Derwin A. J. Higgs II, CPA, CISA

• Worked closely with organizational leadership to guide operational strategy.
• Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow.
• Led development of comprehensive business plan to maximize profitability and company performance.
• Spearheaded successful business development initiatives aligned with company's strategy and core competencies.
• Devised and implemented innovative and marketing campaigns to promote products and services.
• Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
• Documented processes and drafted SOPs to comply with regulations and company policies.
• Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue and effectively targeting new markets.
• Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.

• Determines general compliance with BPL's policies, laws and regulations.
• Evaluates the reliability and integrity of BPL's financial and operational activities.
• Reviews and recommends internal controls to add value and improve the Corporation's operations.
• Minimizes BPL's risk exposure through independent assessment of policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Assists in producing and updating the Audit Charter and Plan and writing operating policies and guidelines.
• Develops and implement auditing programs and procedures for controls within the Corporation.
• Offers sound, practical recommendation to BPL's Management regarding audit activities.
• Provides management and the Board with reports on audit activities and schedules.
• Assists the Director of Internal Audit in developing the audit approach and methodology for the Internal Audit Department.
• Raises the awareness of sound financial management and corporate governance throughout the Corporation.
• Assists with the external auditing process to ensure accuracy of work.
• Assists management with the implementation of audit recommendations and monitor compliance.
• Trains, develops, challenges, evaluates and conducts performance appraisals of subordinates.

Industries: Insurance and Private Banking

• Successfully led key IT policy documentation project which resulted in drafting of IT policies to be approved by the Board of Directors
• Implemented a IT audit program to be used by the Internal Audit department to perform IT audits
• Execute a risk-based Information Systems (IS) audit strategy in compliance with IS audit standards to ensure that key risk areas are audited in addition to assisting in identifying and evaluating the organization’s risk areas and provides input to the development of the annual audit plan for various entities within the Group
• Independently plans audits based on the risks identified and leads planning meetings with client; documents walkthroughs, audit programs and tracks documents requested from clients
• Perform audit procedures, including identifying and defining issues, developing criteria, reviewing and analyzing evidence
• Identify, develop, and document audit issues and recommendations using independent judgment concerning areas being reviewed
• Communicate or assist in communicating the results of audit and consulting projects via written reports and oral presentations to management and Audit Committee. Effectively negotiates audit findings with the client
• Track outstanding audit points, follows up with management and closes implemented points in a timely manner
• Provide guidance and coaches junior staff members
• Prepare or assist in preparing departmental reports including Audit Committee presentations
• Serve as a direct liaison and a back-up for Chief Group Internal Auditor
• Identify areas for improvement, researches and puts forward workable solutions to improve Internal Audit Function

Industries: Wealth & Asset Management, Retail &Wholesale, Hospitality, Oil & Petroleum, Utilities, Private and Commercial Banking. Responsibilities:

• Execute a risk-based Information Systems (IS) audit strategy in compliance with IS audit standards to ensure that key risk areas are audited
• Plan specific audits to determine whether information systems are protected, controlled and provide value to the organization
• Communicate audit results and make recommendations to key stakeholders through meetings, management letter points, and audit reports to promote change when necessary
• Conduct audit follow-ups to determine whether appropriate actions have been taken by management in a timely manner
• Evaluate the IT strategy, including IT direction, and the processes for the strategy’s development, approval, implementation and maintenance for alignment with the organization’s strategies and objectives
• Evaluate database management practices to determine the integrity and optimization of databases
• Evaluate change and release management practices to determine whether changes made to systems and applications are adequately controlled and documented
• Use Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) to provide audit assurance by testing large portions of the population
• Supervise associates and interns on engagements

Industries: Wealth & Asset Management, Retail &Wholesale, Hospitality, Oil & Petroleum, Utilities, Private and Commercial Banking.
Responsibilities:

• Execute a risk-based Information Systems (IS) audit strategy in compliance with IS audit standards to ensure that key risk areas are audited
• Plan specific audits to determine whether information systems are protected, controlled and provide value to the organization
• Communicate audit results and make recommendations to key stakeholders through meetings, management letter points, and audit reports to promote change when necessary
• Conduct audit follow-ups to determine whether appropriate actions have been taken by management in a timely manner
• Evaluate the IT strategy, including IT direction, and the processes for the strategy’s development, approval, implementation and maintenance for alignment with the organization’s strategies and objectives
• Evaluate database management practices to determine the integrity and optimization of databases
• Evaluate change and release management practices to determine whether changes made to systems and applications are adequately controlled and documented
• Use Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) to provide audit assurance by testing large portions of the population
• Supervise associates and interns on engagements.
  

Industries: Wealth & Asset Management, Retail &Wholesale, Hospitality, Oil & Petroleum, Private and Commercial Banking.

Responsibilities:

• Execute a risk-based Information Systems (IS) audit strategy in compliance with IS audit standards to ensure that key risk areas are audited
• Plan specific audits to determine whether information systems are protected, controlled and provide value to the organization
• Communicate audit results and make recommendations to key stakeholders through meetings, management letter points, and audit reports to promote change when necessary
• Conduct audit follow-ups to determine whether appropriate actions have been taken by management in a timely manner
• Evaluate the IT strategy, including IT direction, and the processes for the strategy’s development, approval, implementation and maintenance for alignment with the organization’s strategies and objectives
• Evaluate database management practices to determine the integrity and optimization of databases
• Evaluate change and release management practices to determine whether changes made to systems and applications are adequately controlled and documented.
• Use Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) to provide audit assurance by testing large portions of the population.
  

Responsibilities:

• Collect and protect the governments revenue
• Facilitate trade in the Bahamas
• Ensure  that  customer  service  to  all  Bahamians  &  Non- Bahamians was, of the utmost priority.