Compliance Assurance Manager

Job Summary

To coordinate, plan & deliver day-to-day team tasks & activities in order to execute compliance accurately & timeously in support of org. policy compliance through the execution of predefined objectives as per agreed SOPs

Job Description

Compliance Assurance Manager

Job Purpose:

• The core responsibility of a Compliance Assurance Manager within Absa is to execute review/audit assignments in accordance with the Group Compliance Monitoring & Testing Plan and relevant policies, procedures, and quality standards.

Key Accountabilities

Compliance M&T Delivery and Issue Assurance

• Develop an in- depth knowledge of the methodology, by attending training sessions and using knowledge gained during audits, use this proactively in executing audit activities. 
• Deliver assigned responsibilities by the Head of Compliance Monitoring & Testing work to a high quality and in accordance with the requirements of the Quality Assurance scorecard.
• Perform planning and execution of Design Effectiveness and Operating Effectives Testing, uniformly applying the methodology and quality standards, focusing the work on key risks, with minimum supervision from the Head of Compliance Monitoring & Testing. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with key M&T contacts on each review by attending continuous stakeholder meetings. In addition, engage closely with stakeholders during assignments and encourage open discussion and interaction with business on the risks associated in their environment.
• Display professional scepticism, raising and discussing contentious observations with management and provide evidence to support all issues identified. 
•  Participate fully and be supportive in all reviews by providing assistance to the team where required. Be quick to learn and seek opportunities to share this knowledge with colleagues. 
• Continue to update awareness of risk issues and changes across selected business units from interaction with management and provide feedback to the Head of Compliance M&T. 
• Assist in the induction of new joiners, mentoring less experienced team members.
• Proactively take on additional tasks as requested by the Director of Legal & Compliance – which may include managing Issue Assurance and production of team Management Information. 
• Perform Issue Assurance testing and documenting of the working papers in accordance with the requirements of the Methodology.
• Support with the teams Data Analytics and Automation initiatives and have experience in performing data analytics.

Knowledge Management

• Improve technical knowledge through self-learning or training including mandatory Continuous Professional Education requirements. 
• Share knowledge with M&T colleagues and peers in the business. 
• Develop and enhance learning through seeking coaching, training and continual feedback 
• Coach new joiners and trainees on how to apply the methodology. In addition, to proactively share knowledge of within the team, leading a session at a team meeting. 
• Build knowledge of business and culture in business units for the Retail, CIB portfolio and Functions as assigned by the Head of Compliance M&T.
• Knowledge of key regulations, including FIC, KYC and AML, Sanctions, for business areas / locations within remit.

Reporting

• Prepare M&T observations and make sure that they are concise, factually accurate and cover all of the significant issues. The observations must be insightful, address the root causes, and have agreed actions that fully mitigate the risk. 
• Assist the Head of Compliance M&T where required, in the drafting of the M&T report in line with methodology requirements and as per the requirements of the Balanced Scorecard.
• Obtain regular updates on the control environment through ongoing discussions with management and provide the updates to the Head of Compliance M&T for inclusion in governance papers to the Board Audit Committee and other relevant stakeholders.
• Proficient in report writing for governance reporting.

Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with accountable management on each review.
• Present effectively at stakeholder meetings and forums (e.g.: Risk and Governance forums) to share knowledge and information including methodology, standards, changes and new developments with business stakeholders on an ongoing basis.

Preferred Qualification

• B Degree (Accounting, Commerce, Finance, Informatics, Statistics or similar business-related field); and/or
• Formal qualification or studying for CPA or ACCA, CIA (Levels 1,2 or 3).

Preferred Experience

• 2 to 3 years’ experience in Risk Based Auditing or Risk/Control activities
• Report writing and presentation experience.
• Stakeholder management and negotiation experience.

Knowledge and Skills

• Auditing/Assurance/Risk/Rigor/ Compliance and investigative skills under a risk-based methodology
• Understanding of key risks faced by banks and FCC control environment.
• Knowledge of the Bank’s governance requirements
• Compliance Controls Testing & Monitoring
• Stakeholder management and negotiation experience