Internal Audit Manager

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Our client, a leading fintech organisation, is seeking an experienced Internal Audit Manager to lead the development and implementation of an internal risk-based audit strategy and annual plan for the group. This role is crucial in ensuring robust financial and fraud risk management, strengthening internal controls, and providing assurance on governance, risk management, and compliance processes across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an internal risk-based audit strategy and annual audit plan, with a strong focus on fintech risk factors.
• Conduct audits to assess control effectiveness, operational efficiency, and compliance with financial, fraud, regulatory, and information security policies.
• Analyse IT processes and controls to ensure strong security and compliance measures, particularly concerning digital transactions and fintech-specific risks.
• Lead internal control reviews and audits of cybersecurity domains, payment security, and fraud prevention mechanisms.
• Develop and maintain an information security audit programme aligned with enterprise policies, industry standards (e.g., PCI-DSS, AML, FICA, POPIA), and fintech best practices.
• Champion governance best practices and assess the adequacy of governance systems.
• Monitor and update the group’s risk management framework to align with fintech compliance requirements.
• Evaluate and test business processes, payment systems, and controls to identify risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Identify over- and under-controlled areas and articulate residual risks where controls are inadequate.
• Conduct training workshops to promote awareness of internal controls, fintech security standards, and policy updates.
• Participate in policy and procedure development and operational improvement initiatives.
• Provide an evidence-based annual opinion on governance, risk management, and internal control effectiveness.
• Promote high ethical standards within the organisation, upholding integrity, objectivity, competence, and confidentiality.
• Assess corporate risk strategies, anti-fraud policies, IT security strategies, and regulatory compliance specific to the fintech industry.
• Review significant partnership arrangements, third-party service providers, and cloud-based financial technology platforms to ensure strong controls are in place.
• Prepare and present internal audit reports with actionable recommendations tailored to fintech-specific risks.
• Report on internal control issues and monitor the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Enhance fraud detection and prevention mechanisms within digital transactions and improve financial controls against emerging cyber threats.
• Establish systematic risk identification, analysis, and communication processes to support fintech innovation while mitigating security risks.
• Coordinate with external auditors and regulatory bodies to ensure seamless execution of statutory financial audits and compliance assessments.

Core Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of IT and business process integration, particularly within fintech environments.
• Expertise in financial, fraud, and cybersecurity risk management.
• Excellent communication skills, with confidence in engaging senior management and regulatory authorities.
• Effective leadership and team management abilities.
• Strong analytical skills and business acumen, with an understanding of fintech industry trends.
• Ability to balance "big picture" thinking with detailed risk mitigation.
• Highly focused, proactive, and professional approach.
• Independent, objective, and ethical in decision-making.
• Adaptable and able to manage change effectively in a fast-paced fintech environment.
• Self-motivated and action-oriented.

Skills and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Internal Audit, or a related field (Essential).
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) qualification (Essential).
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in internal auditing, financial risk management, or compliance auditing, preferably within the fintech or financial services industry.
• Strong IT auditing skills, including experience with internal control frameworks and cybersecurity audits.
• In-depth knowledge of financial regulations applicable to fintech, including AML, FICA, PCI-DSS, and POPIA.
• Hands-on experience in fraud detection, transaction monitoring, and fintech risk assessments.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills tailored to fintech compliance and risk management.
• Proficiency in audit and risk management tools, data analytics for fraud detection, and fintech security software.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic and rapidly evolving fintech organisation. If you have the expertise and leadership to drive internal audit excellence in a digital financial environment, we encourage you to apply.