BDO Wave - Risk Advisory Trainee Cape Town

BDO; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

BDO Wave South Africa invites applications for a Trainee in Cape Town to begin an internal audit career within the UK and Ireland Risk Advisory Services team. You will gain hands-on audit experience across planning, fieldwork and reporting while working with UK and SA colleagues.

You will receive on-the-job learning, regular feedback and study support toward a professional qualification, developing practical audit skills and commercial understanding in varied industries.

Qualifications

• A relevant bachelor’s degree completed or due before joining.
• Interest in internal audit, risk, controls or assurance; internships or projects are advantageous but not essential.
• Inquisitive mindset with ability to ask questions and develop professional scepticism.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Clear written and verbal communication, capable of engaging with clients and colleagues.
• Collaborative and organised approach with ability to manage priorities and deadlines.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office; exposure to data analytics or AI-enabled tools desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support internal audit, risk, assurance and advisory engagements across planning, fieldwork, reporting and follow-up activities.
• Assist with walkthroughs, risk assessments, controls testing and data analysis under guidance of experienced team members.
• Work with the engagement team to apply professional standards and UK regulatory requirements where applicable.
• Document clear, accurate evidence in working papers and flag potential control gaps or unusual findings.
• Help prepare clear reports and supporting materials for review.
• Build positive working relationships with UK clients and SA colleagues and contribute to virtual meetings.
• Manage assigned tasks, meet deadlines and communicate progress or issues promptly.
• Act on feedback and develop knowledge of internal audit methods, risks and controls.
• Contribute to team knowledge sharing and development of audit tools and insights.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Collaboration

MS Office

Data analytics exposure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Internal Auditing/Finance

Tools

MS Office

Data analytics tools

Job description

BDO Wave - Risk Advisory Trainee Cape Town (Cape Town CBD)

2026/10/15

Reference Number

BDOWAVE-RAT-G65-CPT-15Oct2026-AR

Description

Start your internal audit career with BDO Wave South Africa as a Trainee based in Cape Town. As part of our UK and Ireland Risk Advisory Services (RAS) team, you will gain practical experience alongside supportive colleagues and turn your academic learning into meaningful business impact.

As part of our UK and Ireland Risk Advisory Services (RAS) team, you will be delivering internal audit, assurance and advisory engagements for UK clients. Working with experienced colleagues across the UK and South Africa, you will develop practical audit skills and contribute to high-quality client delivery.

The role offers exposure to varied businesses, industries and risk environments, helping you develop your internal audit knowledge and commercial understanding.
You will receive regular feedback and practical, on-the-job learning to develop your internal audit skills, professional judgement and confidence when working with clients, alongside the opportunity to study towards a professional qualification.

Requirements

Roles and responsibilities

• Support internal audit, risk, assurance and advisory engagements across planning, fieldwork, reporting and follow-up activities.
• Assist with walkthroughs, risk assessments, controls testing and data analysis under the guidance of experienced team members.
• Work with the engagement team to apply relevant professional standards and UK legislative, regulatory and governance requirements where applicable.
• Document clear, accurate evidence in working papers and raise potential control gaps or unusual findings with the engagement team.
• Help prepare clear reports and supporting materials for review.
• Build positive working relationships with UK clients and colleagues across the UK and South Africa and contribute professionally to virtual meetings and interviews.
• Manage assigned tasks, meet agreed deadlines and communicate progress or issues promptly.
• Act on feedback, take responsibility for your development and build knowledge of internal audit methods, risks and controls.
• Contribute to team knowledge sharing and the development of audit tools, templates and insights.

Education and Skills

• A relevant bachelor’s degree in Internal Auditing, Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, Business Finance, Business Management, Economics or a related commerce discipline, completed or due to be completed before joining.
• An interest in internal audit, risk, controls or assurance; relevant academic projects, internships or work experience would be an advantage but are not essential.
• An inquisitive mindset and the confidence to ask thoughtful questions, evaluate information and develop professional scepticism as you learn how risks and controls affect organisations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to interpret information and reach well-reasoned conclusions.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage professionally with clients and colleagues.
• A collaborative and organised approach, with the ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively with UK-based teams and client stakeholders.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office; exposure to data analytics or AI-enabled tools would be desirable.