Dilara Mericer Silahtar
Group Internal Audit And Internal Control Director At Özak Global Holding
Istanbul
Summary
Motivated audit and risk professional with a strong work profile in Retail, Construction, Media Production, and Hospitality. Over 20 years of experience in internal audit, internal controls, process development, continuous improvement, enterprise risk management, fraud investigations, and compliance. Committed to enhancing the control environment and culture in alignment with company strategic objectives. Possessing international background from extensive worldwide audit experience. Consistently contributes to achieving organizational goals. Proven track record in delivering assurance transformation programs, implementing cultural change, and driving digitalization initiatives.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Group Internal Audit and Internal Control Director
Özak Global Holding
2020.01 - Current
- Leading audit team, audit, internal controls, risk management and compliance functions.
- Development of agile audit methodology at all group companies.
- Member of the management team leading change management and SAP S4 HANA ERP implementation.
- Sponsoring Enterprise Risk Management and Inventory Management Projects.
- Focused on continuous improvement projects to transfer manually executed processes to the system, to increase efficiency and to achieve cost optimization.
Group Internal Audit Director
Acun Medya
2018.06 - 2020.01
- Establishment of Internal Audit and Compliance function and methodology at all group companies.
- Planning and leading financial and operational audit projects at all locations including Dominic Republic and Athens.
- Reporting and presentation of the audit findings and follow up.
- Mentoring on process development and preparation of SOPs in order to assure strong internal control to cover all risks.
Head of Internal Audit
Colin’s Eroğlu Group
2017.09 - 2020.06
- Developing Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance and Loss Prevention Methodology of the company.
- Implementation of internal control and early warning systems over the processes and procedures in order to reduce risks and to avoid corruptions.
- Preparation of annual audit plan, leading financial and operational audit projects, ad-hoc activities and forensic investigations.
- Reporting and presentation of audit findings and required measures as recommendations to CEO and audit committee.
- Follow-up of action plans and closing findings.
Head of Operational Audit
METRO AG
2012.02 - 2017.05
- Company Overview: (Düsseldorf)
- Planning, preparation and conducting risk oriented operational audit projects at MCC Countries.
- Monitoring of operational head office and store processes in terms of adequacy, functionality and effectiveness of the internal control system.
- Focused on store and head office processes especially stock management, check-out and credit sales, inventory management, goods receiving, shelf management, quality assurance, shrinkage management, campaigns and loyalty programs, discount management, supply chain & logistics, delivery, ordering and procurement management, loss prevention and fraud investigation, credit management, scoring and dunning processes, IT internal control procedures and process analysis.
- Leading and coaching audit team, creation of 'to the point' audit programmes.
- Preparation of audit reports, alignment of the findings, presentation of audit results with clear recommendations and follow up.
- Maintaining an effective and cooperative relationship with board members and relevant managers of Metro Cash and Carry Countries and providing support for the preparation of action plans and standard operating procedures as well as the implementation of required measures.
- Also focused on process improvement and cost optimization, familiar with Lean Six Sigma Management Methodology.
- (Düsseldorf)
Head of Audit Projects - Processes and Finance, Group Internal Audit
METRO AG
2010.06 - 2012.02
- Company Overview: (Düsseldorf)
- Planning, preparation and implementation of risk based financial audit activities at Metro Cash and Carry Countries.
- Monitoring of processes and procedures in terms of adequacy, functionality and effectiveness of the internal control system.
- Preparation of audit reports and presentation of audit results with clear recommendations.
- (Düsseldorf)
Head of Sub-region Western Europe East, Group Internal Audit
METRO AG
2010.01 - 2010.06
- Company Overview: (Düsseldorf)
- Planning, preparation and conducting risk oriented audit activities at MCC Turkey, MCC Austria, MCC Greece, MCC Egypt and MCC Croatia as regional Head of Audit.
- Preparation of audit reports and presentation of audit results.
- Monitoring of head office and store processes in terms of adequacy, functionality and effectiveness of the internal control system.
- Supporting internal audit teams, providing guidance and implementation of corporate audit methodology and audit framework.
- (Düsseldorf)
Head of Audit & Security, Compliance Officer
Metro C&C Turkey
2009.04 - 2010.01
- In addition to 'audit manager' responsibilities;
- Implementation of corporate 'Compliance Framework' and 'Compliance Methodology' within the company.
- Regular monitoring of processes in order to ensure that the company complies with applicable laws, regulations and processes are compliant with internal procedures.
- Development and execution of periodic targeted compliance trainings.
- Supporting relevant departments by preparing on-site routine and ad hoc supervisory regarding compliance topics.
