LEADMGT_Finals

Summary

In this insightful interview, Hans Hansel Barb, Chief Audit Executive at Villar Group of Companies, shares his 17-year career journey, offering valuable lessons on leadership and auditing. From his early days as an audit supervisor to leading the company's audit function, Hans emphasizes the importance of clear, concise communication with senior management, maintaining audit independence, and handling sensitive financial issues with integrity. He reflects on his experiences uncovering significant financial misconduct, offering advice on professionalism and the role of preparation and hard work in seizing career opportunities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hans Hansel Barb has 17 years of experience in corporate auditing, currently serving as Chief Audit Executive at Villar Group of Companies.
• 😀 He started his career in accounting and internal audit, eventually working his way up to leadership roles within the company.
• 😀 Effective communication with senior management is key: when reporting audit findings, be clear, concise, and to the point.
• 😀 Hans emphasizes that audit departments must maintain independence by reporting directly to the board, not to operational or finance teams.
• 😀 When presenting findings, focus on the key facts: what happened, who is responsible, and what actions have been taken.
• 😀 He advises against overloading management with unnecessary details unless specifically requested for further information.
• 😀 Maintaining professionalism, even in difficult situations, is crucial for managers. Hans shares how he dealt with a fraudulent store manager by gathering evidence and ensuring accountability.
• 😀 While handling sensitive issues, it's important to be prepared and present well-supported evidence when escalating cases to senior management.
• 😀 Career success in the corporate world involves a combination of hard work, readiness for opportunities, and sometimes, luck.
• 😀 Hans advocates for the importance of staying focused and not letting disappointments or unfair situations derail one’s professional growth.
• 😀 Being part of an audit team means dealing with challenges head-on, ensuring that even the smallest percentage of fraudulent activity within the company is uncovered and addressed.

Q & A

Can you briefly introduce yourself and your current role?

My name is Hans Hansel Barb, and I currently serve as the Chief Audit Executive at Villar Group of Companies, specifically overseeing the audit functions for all retail and convenience stores under the group. I’ve been with the company for 17 years and have progressed through various roles during my time here.

What led you to pursue a career in audit and internal control?

I graduated with a degree in Accounting and passed the board exam in 2004. I started my career in corporate accounting, but I unintentionally found myself in internal audit, which I pursued for the next few years. Over time, I grew passionate about the work and stayed in the field.

How did your career progress at Villar Group of Companies?

I started at Star Malls as an Audit Supervisor in 2008, handling a small team. Over the years, I was promoted to Audit Officer and then to Audit Manager in 2018. In 2022, as the company transitioned to a publicly listed entity, I was promoted to Chief Audit Executive.

What is your approach when presenting difficult audit findings to senior leadership?

When presenting difficult audit findings, I believe in keeping communication clear, concise, and to the point. Upper management doesn’t want unnecessary details; they want to know what happened, who is responsible, and what actions have been taken. I focus on providing actionable information without over-explaining.

How do you ensure the independence of the audit department within the organization?

The audit department must be independent, so we report directly to the board rather than any other department like accounting or operations. This ensures that we can carry out our functions objectively without any influence from other departments. I always make it clear to others within the company that our reports go to the board, not to them.

Can you describe a challenging situation where audit independence was tested, and how you handled it?

There were times when certain departments or individuals tried to influence audit findings or tried to control the audit process. To maintain independence, I made sure to stick to the organizational hierarchy and always reminded people that the audit function answers directly to the board.

What steps do you take when a serious issue is uncovered during an audit?

When a serious issue is uncovered, the first step is to gather all evidence, such as audit logs and documents. I then escalate the issue to senior leadership in a straightforward manner, focusing on the facts. If the issue involves a person in a sensitive position, I ensure that the situation is handled professionally, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Could you share a specific example of when your audit team uncovered a significant issue?

One notable example was when we uncovered a store manager who had been embezzling funds. Despite the fact that the store manager was the COO’s relative, I gathered all the evidence and escalated it to the chairman, who took appropriate action. The manager was eventually terminated and legal action was taken.

How do you deal with the disappointment of seeing unethical behavior, especially when it’s handled leniently by upper management?

It can be disheartening when unethical behavior is not addressed decisively, but as an audit professional, I focus on doing my job correctly. If I find discrepancies or issues, I ensure they are reported properly. I continue to follow up and push for accountability, as I did in the case of the store manager who was caught twice.

What advice do you have for those aspiring to move up in the corporate world, particularly in audit and management roles?

Hard work is important, but so is recognizing and seizing opportunities when they arise. Success in corporate roles also requires being prepared and ready for opportunities. It’s not just about effort; it’s about being in the right place at the right time. Additionally, staying professional and focused on your work will eventually lead to recognition.