Manager – Financial Services Internal Audit & Advisory (Gauteng) at BDO South Africa

Description

• The Manager will play a key leadership role within BDO’s Financial Services Advisory and Internal Audit practice, responsible for managing and delivering complex internal audit and technology risk engagements across banks, insurers, asset managers, and other regulated institutions.
• The role combines engagement delivery, team leadership, client relationship management, and practice development, with a strong emphasis on technology-enabled business processes, data governance, regulatory frameworks, and financial reporting controls.
• The Manager will lead engagement teams, provide technical oversight, and act as a trusted advisor to clients, ensuring high-quality, value-adding outcomes aligned to professional standards and regulatory expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Audit & Assurance Leadership

• Lead and manage internal audit engagements, including business process, IT, and integrated audits
• Oversee planning, scoping, and execution of audits in line with risk-based methodologies and IIA standards
• Review and challenge risk assessments, control designs, and testing approaches
• Provide quality assurance over audit workpapers, testing, and outputs to ensure consistency and defensibility
• Drive the development of clear, commercially relevant audit findings, including root cause analysis and actionable recommendations
• Engage with senior stakeholders to communicate audit outcomes, risks, and insights

Technology Risk & Advisory Delivery

• Lead advisory engagements across IT risk, data governance, systems implementation, and control optimisation
• Provide strategic input into technology-enabled control frameworks, automation initiatives, and digital transformation programs
• Oversee assessments of IT General Controls (ITGCs), application controls, and emerging technology risks (e.g., AI, data analytics platforms)
• Support regulatory-driven programs (e.g., BCBS 239 / RDARR, IFRS 17, King IV/V, ISO frameworks) where relevant
• Advise clients on remediation strategies, control improvements, and sustainable governance practices

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with client management, internal audit functions, and risk stakeholders
• Act as a key contact point for engagements, managing expectations, timelines, and deliverables
• Facilitate audit workshops, closing meetings, and steering committee discussions
• Translate technical findings into business-relevant insights for executive audiences

Team Leadership & Delivery Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop engagement teams (analysts, senior analysts, and assistant managers)
• Review work outputs, provide coaching, and ensure effective skills development
• Manage engagement economics, including budgeting, resource allocation, and profitability
• Drive a high-performance, quality-focused team culture

Data-Enabled Auditing & Innovation

• Champion the use of data analytics and Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) across engagements
• Oversee the design and execution of data-driven audit procedures
• Identify opportunities to enhance audit efficiency and insight through automation and analytics
• Promote innovation within audit methodologies and tooling

Practice Development & Business Growth

• Contribute to proposal development, RFP responses, and client pitches
• Identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities within existing client portfolios
• Support the development of internal methodologies, frameworks, and thought leadership
• Build market presence in internal audit and technology advisory offerings

Requirements

Qualifications:

• BCom Internal Audit
• BCom Information Systems / Informatics
• BSc Computer Science
• BA Information Management (or equivalent)
• BCom Financial Science
• Postgraduate qualification in Internal Audit, Risk Management, or IT Governance (advantageous)

Professional certifications preferred:

• CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
• CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
• CRISC / CGEIT (advantageous)                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Experience

• 5–8 years’ experience in Internal Audit, IT Audit, or Risk Advisory
• Proven experience managing audit engagements and leading teams
• Strong exposure to Financial Services (banking, insurance, asset management)
• Experience in delivering technology risk and integrated audits

Technical Knowledge & Frameworks

• Strong understanding of risk-based internal audit methodologies (aligned to IIA Standards)
• Deep knowledge of IT risk management, IT governance, and internal control frameworks
• Experience with frameworks such as:
• Global Internal Audit Standards
• COBIT
• King v
• ITIL
• ISO 27001
• Data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA)
• Understanding of regulatory environments impacting Financial Services

Core Competencies​​​​​​​

• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication ability
• Commercial acumen and client-focused mindset
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to manage multiple engagements and priorities
• High standard of professionalism and delivery quality
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development