Internal Audit Manager

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop the annual risk-based internal audit plan covering all branches, warehouses, fleet, sales, finance and IT, obtain management approval, and lead its execution

• Audit warehouse operations across all branches physical stock counts against system balances, expired and near-expiry items, damaged and returned goods, storage conditions, and stock movement documentation; investigate and report variances.

• Audit the vehicle fleet: fuel consumption, maintenance and spare-parts spending, trip and route records, licences and insurance, and vehicle custody, to detect misuse and waste.

• Audit sales operations for compliance with the sales and credit policies pricing, discounts, bonuses and free goods, credit limits, returns and credit notes.

• Review selling practices and sales patterns (cash versus credit sales, period-end sales concentration, sales to unauthorized or out-of-territory customers, abnormal returns) and flag irregular behavior.

• Audit customer accounts and receivables: confirm balances directly with customers, reconcile customer statements with the ledger, review ageing and unapplied collections, and verify that collections are deposited completely and on time.

• Review rejected (bounced) cheques: track cases and root causes, verify follow-up and legal action, and assess the controls over accepting, holding and depositing customer cheques.

• Audit financial processes: treasury and cash handling, bank reconciliations, payables, expenses, petty cash and custodies, and branch settlements, for accuracy and compliance with company policies.

• Identify and assess operational, financial and compliance risks, maintain the company risk register, recommend controls, and follow up on risk mitigation actions.

• Audit IT general controls SAP user access and authorities, segregation of duties, changes to master data ( credit limits, customer data), data integrity and backups.

• Conduct planned and surprise audit visits to branches and warehouses.

• Investigate suspected fraud, theft, shortages and policy violations, and report findings supported by evidence.

• Issue audit reports with clear findings, risk ratings and recommendations agree corrective action plans with process owners and follow up until closure.

• Evaluate the adequacy of internal controls, policies and procedures, and recommend improvements to senior management.

• Manage, lead and develop the Internal Audit team, setting objectives, coaching, and following up on team performance.

• Coordinate with the external auditors, and ensure proper documentation and confidentiality of all audit working papers and reports.

Educational Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Commerce, Finance, or a related field; a professional certificate (CIA, CMA, CPA, or ESAA membership) is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum 10-12 years of experience in internal audit, including at least 3 years in a managerial role.

• Experience in pharmaceutical or FMCG distribution, with field audits of branches, warehouses and sales operations, is highly preferred.

• Proven experience in fraud investigation and in auditing receivables, collections and cheques.

• Proven experience managing or leading an audit team.