Kudakwashe Benjamin Ruchaka
Brooklyn,WGN
Summary
Dynamic Audit Manager with extensive experience at Grant Thornton, excelling in audit management and client relationship development. Proven track record in risk assessment and compliance auditing, leading teams to deliver high-quality results. Recognized for fostering staff development and enhancing team cohesion, driving both performance and engagement in diverse audit environments.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Audit Manager
Grant Thornton New Zealand Audit Limited
10.2022 - Current
- Lead and manage multiple audit engagements across various sectors, ensuring compliance with auditing standards and firm methodology.
- Supervise and review the work of audit teams, providing technical guidance and performance feedback.
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as the key point of contact during the audit process.
- Plan audits, including risk assessments, materiality determination, and audit approach design.
- Ensure audits are completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
- Review financial statements and audit reports for technical accuracy and compliance with PBE IPSAS, NZ IFRS, or relevant frameworks.
- Identify and communicate audit findings, control weaknesses, and recommendations to clients.
- Support staff development through coaching, on-the-job training, and performance evaluations.
- Liaise with partners and senior management on engagement status, risk matters, and strategic client issues.
- Draft technical accounting treatment memos and file notes for complex or judgemental matters, for review by the engagement partner or national technical team.
- Contribute to business development through proposal preparation and networking.
- Among the first in the firm to lead audits of service performance information under PBE FRS 48, actively sharing expertise by training and mentoring other team members across engagements.
- Initiated and organised an indoor football team to promote staff wellbeing and team cohesion within the audit division. Recognised for this initiative with the 'We, Not Me' award at the Wellington office's 2023 mid-year celebrations.
Audit Manager
Kreston Mozambique Ltd
05.2020 - 08.2022
- Performance of Audits, Agreed upon Procedures, Review Engagements and Compliance tests in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and Applicable Regulations.
- Planning, monitoring execution of audit procedures and completing and finalizing assurance engagements.
- Performing risk assessment procedures to determine the audit approach.
- Review of work performed by audit staff to ensure it is in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing and the firm's audit methodology.
- Performing detailed review of audit work performed by junior team members on engagements.
- Liaising with client personnel on audit progress and any other matters that may arise during the audit.
- Evaluating staff performance and recommending appropriate appraisal conclusions on performance review.
- Training assurance staff by attending to and advising on technical issues identified during audits.
- Preparing the audit department budget and ensuring billing and collection of audit fees is done on time.
- Reporting to the audit partner on any matters arising during the audit and at work.
Audit Supervisor
Grant Thornton Mozambique
09.2018 - 04.2020
- Performance of Audits, Agreed upon Procedures, Review Engagements and Compliance tests in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and Applicable Regulations.
- Audit senior responsible for planning, monitoring execution of audit procedures and completing and finalizing assurance engagements.
- Performing risk assessment procedures to determine the audit approach.
- Performing substantive analytical procedures and tests of detail in accordance with the International Standards on Auditing and the firm's audit methodology.
- Performing detailed review of audit work performed by junior team members on engagements.
- Evaluation of client internal control systems and preparation of weakness reports for presentation to client management.
- Evaluating staff performance and recommending appropriate appraisal conclusions on performance review.
- Training assurance staff by attending to and advising on technical issues identified during audits.
- Led a team of at most 6 audit assistants, assigning and reviewing their work.
Audit Trainee - Audit Senior
Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants, Zimbabwe
09.2015 - 08.2018
- Joined Grant Thornton as an Audit Junior and rose to become an Audit Senior, a position in the Assurance department reporting to Audit Managers and Partners.
- My work encompassed planning, execution and conclusion of assurance engagements, supervision of junior auditors, aiding training initiatives on the job.
- My client size varied turnovers ranging from USD 50 000 to USD 90 million.
Education
Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting - CTA
Chartered Accountants Academy (CAA) in collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa01.2017
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree - Accountancy
Chinhoyi University of Technology
Zimbabwe01.2014
Skills
- Audit management
- Financial reporting
- Risk assessment
- Compliance auditing
- Technical analysis
- Client relationship management
References
Referees available upon request
Qualifications
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Part - Qualified, Progressing towards full qualification (Expecting to complete next year - 4 exams to completion)., Top performing student for the Financial Reporting module in New Zealand, Number 33 Global for the March 2024 seating., Chartered Accountants Academy (CAA) in collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting (CTA), 2017, Chinhoyi University of Technology (Zimbabwe), Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Accountancy, 2014
Timeline
Audit Manager
Grant Thornton New Zealand Audit Limited
10.2022 - Current
Audit Manager
Kreston Mozambique Ltd
05.2020 - 08.2022
Audit Supervisor
Grant Thornton Mozambique
09.2018 - 04.2020
Audit Trainee - Audit Senior
Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants, Zimbabwe
09.2015 - 08.2018
Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting - CTA
Chartered Accountants Academy (CAA) in collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree - Accountancy
Chinhoyi University of Technology