About the position
Key Purpose:
The Quality Assurance and Practice Review Manager is pivotal in upholding the integrity, professionalism, and compliance of its members. This role manages the Practice and Quality Review processes, ensuring adherence to the organisation's Quality Management and Practice Review Framework, professional standards, and regulatory requirements across all membership categories. These include Members in Practice (PAIP), Members in Business (PAIB), Members in Academia (PAIA), Members in Public Sector (PAIPS), Approved Trainee Centres (ATC), and Trainees. Additionally, the position involves providing expert guidance to members to improve their quality management systems and practices, reinforcing the company's commitment to excellence.
The Quality Assurance and Practice Review Manager is expected to be sufficiently adaptable and experienced such that responsibility for other tasks within the organisation can be assumed, should the needs of the organisation require it.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead Quality Reviews and Ensure Compliance with Standards
- Determine and allocate necessary resources (human, financial, and technological) for quality review activities.
- Evaluate the performance of assessors and develop targeted training programs to enhance their skills.
- Manage the implementation of the quality review programmes in all areas
- Conduct reviews of member practices, including compilations, International Standards on Quality Management (ISQM), and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) compliance.
- Assess compliance with accounting standards, ethical requirements, and relevant legislation.
- Review practices' internal quality management systems, client files, and documentation to identify strengths and improvement opportunities.
- Communicate review findings, providing constructive feedback and actionable recommendations to improve compliance and quality.
Ensure Implementation of Corrective Actions
- Oversee the implementation of corrective measures following practice reviews.
- Oversee and coordinate the review of both high-priority and low-priority files as needed.
- Handle and resolve objections and appeals raised by members.
- Monitor and follow up on findings and recommendations from quality reviews to ensure sustained improvements.
Develop and Manage the Quality Assurance Framework
- Update and maintain the company's Quality Assurance Framework and related policies to reflect changes in standards, regulations, and best practices.
- Develop and maintain quality review guides, ensuring they align with best practices.
- Design, implement, and monitor quality management plans, policies, and procedures for member segments, including practitioners, academia, the public sector, ATCs, and trainees.
- Develop checklists, guides, and quality control processes tailored to each membership category.
Provide Guidance and Support
- Offer professional advice to member firms on maintaining compliance with standards, including ISQM requirements.
- Develop support programs and interventions to improve service quality among members.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
Monitor and Enhance Quality Processes
- Enhance and maintain the self-assessment platform on CRM.
- Administer and moderate reports from assessors conducting quality reviews.
- Ensure compliance with the company's policies, standards, and the Constitution.
- Maintain and monitor the quality of the review processes, ensuring continuous improvement.
Collaboration and Committee Support
- Participate in internal committee meetings (e.g., RPL, EDCOM, Exam Com).
- Support the Investigation, Disciplinary, and Appeals Committees by providing insights and reports relevant to quality reviews.
Risk Management:
- Comply with the Institute's legal and ethical standards, along with its policies, processes, and procedures.
- Maintain the security of systems and data.
- Assess risks derived from quality review findings to establish a baseline.
- Perform and record assessments of member practice risks.
- Oversee and track member audits.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive member practice review plan.
- Identify risks during quality reviews and devise strategies to address and mitigate them.
- Promote innovative solutions among key stakeholders to enhance practice quality.
Reporting:
- Report all deviations to the company designations, Quality Management and Practice Review Framework
- Provide support in compiling department's reports
Stakeholders Relationship Management:
External
- Manage relationships with external service providers and stakeholders ensuring they derive value from association and engagements with the Institute:
- Members and potential members
- ATC
- Service providers,
- South African Revenue Services (SARS)
- ABASA
- Schools and Universities
- Government Departments and others
- Represent the company at stakeholder functions as and when required
- Risk Committee
Internal
- Participate in key decisions as a member of the department team
- Maintain in-depth relations with all staff of the Institute
Minimum Requirements
Qualification
- A BCom Degree and recognized accounting designation, such as Professional Accountant (SA), ACCA, or equivalent, with substantial relevant post-qualification experience
Experience
- Over 5 years of experience in Practice Review and Quality Management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of ISQM 1 and ISQM 2 standards.
- Registered as an assessor for accounting qualifications.
- In-depth understanding of ISQM standards, accounting regulations, ethical requirements, and relevant legislative frameworks.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate complex information, identify non-compliance issues, and recommend effective solutions.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to clearly convey technical information and provide constructive feedback.
- Detail-oriented approach to reviewing documentation and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain professional relationships, offering guidance and support to stakeholders.
- Experience or a solid understanding of managing a professional accounting/audit practice.
- Proven capability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously with minimal supervision.
- Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken English; proficiency in an additional language is highly desirable.
Desired Skills:
- Possesses a solid understanding of the International Standards on Quality Control (ISQC 1 & 2)
- Demonstrates practical and technical expertise in legislative compliance requirements applicable to both the education and professional environments.
- Professional Code of Conduct
- International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Education Standards.
Desired Work Experience:
Desired Qualification Level:
