Influential Woman · CPA Internal Controls Internal Audit SOX IT and BP
Saima Sulehria
CPA
CPA Internal Controls Internal Audit SOX IT and BP, --
CA
Her Story
About Saima
I've been working in the CPA field for 25 years, specializing in SOX compliance and internal audit. Throughout my career, I've helped companies go public and built teams in the Bay Area over and over again. My most notable achievement is maintaining a proven track record of zero material weaknesses and zero significant deficiencies at every company I've worked with. Currently, I run a department leading a team of 9 people. I'm very proficient at SOX compliance and have a unique ability to find the best experts and subject matter experts in my field. I know how to utilize people's talent and skill sets to build strong, effective teams. My track record speaks for itself at any company I've been at.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Saima
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my mom, 1000%, and both of my parents. They have been the foundation of everything I've achieved in my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to just keep going and fail fast. This advice has helped me navigate challenges and move forward quickly when things don't work out as planned.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to people entering my field is to make sure that you understand the requirements and make sure they're commensurate with the salary, because the GRC space is getting really dysfunctional and crowded. You walk into an organization thinking you're going to do one thing, and you're doing something completely different. Try to get realistic job postings, because they're not realistic these days. You don't find out until you're in the organization what's going on. Don't make yourself sick over other people not disclosing things that they should have told you before you took the job. I made a mistake taking my current job, and these kinds of situations have real consequences on your health.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges right now are that companies are looking for real SOC 2 experience and wanting people to build programs from scratch. They need to really understand and get advisement on a clear reporting structure for that, because that does not exist. Companies are going crazy with it - the Big Four are going crazy with it, the Fortune companies are going crazy with it, because there's very unclear reporting structures for SOC 2. I'm seeing it across the board. Companies are just unrealistic for SOC 2 experience. If you think of it as a challenge that you can help build some kind of track record, then it becomes an opportunity.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and honesty are by far the most important values to me in both my work and personal life.
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