Job Opportunities at BDO South Africa

Description

• The ACCA Accountant Traineeship is a 3-year training Contract whereby you will gain the relevant experience in order to register as a Chartered Certified Accountant with ACCA.
• The Trainee Accountant vacancies are for January 2026 where first-year trainees will start their training contract within the BDO Wave Audit division based Cape Town. The training contract will ensure that you obtain the support to write the strategic level exams and achieve the competencies required to register with ACCA. You will be equipped with generalist expertise and experience in a broad range of commercial sectors. As a BDO Wave Audit professional, you’ll work in a fast-paced environment and help BDO Wave to deliver exceptional client service. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Audit (Technical)

• Assist in the delivery of audits from planning through to completion, gaining exposure to the full audit cycle
• Support planning activities by preparing audit planning documents, creating system notes, and contributing to risk assessments
• During execution, perform audit procedures across financial statement areas such as payroll, cash and bank, revenue, cost of sales, expenses, and property, plant and equipment (PPE)
• Evaluate evidence to assess whether there is a risk of material misstatement within financial data and document findings clearly
• Escalate issues identified to senior team members and assist in resolving queries
• Contribute to completion procedures, including final analytical reviews, clearing outstanding queries, preparing completion checklists, and assisting in drafting audit reports
• Develop professional judgement by linking audit findings to business risks and industry context

Administration

• Complete monthly feedback forms by requesting input from managers on work performed during audit engagements
• Track and update monthly skills reviews within the Learning & Training System (LTS) to monitor competencies obtained, supporting sign-off at the end of the training contract
• Prepare and deliver presentations, and actively participate in team presentations to build professional communication skills

Studying

• Progress towards the ACCA qualification with structured support and mentorship
• Balance work and study commitments, developing resilience and discipline
• Apply theoretical knowledge from ACCA studies directly into audit engagements, strengthening both technical ability and professional judgement

Study support:

• Exam and tuition costs covered by BDO Wave for the first attempt of your ACCA exams
• Lecture preparation with an approved Learning Service Provider covered by BDO Wave
• Paid study leave

Requirements
Education:

• ACCA accredited degree from an approved university with auditing as one of the major subjects, preferably completed 2024 or 2025

Skills:

• Keen willingness to learn and bring energy and aspiration to the audit team
• Ability to handle and manage stress
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills for internal and external stakeholder relationship management
• Flexible in terms of working hours when required
• Project management skills
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Team player
• Demonstrate a commitment to self-development and growth
• Ability to work within diverse teams
• Strong organisational ability.

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Description

• If you've recently completed your SAICA articles, this is your opportunity to take the next step. As a Junior Associate, you'll work closely with the Audit Engagement Manager in the UK, contributing to the planning and execution of audit fieldwork. You'll play a key role in ensuring audits are completed efficiently and within deadlines, gaining hands-on experience and exposure to a dynamic client portfolio.
• Completion of execution on sections
• Completion of analytical reviews on an overall entity basis as well as on specific sections
• Completion of planning and finalisation
• Manages time and is held accountable for productivity
• Provides frequent progress updates to the UK manager or partner
• Regular online and in-person training is required to ensure compliance

Requirements
Qualifications and experience

Minimum requirements:

• Newly qualified CA(SA) registered or eligible to register with SAICA
• Less than 1-year post-articles experience
• Full IFRS practical audit experience

Preferred requirements:

• Independent review experience 

Competencies

• Ability to handle and manage stress
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills for internal and external stakeholder relationship management
• Flexible in terms of working hours when required
• Supervisory experience
• Must be able to work on your own
• Project management skills
• Quality and detail oriented
• Team player

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Purpose of the role: 

• The Director in Risk Advisory Services will lead strategic initiatives, manage client relationships, and oversee the delivery of high-quality risk management and internal audit solutions. This role requires a visionary leader with deep technical expertise and strong business acumen to drive growth and operational excellence.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute strategies to expand the Risk Advisory Services practice in alignment with firm objectives.
• Client Advisory: Serve as a trusted advisor on governance, risk management, compliance, and internal audit matters.
• Operational Excellence: Ensure adherence to risk frameworks, methodologies, and regulatory standards while managing budgets and timelines.
• Team Development: Mentor and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
• Business Development: Identify new market opportunities and lead initiatives to grow client portfolios. 

Requirements:

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

Qualifications:

• Minimum qualifications of honours degree in internal audit, accounting or finance.
• Full professional accounting qualification (CIA, or equivalent).
• CISA added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 12 years in risk advisory/internal audit, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Industry exposure -Strong experience in Mining and Telecommunications.

Performance Indicators:

• Revenue growth and profitability of the Risk Advisory Services portfolio.
• Client satisfaction and retention metrics.
• Successful delivery of engagements within scope, time, and budget.
• Development and retention of key talent in the team.

Competencies: Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience: Minimum 12 years in risk advisory/internal audit, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of risk frameworks and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to manage complex engagements and client portfolios.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking and business development acumen.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Integrity and Ethical Judgment.
• Critical Thinking and Sound Judgment
• Emotional Intelligence
• Resilience and Stress Tolerance
• Influencing and Negotiation Skills
• Collaboration and Relationship Building
• Leadership and Team Empowerment
• Strategic Orientation
• Commercial Awareness
• Communication Excellence
• Adaptability and Agility
• Attention to Detail
• Confidentiality and Discretion
• Accountability and Ownership

BDO Core Competencies:

• Relationships and Collaboration.
• Exceptional Client Service.
• Business Growth.
• Engaging people.
• Leadership.
• Quality, risk management and operational performance.