Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Qualifications
Timeline
Generic

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 Africa
01.2017

Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree - Accountancy

Chinhoyi University of Technology
Zimbabwe
01.2014

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
Kudakwashe Benjamin Ruchaka