Underwriting Audit Specialist

Santam Insurance; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider in Johannesburg seeks an Underwriting Audit Specialist to conduct audits and improve governance within the organization. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree in Internal Audit and 5-7 years' experience in corporate and commercial insurance. This role involves audit reviews, planning, and liaising with various partners, requiring strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years of short-term insurance knowledge in corporate and commercial insurance.
• Working knowledge of treaty, facultative reinsurance processes, and reinsurance accounting.
• Experience in performing underwriting and reinsurance reviews.

Responsibilities

• Perform objective audit reviews within the underwriting processes.
• Assist with audit planning and execution, reporting in a timely manner.
• Advise on practical recommendations and follow-up on audit issues.
• Maintain quality standards in terms of the audit methodology and documentation.

Skills

Knowledge of personal lines and commercial products

Understanding of applicable legislation

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Stakeholder management skills

Negotiation skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Internal Audit

Advanced Certificate in Short Term Insurance

Tools

Insurance software applications

Job description

Job title: Underwriting Audit Specialist

Job Location: Gauteng, Johannesburg

Deadline: December 11, 2025

What will you do?

• A position of Underwriting Audit Specialist exists in Santam Corporate Services to be based in Alice Lane Sandton, Gauteng.
• The purpose of the Audit Specialist is to play a significant role in delivering on the Internal Audit Charter, plan and improving the overall governance, risk management and control environment within the Santam Group.
• This role will therefore form part of the Specialist Underwriting assurance team within the Santam Group Internal Audit function and will be responsible for specific underwriting and / or reinsurance related assurance work in Santam Limited, MiWay, Centriq and Santam Structured Insurance.

What will make you successful in this role?

• Perform objective audit reviews within the underwriting processes at Santam Ltd, its subsidiaries, portfolio managers and underwriting agencies.
• Assist with audit planning in terms of assignment objectives and scope of work.
• Responsible for audit execution; reporting in an effective and timely manner and follow-up processes.
• Advise on practical recommendations.
• Follow up on audit issues raised and provide input into the reports to the Santam Audit Committee and other governance structures as required.
• Maintain quality standards in terms of the audit methodology, approach and documentation of work performed; and
• Building relations with partners and various key stakeholders.
• Travel nationally will be required from time to time.

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Internal Audit or equivalent.
• Advanced Certificate in Short Term Insurance would be advantageous.
• 5 to 7 years short term insurance knowledge, specifically in corporate and commercial insurance, internal auditing would be advantageous.
• Working knowledge and understanding of treaty, facultative reinsurance processes and reinsurance accounting would be advantageous.
• Understanding of an outsourced business model; and experience in performing underwriting and reinsurance reviews would be advantageous.

Skills

• Knowledge of personal lines, commercial products, assets all risk policies and other business processes including reinsurance.
• Working knowledge of legislation, regulations applicable to the financial industry (FAIS, Insurance Act, TCF, POPi) and supporting regulations i.e. : Prudential Authority knowledge of the Governance and Financial Standards of Insurers (GOI and FSI) and FAIS.
• General knowledge of various insurance software applications and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint DrawIo) at intermediate or advanced.
• Facilitation skills and ability to influence individuals, groups and teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Stakeholder management skills;
• Influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills across all levels.
• Strong integrity and dealing with confidentiality.
• Report writing skills.
• Professionalism, excellent judgement, use of discretion and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently; and
• Influencing / Gaining Commitment.
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