Auditor: Level 1 (PIRE)

SARS; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 450 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government agency in South Africa is seeking a skilled tax auditor to perform comprehensive audits and enhance compliance levels across various tax types. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant diploma and have at least 3 years' experience in tax audits, specifically with Vat and PAYE. Responsibilities include conducting audits, analysing data to identify risks, and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. The position is based in Cape Town and offers opportunities for continuous improvement and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years experience in a tax audit environment.
• Experience with Vat and PAYE.
• Ability to conduct audits across multiple tax types.

Responsibilities

• Conduct tax audits to influence compliance.
• Analyse data and identify audit risks.
• Develop productive working relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Organisational awareness

Teamwork

Accountability

Education

Relevant National Diploma / Advanced Certificate (NQF 6) in Auditing/Taxation and/or Accounting

Job description

Position Reports to

Ops Manager: PIRE

Division

PIRE

Location

Cape Town

Advert Closing Date

15 January 2026

About the Position

SARS is seeking highly skilled candidates who can apply practical knowledge and exercise sound judgement in implementing methods, systems, and procedures. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation, policies, and procedures when conducting audits. Furthermore, they must be adept at planning and scheduling their own activities to drive continuous improvement in quality and service delivery within Excise Audit.

The PIRE Segment delivers comprehensive, end-to-end services to prominent individuals who meet the Segment criteria, along with their related entities. These individuals are influential and subject to heightened public scrutiny, necessitating greater due diligence in managing their tax affairs. A thorough understanding of their professional context, applicable legislation, compliance levels, and potential risk of non‑compliance is essential to determine SARS's approach in promoting voluntary compliance with tax obligations, in alignment with SARS's strategic intent.

Job Purpose

To conduct tax audits across tax types with the aim of influencing compliance through raising accurate assessments in line with relevant legislation.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Relevant National Diploma / Advanced Certificate (NQF 6) in Auditing/Taxation and/or Accounting with 3 years' experience in a tax audit environment (Vat and PAYE) of which 1 - 2 years at debt service level collection level.

Minimum Functional Experience

3 years' experience in a similar environment.

Job Outputs

Process

• Accumulate information and provide reports with recommendations applicable to area of specialisation.
• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Effectively plan and schedule own activities to continuously improve quality and service delivery in area of specialisation.
• Execute process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change. (I)
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process, product and risk optimisation.
• Use practical and applied knowledge and situational judgement to arrive at decisions.
• Navigate and extract relevant information from SARS systems and external sources to collect and evaluate risks and compliance to relevant legislation.
• Analyse data / evidence, review and confirm identified risks and consideration of additional risks which may relate to the entity being audited, across tax types, across related entities etc.
• Conduct audits (plan, execute, finalise) in line with relevant Acts / Regulations / Policies / Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) using SARS systems.
• Utilise digital information, systems and tools as they become available to address audit risks. This may include eCommerce transactions and other digital risks.
• Identify information required to mitigate audit identified risks and engage taxpayers / practitioners for additional relevant information and clarification.
• Where large data files are required to be downloaded, engage Electronic Forensic Services (EFS) to assist. Detail the data required and the risks, to contribute to the identification of required data files and/or additional data.
• Manage the efficient progress of the audit utilising approved systems. Prepare system notes of progress and outcomes as required and maintain during the audit process, e.g. Service Manager, Teammate.
• Prepare and issue relevant communication / reports as required to internal and external stakeholders.
• Raise accurate assessments on SARS systems in relation to relevant legislation.
• Analyse information provided at dispute stage and taxpayer complaints logged.
• Prepare inputs based on analysis and interpretation of facts and legislation, participate and present to relevant committee i.e. Technical Committee, Understatement Committee, Large Assessment Committee, Objections Committee, National Appeals Committee.
• Identify new and additional risks for audit scope expansion, identification of new risks relating other tax types and related entities for referral to Case Selection for profiling for new audit interventions.
• Identify and escalate serious tax offences for potential criminal investigations, which will include a detailed analysis of the facts together with the applicable tax legislation. The Auditor may be required to testify in a criminal court.
• Identify and elevate enhancements to management on policies and procedures. Auditors are also requested to provide inputs to draft policies and procedures to the product areas e.g. different Tax Types product areas, Process Design and Engineering, etc.
• Engagement during and after the audit with Debt Management aimed at optimal collection on liabilities raised through the audit. Provide support by conducting a financial analysis to support the recommendations which may be used to determine the optimal collection of liabilities and / or to support this view at various committees e.g. Debt Committee. Engage the taxpayer regarding the collection of debt at the finalisation stage of the audit.
• Supply inputs to Account Maintenance on remittance of penalty and interest requests and engage Client Service to resolve issues escalated by taxpayer.
• Engagement with Litigation and Dispute management during and post the audit process to address issues relating to the interpretation of relevant legislation e.g. tax, legislation relating to companies, etc. The auditor may be required to testify in a civil court.

Governance

• Comply to set governance and compliance procedures and processes related to an area of specialisation and continuously identify and elevate risks.

People

• Develop productive working relationships with team members, Ops Managers, and key role players in the business to support contracted work outputs.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service
• Ensure own understanding and adherence to customer service delivery and provide specialist support to meet or exceed customer expectations.

Behavioural competencies

• Analysis and alignment
• Analytical thinking
• Accountability
• Conceptual Ability
• Organisational awareness
• Trust
• Respect
• Attention to detail
• Commitment to Continuous learning
• Building sustainability
• Honesty and integrity
• Teamwork

Technical competencies

• Reporting
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Financial Accounting
• Operational Audit
• Business Knowledge
• Efficiency Improvement

Compliance Competency

GOC: Confidential

Employment Equity

The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre‑employment screening, case study, pre‑assessment, psychometric assessment and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.