BDO Wave - Risk Advisory Trainee Cape Town

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.

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.