Maxim is available for hire

Maxim Atanassov

Verified Expert in Management Consulting

Management Consulting Expert

Calgary, AB, Canada

Toptal member since November 22, 2022

Expertise

Business Consultant Growth Strategy Internal Audits Valuations

Bio

Maxim is a business and technology professional with over 20 years of experience in business transformations, audit, risk, and control-related roles across diverse industries. While working at EY and Deloitte, he has led numerous risk and digital transformations for startups and Fortune 500 corporations. Serving on a board of directors for multiple companies, Maxim is recognized as a respected leader who engages people to drive and sustain changes effectively.

Career Highlights

Managing Partner

Future Ventures Corp.

Director of Internal Audit

Husky Energy

Chief Audit Executive

Pembina Pipeline

Certification Highlights

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)

Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)

Case Studies

Innovation Study and Transformation Roadmap

InnovationInnovation StrategyInnovation ManagementDigital Transformation

Risk Transformation Program

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation Approach and Capabilities

DigitalDigital TransformationBusiness Transformation

Expertise

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
Fraud Prevention
GRC
Internal Audits
Process Transformation
Project Management
Risk

Work Experience

Partner

2021 - PRESENT

Iuvo

Led the business transformation and technology enablement for Shipper Services at a major midstream company in North America. This involved creating current (“as is”) and future state (“to be”) process maps.
Collaborated with key stakeholders (i.e., customer logistics, scheduling, operations, quality, measurement, oil accounting, finance, regulatory, and marine) to optimize “to be” processes while embedding controls throughout processes.
Led digital transformation initiative for a global cannabis producer, implementing an enterprise-wide risk and controls framework that achieved regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions while reducing control costs by 30%.
Signed a business cooperation agreement with the largest energy software company in the world.

Focus areas: Innovation, Innovation Strategy, Innovation Management, Digital Transformation, Agile Transformation, Process Transformation, Risk, Projects, Project Rescue, Project Management, Advisory, Consulting, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Strategy, Management Consulting, Microsoft PowerPoint, Business Consulting, Company Strategy, Excel 365, Executive Consulting, Microsoft 365, Mentorship & Coaching, Operations

Managing Partner

2018 - PRESENT

Future Ventures Corp.

Led a scale-up strategy and operating model design for growth-stage founders, translating vision into execution through proprietary frameworks, accelerating decision-making cycles by ~40% and enabling clients to move from ad-hoc to strategic growth.
Designed and implemented CRM and revenue-operations playbooks for advisory and portfolio companies, reducing manual sales/admin work by 30–50% and improving pipeline visibility, follow-up consistency, and forecast accuracy across deals.
Advised founders on capital strategy, investor positioning, and deal readiness, including narrative refinement and capital stack design, supporting successful fundraising and partnership outcomes totalling mid-seven figures.

Focus areas: Strategy, Growth, Finance, Leadership, Business Strategy, Mentorship & Coaching, Operations, Marketing, eCommerce, Growth Strategy, Retail & Wholesale

Director, Governance, Technology, and Risk Advisory

2022 - 2025

Parkland

Spearheaded enterprise-wide transformation of risk management, governance, and business process enablement across a multinational energy corporation operating in 25 countries.
Was accountable for governance, enterprise risk management, technology and transformation, business process enablement, commercial assurance, and ethics and compliance.
Architected and implemented an ERM framework. Elevated the company's risk maturity to achieve top decile performance. Established a cross-functional risk management task force that improved risk visibility and fostered a stronger risk culture.
Transformed business process enablement by implementing standardized methodologies across multiple strategic initiatives, resulting in a 30% improvement in process efficiency and a 25% reduction in operational risks.
Developed and executed a comprehensive governance framework spanning 25 countries, rolling out a governance framework and successfully standardizing practices across geographies and jurisdictions.
Advised transformation initiatives ($300+ million) by establishing robust risk assessment frameworks and controls, enabling their successful delivery while maintaining risk thresholds.

