Miguel Alonso: Exploring the Possibilities of Revenue Assurance and SOX Compliance

GRAPA staff writer Kathy B. spoke to Miguel during two weeks of internal auditor training, held in Luxembourg.

What is your background before becoming an internal auditor at your current employer?

“I have a degree in business administration and financial studies. I started to work as external auditor at KPMG and then was an internal auditor for LEAR automotive (NYSE: LEA).

What is your current position?

I am a SOX compliance manager. The main objective of my work is to maintain our internal controls system to ensure compliance with internal policies and SOX procedures i n a sustainable manner.

You travel a lot for your work. Is that a particular challenge?

I am glad my work includes travel because that is something I really enjoy. The multi-cultural environment of my workplace is something I appreciate. Working with people of different cultures and with different backgrounds is very enriching.

When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time?

I like books and reading. I am a basketball fan and I follow the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers is my team, mainly because I like following fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol.

Has the GRAPA training provided you with any new insights?

The revenue assurance training was tailored for internal auditors and I found it very useful. We were shown an operating point of view of revenue assurance, which gives the internal auditor a better picture of how things are functioning. Understanding the Revenue Assurance roles and possibilities is crucial for the effectiveness of the SOX Compliance process. I took away some very useful knowledge with this training.

The GRAPA Blog features profiles of attendees of GRAPA training and GRAPA members.

Batbold Dashnyam: Positive Steps to Revenue Assurance Aspirations

In Mongolia, a person’s name is considered auspicious and is chosen with the hope it will bring the bearer good fortune. Batbold Dashnyam lives and works in Mongolia and considered it his good fortune to be attending GRAPA training in London. Batbold, whose name suggests ‘strength,’ has a Bachelor of Telecommunications and a Masters of Science from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.

Batbold started working at Mobicom Corporation, going into the telecommunications industry immediately after finishing university. He has worked for them since 1996. Currently he is an information technology auditor and works in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. His responsibility is to monitor the IT systems within the company, a job he approaches with enthusiasm. “Working within the regulations and standardizing the systems themselves can be a challenge,” he explains, “but I like the job because I feel very strongly about helping my company perform well in the market.”

Not all of Batbold’s challenges are work related, however. As the father of three children, one of whom is home schooled, he is very active in their education. He oversees that homework is completed and they are staying current with their studies. He believes it is very important to encourage his children to develop a love of learning outside the classroom, and in that pursuit, he is an enthusiastic teacher. He also encourages his children to participate in sports, whether in a school athletic program, or learning to swim at the local pool.

Like many of us after a busy day, Batbold likes to relax in front of the television, watching shows like X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent as well as local television shows.

Because the regulations and standardization issues have been a particular challenge Batbold feels the GRAPA training has been very useful. “Recently management realized revenue assurance was important, especially with the current economy in recession. “ It was decided we needed a revenue assurance infrastructure, so management went about setting up revenue assurance teams,” says Batbold. “That is the reason I’m at this training and it has provided a lot of information. There has been a lot to absorb and read.” He cites the useful examples, dialogue with peers and practical applications as important take-aways from this course. “When I return to work, I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with my colleagues. I believe it is a positive step to realizing our revenue assurance aspirations.”

The GRAPA Blog features profiles of attendees of GRAPA training and GRAPA members.

Mark from Eastern Africa: Bull Fights and Formula One

GRAPA staff writer Kathy B. spoke to Mark after his second day at the Madrid training Event. Mark is from Eastern Africa and has been in Revenue Assurance since 2004.

What is your impression of Madrid so far?

“Madrid is fantastic. The only problem is that the sun goes down at 10pm here. I an used to the sun going down at 6pm! There have been no late nights after the training. With jet lag, I am suffering, waiting for the sun to go down.”

Besides the training, what are you looking forward to?

We’re going to a bull fight later, and on the weekend I an going to Barcelona for Formula One Racing.

You are race fan?

Oh yes! I am a racing fan, I love Formula One. Everywhere I travel, and I travel quite a bit, I have to buy a Ferrari cap or something to do with Team Ferrari. I am not just a fan, I am a super-fan. I am not into football, but I am like a crazed Man-U fan about Formula One.

And your favorite driver?

Yes, Brazilian driver Felippe Masa, . (Mark was disappointed not to make the 315 mile trip (506 km) to watch Masa in an exciting race where the Ferrari team faced fuel shortages. Instead he toured Madrid and visited popular tourist spots..)

How has training been so far? Have you learned anything that will make your job as a Revenue Assurance professional easier?

The training is amazing. I am quickly learning I do not know as much as I thought I did. I’m seeing how this training is going to have some impact, some weight.

The biggest thing I have learned is that you don’t need a specific revenue assurance system or fraud management system to do most of the stuff that needs to be done. Rob (the principal instructor for this training) actually tells us the steps to take, who should do what at each stage. And for the first time, I can honestly see how all the pieces in the network work.

What’s the most challenging aspect of the training?

Well, the tests are tricky but good reminders. Knowing there’s test at the end of the day helps you stay focused. When you do a test and you meet one of Rob’s trick questions, the ones where he has three correct answers, and you have to pick the one that is most correct, you have to know what you’re talking about. You have to pay attention.

Any final thoughts on the training?

The training is fantastic and I would recommend it to any Revenue Assurance manager. It is worth the sacrifice of time. I have sacrificed leave days and holidays—this is my holiday. Most companies do not want their staff away for two weeks. So in the future, when it becomes modules instead of two week stretches, it will be easier for managers to provide specialized training and plan out the progression of their revenue assurance staff. But training is necessary, revenue assurance as a profession is dynamic and changes as much as the telecom industry changes.