Forensics Services Manager

About the job

Key Performance Areas:

• Independently scope, plan and execute forensic investigation workstreams and other forensic assignments, including evidence identification, evidence review, data analysis, interviews, findings development, reporting and close-out.
• Identify key issues, formulate investigation hypotheses, develop investigation procedures and determine relevant evidence required to support defensible findings.
• Investigate matters relating to economic crime, including allegations of fraud, corruption, procurement irregularities, conflicts of interest, financial misconduct, misappropriation of assets and other irregular conduct.
• Review, analyse and reconcile financial and non-financial information, including accounting records, contracts, procurement documentation, payroll records, correspondence, electronic data and other documentary evidence.
• Perform and oversee data acquisition, processing, analysis and interpretation using appropriate forensic technology and data analytics tools.
• Conduct and support interviews, prepare interview plans, assess interview evidence and integrate interview outcomes with documentary and financial evidence.
• Develop clear, evidence-based findings and draft high-quality forensic reports, executive summaries, appendices and recommendations that are balanced, defensible and supported by working papers.
• Maintain complete, accurate and well-organised working papers, document management records and evidence files, including appropriate consideration of chain-of-custody and confidentiality requirements.
• Manage assignment delivery, including project planning, resourcing, timelines, budgets, commercial considerations, quality control, risk management and adherence to assignment mandates.
• Supervise, coach and review the work of junior team members, provide timely feedback and support their technical and professional development.
• Manage client relationships, understand client needs, communicate progress, escalate risks and issues, and present findings to senior stakeholders where required.
• Support integrity due diligence reviews, fraud prevention projects, fraud risk management engagements and other forensic advisory assignments.
• Contribute to proposals, business development initiatives and the development of new and existing client relationships.
• Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct, objectivity, independence, confidentiality and ethical behaviour in all assignments.

Minimum Qualifications :

• CA - qualified or
• BCom Accounting, BCom Forensic Accounting (Hons), LLB relevant Postgraduate , Forensic or Law enforcement qualification
• CFE or FP/SA preferable / advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum 6–8 years’ relevant experience in forensic investigations, forensic accounting, fraud risk management, financial crime, law enforcement, internal audit, litigation support or a related investigations environment.
• At least 2–3 years’ experience managing investigation workstreams, supervising junior staff and taking responsibility for delivery, quality, deadlines and client communication.
• Proven experience investigating allegations of fraud, corruption, procurement irregularities, conflicts of interest, financial misconduct, misappropriation of assets and/or other economic crime matters.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and analysing financial records, accounting data, contracts, procurement documentation, payroll records, emails, correspondence and other documentary evidence.
• Experience planning investigations, identifying relevant evidence, maintaining working papers, supporting evidence management requirements and developing evidence-based findings.
• Strong forensic report-writing experience, including drafting factual findings, executive summaries, investigation reports, appendices and recommendations.
• Experience conducting or supporting interviews, preparing interview outlines and assessing interview evidence against documentary and financial evidence.
• Experience managing client relationships, communicating progress, escalating risks and presenting findings to senior stakeholders.
• Good understanding of risks, internal controls, governance processes and relevant legal, regulatory and disciplinary frameworks applicable to forensic investigations.
• Demonstrated commitment to forensic investigations as a long-term career path, including continuous learning, professional development and/or membership of relevant professional bodies.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI, Alteryx, IDEA, ACL, SQL or similar data analytics tools would be advantageous.
• Good technology literacy, including an understanding of electronic data, document management, computer hardware and operating systems.
• Strong investigative curiosity and professional scepticism, with a commitment to following the evidence and reaching balanced, defensible conclusions.
• Views forensic work as a long-term career and demonstrates commitment through relevant experience, continuous learning and professional development.
• High level of resilience, discretion and emotional maturity when dealing with sensitive, confidential and potentially contentious matters.
• Strong ownership mindset, with the ability to drive matters to completion and deliver high-quality work under pressure.
• Genuine passion for forensic investigations, fraud prevention, financial crime, governance, accountability and ethical conduct.

Skills & Attributes

• Working systematically and logically to resolve problems, to identify causes, relationships and implications
• Building and sustaining relationships
• Being passionate about customer service
• Being curious – learning, sharing and innovating
• Leading and contributing to team success
• Communicating with impact and empathy
• Developing self and others through coaching
• Demonstrating courage and integrity
• Acquiring and applying commercial and technical expertise
• Being open-minded, practical and agile with change
• Strategic thinking
• Logical reasoning
• Analytical ability
• Good judgment skills
• Problem solving
• Excellence orientation
• Drive and enthusiasm
• Influencing
• Rule orientation