Ben Avor
Credit Risk Audit Manager
Capital One
Mc Lean, VA USA
“It’s hard to be discouraged when you are passionately pursuing something.”
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Right after undergrad I started writing for a newspaper doing an op-ed on business and politics.
Got into banking in 2010 as management trainee in a prestigious rotational program for wholesale banking.
Got to work as a credit and relationship manager in China and Taiwan.
Moved to South Africa and it was not exactly a good experience.
Moved to NYC to attend grad school.
Found myself working in 2nd line and 3rd line risk management.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Accra Academy
Accra Academy
Bachelor
Banking and Finance
University of Ghana
Banking and Finance
University of Ghana
Graduate
Real Estate Development (Finance and Investment)
Columbia University
Real Estate Development (Finance and Investment)
Columbia University
Certification/License
Chartered Financial Analyst
CFA Institute
Chartered Financial Analyst
CFA Institute
Career
Credit Risk Audit Manager
I evaluate how well the controls we have in place to manage credit risk are working.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Writing
Business
Being Creative
Day to Day
Typical day involves a fair amount of stakeholder engagement to understand their processes and their risks. This is followed by planning test work and executing the test work. The fun part for me is the stakeholder engagement—you enter into a new environment and you add value by providing insight on potential risks and opportunities for process improvements.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Get the needed education apply for as many jobs as you can.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Bachelor
Banking and Finance
Banking and Finance
Graduate
Real Estate Development (Finance and Investment)
Real Estate Development (Finance and Investment)
Certification/License
Chartered Financial Analyst
Chartered Financial Analyst
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"Get into IT instead – banking is for connected people."
Challenges I Overcame
Racial Discrimination
