Senior Internal Auditor

SUMMARY:
Senior Internal Auditor | Financial Services (Wealth Management, Advisory & Investments)

POSITION INFO:
Senior Internal Auditor Location: Waterfall, Midrand, Gauteng Industry: Financial Services (Wealth Management, Advisory & Investments) Position Type: Permanent Important Applicant Notice This vacancy is strictly reserved for dedicated audit professionals who demonstrate an authentic, long-term commitment to internal auditing as a primary career path. The internal audit team seeks an individual who takes genuine pride in governance, independent assurance, and control optimization. Candidates viewing internal audit as an interim stepping stone toward broader finance or accounting roles will not be considered a fit. Role Overview A prominent, JSE-listed financial services group is seeking a driven, analytical, and career-committed Senior Internal Auditor to join its internal audit function based in Waterfall, Midrand. Operating within a progressive and collaborative assurance team, the successful candidate will provide high-impact, value-adding assurance across wealth management, advisory, and investment operations. This role is built for a professional who excels at dissecting complex risk environments, evaluating multifaceted control ecosystems, and playing a tangible role in reinforcing corporate governance and operational resilience across group subsidiaries. Key Responsibilities & Duties End-to-End Audit Planning & Execution: Lead, scope, design, and execute risk-based operational, compliance, financial, and integrated audits across wealth and asset management entities from preliminary planning through to close-out. Formulate comprehensive Audit Planning Memorandums (APMs), tailored audit programs, and detailed Risk and Control Matrices (RCMs). Continuously review operating processes to identify emerging regulatory, market, and operational risks. Controls Evaluation & Fieldwork: Critically assess the design adequacy and operating effectiveness of governance structures, risk management practices, and internal controls. Execute process walkthroughs, substantive procedures, and dual-purpose testing across high-risk business functions. Detect control breakdowns, segregation-of-duties conflicts, and systemic operational inefficiencies. Root Cause Analysis & High-Impact Reporting: Perform structured root-cause analyses on identified weaknesses rather than merely documenting symptoms. Draft concise, objective, evidence-based audit findings complemented by commercially practical, risk-weighted recommendations. Produce high-quality management reports and synthesize core assurance themes for Executive packs and the Audit and Risk Committee. Audit Committee & Board Reporting Support: Support the Internal Audit Manager and Head of Internal Audit in preparing quarterly Audit Committee packs, risk heatmaps, and executive-level trend analyses. Develop visual metrics illustrating control health, repeat issues, and remediation velocity across business units. Special Reviews & Ad-Hoc Advisory: Perform management-requested consulting engagements, forensic reviews, and fraud investigations adhering to proper evidence handling and chain-of-custody standards. Provide proactive control advisory on new business initiatives, operating model changes, and system implementations while preserving audit independence and objectivity. Combined Assurance & Second-Line Alignment: Coordinate actively with Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Legal, and Information Security functions to avoid assurance duplication and close testing gaps under the King IV Combined Assurance Model. Map audit scopes against group risk registers to ensure emerging strategic risks are integrated into dynamic audit plans. Data-Driven Assurance & Continuous Auditing: Embed Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) into standard audit execution, testing entire transaction populations rather than relying on narrow manual sampling. Build and apply data analytics routines to identify anomalies, unauthorized activity, and potential fraud indicators across transactional workflows, fee calculations, and trade execution. Support the implementation of automated assurance dashboards and continuous monitoring tools. Remediation Tracking & Validation: Independently track, monitor, and re-test agreed management corrective actions against established target dates. Validate that management interventions have genuinely resolved root risks prior to formally closing findings. Stakeholder Engagement & Professional Standards: Cultivate credible, collaborative relationships with business leaders and operational heads while upholding uncompromising professional skepticism and independence. Facilitate opening, progress, and exit meetings with clarity, diplomacy, and constructive challenge. Conduct all activities in strict accordance with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (IPPF), the IIA Code of Ethics, and internal Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) standards. Minimum Requirements & Qualifications Mindset & Professional Orientation (Mandatory): Demonstrable commitment to internal auditing and controls governance as a long-term career specialization. Intellectual curiosity, sharp analytical reasoning, and high professional skepticism. Education: Completed Bachelor's degree specializing in Internal Auditing (e.g., BCom Internal Auditing, BTech in Internal Auditing, or an equivalent dedicated internal audit qualification). An Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Internal Auditing is strongly advantageous. Experience: 4 to 6+ years of dedicated internal audit experience. Proven background gained within Financial Services, Wealth Management, Asset Management, Banking, or the internal audit\/GRC practice of a reputable professional services firm (Big 4 or mid-tier). Demonstrated track record of independently planning, scoping, and executing complex audit engagements from end to end. Practical exposure to integrated process audits, combined assurance, and testing of IT General Controls (ITGCs). Professional Designations: Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation completed or actively in progress (strongly preferred). Relevant supplementary designations (PIA, CISA, or CRMA) represent a distinct advantage. Technical Knowledge & Tooling: Comprehensive understanding of the IIA IPPF, King IV Code of Corporate Governance, and the COSO Internal Control Framework. Working familiarity with relevant South African financial regulations, including FAIS, FICA, POPIA, CISCA, and the Financial Sector Regulation Act (FSRA). Competence in data analytics software and audit tooling (e.g., SQL, Power BI, ACL, IDEA, or advanced Excel for audit analytics). Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical findings to executive leadership.