- Execution of defined security processes, investigation and handling of security related incidents.
- Leading country security team, organization of regular security workshops.
- Preparation of security handbook, team documentation, security processes and procedures.
- Providing guidance and security awareness trainings to the employees in head office and stores.
- Management of business continuity / crisis management in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
- Procurement, development and management of technical security equipment.
- Preparation of security budget, planning and regular monitoring.
Internal Audit Manager
Metro C&C Turkey
2006.09 - 2009.04
- Planning, preparation and execution of risk oriented financial and operational audits in head office and in the stores.
- Conducting audits based on ad hoc requests.
- Preparation of audit reports and presentation of audit results.
- Review of head office and store processes and implementation of internal control system in standard operating procedures.
- Investigation of fraudulent incidents.
- Leading and coaching audit team.
- Reporting to Managing Director.
Category Manager
Metro C&C Turkey
2005.02 - 2006.09
- Management of all commercial operations regarding Sports, Shoes and Luggage Departments.
- Procurement management, budget preparation and planning.
- Negotiation, pricing, promotion and stock management via regular and cooperative communication with stores and suppliers.
- Leading and coaching buying team.
- Developing business relations with local and international distributors and suppliers.
- Regular visit of local and international commercial fairs.
Internal Audit Assistant Manager and Risk Manager
Metro C&C Turkey
1998.04 - 2005.02
- Definition of the financial and operational risks of the company with all division managers, organization of 'risk workshops' and preparation of 'risk matrix' as 'Risk Manager' of the company.
- Planning, preparation and execution of risk oriented financial and operational audits in head office and in the stores.
- Preparation of audit reports and documentation, presentation of audit results.
- Investigation of fraudulent incidents.
- Reporting to Internal Audit Manager.
Internal Auditor
Metro C&C Turkey
1995.08 - 1998.04
- Performing risk oriented financial and operational audits in Head Office and in the stores.
- Investigation of fraudulent incidents.
- Reporting to Internal Audit Manager.
Education
Business Administration - Accounting, Audit And Management
1990.01 - 1995.01
Skills
Risk management
Operations management
Change management
Organizational development
Business development
Project management
Team management
Accomplishments
- Established and managed Internal Audit, Internal Controls, ERM and Compliance Functions
- Consistently demonstrate strong communication and management skills, technical knowledge of risk management, internal auditing, internal controls and corporate governance practices including both local and international regulatory requirements and expectations.
- Design of agile and functional audit methodology.
- Focused on development of IT Audit and Internal Controls Strategy and Methodology especially on SAP S4 HANA FI / MM modules and Oracle based systems (Unifier, Fidelio, MC, Simphony)
- SAP MM Project Leader, CAE of Digitalization Projects, Member of Steering Committee
- Implementation of data-driven internal controls to mitigate financial and operational risks
Roles And Responsibilities
- Developing annual risk-based Internal Audit Plan to ensure higher risks coverage.
- Developing budget for the Internal Audit Department.
- Planning allocation of the workload among the team throughout the year.
- Leading the planning, scoping and execution of audits focused on following areas: Financial, Operational, IT, Compliance to Laws and Regulations.
- Developing Audit Programmes to review design and operating effectiveness of controls.
- Conducting ad hoc investigations.
- Leading and developing the internal audit team through close work cooperation, coaching, mentorship and encouragement.
Affiliations
- IIA Institute of Internal Auditors
- TİDE Internal Audit Institute
Personal Information
- Number of Children: 1
- Marital Status: Married
Timeline
Group Internal Audit and Internal Control Director - Özak Global Holding
2020.01 - Current
Group Internal Audit Director - Acun Medya
2018.06 - 2020.01
Head of Internal Audit - Colin’s Eroğlu Group
2017.09 - 2020.06
Head of Operational Audit - METRO AG
2012.02 - 2017.05
Head of Audit Projects - Processes and Finance, Group Internal Audit - METRO AG
2010.06 - 2012.02
Head of Sub-region Western Europe East, Group Internal Audit - METRO AG
2010.01 - 2010.06
Head of Audit & Security, Compliance Officer - Metro C&C Turkey
2009.04 - 2010.01
Internal Audit Manager - Metro C&C Turkey
2006.09 - 2009.04
Category Manager - Metro C&C Turkey
2005.02 - 2006.09
Internal Audit Assistant Manager and Risk Manager - Metro C&C Turkey
1998.04 - 2005.02
Internal Auditor - Metro C&C Turkey
1995.08 - 1998.04
Istanbul University - Business Administration, Accounting, Audit And Management
1990.01 - 1995.01