Audit Manager at KPMG South Africa

Description of the role and purpose of the job:

• The audit manager has the operational responsibility to guide, manage and oversee the planning, staffing and supervision of audit engagements. Provides technical, audit operational, and audit quality leadership with a focus on professional skepticism. Demonstrates a strong tone and culture supporting audit quality through a commitment to maintain objectivity, professional skepticism, ethics and integrity. The audit engagement manager has the operational accountability and responsibility to drive audit quality in response to the needs of stakeholders and external regulators.

Portfolio Management

• Adhere to the firm’s process for audit client acceptance and continuance e.g. executing timely completion of the engagement set-up and annual client re-evaluation/continuance procedures
• Monitor client service standards and takes action to improve poor audit quality service
• Actively participate with the audit partner in the optimization and rationalization of our portfolio of clients
• Lead/Manage multiple projects or programs, through the management of a team of professionals and possibly with the contribution of specialists
• Take commercial and contractual responsibility for managing engagement billings, collections and identification of change order opportunities. Facilitate timely identification and analysis of potential change orders, discuss the change order opportunities with clients at interim periods during the year

Resource Management

• Determine during the planning phase that the engagement team has the appropriate proficiencies, resources, tools and capabilities deployed to drive audit quality
• Determine that the work performed by less experienced members of the engagement team is directed, supervised and reviewed by more experienced engagement team members
• Superviseandreviewtheworkoftheengagementteambeingsuitablyinvolvedthroughouttheengagement
• Develop, coach, mentor and share expertise with team members, providing stretch assignments to advance their capability
• Take action to support the wellbeing of individuals in their team(s)
• Adhere to the firms policies or procedures for staffing and resource allocation, performance management and engagement review evaluation of individuals within their teams(s)
• Take a leading role in developing team members to their full potential promoting collaboration
• Provide technical knowledge, direction and training to engagement team members
• Determines that the audit engagement team undertake the appropriate training and coaching in line with member firm requirements
• Work on professional development to maintain status and accreditation undertaking all mandatory and regulatory training as required by the due date
• Keep up to date with technical developments in audit quality, audit and accounting standards, and comply with latest quality directives

Monitoring and Quality Initiatives

• Determine adequate and timely planning by involving the audit partner. audit director, engagement quality control reviewer, and relevant specialists
• Contribute to the development of the audit strategy, materiality, risk assessment, risk of fraud and planned audit approach, prior to commencing field work
• Propose the most appropriate audit approach and audit workflow to be taken for the engagement
• Adopt new approaches to improve audit quality including new audit methodology and technology tools
• Determine that audit procedures obtain sufficient appropriate cumulative audit evidence to support the audit opinion in accordance with professional standards, applicable legal and regulatory requirements
• Focus on complex, high risk and sensitive technical issues, involving the engagement partner and the engagement quality control reviewer early in discussions and consulting with the Department of Professional Practice as necessary. Document the conclusion reached and the disposition of the consultation in accordance with firm requirements
• Lead and coach team members on the exercise of professional skepticism including robust challenge, consideration of alternatives and disconfirming evidence
• Lead the preparation of the proposed auditor’s reports considering the proposed wording to be included in the Key Audit Matters section and the conclusions reached in formulating the auditor's report
• Lead the engagement team’s assessment of the significance and disposition of corrected and uncorrected misstatements identified and matters to be communicated to management and those charged with governance
• Participate in consultation on matters involving differences of opinion e.g. with the EQCR or other personnel involved in the audit and document the conclusions arising from those consultations in accordance with firm requirements
• Facilitate debrief sessions upon completion of and during projects to identify lessons learned and enhance future quality and commercial planning
• Determine that the engagement files are assembled within an appropriate period of time after the engagement reports have been finalized and the engagement documentation retained is in accordance with firm requirements

Lead and coach the engagement team in:

• Determining appropriate substantive procedures on significant accounts and risk areas and material non-significant account;
• Coordinating with specialists and assessing the impact of specialists findings on the audit;
• Completing tasks and deliverables to a high quality standard as part of client engagements -working to an agreed plan, budget, and quality;
• Understanding of the importance of the work being completed and how it contributes to the audit overall;
• Identifying and documenting risks, issues and conclusions -consulting with appropriate team members as necessary; and,
• Keeping senior team members informed of significant developments and progress on the engagement

Skills and attributes required for the role:

• Make sound decisions
• Foster innovation
• Apply a strategic perspective
• Take opportunities to learn and adapt
• Develop and motivate others
• Build collaborative relationships
• Drive quality
• Act ethically and responsibly
• Advocate for equality
• Ability to work under pressure
• Manage multiple priorities
• Demonstrate leadership qualities.

Minimum requirements to apply for the role (including qualifications and experience):

• Registered Chartered Accountant (CA) SA.
• Must have experience in working in a big multinational audit firm.
• Must have completed SAICA Articles in an audit environment.
• Listed and PCAOB experience is advantageous.
• Must have own reliable vehicle.