Senior Forensics Manager (JHB Illovo) at BDO South Africa

The purpose of the role:

• The senior manager is responsible for conducting and managing investigations and preparing concise and quality forensic reports on client matters, projects and practice management, including billing and recoveries, directing and supervising staff who report to them.
• In addition, the senior manager plays a key role in business development by driving sales, through solicited and unsolicited proposals and maintaining relationships with clients

Roles and Responsibilities:

Business Development:

• Extensive experience in Compiling concise and well written proposals in response to requests from clients, internal referrals of work as well as unsolicited proposal;
• Compiling and input to presentations for client pitches, or part of the evaluation processes;
• Working across lines of services to collaborate/provide inputs on various opportunities;
• Build relationships with clients; and
• Contribute to achieving the Unit’s revenue targets.
• Reactive Forensic Services:
• Investigation Planning procedures;
• Examining evidence, interviewing relevant parties, and conducting other forensic-related procedures to ascertain veracity of the allegations being investigated;
• Preparation for interviews and experience in interview protocols, and in the differences between information gathering, witness and admission seeking interviews, respectively.
• Preparation, briefings and working in conjunction with the Data Analyst and Acquisition Specialists, and incorporating such findings into the investigation, and report;
• Implement methodologies as necessitated or for enhancement of processes, in the investigations;
• Extensive experience in writing forensic reports, including review of working papers /reports by specialists and practitioners, for ultimate review by the Director-writing reports that are a client -ready quality, including collation of exhibits. Strong experience in writing conclusions and recommendations in forensic reports;
• Working across lines of services to deliver on multi-disciplinary engagements; and
• Supporting related litigation and/or disciplinary proceedings, including evidence gathering and providing expert testimony as and when required.

Proactive Forensic Services:

• Experience in developing fraud risk management strategies and frameworks for clients; 
• Development/drafting and reviewing including benchmarking with best practice and fraud guiding policies and procedures/fraud risk management frameworks for clients;
• Development and Facilitating Fraud Awareness programs/training across the entity for clients; and
• Development and Facilitating Fraud risk assessment across for clients.

Practice Management

• Maintenance of client information in order as required on the platform provided by the firm;
• Invoicing clients timeously and providing supporting information for invoice processes as when required by clients;
• Following up on invoices for timeous recoveries;
• Submission of timesheets as required;
• Submission of performance information t enable assessments on a timeous basis; 
• Attend and complete internal and/or external training as an when required;
• Attending to request as and when required for purposes of running an effective and forensic practice; and
• Attend internal meetings and represent the unit in specific allocated forums.

Other 

• Provide direction and supervise the team reporting to the Senior Manager;
• Motivate the team and provide technical support throughout engagement;
• Handling difficult and sensitive situations using sound, independent judgement within legal guidelines and ethical conduct; and
• Compliance with applicable laws, regulations, professional standards and BDO policies/procedures
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite
• Extensive Presentation Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Business Acumen by applying business concepts and principles to make informed decisions and achieve organisational goals              
• The Forensic Senior Manager will work closely with and report to the Director

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Accounting, Forensics, Auditing, Risk, or related field
• Advantageous: A post graduate degree in the above-mentioned disciplines
• Certified Fraud Examiner and/or FP(SA) designation compulsory
• Minimum 10 years investigation experience, across multiple industries (one industry experience not preferred), and at least 5 years management experience.
• Experience testifying in disciplinary, civil, and/or labour litigation matters. Experience in testifying in a criminal matter is advantageous matters.
• Advantageous:  Experience in the use of data analytics systems, presentation through visuals such as Power BI and IA 
• Effective leadership qualities.
• Effective communication skills.