AUDIT DIRECTOR

Department: Audit & Assurance

Reports To: Executive Committee / Senior Managing Director

Location: Port Elizabeth

Employment Type: Full-time

Executive Role Summary

The Audit Director provides strategic oversight, leadership, and operational management across the audit department. In this key executive role, you will drive audit quality, maintain firm risk management standards, manage high-level client relationships, and lead a high-performing team of managers, supervisors, and trainee accountants.

You will ensure full compliance with the firm’s System of Quality Management (SOQM), as well as SAICA, IRBA, and IESBA professional standards, while actively contributing to business development and practice growth.

Academic & Professional Qualifications

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  Education: BCom Accounting, BCom Auditing, or equivalent Honors degree.

  
  


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  Articles: Successfully completed SAICA articles.

  
  


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  Designation: CA(SA) registered with SAICA (IRBA Registered Auditor status strongly preferred).

  
  

Experience, Skills & Competencies

1. Technical & Systems Proficiency

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  Advanced experience in statutory audits, risk assessment, systems development, and financial reporting (IFRS / IFRS for SMEs).

  
  


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  Required Software: MS Office Suite, CaseWare, Pastel.

  
  


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  Advantageous Software: Greatsoft.

  
  

2. Leadership & Core Competencies

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  Strategic & People Leadership: Advanced coaching, mentoring, and motivation of audit staff, managers, and trainees.

  
  


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  Executive Communication: High-level client engagement, board-level reporting, and cross-functional team leadership.

  
  


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  Conflict & Problem Solving: Strategic problem-solving capabilities, adaptability, and conflict resolution across complex dynamics.

  
  


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  Operations & Governance: Superior time management, multitasking abilities, and strict adherence to professional ethics and firm governance.

  
  

Key Duties & Responsibilities (KPIs)

A. Strategic Audit Leadership & Review

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  Oversee and direct audit engagements across a portfolio of complex business entities.

  
  


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  Provide final review and sign-off readiness on statutory audits and assurance deliverables.

  
  


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  Ensure alignment and compliance with SOQM, firm policies, and regulatory standards (SAICA, IRBA, IESBA).

  
  


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  Drive systems development, audit methodology enhancements, and internal control improvements.

  
  

B. Portfolio & Client Relationship Management

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  Serve as the primary senior liaison between the firm, key client executives, and board members.

  
  


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  Oversee strategic business plans, audit proposals, and resource allocations.

  
  


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  Maintain long-term client retention while supporting practice growth and business development.

  
  

C. Team Leadership, Coaching & Performance

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  Lead, coach, and mentor audit managers, supervisors, and trainee accountants.

  
  


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  Oversee weekly staff briefings, planning, and resource scheduling across audit teams.

  
  


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  Conduct formal performance evaluations, identify training gaps, and drive talent retention.

  
  


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  Act as the strategic liaison between executive directors and firm employees to maintain a strong organizational culture.

  
  

D. Practice Governance & Ethics

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  Enforce total compliance with the firm’s Employee Code of Conduct and HR policies.

  
  


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  Ensure independence, objectivity, and professional skepticism across all engagements.

  
  

E. Ad Hoc Responsibilities

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    Execute ad-hoc strategic projects, governance initiatives, and special assignments as requested by Executive Board/Directors.