EXPERIENCE

 

 

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP - New York, NY                                                                           6/06-11/08

Senior Associate, Advisory Services

 

Advised Fortune 100 companies using PwC's methodologies and approaches to mitigate financial and operational risks and evaluate existing operational controls in finance and risk management.

 

• Performed audit services for Deutsche Bank UK for the SOX Global Internal Controls team. Evaluated existing controls and mitigated risk in the IT Systems controlling financial reporting and trading desk operations and ensured compliance with SOX404, SAS 70, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

 

• Conducted SOX404 due diligence reviews for Merrill Lynch Global Infrastructure Solutions (GIS) realignment program. Evaluated internal risk controls and tested evidence for lapses. Re-mediated findings prior to independent testing with external auditor.

 

• Implemented an IT Risk Assessment Framework for Credit Suisse Securities and identified and addressed potential deficiencies in their Global IT Asset portfolio. Developed a Risk Indicator Matrix and training document for implementation by Business and IT Application Owners.

 

• Evaluated existing business strategies within fixed income products, real-estate capital markets, and structured asset finance for Wachovia Global Markets and Investment Bank's (GMIB) two-year international expansion initiative into Europe and Asia. Developed objective analysis for an effective growth strategy to mitigate operational risks and conform to international regulatory compliance requirements in the areas of operations, compliance, and information technology.

 

• Led a team of five professionals to conduct quarterly Anti-Money Laundering due diligence analyses for Citigroup Global Treasury Services as part of a corporate-wide investigation in the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. Reviewed and analyzed recurring wire transfers and payments to Citigroup's clients for potential fraud based on Citigroup's AML regulations & guidelines.

 

• Responded to Requests for Proposals (RFP's) for:
• ­ Merrill Lynch & Company: Fixed Income Currencies & Commodities (FICC) Risk Assessment - potential $1.5mm.
• ­ Lord Abbett & Company: Critical accounting controls review for mutual fund administration - potential $225,000.
• ­ FDIC Receivership Assistance Services - potential $500,000.

  

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP - New York, NY                                                                                             2/05-5/06

Senior Consultant, Enterprise Risk Services

 

Led audit services for clients to mitigate potential operational and regulatory risks.  Adapted existing corporate policies and procedures in a more complex regulatory and control environment in SOX 302/404, Bank-Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering.

 

• Implemented corporate wide due diligence assessment for Mitsubishi UFJ Group operating in U.S. and Japan to certify compliance with SEC, NASD, SOX 302/404 requirements and assert compliance with Bank-Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering regulations. Executed new companywide record-retention policy as part of the merger of The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi Ltd. and UFJ Financial Group.

 

• Conducted quarterly audits for PNC Financial Services Group and Union State Bank as part of independent auditor's review on internal controls for loan loss reserves. Evaluated portfolio of loan covenants of commercial properties, consumer & auto loans, aircraft leasing, limited liability partnerships and publicly traded entities to validate borrower credit worthiness and compliance in accordance with current Bank Policies and Procedures.

 

• Developed risk controls for Liberty Mutual's SOX404 financial reporting requirements.

 

• Developed NASD Securities Regulation manual for Jefferies Group, Inc., Edward-Jones, and Wachovia Securities for compliance of brokers and traders with current trading requirements as part of market timing trading settlement with the SEC and the NASD.

 

 

  

Ajay Thakarar                                                                                                                                                                          Page 2

  

WASHINGTON MUTUAL - Mount Kisco, NY                                                                                                 5/03-6/04

Branch Compliance Officer

 

• Launched successful opening of new Financial Center working with the regional office.

 

• Maintained branch compliance in accordance with Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, Know-Your-Customer, and the U.S. Patriot Act. Maintained internal control program to protect bank assets and minimized risk of bank losses. Received a 93% bank audit performance.

 

AXA FINANCIAL - New York, NY                                                                                                                       11/99-11/01

Manager, Relationship Marketing

 

• Led six marketing campaigns and generated up to $12mm in new premium dollars per campaign and managed $6mm budget. Monitored success measurements for return on investment.

 

• Developed overall scope for a corporate Customer Relationship Management (CRM) initiative to cross-sell financial products. Resulted in 15% improvement in client retention and 5% increase in sales in existing client base.

 

• Partnered with compliance, actuarial, legal, communications and information technology to develop prototype customizable website, allowing Financial Advisors to directly interact with clients to cross-sell financial products.

 

• Managed three interns on rotations through department and conducted formal performance evaluations.

 

EDUCATION

 

 

WHITTIER COLLEGE - Bachelor of Arts (Finance), Whittier, CA - August 1999

 

Worked while attending school

Countrywide Financial Corporation - Internal Audit (Junior Staff Auditor) 1994-1997

Washington Mutual - Multi-Family Banking (Associate Real-Estate Analyst) 1998-1999.         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

 

 

Microsoft Office, Visio, Lotus, Crystal Reports, and corporate/banking proprietary software applications

 

INTERESTS

 

Vinyl record collecting, personal investing, James Bond movies