SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICES (SARS)

SPECIALIST: AUDIT (SPECIALISED AUDIT)

Position Reports to: Manager: Audit          

Division: Taxpayer Engagement and Operations (Specialised Audit)

Location: Western Cape (Cape Town X1)

Advert Closing Date:  23 October 2026

About the position

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced professional with existing work experience which blends auditing, tax investigations, forensic auditing, and digital forensics. The ideal candidate will demonstrate technical expertise in tax auditing, financial analysis, tax dispute management, civil litigation and insolvency law. Previous experience in testifying in court proceedings is preferable. An Honours degree in Accounts/Tax or related studies, registration as a CA(SA), or a M Comm (Tax), or Certified Fraud Examiner would be advantageous

Job Purpose

To conduct advanced audits of high complexity, with the aim of influencing compliance through raising accurate assessments in line with relevant legislation. Provide technical support to other auditors on matters of various complexity levels. Utilises advanced tax, corporate and other legislative knowledge and experience to identify tax gaps, avoidance and evasion schemes, and suggests potential solutions to minimise tax risks. Identifies initiatives and changes to required legislation to impact compliance levels.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Bachelor’s degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Audit/Tax/Accounting and 8 years' experience in tax audit environment. 

Minimum Functional Requirements:

Applicable professional registration at either of the following professional bodies: 

• South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
• South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT)
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
• Legal Practice Council (LPC)

Job Outputs:

Process

•    Analyse a wide spectrum of highly complex transactions across multiple tax types and / or entities and / or groups of related entities and / or areas of specialisation which may be based locally or internationally with the aim of understanding the tax implications and determine compliance with relevant legislation.

•    Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices.

•   Analyse highly complex 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. This may relate to specific areas of specialisation.

•   Conduct audits using newly identified systems / tools of digital information, methodology and other advanced technology identified to address highly complex advanced audit risks. This may include eCommerce transactions and other digital risks.

•   Continuous engagement with Litigation and Dispute management to address issues relating to the interpretation of relevant legislation. Engagement with Legal counsel may be required for highly complex specialised matters. The auditor may be required to testify in a civil court on matters of a highly complex nature.

•   Continuous engagements with Debt Management aimed at optimal collection on liabilities raised through the audit. Conduct a detailed financial and cash flow analysis to support the recommendations provided. Engage the taxpayer regarding the collection of debt at the finalisation stage of the audit. Engagement with Legal counsel may be required for highly complex specialised matters.

•   Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans.

•   Coordinate and provide technical support to ensure the finalisation of disputes and complaints. Analyse information of a complex nature provided at dispute stage and taxpayer complaints logged across the linked / related entities / groups of entities and / or specialised projects.

•   Coordinate and support the efficient progress of the audit of linked / related entities / groups of entities being audited utilising approved systems.

•    Develop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure tactical implementation.

•  Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.

•   Identify and escalate serious tax offences for potential criminal investigation, provide a detailed analysis of the facts together with the applicable tax legislation. Engagement with the National Prosecuting Authority may be required for highly complex specialised matters. The auditor may be required to testify in a criminal court.

•    Identify changes required to legislation, with relevant stakeholders and policy owners to close compliance loopholes.

•   Identify information required to mitigate audit risks of an advanced and highly complex nature and engage taxpayers / tax practitioners / experts / third parties both locally and internationally for additional relevant information and clarification.

•    Identify new and additional highly complex risks for audit scope expansion, identification of new risks relating to other tax types and related entities for referral to Case Selection for profiling for new audit interventions.

•   Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes.

•    Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain.

•  Plan for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and excellence.

•  Prepare and issue detailed, high level relevant communication / reports as required to internal and external stakeholders. Ensure that communication is coordinated and aligned between related audits on tax types, entity levels or areas of specialisation.

•  Prepare inputs based on analysis and interpretation of facts and legislation, participate and present to relevant Committee. Highlight treatment of audits of similar nature to the relevant Committee to ensure consistent treatment. i.e. Technical Committee, Understatement Committee, Large Assessment Committee, Objections Committee, National Appeals Committee.

•    Prepare system notes of progress and outcomes as required and maintain during the audit process, e.g. Service Manager, TeamMate. Review system notes of auditors involved in the audit of the linked and / or related entities and / or groups of entities.

•   Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives, best practice implementation solutions.

•   Provide guidance / technical support to other Auditors on highly complex matters / areas of specialisation. This may involve conducting research, training and development, and coaching support during an audit or dispute process.

•    Provide input to draft policies and procedures to the product areas e.g., different Tax Types product areas, Process Design and Engineering, etc.

•    Provide inputs and guidance to Account Maintenance on remittance of penalty and interest requests.

•    Raise accurate assessments on SARS systems in relation to relevant legislation and ensure that assessments raised on linked / related entities / groups of entities / specialised projects are aligned from a tax perspective.

•    Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice areas and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation.

