Audit Manager: Data Analytics

The role

A position as an Audit Manager responsible for Data Analytics exists in the Group Internal Audit (GIA) department based at Santam Corporate Services. This is a permanent position based at our Alice Lane office in Sandton, Gauteng.

What will you do?

The Audit Manager: Data Analytics will be responsible for driving data enabled auditing within the Internal Audit function, conducted in terms of Global Standards for Internal Audit. This role will lead the design, development, and execution of data analytics to support assurance, advisory, and continuous monitoring activities across the short-term insurance value chain. This includes establishing an analytics strategy, developing & driving repeatable data analytics assurance solutions, and providing insights that improve risk coverage, audit quality, and organisational decision-making. This includes providing insights and foresight through use of analytics and developing dashboards to support this.

The ideal candidate is someone who has worked in an audit function and has experience in setting strategy, driving and enhancing the data analytics function in support of the internal audit function.

What will make you successful in this role?

STRATEGY MANAGEMENT

• Formulating, enhancing and executing on the GIA Data Analytics and Automation Strategy
• Managing, securing, retaining & enhancing access to key data sources across the entire Santam Group for audit analytics purposes
• Manage the development of sustainable and re-useable data analytics models and dashboards to improve audit efficiencies and enhance audit coverage. This will include a strong understanding of business/ general insurance risks & how these risks can be assessed using analytics.
• Driving strategy to design automated controls testing solutions with the goal of reaching continuous auditing
• Drive adoption of modern data tools (e.g., SQL, Python, Power BI, cloud data platforms)
• Stay abreast of internal audit analytics trends, insurance risk themes, and emerging technologies
• Providing input into GIA annual audit planning

RESOURCE AND TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Day-to-day management of analytics team, including mentoring and staff development, staff contracting and performance reviews.

• Analytics assignment management, co-ordination and optimisation of resources to meet the Data Analytics team and GIA objectives and deliver on agreed goals. This will include effective management of integrated audits across the GIA teams
• Perform review & oversight of audit data analytics work procedures and documentation to ensure that procedures have been completed accurately, conclusions have been supported and firm quality control procedures have been adhered to throughout the assignment.
• Responsible for Audit Data Analytics budget and effective use of financial resources.

• Promote a culture of data-driven auditing across the Internal Audit function

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Develop, build and retain relationships with key data and business teams across the Santam Group, including all its subsidiaries and group support function.
• Stay abreast of data developments across the Group to identify the risk and impact on the organisation.
• Attend key data and related forums across the Santam Group and network effectively with the goal of securing data efficiently.
• Maintain effective client relationships across the Santam Group.
• Assist Chief Audit Executive with reporting to the Board, the Audit Committee and Regulators, where required.

Qualification and experience

• At least 6-8 years’ experience (with some exposure to managing a team) in establishing & driving data analytics for an assurance function in a large and complex environment.
• BCom / BSc / BTech / BEng or related (with Computer Science or Information Systems, Informatics)
• CISA, CIA or similar would be advantageous
• Prior experience managing multiple assignments, some with competing deadlines.
• Experience interacting with clients at all levels including senior/executive management.
• Extensive data analytics experience using the ACL tool/ platform, with some experience in SQL or Python, and be able to present information on visualisation tools like PowerBI, Tableau or similar. The ideal candidate is someone who has worked in audit and has experience in performing data analytics for audits.
• Internal audit experience and experience in the insurance industry preferred.
• Must be able to travel locally and work overtime when necessary.

Skills

• Understanding of data, database management systems, audit analytics and controls testing using data.
• Conceptual and innovative thinker and must be able to apply those abilities in the work environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong team player and relationship management.
• Assertive.
• Advanced time management skills (must be able to multi-task).
• Facilitation skills and ability to influence individuals, groups and teams

Competencies

• Cultivates innovation
• Ability to think analytically
• High ethical standards
• Problem solving skills
• Proactive and drives results
• Collaborates and is resilient