Internal Auditor and Risk Officer

About Fast Choice Limited Kenya

Fast Choice Limited Kenya specializes in importing, manufacturing, and distributing premium office furniture, including executive desks, conference and reception desks, workstations, office sofas, clerical chairs, and various storage solutions such as file cabinets and safe deposit boxes. The company caters to a wide range of industries seeking reliable, durable, and functional office equipment designed to enhance modern workplace environments.

Role Purpose

The Internal Auditor and Risk Officer is tasked with independently assessing the company’s governance, risk management, internal control systems, and operational procedures. This role aims to detect financial leaks, fraud risks, gaps in compliance, inefficiencies, and weaknesses in controls across all departments. It is responsible for proposing actionable solutions that protect company assets, promote accountability, enhance profitability, and support strategic decisions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the risk-focused annual internal audit plan as approved by the Managing Director.
• Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls in all business areas.
• Perform comprehensive enterprise risk evaluations and maintain the corporate risk register.
• Identify operational, financial, compliance, strategic, and fraud-related risks and suggest risk mitigation.
• Review and improve company policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and governance frameworks.
• Conduct root cause analyses of audit findings and ensure follow-up on corrective actions.
• Advise management on optimising risk management, cost efficiency, and process enhancements.
• Audit key financial areas including revenue, payables, receivables, payroll, inventory, and fixed assets for accuracy and compliance with IFRS and company policies.
• Evaluate segregation of duties and approval controls related to financial transactions.
• Review budgeting and investigate significant variances.
• Audit commercial processes such as quotation-to-cash workflows, pricing, contracts, credit management, tenders, sales commissions, and after-sales service processes.
• Examine manufacturing and operations including production planning, costing, quality control, procurement, supplier performance, warehousing, logistics, and asset management.
• Audit import and procurement documentation, customs compliance, freight and insurance costs, foreign payments, and exchange rate risks.
• Carry out regular and surprise stock audits verifying physical inventory against ERP records, investigating variances, and evaluating inventory controls to prevent losses.
• Review HR and administrative processes, including recruitment, payroll, attendance, benefits, compliance with labor laws, and training programs.
• Audit ERP (Sage) systems including access controls, transaction audits, integrity checks, and recommend system controls and automation improvements.
• Conduct audits of petty cash across locations ensuring compliance with approvals and proper documentation.
• Lead fraud investigations, forensic audits, disciplinary probes, and follow up with recommendations for improvements and disciplinary actions.
• Prepare monthly audit reports, develop risk dashboards, present findings to top management, and monitor the implementation of action plans.
• Promote a culture emphasizing compliance, accountability, and continuous enhancement through training and engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Professional qualification CPA (Kenya) mandatory; Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) highly preferred.
• Additional certifications such as CISA or Certified Fraud Examiner are advantageous.
• Membership in ICPAK and/or IIA Kenya is expected.

Experience

• At least five years of progressive experience in internal auditing, finance, risk management, or compliance.
• Minimum 2-3 years auditing in manufacturing, distribution, FMCG, or inventory-heavy industries.
• Hands-on experience with operational, financial, compliance, and fraud investigations.
• Experience auditing ERP systems like Sage is essential.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of Internal Audit standards and COSO Internal Control Framework.
• Enterprise Risk Management expertise.
• Familiarity with IFRS reporting standards.
• ERP systems auditing including Sage, SAP, Odoo, Microsoft Dynamics.
• Competence in Procurement and Supply Chain controls.
• Strong inventory management and fraud investigation capabilities.
• Advanced financial analysis and root cause analysis skills.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Excel; Power BI skills are a plus.

Behavioral Attributes

• Demonstrate high integrity and ethical standards.
• Maintain independence and objective judgment.
• Strong analytical and investigative mindset.
• Commercially savvy with excellent communication and report writing.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and manage diverse stakeholders.
• Good decision-making abilities, attention to detail, and confidentiality.

Performance Indicators

• Completion and adherence to the annual audit plan.
• Timely closure of audit findings.
• Reduction of recurring audit issues and financial losses.
• Fraud detection and resolution effectiveness.
• Inventory variance management within approved limits.
• Compliance with company regulations and laws.
• Prompt submission of audit reports.
• Reduction of unauthorized ERP activities.
• Realization of cost savings and process improvements from audit recommendations.