Akul Sharma
New Delhi
Summary
Accomplished Internal Controls Lead specializing in risk assessment and process enhancements. Demonstrated success in establishing control frameworks and remediating deficiencies, committed to strengthening organizational governance and operational efficiency.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
SOX Compliance Lead
Ecolab
Pune
09.2024 - Current
- Joined Ecolab as a SOX Compliance Associate and progressed to Hiring and Leading a team of 4 Auditors within six months, reflecting strong ownership, technical depth, and leadership capability in internal controls and audit management.
- Led the establishment of Ecolab’s dedicated Internal Controls (IC) team, transitioning from a peer‑to‑peer review model to an independent controls function, strengthening governance and confidence through a formal second‑line‑of‑defense framework.
- Designed and implemented standardized control design and operating effectiveness (DOE/OE) templates, enabling deeper challenge of review considerations, clearer linkage between risks and controls, and more consistent audit‑ready documentation.
- Defined and refreshed control attributes in line with ICOFR requirements, performing detailed risk assessments to reconcile process activities, financial risks, and attributes.
- Identified and remediated long-standing controls prior to year-end, tracking improvement opportunities through structured monitoring and escalation to enhance control maturity.
- Supported GBS-led process and control harmonization initiatives, standardizing practices across entities and consolidating duplicate controls, which reduced overall control population by 30% while maintaining risk coverage.
- Reviewed and tested internal controls across a broad range of end‑to‑end processes, including Record‑to‑Report, Source‑to‑Pay, Customer Billing and Cash Application, Master Data Governance, Hire‑to‑Retire, Distributor Finance etc.,
- Recognized with an Exceptional performance rating (top 5%), reflecting consistent delivery, impact, and contribution to strengthening Ecolab’s internal control environment.
- Enhanced manual control processes to automation by exploring ERP functionalities and introducing macros and automated templates, aiming to minimize manual error.
Global Internal Controls Auditor
The Kraft Heinz Company
Ahmedabad
01.2023 - 08.2024
- Partnered with Global Internal Controls team to design, test, implement, and evaluate internal control activities, enhancing process effectiveness.
- Reviewed and tested internal controls across 16 end-to-end processes, including record-to-report, material to inventory, master data governance, hire-to-retire, and marketing to consumer.
- Responsible for implementation and evaluation of process changes.
Replaced the previous Control Design testing approach Globally leading to identifying additional 11% deficiencies from last year. - Prepared process narratives and assisted management with the preparation of standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Constantly Involved in Team Engagement Activities to Increase Collaboration and foster healthy work Environment.
Financial Analyst: Audit and Process Improvement
Better
Gurugram
12.2020 - 12.2022
- Assisted the US-Based startup getting listed in NASDAQ and ensuring SEC compliance through setting up the Internal Controls Framework.
- Improved and implemented global expense management, procurement, payroll, and accounting processes by introducing Workday, Coupa, TripActions, and other applications.
- Trained global employees through meetings and created SOP and user guides for application usage.
- Assisted in developing Risk and Control Matrix (RACM) for accounting team to enhance compliance and risk management.
External Auditor
KPMG
New Delhi
11.2019 - 12.2020
- Evaluated over 10 Australia and New Zealand based SMEs for Global Audit team, contributing to comprehensive risk assessments.
- Conducted audits of cash and bank equivalents and property plant and equipment (PPE), ensuring accuracy and reliability of financial reporting.
- Prepared Management Representation Letters (MRLs) and reviewed financial statements for clients, fostering trust and transparency in financial communications.
- Acted as the single point of contact for monitoring employee utilization and tracked resource allocation accurately.
Education
MBA - International Finance
Jain University
Bangalore, India01-2025
Certified Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CSOE) - Internal Controls
SOXCPA
01-2025
ACCA - Finance
Association of Chartered Certified Accountant
03-2026
Bachelor's in Commerce - Finance And Accounting
Maharaja Surajmal Institute
New Delhi, India01-2019
Skills
- Internal controls
- SOX compliance
- Audit management
- Compliance auditing
- Risk assessment
- Control efficacy
- Process improvement
Accomplishments
Exceptional rating for Ecolab's FY25 performance evaluation.
Affiliations
Playing guitar, ukulele, writing poems and literature, and singing.
Timeline
SOX Compliance Lead
Ecolab
09.2024 - Current
Global Internal Controls Auditor
The Kraft Heinz Company
01.2023 - 08.2024
Financial Analyst: Audit and Process Improvement
Better
12.2020 - 12.2022
External Auditor
KPMG
11.2019 - 12.2020
MBA - International Finance
Jain University
Certified Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CSOE) - Internal Controls
SOXCPA
ACCA - Finance
Association of Chartered Certified Accountant
Bachelor's in Commerce - Finance And Accounting
Maharaja Surajmal Institute