Internal Auditor at VALR

, , South Africa -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

28 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

29 Apr, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Internal audit, Risk management, Assurance, Governance, Control frameworks, Fintech, Crypto, Blockchain, Financial reporting, IT general controls, Regulatory compliance, Audit planning, Stakeholder management, Analytical skills, Communication skills

Industry

Financial Services

Description

About Us: VALR is Africa's largest crypto exchange by trade volume, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. Serving over 1 million users globally, including 1,100 corporate and institutional clients, we’re licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, with additional approvals to offer services in Europe and initial approval from Dubai's VARA. VALR distinguishes itself with a customer-first philosophy, delivering secure, transparent, and innovative solutions for both professional and retail traders. Our Vision: Our vision is to create a world where finance unites rather than divides. Our name, derived from the word "valour" without distinction between American and British English, symbolises our commitment to universal values of courage, ethical integrity, and the intrinsic worth of every human being. These values drive us to design a platform that breaks down financial barriers, making it as seamless to send value across borders as it is to send an email. Our Mission: At our core, we’re a values-driven exchange, dedicated to building a financial ecosystem that serves all of humanity. We believe in simplifying the complex world of crypto and blockchain to make it accessible to everyone, bridging the gap between traditional finance and the blockchain-powered future. * 2–3years of experience in internal audit, risk, or assurance roles. * Strong foundation in risk-based internal auditing principles and execution. * Proven ability to operate independently and build an internal audit function from scratch. * Experience in fintech, crypto, trading platforms, financial services, or digital asset companies is preferable. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex findings for senior leadership and the Board. * Solid understanding of governance, risk management, and control frameworks. * Analytical and detail-oriented with sound judgement in balancing risk, innovation, and scalability. * Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams (Finance, Legal, Security, Compliance, Product, Engineering). * High level of integrity, objectivity, and professional scepticism. * Experience managing external audit coordination and liaising with regulators where relevant. * A relevant professional qualification, such as CA(SA), CIA, CISA, or CIMA, will be advantageous. In addition, the following functional competencies are required: * Internal Audit Design & Execution: Ability to create, execute, and evolve a risk-based internal audit plan aligned to a high-growth fintech/crypto business. * Assurance Delivery: Demonstrated skill in delivering full-cycle audits, scoping, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up independently and efficiently. * Control Evaluation: Capability to assess control environments in high-velocity, product-led organisations and provide practical, business-aware recommendations. * Governance & Risk Maturity Assessment: Ability to identify systemic risk themes and evaluate control culture, risk ownership, and governance structures across the business. Further, the following competency is not required but is highly preferred: * Crypto Risk Insight: A basic understanding of blockchain controls, custody risks, wallet management, client asset segregation, and transaction flows. * Design and build VALR’s internal audit function from the ground up, including defining the audit charter, structure, and governance model. * Develop, own, and execute a risk-based internal audit plan aligned with VALR’s strategy, risk profile, stage of growth, and evolving regulatory landscape. * Continuously reassess audit priorities in line with changes in the business model, product offerings, market activity, and external risk drivers. * Independently plan and perform audits across a range of critical risk areas, including financial reporting, operational processes, IT general controls, custody and wallet operations, exchange functionality, compliance, and outsourced services. * Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of controls in key crypto-specific risk areas, including blockchain transactions, wallet segregation, private key governance, asset safekeeping, and incident response protocols. * Report audit findings, root causes, and practical, risk-prioritised recommendations directly to the Audit and Risk Committee, ensuring transparency and accountability at the highest governance level. * Track and follow up on agreed remediation actions, verifying implementation and assessing the effectiveness of corrective measures with management. * Stay current on fintech, blockchain, and crypto asset market trends to proactively identify emerging risks and regulatory expectations. * Provide independent, risk-focused advisory input during new initiatives, product launches, and process changes, ensuring that control considerations are embedded early without compromising objectivity. * Recommend control improvements and efficiency gains that enhance risk management maturity, scalability, and operational resilience, particularly in high-growth or high-change areas. * Evaluate the design and effectiveness of governance frameworks and risk management practices, surfacing systemic issues, emerging themes, and potential blind spots. * Deliver clear, concise, and business-relevant reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee, supporting their oversight of control integrity and organisational risk exposure. * Build and maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional stakeholders, including Finance, Legal, Compliance, Engineering, Operations, and Security, to ensure engagement and alignment on control priorities. * Serve as the primary internal audit liaison for external audit firms, regulators, and other third parties, ensuring coordinated assurance activities and avoiding duplication of effort. * Contribute to a culture of control consciousness across the organisation, influencing behaviours that reduce risk and strengthen VALR’s operating environment. * Innovative Work Environment * Engage with the latest blockchain technologies and tools in a rapidly evolving industry. * Work from anywhere with secure, stable internet connectivity, allowing you to create your ideal workspace. * Career Development * Benefit from an annual professional development allowance alongside scheduled company training sessions to keep you at the forefront of the crypto industry. * Competitive Compensation * Competitive salaries that align with industry standards. * When you contribute to our success, you’ll be rewarded with discretionary bonuses, recognising your impact on VALR’s growth. * Receive preferential Tier 5 trading fees on VALR, with no monthly trading volume required. * Diversity and Inclusion * A commitment to fostering a diverse workforce with initiatives that promote equity and belonging. * Wellness * Employees are encouraged to strive for coherent and wholesome lives, fulfilling their work, personal, social, physical and spiritual goals to the best of their abilities. * Compliance with statutory leave required by individual countries, in addition to flexible leave options. * Enjoy lunch on us when working from our Johannesburg Head Office, one of the ways we support wellbeing and connection in the workplace. * Impact and Contribution * At VALR, we believe in a financial system that recognises the oneness of humanity. Our mission is to break down financial barriers and promote universal values of courage, ethical integrity, and the intrinsic worth of every individual. * Engage in initiatives that promote education and awareness about cryptocurrencies, ensuring that everyone has the tools and knowledge to participate in the evolving financial landscape. * Dynamic Team Culture * Open communication and teamwork across departments, fostering innovation and creativity. * Enjoy social gatherings outside of work to strengthen team bonds and boost morale. * Global Exposure * Work with colleagues from around the world. * Exposure to diverse perspectives and practices in the crypto space. * Recognition and Rewards * Regular acknowledgement of employee accomplishments, fostering a culture of appreciation and motivation. * Join us for retreats that blend professional development with team bonding in inspiring locations. * Tools for Success * Receive a Mac laptop and a discretionary allowance to purchase all the extras needed for a productive home office—yours to keep after three years (terms and conditions apply).

Responsibilities

You will design and build the internal audit function from the ground up, defining the audit charter and governance model. You will also develop and execute a risk-based audit plan while reporting findings directly to the Audit and Risk Committee.