Annika Stokoe

I am a highly effective, multi skilled professional with over 20 years’ experience in audit, risk and compliance, across the retail and finance sectors.  I am conscientious, organised, results driven and I ensure all tasks are completed to the highest standards and with exceptional attention to detail. I have proven ability in working to and within deadlines to support delivery of business objectives. 

I am a self-driven, motivated individual who is used to leading and working as part of a successful team, as well as working on my own. 

Group Audit and Assurance Manager – Audit, Risk and Compliance team - ScS

November 2017 to present

Responsibilities include:

• Produce the annual corporate audit plan, through review of the principal and functional risks facing the company and individual functions;
• Develop and implement a risk based approach for the store and distribution centre stock and health and safety audit assessments;
• Continuous review of the corporate, stock and health and safety audit plans, to ensure focus remains risk based and value added;
• Delivery of the annual audit plan, covering corporate, stock, compliance and health and safety audits, in line with required standards and timescales;
• Plan, execute and report on the outcome of corporate audits and process improvement reviews to senior management; 
• Management of the field based auditors, to ensure all required store and distribution centre stock and health and safety audits are completed consistently and in line with required timescales;
• Established and manage an audit follow up process for all corporate, stock and health and safety audits;
• Development, review and update of functional risk registers for individual departments within the company, through quarterly meetings with senior management;
• Review and update the strategic risk register in line with external and internal influences and the company’s risk appetite;
• Reporting on key performance indicators on a monthly basis to the Board and senior management team;
• Production of high quality audit and risk papers to present at Audit Committees and Board meetings;
• Attend key stakeholder meetings to discuss performance of the Audit, Risk and Compliance team or to consult and challenge ongoing operational projects;
• Involved in the production and review of the annual report, in particular the risk management section;
• Reviewing potential changes to regulations or standards and providing updates to the Board in terms of the expectations of the company in relation to these changes; and
• Produce and review policies and procedures across the company, including procurement, health and safety, distribution and customer experience, ensuring key processes and controls are fully documented.

Audit Manager - Deloitte 

July 2012 to June 2017 (made redundant due to relocation of role)

Responsibilities included:

• Identifying risks and manage the delivery of the annual audit plan in line with allocated budget and timeframe;
• Planning and executing operational audits of various business areas using risk-based audit methodology;
• Utilising data analytics to obtain full account coverage of testing of specific internal controls;
• Conducting audits to identify non application or adherence of controls, which would potentially increase the risk of regulatory or financial implications for the company;
• Completing or supervising and reporting on the testing and adequacy of the internal controls;
• Producing reports in line with department standards, highlighting issues and providing corrective actions and areas for improvement;
• Completing audit report follow-up testing to identify if management corrective action plans were executed on time and convey results to senior executive management; 
• Managing and developing junior members of staff within the team;
• Actively engaging with senior staff to gain good understanding of the business and develop key stakeholder relationships; and
• Producing management papers to report on the status of ongoing audits and audit actions and present these to the Executive Committee.

Audit Manager - Ernst & Young 

November 2010 to June 2012 (TUPE’d to Deloitte in June 2012)

Responsibilities included:

• Planning and executing operational audits of business areas using risk-based methodology;
• Utilising audit procedures to verify that controls are operating, through testing and interviewing techniques;
• Analysing and concluding upon the effectiveness and efficiency of the control environment;
• Supervising and coaching junior members of staff within the team;
• Preparing audit reports for key stakeholders and Executive Management; 
• Developing and maintaining professional relationships with key stakeholders; and
• Completing audit report follow-up testing to confirm corrective action plans have been implemented.

Audit Manager (progress from Audit Technician to Audit Manager) - Northern Rock 

June 2002 to October 2010 (TUPE’d to Ernst & Young in November 2010)

Responsibilities included:

• Conducting risk assessments and identifying controls in place to mitigate identified risks;
• Planning and executing risk based audits providing detailed and objective review of conformance with company operational policies and procedures;
• Testing the design and effectiveness of internal controls by completing walk-throughs of complex business processes;
• Utilising data analytics to obtain full account coverage of testing of internal controls;
• Performing audit report follow-up testing to identify if corrective action plans of management were executed on time and convey results to senior executive management;
• Maintaining professional relations with key stakeholders to ensure there is engagement from the wider teams; and
• Implementing all areas of audits consisting of audit planning, risk assessments, audit testing, control evaluation and issue remediation.

• January 2021 and January 2023 - IOSH Managing Safety
• January 2021 – Fundamentals of Risk Management course
• December 2002 - June 2004 - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• September 1997 - June 2001 - Northumbria University - 2:1 BA (Hons) International Business Studies
• September 1995 - June 1997 - City of Sunderland College - A Levels - Business Studies, German, French
• September 1990 - June 1995 - Boldon Comprehensive School - GCSEs – 10 subjects grades B-C