Manager: Audit (Specialised Audit)

This managerial role sits within SARS’s Taxpayer Engagement and Operations division, specifically the Specialised Audit unit, and is based in Pretoria. The position calls for a highly skilled, self-driven professional who can blend traditional auditing with tax investigations, forensic auditing, and digital forensics. The successful candidate will be responsible for formulating tactical strategy and associated delivery plans for a single practice area, leading and managing an audit team to ensure effective audit operations across multiple tax types. This is not a routine supervisory role; it demands independent thinking, strong results orientation, and the ability to translate strategy into execution while ensuring practice integration and operational implementation.

In terms of qualifications, applicants need either a Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma at NQF 7 in Accounting and/or Tax, combined with eight to ten years’ experience in an auditing or tax environment, of which three to four years must be at junior management level. Alternatively, a Senior Certificate at NQF 4 with fifteen years’ relevant experience, including three to four years at junior management, will be considered. An Honours degree in Accounting or Tax, registration as a CA(SA), or a M Comm in Tax would be advantageous. The role demands a comprehensive set of leadership and technical competencies, including analytical thinking, attention to detail, business acumen, change management, and the ability to develop teams and nurture future talent.

The core duties are extensive and end-to-end. The manager will accompany auditors in taxpayer interactions where required, chair internal committee meetings, and critically review audit files to ensure compliance with quality, technical, and legislative standards. They will direct and optimise budgeted resources, manage significant cases, and minimise risks, while also contributing to the development of tax and customs legislation. The role includes owning end-to-end audits, including finalisation of objections and appeals, and providing guidance to the team on complex cases. The manager must plan work outputs, set priorities and standards, and proactively identify interconnected problems to implement best-fit solutions. They are also responsible for periodic performance reporting, recommending process improvements, and communicating policy changes to stakeholders.

Governance and people management are equally important. The manager will implement governance, risk, and compliance policies, manage end-to-end audit governance processes, and develop people capacity plans in line with delivery targets. They will build a capable team, address development needs, and enhance organisational efficiency. Financial responsibilities include contributing to divisional budgets, drawing up and monitoring a budget aligned with tactical plans, and managing cost control. Finally, the role requires building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, implementing service level agreements, and driving a culture of exceptional client service. This is a demanding leadership position for an experienced audit professional seeking to make a significant impact within a large revenue authority.