Internal Audit Manager - Relationship Banking at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

We are looking to recruit a suitably experienced/qualified Internal Audit Manager (VP) to join our RB IA team which covers the Business, Commercial, Wealth and Private Banking business.

The role of IA is paramount in ensuring that Absa’s residual risk is managed adequately therefore a good understanding of the RB business, products, processes and controls and previous audit experience in a risk-based environment will be advantageous. The candidate must have a growth mindset, keen on innovation and agile and automated auditing. Good communication skills (written and verbal), effective time management and build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across First and Second Line of Defense teams embedded within the business.

Further the candidate must plan, execute and manage audit review in accordance with the Group Audit Plan, IA Methodology, relevant policies, procedures and quality standards. As Audit Manager the candidate is responsible for leading audits (quality of the audit work performed, efficiency and effectiveness of the audit team, skilled in managing conflict, results driven and influence outcomes), compile risk committee reporting and actively participate in annual audit planning and ongoing business monitoring. In spirit of combined assurance, audit manager must also promote and support an effective risk culture, where there is an open, proactive, and constructive dialogue relating to the control environment and management control approach of RB.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Accountability: Audit Delivery and Issue Validations

• Plan the delivery of assigned audits to a high quality and in line IA methodology, including adequate resource scheduling, meeting key deliverables in terms of audit timelines and review of audit work to confirm that the minimum requirements as per methodology and scope of the review are met to mitigate audit risk.
• Develop a detailed knowledge of the IA methodology by attending training sessions to ensure that approved audits are risk focused.
• Act as a mentor for auditors and peers to provide guidance/on the job coaching to ensure that their work adheres to expected quality standards.
• Contribute to annual planning, this will include identifying auditable entities, assessing the audit needs assessment and preparing all Management Information reports required, and propose relevant impactful audits linked to Strategy and Risk/control profile of RB.
• Management of the following: Audit universe, auditable entities, audit delivery, people development and stakeholder management on each audit and during business monitoring.
• Manage audits and Issue Validations within Key Performance timelines and resource budget.
• Proactively provide on-the-job training to the audit team including AuditBond (AB)and confirm through inspection of the audit work that the results of audit work and issue validations are completed, updated and approved as required by the IA methodology.
• Develop testing strategies for key controls during the audit/issue validations to adequately mitigate the risks – Planning deliverables, RACM, APD etc.
• Manage the delegation and execution of Design Effectiveness Testing (DEA) and Operational Effectiveness Testing (OET) of the audit team in line with methodology requirements. Review the DEA and OET working papers of controls tested and provide coaching notes to the team.
• Engage with management and auditors on progress of audit and to provide regular feedback on issues identified where the control has failed either at a DEA or OET level.
• Engage with Centres of Excellences (COEs) during the fieldwork stage and give oversight to COE colleagues working on the audit assignment. Technical assistance may include the review of key risks and controls, review of working papers, audit issues and audit reports.
• Ensure all audit observations and planned actions are factually agreed with management as soon as they arise agile auditing principles and display professional scepticism, raising and discussing contentious observations with management and provide evidence to support all issues identified. Review management action plans to confirm that the identified risks associated to the control failure will adequately mitigate the risks. Actions plans are to be specific, measurable, timely, achievable and realistic.
• Deliver high quality audit reports, aligned to the IA methodology which include all significant issues identified in the audit.

Accountability: Reporting

• Assess, challenge and monitor and prepare high quality, relevant and insightful reporting for risk committees in RB and Group wide. Include audit delivery, issue validations, business monitoring insights and key MI relating to open/overdue/reopened audit issues etc, drivers for our CE and MCA assessments, emerging/watching brief risks. Ensure data integrity and factual accuracy of report prior to submission to EL/PH for review.
• Review and check and challenge first and second line of defense reporting on the CE and MCA.
• Strong collaboration with the CoE counterparts to derive insights for impactful reporting.

Accountability: Audit Planning

• Actively participate and provide high quality, relevant and impactful audits for RB in the annual audit planning process. Manage and facilitate the planning deliverables and interlocks with the wider IA teams, as required by the COO IA team for RB.
• Report progress on Combined Assurance testing performed by IA, closely monitor RB Combined assurance strategy/progress, and actively participate in the combined assurance forum.

Accountability: Management & Leadership 15%

• Provide thought leadership and input into the strategy for the RB IA Team.
• Actively play a senior role in the RB Management Committees and develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders during audits and business monitoring activities. Present effectively at stakeholder meetings and forums to share knowledge and information including methodology, standards, changes and new developments with business stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
• Engage proactively with the wider Internal Audit colleagues and request technical assistance where required from the Centres of Excellence during audits, business monitoring, reporting, planning etc.
• Mentor and coach less experienced team members by providing guidance around the methodology, audit process and the RB business.
• Support IA management team to identify, attract, develop and retain talent on an on-going basis and in measuring productivity and growth of staff by ensuring that Evaluation Forms are maintained for all audits and regular performance feedback to staff throughout the year, recognizing strengths and comprehensive development and training plans for key development areas identified.
• Develop a high performing team by embedding formal performance development and informal coaching. Encourage frequent knowledge sharing between team members. Establish and maintain a succession plan for the team. Participate in the interview and recruitment of new members for the team.
• Execute on all people management responsibilities, e.g. leave, training, PD’s, monitoring timesheets etc.

Accountability: Knowledge Management

• Improve technical knowledge and ongoing learning, specific training including mandatory continuous Professional Education requirements.
• Share knowledge in area of responsibility with the team to ensure that audit activities are planned effectively and completed in line with quality standards and audit methodology.
• Present effectively at stakeholder meetings and forums (e.g. Risk and Governance Forums etc.) by sharing knowledge and information, including methodology, standards, changes and new developments, with business stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
• Working with colleagues in Business Units to provide requisite expertise in key areas where specific specialist knowledge is required to deliver appropriate, value-added assurance.

Minimum Requirements

• B Degree (Commercial, Informatics, Statistics)
• B Degree Honours (Commercial, Informatics, Statistics)
• CA (SA), CIA, CISA or relevant qualification
• Relevant banking industry qualification (e.g. SA Institute of Bankers)
• Essential:
• 5 years’ experience in Internal/External audit or commensurate experience in a major financial institution or Big 4 audit firm
• 5 years’ experience in risk based auditing or risk/control activities.
• 3 years’ experience of managing a team

Competencies:

• Independent in practice and in thought.
• Engaged with a visible level of presence.
• Drive the right risk culture in the business.
• Growth mindset, curious and open to teaching and learning
• Confident to responsibly challenge, even if based on gut feel and not on data or facts.
• Ability to manage conflicts.
• Influential, Personal accountability.
• Crisp and clear communicator, verbally and in writing.
• See the big picture, however, can get into the detail where necessary.
• Focused without adopting a silo mentality.

Education
Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)