Open to opportunities

Sharmila sampath kumar

@sharmilasampathkumar

Message

Senior audit and risk leader with 22 years' expertise in internal audit, operational and fraud risk.

India

Message

What I'm looking for

I am seeking senior leadership roles in audit or risk where I can strengthen governance, implement risk frameworks, lead cross-functional teams, and present actionable insights to boards.

I am a senior audit and risk professional with 22 years of experience designing audit frameworks and leading internal audit, operational risk and fraud risk functions across financial services, microfinance and digital lending. I have built audit applications and risk assessment frameworks, driven enterprise risk management, and presented governance and control insights to boards and senior leadership.

I have led end-to-end audit programs, thematic audits and investigations, implemented ISMS and audit tooling, and guided cross-functional teams on controls, remediation and risk dashboards. I combine hands-on operational expertise with strategic leadership to strengthen control environments and support business growth.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Chief Audit Officer

Current

Avanti Finance Private Limited

Jul 2022 - Present (3 years 3 months)

Headed Internal Audit and Fraud Risk, designing audit frameworks for digital lending and retail asset products and leading audits across functions to strengthen governance and remediate control gaps.

Internal Audit Risk Assessment Governance Controls Testing

Chief Risk Officer

Spandana Sphoorty Fin Services

Dec 2020 - Jun 2022 (1 year 6 months)

Led Operational, Fraud and Credit Risk functions, implemented ERM practices, developed risk dashboards and policies, and coordinated risk reporting to senior management and the board.

Credit Risk ERM Dashboards Regulatory Compliance Incident Response

Vice President, Operational Risk

Jana Small Finance Bank

Aug 2018 - Dec 2020 (2 years 4 months)

Owned operational risk management initiatives, implemented RCSA and Basel-aligned practices, monitored key risk indicators and guided remediation of operational vulnerabilities.

Risk Operations KRI Monitoring Business Continuity Risk Management

Head of Audit, Fraud and Risk

Kinara Capital Management

Oct 2016 - Jul 2018 (1 year 9 months)

Led audit, fraud and operational risk programs, designed control review procedures and executed thematic audits to identify gaps and drive timely remediation.

Internal Audit Fraud Investigation Control Design Audit Workprograms

Associate Vice President

Janalakshmi Financial Service

Jun 2015 - Sep 2016 (1 year 3 months)

Managed fraud risk initiatives, investigations and prevention measures, guided fraud detection rules and collaborated with operations to reduce exposure.

Fraud Prevention Investigation Fraud Detection Process Improvement Stakeholder Management

Senior Manager, Internal Audit

Janalakshmi Financial Services

Oct 2012 - Jun 2015 (2 years 8 months)

Led internal and head office audits across credit, operations and support functions, developed audit plans and ensured follow-up on findings and corrective actions.

Internal Audit Head Office Audit Audit Plans Operational Audits Documentation Controls Testing

Manager, Field Audit

Janalakshmi Financial Services

Jun 2011 - Oct 2012 (1 year 4 months)

Conducted field audits and fraud investigations, identified control lapses through location visits and recommended process and system improvements.

Fraud Investigation Location Visits Control Recommendations Reporting Testing

Assistant Manager, Internal Audit

HSBC Bank

Aug 2007 - Jun 2011 (3 years 10 months)

Performed internal audits and investigations, assessed control environments and supported remediation efforts to reduce operational and compliance risks.

Internal Audit Investigation & Compliance Audit Reporting

Executive Customer Service

Citibank

Sep 2004 - Aug 2007 (2 years 11 months)

Handled customer service operations, resolving client queries and supporting account servicing functions to maintain service quality.

Customer Service client support Client Servicing Communication Banking Operations

Executive Customer Service

Airtel

Sep 2003 - Aug 2004 (11 months)

Provided frontline customer support for telecom services, managed customer queries and ensured timely resolution to maintain satisfaction.

Customer Service Telecom Communication Service Operations

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune

Master of Business Administration, Customer Relationship Management

Completed an MBA with specialization in Customer Relationship Management, focusing on customer-centric strategies and relationship management practices.