Job Description

Assurance Professional Practice - Senior Manager (Audit Technical)

As an assurance audit technical senior manager, you will be responsible for providing technical support on International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) and the EY Global Audit Methodology (GAM) to audit teams primarily in South Africa but also across our Africa business.

The primary function of a technical consultant is to provide ad-hoc technical support to teams and to assist with the completion of formal consultation documents relating to auditor reporting, reportable irregularities or other mandatory matters per policy. You will draw on your knowledge and experience to help teams solve complex or contentious issues brought to you and will support the Associate Directors and Executive Directors in concluding on technical matters.

Consultants are also required to manage internal projects relating to technical matters which may include developing training material, collateral or template development, coaching of audit teams and risk monitoring / mitigation projects. There is also a smaller element of presenting training to partners and managers across Africa.

You may also opt to take on client serving responsibilities.

Within the technical team you will required to build valued relationships with the executives (partners down to managers) of audit teams and also with your internal peers. Working as a role model for Quality & Risk Management (Q&RM), you'll build, manage and motivate high-performing senior managers, managers and assistant managers who will work with you and for you on projects and on technical consultations. You will be responsible for helping your juniors to build sustainable technical competencies.

Responsibilities

Technical Role responsibilities

• Provide ad-hoc support to teams on informal queries relating to methodology, auditor reporting, EY policy, Companies Act issues, reportable irregularities, NOCLAR and other audit technical matters.
• Provide support to the consultation process as a Subject Matter Resource (SMR). An SMR works with audit teams to ensure the consultations they submit to an Approver are complete in fact pattern, appropriately researched, well documented and have a conclusion that you as SMR would concur with.
• Assisting partners and managers with the application of complex risk management policies and procedures to resolve / manage arising risk matters through applying an understanding of global and local policies.
• Responsible for supporting technical ED, and ADs on all arising and urgent technical matters.
• Develop expertise in certain technical matters (reporting, JSE regulations, Companies Act, audit methodology, analytics (digital auditing) and/or Reportable Irregularities).
• Manage audit technical projects from inception to completion through appropriate project management of self and other technical resources (if required).
• Assist with the development of technical material including:
  • Training material for in person and skype based training;
  • Enablers, forms and template, guidance, and communications;
  • Policy updates.
• Assist partners in responding to internal and external quality inspection findings and follow approval protocol for external inspection response submission.
• Assist partners and audit teams with root cause analysis process following external and internal inspections.
• Provide support to high risk / complex engagements (close monitoring clients) on their client level risk mitigation approach, monitor their progress against plan and prepare regular risk reports.
• Act as a risk approver in the client acceptance process.
• Present in-person and skype based training as required.
• Train and coach peers, managers and assistant managers in Professional Practice on technical matters through day to day interactions and reviews of work products.
• Build strong internal relationships within Assurance and across other services
• (Optional) Execution of complex audit engagements, managing risk and applying professional scepticism
• Enhance EY’s brand positioning through strong external relationships across a network of external relationships through involvement on SAICA and IRBA committees as appropriate.

People responsibilities

• Be recognized as a respected and supportive mentor, coach and counsellor, building career value for individuals
• Build and develop an inclusive culture and high-performing diverse teams

• Conduct performance reviews and contribute to performance feedback for all levels of staff
• Contribute to people initiatives including recruiting, retaining and training Assurance professionals
• Contribute to the maintenance of an educational program to continually develop personal skills
• Understand, follow and communicate workplace policies and procedures to all levels of staff
• Develop personal profile and awareness of EY offerings in the marketplace
• Build strong and long term relationships with key partners and ADs
• Act as an ambassador of EY in the market, with regulators and with clients

Qualifications and Experience

• CA(SA)
• Thorough knowledge of current auditing techniques
• Knowledge and understanding of ISAs, SAAPS and Auditing Professions Act
• Experience of the entire audit process
• Familiarity with IFRS
• Detailed understanding of risk-based auditing and risk and control strategies
• Understanding of Quality & Risk Management procedures
• Compliance with regulatory requirements
• 4 – 6 years post articles experience in an auditing environment.
• Advantageous to have been in a part time or full time audit technical role in an audit firm.

Why should I work for EY’s Africa Professional Practice Group (PPG)

The EY PPG team is the ideal environment for a professional who wishes to work in a high-performing and inclusive environment that offers you great opportunities to develop an interesting and fulfilling career focusing on technical work. The ability to include some client work as an audit manager further allows you to develop your skills and experiences.

The environment is suited for those specialised in audit technical but equally for those who would like to grow their technical knowledge. The role also allows potential transition into the audit business by providing a strong technical base for a career transition. Equally it can be a permanent role for a technical specialist.

You'll work with many multidisciplinary teams to handle complex issues and resolve challenges for audit teams auditing leading companies. Equally the projects you will be involved in will vary and will rotate amongst other senior managers to enable a wide variety of experiences. We'll support you in your professional development so you are able to achieve your highest potential. At EY, we know it's your point of view, energy and enthusiasm that make the difference.