Internal Auditor - Brackenfell at Shoprite Group of Companies

Job Objectives

• Participating in the preparation and formalisation of the annual internal audit plan.
• Coordinating the specific processes to support the implementation and execution of the audit plan.
• Conducting internal audits at various sites – including branches, independently and as part of a team.
• Advising on the development of the scope and objective of the audit, specifying the resource requirements, engagement work program and working papers.
• Defining and executing the audit scope with specific understanding of the audit purpose and context – including operational stock-take audits at various divisions, distribution centers, warehouses and branches. Operating in both routine and highly complex environments, dealing with multiple levels and geographies, displaying a good understanding of the Group and related statutory environment.
• Monitoring compliance, preparing and presenting audit findings and recommendations to management and providing assurance of compliance to statutory requirements and policies and procedures.
• Analysing and evaluating the internal controls to determine their effectiveness in mitigating risks and threats and to ensure the reliability of financial reports and compliance to laws and statutory reports.
• Analysing the operations in a way which closely follows the rules and procedures supporting the organization’s goals and objectives to determine compliance to these procedures. Identifying weaknesses in procedures, systems and internal controls and making recommendations on how to improve governance processes, internal controls, risks remediation and related activities.
• Partnering cross-functionally to deliver audit projects focusing on financial, operational, and internal control processes.
• Populating a business understanding document; and preparing an audit program based on the understanding that must be linked to the scope of the audit, the audit objectives and risks identified.
• Ensuring awareness of the workings in the audit and the areas of concern to management and relevant stakeholders. Communicating and engaging with business stakeholders to understand the business activities related to the audit areas and scope.
• Documenting audit activities and findings obtained from the fieldwork performed. Documenting reporting points throughout the process to inform the draft audit report issued at the end of the audit.
• Providing feedback to the Auditee and identified stakeholders on the findings and facilitating an opportunity for feedback and comments to be applied in the final audit report.
• Performing ongoing follow-ups on the status of outstanding internal audit issues. Managing follow-ups on open audit issues and facilitating the agreed timelines etc with business process owner to ensure timely closure of action plans.
• Facilitating the implementation of recommendations made.
• Ensuring that all audit working documents are stored in the correct folders for traceability on the internal audit share drive.
• Ensuring due professional care (completion of declarations timeously, all audit work documentation to adhere to IIA standards etc.). 
• Remaining current with auditing best practice and legislation to ensure the analysis and review of a variety of areas in the business depending on the scope identified in the audit plan.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit or equivalent – essential.
• Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – preferred.

Experience

• +3 years experience as an Internal Auditor or equivalent role, in a multi-stakeholder portfolio with nationally distributed locations and brand imperatives – essential.
• Exposure to FMCG retail sector in a Group wide cross-functional structure – essential.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Audit Process and Corporate Governance Principles (King IV) – essential. 

Knowledge and Skills

• A clear understanding of Corporate Governance, Compliance and Audit landscape within a South African context.
• Possesses specialist auditing knowledge - extensive knowledge of a range of audit contexts and scopes from corporate functional areas through to operational branch level environments. Able to provide insights and value into audit plan, procedures and outcomes combined with the ability to influence and manage the full audit process across all levels and environments.
• Self-motivated and driven with strong integrity - take accountability for actions and mistakes.
• Works effectively in a team environment and creates an environment which motivates the team and is conducive for high quality work and output.
• Critical and analytical thinker - analyses the audit context, identify compliance risks, and establish practice standards and monitoring mechanisms. 
• Big picture with detail orientation - able to scan the broader environment for risk and opportunities – or replication of good practice across different functional areas. Specialist at gathering, analysing and evaluating facts - proactive in approach and meticulous attention to detail.
• Quality orientation – diligently staying on top of the details and understanding how they fit into the big picture.
• Exceptional communicator - at all levels both verbal and written. Approachable, adopt a range of communication styles to facilitate successful outcomes within the team and cross-functionally in a matrix structure. 
• Collaborative partnering - think and act independently as well as collaboratively. Excellent stakeholder engagement and empowerment, ability to establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Conflict resolution and resilience - open, honest and direct in giving and receiving constructive feedback. 
• ‘Bounce back and try again’ attitude during adversity.
• Problem solving - Solution orientated, guide the Group / business in solving problems that align and comply with the Group Property/Lease framework.
• Adapting and responding to change - outcomes orientated, delivering results and meeting business expectations in a fast-paced unpredictable environment. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment & effectively manage multiple priorities - high flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity and new strategies and process approaches.
• Understanding of the audit function and evolving technologies and digital opportunities and options and implications for the audit function