LEENA SINDHWA
Mumbai
Summary
Dynamic internal audit professional with 15+ years of experience focusing on Insurance sector and 10+ years of extensive experience at EY LLP, excelling in risk management and compliance. Proven track record in leading audit transformations and enhancing stakeholder relationships. Skilled in strategic planning and team leadership, recognized for developing the Insurance Playbook and driving enterprise risk management initiatives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager
EY LLP
06.2021 - Current
- Managed internal audit and process reviews for Indian insurance clients, overseeing team management, recruitment activities, and knowledge sharing initiatives through the Internal Audit Delivery Toolkit - Insurance.
- Manage a diverse portfolio of client engagements and lead a team of internal audit professionals.
- Lead the creation and execution of internal audit plans that meet engagement objectives and adhere to professional standards for our co-source and out-source clients
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align engagement expectations and deliver consistent communication.
- Cultivated and maintained client relationships to ensure service expectations and deliverables were met.
- Identified new opportunities for internal audit and risk management through market analysis.
- Led ERM implementation for a global client in the MENA region.
- Received Recognition from EY Quality Leader for preparation of Insurance Playbook and contribution to EY Knowledge sharing
- Have experience in managing Transformation projects by performing various roles such Project Manager and Business Analyst
Senior Consultant
EY LLP
09.2018 - 06.2021
- Conducted internal audit assignments for leading life and general insurance companies in India, ensuring compliance and operational integrity.
- Conducted internal audit assignments and issue assurance for Old Mutual Insure South Africa, which included travel to South Africa. Documented standard operating procedures for a leading life insurance company in Vietnam.
- Led controls transformation and compliance management initiatives for Allianz, enhancing regulatory adherence and risk mitigation.
- Executed enterprise risk management review for leading life insurance company in India, identifying potential risks and recommending improvement strategies.
Consultant
EY LLP
11.2015 - 09.2018
- Led internal audit engagements, supervising process and control assessment, data analysis, control testing, and audit reporting for general insurance companies in India.
- Conducted SOX testing for Zurich Insurance Group and travelled to Sydney - Australia, assessing key controls and documenting testing outcomes.
- Has designed the risk control matrix for different processes which included operations (claims and policy servicing), underwriting, sales and distribution, branch operations and compliance.
- Reviewed financial reporting and control framework for life and general insurance company.
- Conducted audits in Human Resources, third-party and vendor risk management, and marketing and branding.
Assistant Manager - Internal Audit
L&T Finance
05.2013 - 11.2015
- Planned and scoped audit areas, conducted meetings with process owners to understand business processes, identified risks and gaps, performed data analysis, conducted fieldwork, facilitated audit clarifications and discussions with auditees, and prepared and finalized audit report based on findings.
- Managed co-sourced audit firms, reviewed execution and working papers, and finalized reports to ensure compliance and accuracy.
- Assisted immediate supervisors during audit committee meetings by preparing the audit committee presentation.
- Prepared action taken reports and followed up on issues to ensure timely resolution and implementation of audit recommendations.
- Passed professional examinations for Licentiate papers at Insurance Institute of India, demonstrating knowledge in key insurance concepts.
Internal Audit Officer
Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited
08.2011 - 05.2013
- Acquired knowledge of general insurance principles through targeted research and training.
- Analyzed business processes, conducted field work, and met with process owners to identify risks and gaps.
- Retrieved data from Computron, S3 Applications, and Prodcomm for analysis.
- Supported audit teams by assisting in audit execution and issue verification.
- Formatting, editing the audit reports & issuing through RITA application.
- Assisting the Head of Internal Audit & seniors during Audit committee, while preparing the audit committee presentation & other audit committee supporting.
Internal Audit Trainee
Aditya Birla Group
08.2010 - 06.2011
- Acquired business knowledge of Retail-Supermarkets & Hypermarkets.
- Downloading data from Oracle, Cubes, Navision & Structured Query language & performing data Analysis.
- Analyzed business processes, performed data analysis, and conducted field work to identify risks and gaps.
- Prepared audit reports that identified process gaps for management review.
- Secured position through competitive campus recruitment at Aditya Birla Group.
- Completed Internal Audit Internship Programme 2010 with Corporate Audit Function at Aditya Birla Group, focusing on retail business operations.
Education
MBA - Finance
ICFAI University
07-2013
Bachelor's Degree of Commerce - Accounting & Financial Management
Mumbai University
03-2008
12th -
Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics
02-2005
10th -
St Mary's English School
Malad, W03-2003
Skills
- Internal Audit & Control
- Risk Assessment & Management
- Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)
- Compliance Management
- Operational Risk Assessment
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Change Management
- Team Building & Leadership
- Cross - Functional Collaboration
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Marathi
- Gujarati
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 11/05/87
- Nationality: Indian
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening music
- Singing
Honors And Awards
- Long Service Award - 10 years at EY
- Knowledge Contribution - Internal Audit Delivery Toolkit - Insurance
- EY Captives Carnival Leadership Jam Board
- KUDOS - 11/01/21
- KUDOS - 10/01/20
- KUDOS - 02/01/20
- India (Regional) winners of 'Better begins with you'
- KUDOS - 03/01/16
Areas Of Interest
- Internal Audit
- Risk Management
- SOX Compliance
Timeline
Manager
EY LLP
06.2021 - Current
Senior Consultant
EY LLP
09.2018 - 06.2021
Consultant
EY LLP
11.2015 - 09.2018
Assistant Manager - Internal Audit
L&T Finance
05.2013 - 11.2015
Internal Audit Officer
Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited
08.2011 - 05.2013
Internal Audit Trainee
Aditya Birla Group
08.2010 - 06.2011
MBA - Finance
ICFAI University
Bachelor's Degree of Commerce - Accounting & Financial Management
Mumbai University
12th -
Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics
10th -
St Mary's English School