Thobelani Nyawo - Audit Senior- Eligible To Register AGA(SA) - BDO South Africa

Summary

Dynamic Audit and Finance Professional recently completed SAICA articles with BDO Cape Town, offering proven expertise in IFRS and ISA, along with a comprehensive understanding of industry standards. Eligible for the AGA(SA) designation and progressing toward CA(SA), equipped with extensive experience in planning, executing, and completing audits and financial reporting engagements across diverse sectors. My experience spans multiple sectors, including insurance(short term and long term),Brokerage,Asset management ,Hospitality,Agency,Owner managed,Online Gambling,Software, and Gaming(betting and Aviator), Energy renewable sector,Motor Industry,Care hire, retail, Distribution,property, manufacturing, and public sector (GRAP). Recognized for delivering strategic insights through risk assessment and financial analysis while demonstrating leadership, integrity, and excellence in client relationships; poised to embrace new challenges and contribute immediate value in any professional setting.

Overview

10

Certifications

2

Languages

Work History

Audit Senior

BDO South Africa

02.2026 - Current

1. Engagement Planning & Risk Assessment

Took full ownership of audit planning, reviewing prior-year files, analysing financial trends, and identifying potential misstatements.
Developed risk-based strategies tailored to each client, aligned with firm methodology and regulatory requirements.
Led materiality assessments and high-risk area identification, covering revenue, provisions, impairments, and cash flow.
Coordinated walkthroughs to understand business processes, evaluate internal controls, and identify key audit risks.
Audited high-risk and complex IFRS and IFRS for SMEs entities, including donor-funded projects (USAID & CDC), applying NASBA-accredited compliance standards.

2. Audit Execution & Evidence Gathering

Applied professional scepticism in substantive and control testing, validating journal entries, reconciliations, and complex transactions across industries to ensure evidence-based conclusions in line with IFRS, IFRS for SMEs, IAS, ISAs, GRAP, GAAP, and PFMA/MFMA.
Audited cash flow statements (direct and indirect methods), providing management actionable insights on liquidity, operational performance, and compliance with IFRS/IFRS for SMEs standards, and tax requirements.
Executed end-to-end audit procedures — reconciliations, confirmations, recalculations, and analytical reviews — ensuring financial information was complete, accurate, and reliable.
Challenged management assumptions and estimates, applying professional judgment to assess reasonableness and reduce misstatement risk under IFRS and IFRS for SMEs frameworks.

3. Analytics & Systems Utilisation

Applied advanced Excel techniques (VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, IF, nested IF, SUMIF, COUNTIF, INDEX/MATCH, pivot tables, dashboards) to analyse large datasets, reconcile balances, detect anomalies, and substantiate audit conclusions.
Leveraged TeamMate, Kerrige, M-Files, Sage, Xero, APT, and IDEA to document audit evidence, track progress, and enhance efficiency while maintaining a robust audit trail.

4. Financial Reporting & AFS Coordination

Prepared and reviewed Annual Financial Statements (AFS) under GRAP, IFRS, and IFRS for SMEs, liaising with drafters for notes and disclosures while keeping managers and partners informed.
Drafted management letters, misstatement schedules, and audit reports, providing clear, actionable recommendations.
Coordinated the finalisation of audit engagements, including signing off reports, review cycles, and submission to governance structures.
Assisted with tax computations and reporting, ensuring compliance and identifying optimisation opportunities.
Conducted analytical reviews, variance analysis, and trend assessments, providing actionable insights to clients.

5. Leadership & Team Development

Supervised and coached junior staff, reviewing working papers, allocating tasks, and ensuring work met firm quality standards and ISAs.
Facilitated audit progress meetings and Engagement Team Discussions (ETD), resolving technical and process-related queries, while mentoring trainees to support professional growth and maintain team efficiency.

Technical Expertise

Accounting & Auditing Standards: IFRS, IFRS for SMEs, ISAs, GRAP, GAAP, PFMA, MFMA
Audit Tools & Systems: TeamMate, Kerrige, Sage, Xero, APT, M-Files, CaseWare IDEA
Excel & Analytics: VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIF, COUNTIF, pivot tables, dashboards, data cleansing, scenario analysis, reconciliations etc
Tax & Cash Flow: Tax computation, deferred tax, cash flow analysis, reporting

Education

Postgraduate Diploma - Accounting (CTA)

UNISA

01-2026

BCom - Accounting Science

University of Zululand

01-2021

National Senior Certificate - undefined

Ndlamkane High

01-2017

Skills

Standards & Frameworks: IFRS (full), IFRS for SMEs, ISAs, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), General Recognized Accounting Principles (GRAP), GenerallyAccepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Systems & Tools: BDO Advantage Methodology, Auditing Processing tool (APT), Teammate, Sage Business Cloud, Xero, Kerrige, M-Files

Software: Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, financial modeling), Word, PowerPoint

General Skills: Problem-solving, adaptability, critical thinking, teamwork, project management, attention to detail, integrity, and resilience under pressure

Competencies: Tax accuracy, valuations, risk assessment, audit strategy, report writing, stakeholder communication, time management, Chairing of meetings, Verbal communication and presentation, Maintain high standard of honesty, objectivity, diligence and loyalty, due professional care

Accomplishments

Signed off from SAICA Articles (January 2026), successfully completing comprehensive audit training and gaining exposure across diverse industries.
Commenced role as Audit Senior (February 2026), bringing end-to-end audit expertise, technical proficiency, and leadership experience to senior engagements.
Awarded Trainee of the Month (September 2024) for exceptional performance on a particularly challenging audit, consistently delivering high-quality results under pressure.
Recognised as a team motivator, fostering a positive, encouraging environment and supporting colleagues to excel while maintaining engagement and productivity.

Certification

I have officially completed my SAICA articles with a signed-off letter attached confirming my readiness for new challenges. My professional development includes NASBA CPE certifications in Financial Management & Compliance and Hot Topics for Compliance & Audit, BDO Group Audit training courses, and practical application of the BDO Advantage methodology. I am skilled in using IDEA for data analytics and Sage Business Cloud, and I hold a Working at Heights certification. In recognition of my performance, I was awarded a Certificate of Excellence as Trainee of the Month (Sept 2024).

Work Availability

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