Assurance Officer

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Job Summary

As a key member of the first line of defence Governance and Control Team in country, the role holder will have the need to maintain a world class risk profile across the business at the heart of their thinking in order to support the strategic plans of the business.
The principal responsibilities are to;
• Support the Control Rigour Manager (CRM) in scoping, developing, and executing appropriate annual Control Assurance Testing programs.
• Execute the delivery of conformance testing plans.
• Execute delivery of Risk and Control MI ensuring it is consistently and accurately reported within and externally from the Governance and Control Team.
• Support in promoting a greater understanding of risk management and assurance to embed a risk aware culture in country.
• Provide expert guidance, support, oversight and independent challenge through effective working relationships and stakeholder management to ensure that the country is in control of its Risk & Control activities.
• Ensure the tracking of all Conformance Testing related actions to achieve due dates with the appropriate level of assurance provided.
• Support the CRM to coach and develop members of the Team to help embed a culture of excellence and expertise that the business recognises and acknowledges in their day-to-day dealings with the team.
• Support CRM in delivering the Control and Rigour task such as issue management, Management Control approach and Control environment to green

Job Description

Accountability:  Delivering of Control assurance Testing activities , Monitoring and Support 70%

 

•          Support the CRM in scoping the Conformance testing where necessary.

•          Understand and document allocated processes.

•          Identify, assess & document risks and controls within these processes.

•          Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls & document this understanding in the Risk assessment document

•          Write high quality audit observations and support the CRM in writing the report.

•          Produce high quality working papers that would require minimal review/ amendments by the CRM

•          Participate in risk-based management Assurance workshops as required in order to identify and agree with the business the risk and controls, which will form the basis of the engagement work to be undertaken.

•          Discuss and agree the factual accuracy of audit observations with Business and Line Manager

•          Update the CRM with progress and observations.

•          Build good working relationships with Business stakeholders 

•          Participate fully and supportively in all conformance testing reviews contracted and ad-hocs

•          Continue to update awareness of risk issues and changes across selected business units.

•          Assist in the induction of new joiners, mentoring less experienced team members.

•          Proactively take on additional tasks as requested by the CRM – this may include managing Issue Assurance and production of team MI.

•          Support other control related activities within the function e.g., Independent Critical Process Assessment Testing, snap checks etc

•          Review required processing and servicing activities in accordance with set procedures.

•          Assist the Reconciliations Manager with Daily download of Trial Balance to ensure completeness in All cash Outstanding prior to matching

•          Send mark-ups for items that can be matched to mandated personnel for confirmation for matching on Intellimatch.

•          Perform manual matching that correspond after thorough investigation and/ or upon receipt of email confirmation from respective departments

•          Perform reconciliation of all accounts in accordance with standard list of accounts and Business Rules.

•          Download reports after matching and escalates to Desk officers and Reconcilers for further investigation and resolutions.

•          Prepare investigative Reconciliation on Redirect Accounts and escalate to respective department

•          Investigate all High Value entries > SCR500,000.00 and all unreconciled Debits.

 

Accountability:  Support with RCR Management 10%

 

•          Responsible for maintaining and developing in conjunction with the Control Rigour Manager a risk profile for each business which includes associated evidence received from business lines such as Internal Audit-IA, CPA, ERC, RCF, and other Risk& Governance functions.

•          Issue Tracking and closure process adhered to ensuring that all issues are logged, tracked, and closed in a timely manner.

•          Support with drafting of final reports to the Control Rigour Manager for review, after ensuring they meet the required standards i.e., they display the required level of professionalism, they are risk focused, the agreed actions and coaching deliverables are clear / understandable and practical.

•          Assist the Control Rigour Manager in presenting reports to business owners and ensure their understanding and commitment to the report and action plan. Support with resolving of issues without compromising objectivity of role performed.

•          Act as support to the CEF and PRC by regularly updating the documentation / reports / trackers that are presented and support to act as Secretary to the Committee in absence of Control Rigour Manager.

 

Accountability:  Stakeholder Management 10%

 

•          Display professional scepticism, raising and discussing contentious observations with management and adapting their style as necessary.

•          Have effective relationships with business management, communicating regularly.

•          Provide suggestions to management for how they can address control issues.

•          Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Absa Policies and Policy Standards.

•          Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role

•          Oversight of issue closure database updates and centre updating

 

Control testing Administration 5%

•          Responsible issue closure database updates

•          Responsible for the correct archiving of all documents following the completion of Control Assurance engagements.

 

Accountability:  Risk and Control 5%

 

•          Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Absa Policies and Policy Standards.

•          Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role.

Education

Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC): Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)