Focus areas: Technology Trends, Finance Transformation, Agile Transformation, Risk, Global Risk, Risk Systems, Risk Models, Continuous Improvement, Business, Business Processes, Business to Business (B2B), Process Improvement, Finance Process Improvement, Business Process Improvement (BPI), Process Automation, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Fraud Investigation, Fraud Prevention, Fraud Detection, Process Mapping, Process Management, Process Modeling, Business Process Modeling, Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), Order to Cash (O2C), Record to Report (R2R), P2P, Procure to Pay, Executive Consulting, Microsoft 365, Mentorship & Coaching

Director of Internal Audit

2019 - 2021

Husky Energy

Led a cross-industry innovation study that culminated in an innovation transformation program.
Conducted the enterprise risk management (ERM) transformation program to drive integrated risk assurance and move from five to one platform encompassing governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) and integrated risk management (IRM) solutions.
Built and rolled out an agile internal audit methodology and internal audit manual, tools, and enablers. The quality assurance and improvement (QAIP) program ensured their adoption and sustainment.
Led the transformation and maturation of the internal audit function and appointed a quality champion. I elevated the performance to 4.1 out of 5, measured throughout a 12-question client satisfaction survey (CSS) for every engagement.
Developed and rolled out a new competency framework. I was proactively focused on aligning interests and strengths and developing the competencies needed to execute the audit mandate. The CSS consistently ranked the quality of the team at 4+.
Led the ethics and compliance program encompassing all investigations.
Oversaw the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assurance program.
Drove insights on projects and programs with the highest impact and handled commodity trading and risk management (CTRM). Did health checks on the Allegro implementation project and commodity trading and hedging to realign risk, costs, and value.

Focus areas: Internal Audits, Consulting, IT Consulting, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Innovation, Process Transformation, Commodity Trading & Risk Management (CTRM), Executive Consulting, Microsoft 365, Mentorship & Coaching

Chief Audit Executive

2015 - 2018

Pembina Pipeline

Led the formation of the internal audit and compliance practice, from methodology and execution to team development. Achieved top decile performance based on an internal quality assessment.
Transformed the SOX and C-SOX compliance program to one of the highest ranked in Alberta and among Pembina's peers based on feedback from an external audit partner, KPMG.
Reduced over 50% of the compliance's overall costs across the company by optimizing the internal control environment, driving close alignment with the external audit, and leveraging technology to secure real-time assurance.
Implemented a leading GRC system to drive IRM. The platform enabled the efficient execution of the methodology, a real-time dynamic visualization, and the relationship between risks and controls.
Transformed the ethics program, implemented a whistleblower hotline, and established a steering committee and a framework to govern the management of the program. Investigated 70+ allegations and led the largest investigation in Pembina's history.
Established vendor audit and joint venture audit programs, covering more than 20% of the company's annual spending. The programs generated between two and five times the annual IA budget.
Optimized existing processes, such as revenue process assessment, recommendations to reduce resource load, bottlenecks and late hours during invoicing elimination, and automating controls to drive a higher level of assurance significantly.
Built real-time assurance and continuous control assurance programs by piloting a series of analytics and robotic process automation (RPA) via Alteryx.
Developed and rolled out a new competency framework, training strategy, and rotational program, achieving a 4+ score on the CSS for all engagements.

Focus areas: Internal Audits, Internal Control, Consulting, IT Consulting, Digital Transformation, Process Transformation, Analytics, Process Automation, Risk, Ethics, Fraud Prevention, Fraud Investigation, GRC, Integrated Risk Management (IRM), Audits, Joint Ventures, Executive Consulting, Microsoft 365, Mentorship & Coaching

Senior Manager

2012 - 2015

Deloitte

Led the formation of contract risk and compliance (CRC) practice, including methodology, team development, and business development. I supported the lead CRC partner in growing the practice nationally.
Developed an operations practice focused on integrity, liability, health, and safety through effective operational risk and procedures management.
Acted as a lead risk advisory partner for 3 of 20 priority accounts, in charge of $4 million in sales annually. Recognized for business acumen, relationship development skills, and as a top-selling senior manager in Canada.
Attracted talents to build high-performing teams. Within a year, I created a team of 12 professionals who were leaving competing firms.

Focus areas: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Risk, Audits, Internal Audits, Internal Audit Function, Internal Control, Internal Control Evaluation, Implementation, System Implementation, Risk Systems, Operational Risk, Strategy, Executive Consulting, Microsoft 365, Mentorship & Coaching

Senior Manager

2002 - 2012

EY

Led the largest internal audit for the Canadian member firm, including compliance controls and advisory engagement.
Held various leadership roles for the local office, including third-party assurance and quality and risk management leadership.
Maintained client relationships and managed service expectations. Recognized as the top-selling senior manager in the Canadian member firm.
Collaborated with the team and the client to create a strategy for accomplishing engagement objectives and addressing risks inherent in the engagement. Managed the engagement delivery and inspired teamwork and responsibility among team members.

