Audit Manager at Absa Bank Limited

Job Summary

The core responsibility of an auditor within Absa is to execute audit assignments in accordance with the Audit Plan and relevant policies, procedures and quality standards.

Job Description

Key accountabilities/Deliverables/Outcomes

Accountability: Audit Delivery and Issue Assurance

• Develop an in- depth knowledge of the Audit Methodology, by attending training sessions and using knowledge gained during audits, use this proactively in executing audit activities. 
• Deliver assigned responsibilities by the Senior Audit Manager / Head of Audit work to a high quality and in accordance with the requirements of the Quality Assurance scorecard.
• Perform planning and execution of Design Effectiveness and Operating Effectives Testing, uniformly applying the methodology and quality standards, focusing the work on key risks, with minimum supervision from the Senior Audit Manager 
• Develop and maintain relationships with key audit contacts on each audit by attending continuous stakeholder meetings. In addition, engage closely with stakeholders during assignments and encourage open discussion and interaction with business on the risks associated in their environment.
• Engage proactively with Internal Audit colleagues during assignments and request technical assistance where required. Technical assistance may be requested for the review of the risks and controls to be tested, audit working papers and audit report.
• Based on knowledge of business areas, provide guidance to other auditors and peers by sharing best practice so that their work meets and sometimes exceeds quality standards. 
• Support the Senior Audit Manager in the identification of risks to be tested by participating in planning sessions. 
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of Absa and the various business areas and use this knowledge to assess risks and controls through identifying, assessing and documenting risks and controls within these processes. 
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls and document all working papers in Audit Bond for review by the Senior Audit Manager. 
• Ensure all audit observations and planned actions are factually agreed with management as soon as they arise and increase the speed of report issuance. Provide suggestions to stakeholder management on how they can address the control issues identified. 
• Document all working papers in line with methodology requirements. The working papers must be accurate, reflective of work performed and support conclusions drawn. 
• Display professional scepticism, raising and discussing contentious observations with management and provide evidence to support all issues identified. 
• On an ongoing basis throughout the audit, discuss and agree the factual accuracy of audit observations with the Senior Audit Manager and Head of Audit. 
• Provide feedback to the Senior Audit Manager and audit team with progress and observations raised during the audit by communicating honestly, frequently and effectively. Build and maintain good working relationships with fellow auditors.
• Participate fully and be supportive in all audits by providing assistance to the team where required. Be quick to learn and seek opportunities to share this knowledge with colleagues. 
• Continue to update awareness of risk issues and changes across selected business units from interaction with management and provide feedback to the Senior Audit Manager. 
• Assist in the induction of new joiners, mentoring less experienced team members.
• Proactively take on additional tasks as requested by the Head of Audit – which may include managing Issue Assurance and production of team Management Information. 
• Perform Issue validation testing and documenting of the working papers in accordance with the requirements of the Methodology.
• Support with the teams Data Analytics and Automation initiatives and have experience in performing data analytics.

Accountability: Knowledge Management

• Improve technical knowledge through self-learning or training including mandatory Continuous Professional Education requirements. 
• Sharing knowledge with AIA colleagues and peers in the business. 
• Develop and enhance learning through seeking coaching, training and continual feedback. 
• Coach new joiners and trainees on how to apply the methodology. In addition, to proactively share knowledge within the team, leading a session at a team meeting. 
• Build knowledge of business and culture in business units for the Consumer, Business Banking and CIB portfolio and Functions assigned by the Senior Audit Manager
• Knowledge of key regulations, including FIC, KYC and AML, Sanctions, for business areas / locations within remit.

Accountability: Reporting 

• Prepare audit observations and make sure that they are concise, factually accurate and cover all of the significant issues. The observations must be insightful, address the root causes, and have agreed actions that fully mitigate the risk. 
• Assist the Senior Audit Manager where required, in the drafting of the audit report in line with methodology requirements and as per the requirements of the Balanced Scorecard.
• Obtain regular updates on the control environment through ongoing discussions with management and provide the updates to the Senior Audit Manager for inclusion in governance papers to the Board Audit Committee and other relevant stakeholders.
• Proficient in report writing for governance reporting.

 Accountability: Relationship management

• Develop and maintain relationships with accountable management on each audit.
• Present effectively at stakeholder meetings and forums (e.g.: Risk and Governance forums) to share knowledge and information including methodology, standards, changes and new developments with business stakeholders on an ongoing basis.

Role/person specification

Qualification

• Business Degree (Commercial, Informatics, Statistics); and/or
• CIA (Levels 1,2 or 3)
• Honours (Commercial, Informatics, Statistics)
• Certificate in CPA, ACCA or CISA

Experience

• 5 years’ experience in Internal/External audit or commensurate experience in a major financial institution
• 6 years’ experience in Risk Based Auditing or Risk/Control activities
• Financial services industry knowledge
• Knowledge in data analytics
• Knowledge in a key high-risk area such as Credit Risk, Corporate and Investment Banking, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Risk, Finance, Treasury, Wealth Management.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Experience in performing data analytics.
• Strong knowledge of auditing principles and internal controls.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and in a team.