Senior Manager: External Audit

**JOB PURPOSE**

The Senior Manager: External Audit (SM: EA) will be responsible for leading and managing the external audit function. This role involves managing external audit engagements, ensuring compliance with auditing standards, regulations and industry best practices.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Audit Planning and Execution**
- Lead the planning and execution of external audit engagements in accordance with applicable auditing standards and regulatory requirements
- Oversee audit teams, assigning responsibilities and ensuring timely completion of audit procedures.

**Client relationship Management**
- Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, building and maintaining positive relationships through effective communication and collaboration
- Understand clients’ business processes, risks and objectives to tailor audit approaches and provide valuable insights

**Quality Assurance**
- Ensure the quality and integrity of audit work through rigorous review of audit documentation, findings and reports
- Implement quality control procedures to uphold the firm’s audit standards and practices

**Technical Expertise**
- Provide guidance and training to audit teams on technical matters and best practices in external auditing

**Reporting and Communication**
- Prepare and present comprehensive external audit reports to management and other stakeholders
- Communicate findings, recommendations and action plans to relevant departments and management

**Team Leadership and Development**
- Lead and manage the external audit team, providing guidance, support and mentorship
- Promote culture of professionalism, continuous learning and high performance within the team
- Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback and support career development initiatives

**Business Development**
- Identify opportunities for additional services and business growth within existing client relationships
- Participate in business development activities, including proposal preparation, client presentations and networking events

**Stakeholder Engagement**
- Collaborate with various departments and business units to understand their objectives and challenges.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders across the company.

**Compliance and Regulatory Requirements**
- Ensure external audit activities are in compliance with relevant laws, regulations and industry standards
- Keep abreast of changes in regulations that may impact external audit procedures

**REQUIREMENTS**

**MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS**
- +5 Years relevant experience in the Finance or Accounting, External Audit field with a significant portion in a managerial or leadership role within a reputable audit firm.

**MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS**
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field
- Professional certification such as CA (SA)

**REQUIRED SKILLS**
- Thorough understanding of external auditing standards, risk management practices and regulatory requirements
- Excellent problem solving and analytical skills and the ability to critically and identify root causes
- Proven leadership abilities, including the ability to motivate and develop a team
- Proficiency in using audit software and data analytics tools
- Ability to work independently and make decisions with a high degree of autonomy
- Strong knowledge of financial reporting.
- Ability to review data and advise on relevant management decisions.
- Strong financial acumen and the ability to analyse complex financial data to inform decision-making.
- Ability to train and manage staff
- Time management and organizational skills
- Good communications skills
- Excellent project management abilities, with a focus on delivering high-quality audit services within budget and timelines

**CORE COMPETENCIES**
- Compliance
- Honesty & Integrity
- Planning & Organizing
- Client Relationship Management
- Technical Proficiency
- Problem-solving
- Project Management
- Business Development
- Ethical Conduct

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: R50,000.00 per month

**Education**:

- Bachelors (required)

**Experience**:

- External Auditing: 5 years (required)

Ability to Commute:

- Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (required)

Ability to Relocate:

- Durban, KwaZulu-Natal: Relocate before starting work (required)