Focus areas: Internal Audits, Internal Audit Function, Internal Control, Internal Control Evaluation, Operational Risk, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Risk, Risk Systems, Consulting, IT Consulting, Implementation, Digital Transformation, Process Transformation, Finance Transformation, Controls, Fraud Investigation, Strategy, Executive Consulting, Microsoft 365, Mentorship & Coaching

Education

1997 - 2001

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

University of New Brunswick - Saint John, NB, Canada

Certifications

APRIL 2023 - PRESENT

Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner

Prosci

NOVEMBER 2005 - PRESENT

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

NOVEMBER 2005 - PRESENT

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)

Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)

Skills

Finance

Risk, Internal Audits, Fraud Investigation, Accounting, Valuation, Risk Models, Finance Process Improvement, Order to Cash (O2C), Record to Report (R2R)

Output Software

Microsoft PowerPoint, Office 365

Industry Expertise

Retail & Wholesale

Other

GRC, Consulting, Advisory, IT Consulting, Process Improvement, Business Process Improvement (BPI), Audits, Fraud Prevention, Innovation, Innovation Strategy, Digital Transformation, Process Transformation, Project Management, Internal Control, Ethics, Integrated Risk Management (IRM), Internal Audit Function, Internal Control Evaluation, Strategy, Management Consulting, Business Consulting, Company Strategy, Excel 365, Executive Consulting, Microsoft 365, Business Strategy, Mentorship & Coaching, Operations, Growth Strategy, Projects, Project Rescue, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Risk Systems, Operational Risk, Marketing, eCommerce, IT, Lean, Six Sigma, Implementation, System Implementation, System Improvements, Process Design, Continuous Improvement, Productivity Improvement, Performance Improvement, Innovation Management, Agile Transformation, Analytics, Process Automation, Joint Ventures, Finance Transformation, Controls, Digital, Business Transformation, Commodity Trading & Risk Management (CTRM), Change Management, ADKAR Change Model, Change Impact Assessment, Change Leadership, Change Readiness Assessment, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Enterprise Change Management (ECM), Technology Trends, Global Risk, Business, Business Processes, Business to Business (B2B), Fraud Detection, Process Mapping, Process Management, Process Modeling, Business Process Modeling, Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), P2P, Procure to Pay, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Growth, Finance, Leadership

Collaboration That Works

How to Work with Toptal

Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.

Share your needs

Discuss your requirements and refine your scope in a call with a Toptal domain expert.

Choose your talent

Get a short list of expertly matched talent within 24 hours to review, interview, and choose from.

Start your risk-free talent trial

Work with your chosen talent on a trial basis for up to two weeks. Pay only if you decide to hire them.

Top talent is in high demand.

Start hiring

Work Experience

Partner

2021 - PRESENT

Iuvo

Led the business transformation and technology enablement for Shipper Services at a major midstream company in North America. This involved creating current (“as is”) and future state (“to be”) process maps.
Collaborated with key stakeholders (i.e., customer logistics, scheduling, operations, quality, measurement, oil accounting, finance, regulatory, and marine) to optimize “to be” processes while embedding controls throughout processes.
Led digital transformation initiative for a global cannabis producer, implementing an enterprise-wide risk and controls framework that achieved regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions while reducing control costs by 30%.
Signed a business cooperation agreement with the largest energy software company in the world.

Managing Partner

2018 - PRESENT

Future Ventures Corp.

Led a scale-up strategy and operating model design for growth-stage founders, translating vision into execution through proprietary frameworks, accelerating decision-making cycles by ~40% and enabling clients to move from ad-hoc to strategic growth.
Designed and implemented CRM and revenue-operations playbooks for advisory and portfolio companies, reducing manual sales/admin work by 30–50% and improving pipeline visibility, follow-up consistency, and forecast accuracy across deals.
Advised founders on capital strategy, investor positioning, and deal readiness, including narrative refinement and capital stack design, supporting successful fundraising and partnership outcomes totalling mid-seven figures.

Focus areas: Strategy, Growth, Finance, Leadership, Business Strategy, Mentorship & Coaching, Operations, Marketing, eCommerce, Growth Strategy, Retail & Wholesale

Director, Governance, Technology, and Risk Advisory

2022 - 2025

Parkland

Spearheaded enterprise-wide transformation of risk management, governance, and business process enablement across a multinational energy corporation operating in 25 countries.
Was accountable for governance, enterprise risk management, technology and transformation, business process enablement, commercial assurance, and ethics and compliance.
Architected and implemented an ERM framework. Elevated the company's risk maturity to achieve top decile performance. Established a cross-functional risk management task force that improved risk visibility and fostered a stronger risk culture.
Transformed business process enablement by implementing standardized methodologies across multiple strategic initiatives, resulting in a 30% improvement in process efficiency and a 25% reduction in operational risks.
Developed and executed a comprehensive governance framework spanning 25 countries, rolling out a governance framework and successfully standardizing practices across geographies and jurisdictions.
Advised transformation initiatives ($300+ million) by establishing robust risk assessment frameworks and controls, enabling their successful delivery while maintaining risk thresholds.

