Description:
IT Audit Specialist working in the Financial Services sector.
Responsibilities:
- Manages a portfolio of approximately 15 external audit clients.
- Client relationship management, including dealing with C-level executives.
- Manages engagement teams in:
- Mapping client operational processes and controls in IT infrastructure.
- IT General Control reviews: Logical Access Management, Program Change Management, Data Processing Management.
- Data migration reviews.
- Mapping of business processes and controls.
- Automated and Computer Dependent control testing.
- CAATs execution and delivery.
- Formulation of combined audit approaches, leveraging IT audit procedures to increase efficiencies and reduce risk exposure.
- Development and delivery of specialised training courses on ITGC, Application control and CAATs delivery.
- FS Data Analytics team lead.
- Developed and executed bespoke Computer Assisted Audit Techniques using SQL and SAS programming languages.
- Qualified Trainer.
Pros:
- Flexible working hours.
- Easy transition into different roles.
- Room for growth and career management.
- Continuous learning opportunities (rarely asked to do the same task twice).
- Exposure to multiple organisational structures and operations.
Cons:
- Low salary in comparison to what banks offer for CA’s.
- Work can be repetitive, if you don’t actively seek out opportunities.
- Hours can be rough for the first three months of every year, as this is when banks normally need to submit their financial statements.
Education:
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Qualification (2016).
- Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Qualification (2015).
- Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) Qualification (2014).
- B.Com CA Hons (North-West University – 2008).
- B.Com CA (North-West University – 2007).
Professional Body:
Advice to someone interested in pursuing a similar career:
It should be clearly understood that to become a registered Chartered Accountant (CA), you must first complete a 3 years pre-grad degree, complete your honours within one year, write two separate board exams and have 3 years of practical audit experience. Roughly speaking, becoming a CA will require 6 to 7 years in total. Please note that this process only relates to South Africa.
The qualification is invaluable, and will allow you to easily find work both in South Africa and abroad (currently working in London), but it is very difficult to obtain and will require both considerable mental acumen and diligence.
Furthermore, it is also key to understand that success in this career hinges largely on your ability to deal with people. A strong technical background is assumed for participants in this field. Relationship, perception and stakeholder management are crucial. If your preference is to sit quietly in a cubicle with minimal contact with others, this isn’t the route for you.
Willing to participate in virtual one on one contact sessions with readers:
Yes. (Click here to request a contact session)
Post ID: #200002