•    Research to identify highly complex tax risks that may not have been addressed effectively through audit or other interventions. These risks will be referred to Case Selection which may lead to the identification of new audit focus areas e.g. industry, tax specific risks, specialised projects, etc.

•    Translate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.

•   Plan, conduct and support highly complex advanced audits/ projects to ensure compliance with relevant Acts / Regulations / Policies / Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Governance

• Develop and /or align governance and compliance policies for own practice area to identify and manage risk exposure liability.

People

• Integrate new knowledge and transfer skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.
• Provide specialist know-how, support, advice and practice thought leadership in area of expertise.

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of specialisation.

Client

• Develop and ensure implementation of a practice that builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional stakeholder service.
• Participate in the specialist practice community and contribute positively to organisation knowledge management.
• Provide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Customer Service
• Drive for Results
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Persuasion Ability
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect
• Trust

Technical competencies

• Audit Methodology
• Business Knowledge
• Compliance Inspection
• Business Writing Skills
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Information management
• Governance, Ethics and Values
• Planning and Organising
• Reporting
• Tax Knowledge

Compliance Competency

• Security Clearance: 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.

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JUNIOR SOLUTION SUPPORT ENGINEER

Position Reports to: Ops Manager: Solution Support         

Division: Strategy Enablement & Modernisation

Location: Head Office

Advert Closing Date: 

About the Position

SARS is looking for a motivated, customer-focused, and technically inclined Junior Solution Support Engineer to join the Solution Support team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for technology, problem-solving, and service delivery, with a strong willingness to learn and grow within a dynamic IT operations environment. The successful candidate will provide first and second-line support for business-critical applications and Microsoft technologies, assist with incident and problem management, and contribute to maintaining system availability and performance across multiple platforms, including Microsoft 365, Copilot, SAS, and scanning solutions. The role requires strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a 24/7 operational environment.

Job Purpose

Undergo training to assist in managing the relationship between Service Delivery, the business and service providers to ensure the SARS IT services are available, responsive and performing well at all times, but particularly so during periods of high volumes. Understanding of the integration layers across the organisation landscape to assist with troubleshooting.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

National Diploma (NQF 6) or Higher Certificate (NQF 5) in Information Technology AND 2 years' experience in SAS, End User Support; Supporting Microsoft products: Ms – Windows 11, O365, Copilot and Azure administration environment.

OR

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND Relevant IT Qualification (s) / Certification (s), AND additional requirements specified in Min Functional requirements, where applicable.

ALTERNATIVE #
Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 3 years' experience SAS, End User Support; Supporting Microsoft products: Ms – Windows 11, O365, Copilot and Azure administration environment.

Minimum Functional Requirements

Working experience in software and end-user support.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Communication of transactional outputs and queries in area of work according to policies and quality requirements.
• Contribute to the development & improvement of area specific standards, procedures and processes to ensure continued quality and service improvement.
• Contribute to the successful implementation of change initiatives by providing support in area of work.
• Deliver on contracted performance objectives and escalate unresolved delivery and quality issues to management and process owners.
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to identify and develop solutions that leads to improved service delivery and quality.
• Effectively plan and schedule own activities to continuously improve quality and service delivery in area of work.
• Report on transactional and process activities within set guidelines to provide timely information for decision making.
• Perform Technical Support
• Undergo training to perform the following: To develop portions of a solution, perform unit & technical testing, configure and support one solution/product of the SARS solutions across all environments.
• Manage Configuration – understand & document physical and logical perspective of the IT infrastructure and the IT services being provided.
• Manage Incidents - focus on the day-to-day process that restores normal acceptable service with a minimal impact on business.
• Manage Problems – assist in diagnosing the root causes of all incidents in an effort to proactively eliminate and manage them

Governance

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

People

• Search for, integrate and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.
• Drive own performance and development in order to achieve and improve on work outputs in line with required response time, quality and service delivery standards.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.

Finance

• Adhere to specified policies, standards, legislation and procedures to prevent wastage on resources, unauthorised expenditure and wasteful expenditure and report violations.

Client 

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.
• Ensure client satisfaction by engaging and delivering a service that is consistent, seamless, and quick and error free.

Behavioural Competencies

• Accountability
• Attention to detail
• Building Sustainability 
• Conceptual Ability
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Respect
• Trust

Technical Competencies

• Business IT Systems 
• Computer Literacy 
• Functional Policies and Procedures 
• Planning and Organising  
• Problem Analysis and Judgement  
• IT Knowledge 
• IT Systems 
• IT Applications 
• Reporting
• IT Project Management 
• Procurement Knowledge 

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.

Protect yourself. Never pay for a job.

Recruitment Fraud Alert: SARS never asks for payment for vacancies, interviews, or appointments. Any such request is a scam.

SARS official reporting channels: SpeakOut@sars.gov.za; Anti-Corruption@sars.gov.za;ReportingUnprofessionalConduct@sars.gov.za; SARS Hotline number (0800 00 28 70).

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