Director of Internal Audit

2019 - 2021

Husky Energy

Led a cross-industry innovation study that culminated in an innovation transformation program.
Conducted the enterprise risk management (ERM) transformation program to drive integrated risk assurance and move from five to one platform encompassing governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) and integrated risk management (IRM) solutions.
Built and rolled out an agile internal audit methodology and internal audit manual, tools, and enablers. The quality assurance and improvement (QAIP) program ensured their adoption and sustainment.
Led the transformation and maturation of the internal audit function and appointed a quality champion. I elevated the performance to 4.1 out of 5, measured throughout a 12-question client satisfaction survey (CSS) for every engagement.
Developed and rolled out a new competency framework. I was proactively focused on aligning interests and strengths and developing the competencies needed to execute the audit mandate. The CSS consistently ranked the quality of the team at 4+.
Led the ethics and compliance program encompassing all investigations.
Oversaw the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assurance program.
Drove insights on projects and programs with the highest impact and handled commodity trading and risk management (CTRM). Did health checks on the Allegro implementation project and commodity trading and hedging to realign risk, costs, and value.

Chief Audit Executive

2015 - 2018

Pembina Pipeline

Led the formation of the internal audit and compliance practice, from methodology and execution to team development. Achieved top decile performance based on an internal quality assessment.
Transformed the SOX and C-SOX compliance program to one of the highest ranked in Alberta and among Pembina's peers based on feedback from an external audit partner, KPMG.
Reduced over 50% of the compliance's overall costs across the company by optimizing the internal control environment, driving close alignment with the external audit, and leveraging technology to secure real-time assurance.
Implemented a leading GRC system to drive IRM. The platform enabled the efficient execution of the methodology, a real-time dynamic visualization, and the relationship between risks and controls.
Transformed the ethics program, implemented a whistleblower hotline, and established a steering committee and a framework to govern the management of the program. Investigated 70+ allegations and led the largest investigation in Pembina's history.
Established vendor audit and joint venture audit programs, covering more than 20% of the company's annual spending. The programs generated between two and five times the annual IA budget.
Optimized existing processes, such as revenue process assessment, recommendations to reduce resource load, bottlenecks and late hours during invoicing elimination, and automating controls to drive a higher level of assurance significantly.
Built real-time assurance and continuous control assurance programs by piloting a series of analytics and robotic process automation (RPA) via Alteryx.
Developed and rolled out a new competency framework, training strategy, and rotational program, achieving a 4+ score on the CSS for all engagements.

Senior Manager

2012 - 2015

Deloitte

Led the formation of contract risk and compliance (CRC) practice, including methodology, team development, and business development. I supported the lead CRC partner in growing the practice nationally.
Developed an operations practice focused on integrity, liability, health, and safety through effective operational risk and procedures management.
Acted as a lead risk advisory partner for 3 of 20 priority accounts, in charge of $4 million in sales annually. Recognized for business acumen, relationship development skills, and as a top-selling senior manager in Canada.
Attracted talents to build high-performing teams. Within a year, I created a team of 12 professionals who were leaving competing firms.

Senior Manager

2002 - 2012

EY

Led the largest internal audit for the Canadian member firm, including compliance controls and advisory engagement.
Held various leadership roles for the local office, including third-party assurance and quality and risk management leadership.
Maintained client relationships and managed service expectations. Recognized as the top-selling senior manager in the Canadian member firm.
Collaborated with the team and the client to create a strategy for accomplishing engagement objectives and addressing risks inherent in the engagement. Managed the engagement delivery and inspired teamwork and responsibility among team members.

Education

1997 - 2001

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

University of New Brunswick - Saint John, NB, Canada

Certifications

APRIL 2023 - PRESENT

Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner

Prosci

NOVEMBER 2005 - PRESENT

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

NOVEMBER 2005 - PRESENT

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)

Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)

Skills

Finance

Risk, Internal Audits, Fraud Investigation, Accounting, Valuation, Risk Models, Finance Process Improvement, Order to Cash (O2C), Record to Report (R2R)