Name: David "Dave" Kim Maria Hernandez
Age: 38 37
Education: Master's in Accounting MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignPennsylvania, B.S. in Accounting from Indiana Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University
Professional Background:
12+ years of experience in public accounting, focusing on audit and assurance services for large commercial and public sector organizationsprocurement, vendor management, and supply chain operations.
Focus areas: Leading audit teams, managing client relationships, developing audit plans, executing audit procedures, and reviewing workpapersVendor selection and onboarding, contract negotiation and management, performance monitoring and improvement, relationship management, and cost optimization.
Previous roles: Audit Vendor Manager at a Big Four accounting firm, Senior Associate at a national accounting firm, Staff Accountant at a regional accounting firmglobal technology company, Procurement Specialist at a manufacturing company, Supply Chain Analyst at a retail organization.
Special certifications or skills: Certified Public Accountant (CPAProfessional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Project Management Professional (PMP)
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in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Six Sigma Green Belt
Industry: Varies depending on the organization's focus
Responsibilities:
Plan and execute audit engagements, overseeing the work of audit teams and ensuring adherence to professional standards and deadlines.
Manage client relationships, addressing client concerns and questions, and providing updates on audit progress.
Review audit work papers for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with auditing standards.
Identify and assess audit risks and control deficiencies, and develop recommendations for improvement.
Mentor and develop junior audit staff, providing guidance and feedback on their work.
Goals:
Deliver high-quality audit services that meet or exceed client expectations and regulatory requirements.
Build strong relationships with clients and colleagues, fostering trust and collaboration.
Develop and mentor a high-performing audit team.
Advance within the firm and take on increasing levels of responsibility.
Challenges:
Balancing multiple audit engagements with tight deadlines and competing priorities.
Managing and motivating audit teams, especially during busy season.
Staying up-to-date on evolving auditing standards and regulatory requirements.
Communicating complex audit findings and recommendations to clients in a clear and concise manner.
Motivations:
Solving complex problems and uncovering the "truth" behind financial information.
Helping organizations improve their internal controls and financial reporting processes.
Building a successful career in public accounting and becoming a trusted advisor to clients.
Mentoring and developing junior audit staff and contributing to their professional growthManage relationships with third-party vendors and suppliers, ensuring they meet contractual obligations and performance standards.
Negotiate contracts and service level agreements (SLAs) with vendors, focusing on cost, quality, and delivery terms.
Monitor vendor performance and compliance with contractual obligations, escalating issues as needed.
Develop and implement vendor performance improvement plans.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and select new vendors that meet the organization's needs.
Goals:
Ensure that vendors and suppliers deliver high-quality goods and services on time and within budget.
Build strong, collaborative relationships with vendors based on trust and mutual benefit.
Optimize vendor costs and drive continuous improvement in vendor performance.
Contribute to the organization's overall supply chain resilience and risk mitigation efforts.
Challenges:
Managing a large and diverse portfolio of vendors with varying levels of complexity and risk.
Dealing with vendor performance issues, contract disputes, and supply chain disruptions.
Balancing cost savings with the need for quality and reliability.
Building effective communication and collaboration with internal stakeholders and vendors.
Motivations:
Building strong, long-term relationships with vendors that benefit both parties.
Contributing to the organization's success by ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply chain.
Solving complex vendor management challenges and finding creative solutions.
Developing a successful career in procurement and supply chain management.
Tech-Savviness:
Proficient in using audit vendor management software, data analytics toolscontract management systems, and collaboration platformsprocurement tools.
Comfortable with leveraging technology to automate audit procedures and streamline workflowsdata analysis and identifying trends and patterns in vendor performance data.
Open to exploring new technologies that can enhance audit efficiency and effectivenessto using technology to automate procurement processes and improve vendor visibility.
Behavioral Traits:
DetailRelationship-oriented and organized, with a strong focus on accuracy and quality.
Analytical and critical thinker, able to identify potential risks and weaknesses in financial information.
Excellent communicator and collaborator, able to build rapport with clients and team members.
Decisive and able to manage multiple priorities effectivelyskilled at building rapport with vendors.
Results-oriented and focused on achieving measurable outcomes.
Strong negotiator and problem solver, able to resolve conflicts and find win-win solutions.
Organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management skills.
Sources of Information:
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Industry publications and research reports on audit vendor management and compliance procurement (e.g., The Journal of Accountancy, Compliance WeekISM, CAPS Research).Regulatory updates and guidance from relevant agencies (e.g., SEC, PCAOB)
Vendor performance data and feedback from internal stakeholders.
Networking with other audit vendor management professionals and attending industry events.
Quote:
"Audit Successful vendor management is about more than just numbers; it's about understanding the story behind the financial statements and ensuring that it's accurate, complete, and reliable. By working collaboratively with our clients, we can help them strengthen their controls, mitigate risks, and achieve their business objectivesbuilding partnerships, not just transactional relationships. By understanding our vendors' capabilities and challenges, we can work together to achieve our mutual goals and deliver value to the organization."