Manager – Financial Services Internal Audit & Advisory (Gauteng)

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