Audit Manager: Data Analytics

Forvis Mazars is looking for an experienced Audit Manager (Data Analytics) to join our Audit & Assurance practice. This role is ideal for a qualified audit professional who has at a minimum completed SAICA articles and has progressed into a managerial position within an audit firm environment.

The successful candidate will combine strong audit knowledge with practical data analytics skills to support and enhance external audit engagements through the application of data-driven audit procedures, automation, and analytical techniques. The individual will be responsible for managing data analytics engagements, coaching junior team members, interacting with audit engagement teams and clients, and driving the integration of analytics into the audit methodology.

Experience with SQL is essential, while exposure to Alteryx, Power BI, Python, or other analytics platforms will be advantageous.

Audit Data Analytics Delivery

• Lead the planning, execution and review of audit data analytics procedures across multiple audit engagements.
• Design and perform risk assessment, substantive and journal entry analytics.
• Analyse large datasets from ERP systems including SAP, Oracle, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics and other financial systems.
• Develop and execute SQL queries to extract, transform and analyse client data.
• Identify anomalies, trends, fraud indicators and control weaknesses.
• Support engagement teams with data-driven audit evidence and insights.

Project and Team Management

• Manage multiple engagements simultaneously while maintaining quality and budget requirements.
• Oversee project timelines, resource planning and stakeholder communication.
• Review work performed by data analysts and junior team members.
• Coach, mentor and develop staff within the data analytics team.
• Assist in building technical capability and analytical methodologies.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage directly with audit managers, partners and client stakeholders.
• Present analytical findings and insights in a clear and professional manner.
• Assist with audit planning discussions and identification of audit risks.
• Build trusted relationships with engagement teams and clients.

Innovation and Automation

• Drive the adoption of data analytics within the audit process.
• Develop reusable SQL scripts and automated testing procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation.
• Assist in the implementation of emerging technologies within the audit environment.

Qualifications

• CA(SA) advantageous.
• Completed SAICA articles.
• Relevant bachelor’s degree in accounting, Auditing, Information Systems, Data Analytics, Computer Science or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 5-7 years total audit experience.
• Minimum 1 year experience in a Manager role within an audit firm.
• Current or previous experience at an audit firm is mandatory.
• Experience supporting external audit engagements through data analytics.
• Practical experience working with large financial datasets.

Technical Skills

Essential

• Advanced SQL skills.
• Completion of formal SQL courses or certifications.
• Strong understanding of the audit process and financial statement audits.
• Data extraction, transformation and analysis experience.
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced).

Advantageous

• Alteryx Designer.
• Power BI.
• Python.
• ACL, IDEA or similar audit analytics tools.
• SAP data analytics experience.
• Understanding of IT General Controls (ITGCs) and IT Application Controls (ITACs).

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements and deadlines.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• High attention to detail and professional scepticism.
• Leadership and coaching capability.
• Commercial awareness and client service orientation.