Internal Auditor

Independent Food Company; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality group is seeking an Internal Auditor to ensure comprehensive audits across all areas of its restaurant business. The role involves examining financial integrity, operational procedures, and compliance, while identifying any inefficiencies. Ideal candidates should have a related bachelor's degree, relevant certifications, and 4–6 years of audit experience, particularly in the F&B sector. Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate findings effectively are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of audit experience, ideally in F&B or retail.
• Proficiency in audit standards and internal controls.
• Ability to travel to restaurant locations for site audits.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive audits of financial processes, operations, and compliance.
• Identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements.
• Ensure adherence to relevant regulations and standards.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Interpersonal abilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, or related field

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), CA, or CPA

Tools

ERP Systems

Excel

Audit Tools

POS Systems

Power BI

SQL

Job description

Job Overview:

The Internal Auditor is responsible for comprehensive audits across all areas of the restaurant business, including financial process, Inventory management, operational procedures, HR practices, compliance, third-party aggregators (e.g., Deliveroo), project audits (outlet expansion, kitchen setup), and logistics operations (3PL/4PL warehouse providers). Identifying inefficiencies, monitoring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and safeguarding assets across all restaurants functions, the goal is to ensure effective internal controls, detect fraud, identify inefficiencies, ensure policy compliance, and provide risk mitigation strategies.

Financial Audits

• Examine accuracy and integrity of financial reports.

• Audit daily sales, bank reconciliations, petty cash handling, and revenue recognition processes.

• Identify revenue leakages, especially with digital payments and aggregator platforms.

• Validate payment processing through POS and online delivery integrations.

Operational Audits (FOH & BOH)

• Audit kitchen operations, order processing, delivery services, recipe adherence, inventory controls, back-office practices

• Review dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and cloud kitchen performance against KPIs.

• Assess efficiency and compliance of SOPs across outlets.

• Identify inefficiencies or waste in operations and recommend process improvements.

• Ensure consistency in SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) implementation across all outlets.

Aggregator Business Audits (Deliveroo, Talabat etc)

• Reconcile aggregator sales with internal POS and bank statements.

• Review commission structures, chargebacks, cancellations, and delivery partner charges.

• Validate settlements, revenue sharing, offers, and promotional reimbursements.

Inventory & Supply Chain Audits (including 3PL & 4PL Warehouses)

• Audit inventory movement from central warehouse to outlet, wastage tracking, and dead stock.

• Validate inward and outward processes for accuracy and documentation at 3PL/4PL partners.

• Review contracts, service-level agreements, and compliance with storage standards (temperature, hygiene, FIFO/FEFO, etc.).

• Ensure traceability of goods and accurate recording of GRNs (Goods Receipt Notes).

• Audit inventory management procedures for raw materials, food items, beverages, and consumables.

• Investigate shrinkage, spoilage, and wastage trends.

• Spot check receiving process and invoice matching.

Project Audits (New Outlet Launches / Renovations)

• Conduct pre- and post-investment audits for capex projects.

• Verify budget adherence, procurement practices, and contractor/vendor payments.

• Ensure compliance with design specs, timelines, quality, and legal/statutory approvals.

Maintenance & Facility Management

• Audit preventive maintenance schedules and compliance.

• Verify service agreements, vendor contracts, AMC records.

• Assess cost-effectiveness of repairs and replacements.

• Check asset tagging, asset movement, and disposal records.

• Review Fixed Asset Register vs. physical count.

• Ensure all restaurant equipment and facilities are well maintained, safe, and compliant

Compliance Audits

• Verify licenses, permits (civil defence), and statutory compliance (VAT, Corporate tax)

• Review anti-bribery, anti-fraud, and code of conduct compliance.

• Monitor adherence to health, hygiene, and food safety regulations.

• Verify adherence to relevant food safety regulations (e.g., local health codes)

• Monitor compliance with tax laws, labour laws, and other legal requirements.

• Ensure licenses, permits, and certificates are current and properly maintained.

HR & Payroll Audits

• Review employee onboarding, background checks and policy adherence.

• Audit attendance records, overtime, shift rosters, and payroll systems.

• Ensure accuracy in statutory payments (PF, ESI, gratuity) and HR documentation.

Risk & Fraud Detection

• Conduct surprise audits at outlets, warehouses, and cloud kitchens.

• Detect internal theft, vendor fraud, revenue leakage, and manipulation of records.

• Recommend internal control improvements and risk mitigation strategies.

Sales & Marketing Audit

• Review marketing budgets, campaign approvals, ROI analysis.

• Audit digital marketing spends (social media, SEO, influencers).

• Check compliance of branding guidelines and promotional offers.

• Evaluate lead generation, conversion ratios, and loyalty program integrity.

• Confirm POS integration with marketing campaigns and coupon tracking.

Procurement

• Verify supplier selection process, quotations, approvals, and purchase orders.

• Spot check receiving process, GRNs, and invoice matching.

• Assess storage conditions and stock shelf-life compliance.

• Evaluate procurement cost controls and price benchmarking.

• Review vendor contracts and pricing compliance.

Safety and Risk Management

• Evaluate workplace safety practices including fire safety, employee training, and emergency procedures.

• Identify and assess risks related to food handling, storage, and service.

• Report on liability exposure from customer or employee incidents.

Systems:

• Proficiency with ERP Systems (e.g., Oracles), Excel, Audit Tools

• POS Systems (e.g., Micros)

• Aggregator Dashboards

• Excel, Power BI, SQL (optional for data analytics)

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical thinking & Problem-solving skills

• Restaurant/Food Industry knowledge

• Strong audit documentation & reporting

• Cross-functional coordination

• Proficiency in audit standards and internal controls

• High attention to detail and accuracy.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

• Ability to travel to restaurant locations for site audits.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, or related field

• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), CA, or CPA preferred

• 4–6 years of audit experience, ideally in F&B or retail