Audit Manager, Senior Auditor, Junior Auditor

Company Overview:

Optimum is an Audit and Consulting service firm that emerged through the merger of Four existing Audit and consulting firms called Eshetu & Mesfin Audit Service Partnership (Since 2013), and Debebe & Mekonnen Audit Service Partnership (Since 2018), Kalid Mohamed Certified Audit Firm (since 2013), and Feleke Tesema Certified Audit Firms (since 2018). Our firm is driven by a team of young and energetic professionals who have joined forces to create a dynamic and forward-thinking audit and consultancy service firm in Ethiopia.

Our vision is to become one of the leading audits and consultancy firms in Ethiopia in the short term and expand our reach to become a prominent player in the African continent and globally in the long term. We aim to achieve this by harnessing the collective talents, expertise, and extensive experience of our partners and the well-established teams from our existing firms. By capitalizing on the synergy of our partners and team members, we are determined to build a firm that sets new standards of excellence and becomes a significant player in the industry.

We strive to maintain the highest professional standards, foster a collaborative work environment, and promote career growth for our employees.

As we continue to expand our operations, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Audit Manager, a highly skilled and experienced Senior Auditor and a highly motivated and detail-oriented Junior Auditor to join our team.

1.     Job Title: Audit Manager

Job Summary:

The Audit Manager will be responsible for managing and overseeing a variety of audit engagements for our clients, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and maintaining compliance with professional standards and regulatory requirements. This position requires strong leadership skills, extensive knowledge of auditing practices and principles, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously. The Audit Manager will manage a team of auditors, provide guidance and support, and play a vital role in maintaining client relationships. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in auditing, exceptional leadership skills, and a commitment to providing excellent client service.

Responsibilities:

Lead and manage a team of auditors in planning, executing, and completing audit engagements for a diverse portfolio of clients in accordance with established timelines and quality standards.

Develop and implement comprehensive audit plans and strategies, ensuring adherence to professional standards and regulatory guidelines.

Conduct risk assessments and identify areas of potential risk or non-compliance within client organizations and develop appropriate audit procedures to address them.

Monitor, review, and evaluate audit working papers, ensuring compliance with applicable auditing standards, Company policies, and regulatory requirements and ensuring documentation is complete, accurate, and supports audit findings and conclusions.

Coordinate with clients to understand their business operations, assess risks, and provide recommendations for process improvements and internal controls.

Supervise and mentor a team of auditors, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback.

Collaborate with the engagement partners to develop and implement audit strategies, policies, and procedures.

Stay updated with industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging risks to ensure audits are conducted effectively and efficiently.

Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, addressing their concerns, and effectively communicating audit findings and recommendations.

Assist in the preparation of audit reports and presentations, highlighting key findings, risk exposures, and recommendations for improvement.

Foster a positive and inclusive work environment, promoting teamwork, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among team members.

Provide guidance and technical expertise to audit team members, assisting with complex accounting and auditing issues.

Stay up-to-date with changes in accounting and auditing standards, regulations, and industry best practices.

Develop and maintain strong client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor and providing value-added recommendations for process improvements and risk mitigation.

Participate in firm-wide initiatives, such as quality control processes, knowledge sharing, and professional development activities.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Professional certification such as ACCA or CPA is highly desirable.

Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in external auditing, preferably in a managerial or supervisory role.

Comprehensive knowledge of auditing principles, standards, and practices, including ISA and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Proven experience in leading and managing audit engagements, including the ability to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve complex issues.

Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a high-performing team.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present audit findings and recommendations to clients and engagement partners.

Proficiency in using data analytics tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Strong ethics and integrity, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professional standards.

Place of Work:             Addis Ababa

Employment Term:                  Full-Time/Permanent

Number of Positions:         4

2.     Job Title: Senior Auditor

Job Description:

The Senior Auditor will play a vital role in conducting complex and detailed audits, reviewing financial statements, and providing valuable insights to improve financial and operational processes for our clients. The Senior Auditor leads audit engagements, manages a team of auditors, and ensures compliance with applicable accounting standards, auditing standards, and regulatory requirements. The Senior Auditor’s expertise in audit methodology, risk assessment, and financial reporting and attention to detail will contribute to maintaining the highest quality of service and building long-term relationships with our clients. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical knowledge, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

Oversee and manage the planning, execution, and completion of audits for a diverse portfolio of clients within budget and timeline constraints.

Coordinate audit teams, assign tasks, review the work of junior auditors, provide guidance and constructive feedback, and ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards to ensure high-quality deliverables.

