Senior Auditor

GCO Partners; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 60 000 - 90 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading audit firm in Johannesburg is looking for an experienced External Audit Senior to manage UK statutory audits for a range of clients. Candidates must be CA(SA) qualified with 2-3 years of post-articles experience and demonstrable UK audit proficiency. This role offers the chance to operate within a globally integrated audit team, with a focus on quality and professional growth while delivering UK audit work from Johannesburg. Strong stakeholder management and analytical skills are essential.

Benefits

Strong renewal potential

Professional growth opportunities

Complex UK client exposure

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of post-articles external audit experience.
• Demonstrable UK audit experience.
• Experience managing full UK audit files.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK external audit engagements from planning to finalisation.
• Perform detailed risk assessments and substantive testing.
• Supervise and coach junior team members.

Skills

UK GAAP / FRS 102

CaseWare

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Education

CA(SA) qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

CCH

ProAudit

Inflo

Job description

External Audit Senior

GCO Partners

Location: Johannesburg/ Remote

Work Model: Office-based with hybrid flexibility

Contract Term: 12-Month Annual Renewable

Role Overview

GCO Partners is seeking an experienced External Audit Senior with proven UK audit experience to support the delivery of UK statutory audits for a portfolio of privately owned and mid-market entities. This role forms part of GCOs international audit delivery model, partnering closely with UK audit teams while operating from Johannesburg.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing full audit engagements end-to-end, maintaining UK audit quality standards, and contributing to the development of junior team members. This role is suited to an auditor who is already familiar with UK audit methodology, expectations, and delivery timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute UK external audit engagements from planning through to finalisation in line with UK audit methodologies and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs).
• Take full ownership of audit files, ensuring quality, accuracy, and adherence to UK reporting and review standards.
• Perform detailed risk assessments, substantive testing, and analytical reviews across key financial statement areas.
• Liaise directly with UK-based stakeholders, demonstrating a strong understanding of client operations, sector-specific risks, and UK regulatory expectations.
• Identify control weaknesses and provide practical, value-adding recommendations to strengthen governance and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with Audit Managers and Partners to tailor audit approaches based on client size, complexity, and risk profile.
• Supervise, review, and coach junior team members, ensuring technical accuracy and consistent audit quality.

Qualifications & Experience (Non-Negotiable)

• CA(SA) qualified with 2-3 years of post-articles external audit experience.
• Demonstrable UK audit experience (either through secondment, offshore delivery, or direct UK firm exposure).
• Strong working knowledge of UK GAAP / FRS 102, as applicable to private and mid-market UK entities.
• Proven experience managing full UK audit files and leading audit teams.
• Confident in working to UK audit deadlines, review notes, and partner expectations.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management capabilities.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and sound professional judgement.
• Proficient in CaseWare and/or UK-aligned audit software (e.g. CCH, ProAudit, Inflo), with strong Microsoft Office skills.

Why Join GCO Partners

• Deliver UK audit work while remaining Johannesburg-based.
• Work within a globally integrated audit delivery model aligned to UK mid-tier practices.
• Gain exposure to complex UK client portfolios and mature audit environments.
• Secure contract role with strong renewal potential based on performance.
• Clear pathway for professional growth within GCO Partners international audit platform.

This role is ideal for an Audit Senior who already understands UK audit delivery and is ready to operate at pace within a high-performance, internationally aligned team.