Alan Akalin

About Alan Akalin

I help business achieve their goals while managing risk and staying compliant. I am known as a Thought Leader who advocates for intelligent digital transformation, use of technology and innovative methods. I have been a proven people leader who effectively sets clear goals and promotes a culture of open ideas, growth mindset, allyship, diversity & inclusion. I am known for being an advocate for acceptance of change and transformation to incorporate modern business practices and creative solutions. I have extensive experience with multinational publicly traded companies such as Microsoft, Expedia.com and Starwood Hotels & Resorts as well as Deloitte, a Big-4 Accounting and Consulting firm. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTSMade a formidable reputation as a trusted advisor who consistently defines the core problem and helps business achieve their goals while managing risk and staying compliance.Formed, lead, and energized impactful teams by promoting clarity and culture of open ideas and growth mindset, as well as diversity and inclusion (D&I).Defined, created, and established internal audit and risk & compliance functions, sustainable frameworks and programs for centralized risk management and governance, modern compliance monitoring, and audits.MOTIVATORS & INTERESTSManaging teams, interacting with customers and partners, communicating and understanding business needs, and providing solutions.Technology or design based innovative solutions via collective creativity, connecting with others for ideasLearning & evangelizing what technology can do for business or personal problems.KEY ABILITIESLeadership Style that is Visionary, Inclusive and CoachingStrategic Visualization, Prioritization & UnificationAnalysis of Data and Facts for Creative Problem Solving & Decision MakingEXPERTISE End-To-End Process Design for User Experience & Compliance | Risk Intelligence and Data Analytics | Risk Assessment & Monitoring Strategy | Program Management | Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)| Accounting Theory & Principles | Business Readiness | Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance | Financial and Operational Auditing Fraud Detection and Prevention | Partnerships| Collaboration | Stakeholder Engagement | Mergers & Acquisitions | Contract Negotiation & Compliance |Industry Knowledge: Cloud, SaaS, PaaS, Software, Gaming, High-tech Hardware, Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Travel & Hospitality, Health, Financial Services & Banking, Construction, Audit & Consulting

Experience

1. Program Management Lead, Microsoft Finance Operations

   Microsoft

   Aug 2025 — Present

   Leads Intelligent and Trusted Risk and Compliance Monitoring and Policy Governance Programs producing insights and data for modern transformation.Accountable for managing outsourced Risk and Compliance Services programs and leading Corporate Policy Governance Program for the Enterprise.

Education

• Bellevue College

  Certificate, Portuguese

• University of San Francisco

  MBA, Business and Finance

• TED Ankara Koleji

  High School, Science

• Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi / Middle East Technical University

  BS, Economics

• Golden Gate University

  Additional Course Work in Accounting and Auditing

Skills

• Fraud Detection
• Business Strategy
• Auditing
• Supply Chain Management
• Ifrs
• Governance
• Business Process Improvement
• Forecasting
• Managerial Finance
• IT Audit
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Fraud
• Supply Chain
• Project Management
• Us Gaap
• Internal Audit
• Budgets
• Finance
• Risk Assessment
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• Business Intelligence
• Internal Controls
• Financial Modeling
• Financial Reporting
• Manufacturing
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Financial Accounting
• Process Improvement
• Accounting
• Leadership
• Management
• Sarbanes-Oxley
• Business Process
• Financial Analysis