Assess and evaluate internal control systems, identify potential risks, and develop appropriate audit procedures to address them.

Analyze financial statements, transactions, and supporting documentation to detect errors, irregularities, or fraud indicators.

Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, auditing standards, regulatory guidelines, and legal requirements.

Keep up to date with changes in regulations and provide guidance to clients on maintaining compliance.

Apply a systematic approach to conduct risk-based audits, utilizing appropriate audit techniques, tools, and methodologies.

Continuously enhance audit methodologies and contribute to the development of best practices within the firm.

Review and analyze financial statements and provide expert advice on complex accounting issues and contribute to the preparation of accurate and reliable financial reports.

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients. Address client inquiries, concerns, and provide recommendations for improving internal controls and financial processes.

Mentor and guide junior auditors, providing feedback and coaching to enhance their skills and knowledge. Conduct performance evaluations and contribute to the professional growth of the audit team.

Proactively identify areas for process improvement, efficiency gains, and risk mitigation within the audit function. Participate in firm-wide initiatives, research technical issues, and stay updated on emerging trends in auditing and assurance.

Participate in client proposals and business development activities, showcasing expertise and building the firm's reputation.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. A Master's degree or professional certification (ACCA, CPA) is preferred.

Proven experience as an auditor, preferably in an audit firm, with a focus on external audits.

In-depth knowledge of auditing principles, practices, and accounting standards (e.g., GAAP, IFRS).

Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to identify risks, evaluate controls, and perform data analysis.

       Excellent understanding of internal control frameworks and their application in the audit process.

Proficiency in using data analytics tools, and Microsoft Office suite.

Demonstrated leadership abilities, including experience in leading audit engagements and managing a team.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with clients and work collaboratively with team members.

Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.

Professionalism, integrity, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

Place of Work:             Addis Ababa

Employment Term:      Full-Time/Permanent

Number of Positions:   6   

3.     Job Title: Junior Auditor

Job Description:

The Junior Auditor will work closely with senior audit professionals to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial statements, assess internal controls, and provide valuable recommendations for process improvements. The junior auditor will be an integral part of our dedicated team, assisting in the execution of audit engagements for a diverse range of clients, and gaining hands-on experience in various industries while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about accounting, finance, and auditing and is looking to start career growth and development in this field.

Responsibilities:

Assist in planning and conducting audits and reviews of financial statements, internal controls, and operational processes for a diverse range of clients.

Perform substantive testing and analytical procedures to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of financial information.

Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of internal controls and identify areas for improvement.

Assist in documenting audit procedures, findings, and recommendations in audit working papers.

Assist in assessing risks and evaluating internal controls to identify control weaknesses and potential areas of improvement.

Collaborate with senior auditors and engagement teams to ensure the timely completion of engagements and meet deadlines.

Maintain a strong understanding of accounting principles, auditing standards, and regulatory requirements.

Participate in meetings with clients to gain an understanding of their business processes, operations, control environment, and to gather relevant information, and discuss audit findings.

Assist in drafting audit reports summarizing findings, recommendations, and areas of improvement.

Keep abreast of industry trends, emerging issues, and changes in auditing standards, regulatory requirements, and industry trends to ensure compliance and enhance professional knowledge.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.

1y ear of experience in auditing, accounting or a related field is preferred but not required.

Knowledge of accounting principles and auditing standards (GAAP, IFRS, IPSAS, ISA etc.).

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.

Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.

Place of Work:             Addis Ababa

Employment Term:      Full-Time/Permanent

Number of Positions:   6   

Benefits Package/Salary:

Optimum offers a competitive compensation package for all vacant posts commensurate with experience, including salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits. We provide opportunities for professional growth, ongoing training, and a supportive work culture and collaborative work environment that values work-life balance. Optimum also offers opportunities for professional development and career advancement with exposure to a variety of industries and clients, enhancing your auditing skills and knowledge.

How to Apply:

If you are seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity to kick-start your auditing career, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any other relevant documents to info@optimum.com.et  or submit them in person at our office located on the 4^th Floor of Noah Building, adjacent to Golagul Building, Haya Hulet, Addis Ababa.

We appreciate all applications, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for considering Optimum as your next career opportunity.

Application Deadline: Within ten working days of this post.

For additional information please call Tel. +251-11-8-52-92-94/ +251-11-8-68-37-86 

Required Person: 16

Employment Type: Full Time

Salary: Attractive salary, accompanied with Benefits

Work Experience: 1-6