improve morale, productivity, and performance. • Credited with pioneering and directing company’s 1st enterprise-wide risk assessment; Identified and communicated strategic risks and recommendations to Board. Developed annual risk-based audit plan and triggered positive organizational change. • Prioritized and expedited operational audits by introducing risk based rating system for 150+ units across the U.S. • Spearheaded 1st cultural survey to evaluate control environment, based upon COSO control framework. • Overhauled and updated Audit Committee and Internal Audit Department Charters in alignment with regulatory requirements and best practices. • Generated $100,000 savings in fuel taxes by enhancing documentation and reporting processes. • Noted for elevating accuracy and accountability of vendor rebates totaling more than $1 million. • Led successful implementation of employee hotline administered by 3rd party provider; performed vendor research and selection, managed implementation processes, and organized Ethics Committee. • Identified need and drafted new bilingual Code of Conduct, well-received among managers and employees as comprehensive, understandable, and user friendly. • Championed and steered initiative to outsource company’s 1st IT audits, leading to significant improvements in data and information security. Integrys Energy Group - $7 billion energy/utility company Audit Director, Risk Management Integrys Energy Group - $7 billion energy/utility company 2001 – 2007 (6 years)Green Bay, WI Held chief leadership and management accountability of corporate risk assessment and audit operations. Presided over departmental budgeting, projects, employee recruitment and training, risk assessments, special investigations, outsourcing and vendor relations. Introduced innovative risk-based audit strategies and ERM processes. Supervised and motivated team of 10 Auditors. Established culture of compliance and control to ensure SOX, NYSE, and SEC compliance. Developed action plans to remediate control deficiency and implement efficiency improvements. Selected Achievements: • Acknowledged for restructuring and re-focusing entire Audit function toward a risk-based methodology while tripling department size from 3 to 10 staff Auditors; successfully accommodated explosive corporate growth and rapidly changing business environment due to deregulation. • Created, implemented and maintained strategies and best practices to strengthen internal controls and guarantee full compliance with SOX regulations. Successfully passed Section 302 and 404 requirements with no significant deficiencies. • Spearheaded and launched ERM initiative aimed at quickly and cost-efficiently identifying, prioritizing, mitigating, and tracking organizational risks; produced risk-based audit plan and delivered quarterly updates to Audit Committee. • Tapped to analyze control procedures and oversee contractor audits for high profile $750 million power plant construction project. • Championed and won support for implementation of Ethics Hotline. • Drove transformation of internal audit and risk functions from strictly compliance to value-added risk management. • Strengthened and implemented internal controls, risk based disciplines, and ERM methodologies; ensuring continuous compliance with GAAP, SOX, and corporate regulations. CompUSA Audit Director, Risk Management CompUSA 1997 – 2000 (3 years)Dallas, TX Established and directed company’s 1st Internal Audit Department; recruited and supervised 5 Auditors. Managed controls consulting for award-winning SAP implementation project completed in record time. Administered and expanded ISO Program. • Coordinated Audit Committee activities and agendas. Formalized their roles and responsibilities, developed an annual agenda, and reduced number of meetings. • Oversaw controls consulting on a SAP implementation project done in record time that won an award for the best run SAP project in North America. • Viewed as a resource and assisted in special projects ranging from due diligence to using audit software to facilitate other departments’ data analysis and continuous monitoring needs. • Focused efforts on identifying relevant risks and developing partnerships with clients to enable all parties to have their concerns addressed during reviews. • Responsible for administration and expansion of the ISO program. Passed all surveillance audits by the ISO registrar with no major issues noted. Staples Audit Manager Staples 1995 – 1997 (2 years)Framingham, MA Administered and enhanced the development of the internal audit function at one of the ten fastest growing retail companies in U.S. history. Responsibilities included enterprise wide risk assessments, planning, budgeting, recruiting, and team building for 16 professionals. Improved reporting relationships with the Audit Committee, management, and staff by developing a more risk-based approach to audits, promoting training within the department, and modifying reporting styles. Audit Manager Ocean Spray Cranberries 1987 – 1995 (8 years)Lakeville, MA Reporting to the CFO and Audit Committee was responsible for budgeting, recruiting, reporting, and enterprise risk assessments to develop a risk based annual audit plan. Conducted audits and special projects of operational, financial, IT, and contractual activities. Participated in the TQM process, developed annual training programs for the finance department, and initiated and managed a formal records management program. ExxonMobil Associate Auditor ExxonMobil 1981 – 1986 (5 years)Houston, TX Supervised operational, financial, compliance, contractual, and fraud audits in the exploration, production, refining, and chemical divisions. Participated in scoping, analyzing, designing audit programs, and communicating results to senior management. Individual entities often had revenues and expenditures equivalent to Fortune 500 companies. Volunteer Experience & Causes Secretary, Treasurer, President, QAR Examiner The Institute of Internal Auditors Inc. 1990 – 2007 (17 years)Education Have served in leadership roles in IIA chapters in Boston, Dallas, and Green Bay Teacher Junior Achievement Education Served as a Junior Achievement teacher in the Middleboro, MA school system for three years, recruited others to teach, and won a school award for my efforts. Opportunities Michael is looking for: Joining a nonprofit board Skills-based volunteering (pro bono consulting) Causes Michael cares about: Animal Welfare Children Economic Empowerment Education Environment Disaster and Humanitarian Relief Organizations IIA Secretary, Treasurer, President, Volunteer QAR Certifications CPA Texas Board of Public Accountancy, License 034147 October 2013 – September 2014 Skills Top Skills 24Auditing 23Internal Controls 19Internal Audit 15Enterprise Risk... 9Sarbanes-Oxley 7COSO 4IT Audit 3Financial Reporting 3Accounting 3Financial Accounting Michael also knows about... 3CPA 3Assurance 3Risk Management 2Fraud 2Strategic Planning 2CISA 1Financial Analysis 1Outsourcing 1Compliance 1Consulting 1Retail 1Audit Committee 1Process Improvement 1Business Process... 1Operational Risk... See 25+ Education Texas A&M University Texas A&M University MBA, Management 1979 – 1980 Boston College Boston College BS, Accounting 1973 – 1977 Southwick High School Additional Info Personal Details Marital Status Married Advice for Contacting Michael Am available and am looking for opportunities leading internal audit departments, compliance, strategic planning, and/or risk management. Call: 920.445.1975 or email mernestm@aol.com

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