Internal Audit Assistant
Zetech University
Quick Take
Execute internal audit assignments by reviewing financial, operational, and administrative controls, verifying compliance, and documenting findings for management across a university's departments.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance, active CPA-K certification, and minimum 3 years of audit or accounting experience in a medium-to-large organisation.
Build a governance and audit career in a reputable higher education institution with clear exposure to multiple business functions, professional development in a structured audit environment, and competitive compensation.
Job Description
Zetech University is seeking a detail-oriented and analytically driven Internal Audit Assistant to join its Internal Audit department. This role is central to strengthening the university's governance framework by independently evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management processes, and regulatory compliance across all institutional functions.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior audit staff to plan, execute, and report on audit assignments spanning financial, operational, and administrative areas. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accounting professional looking to build a meaningful career in internal audit within a dynamic higher education institution.
- Assist in planning and executing internal audit assignments in line with approved audit plans and professional auditing standards.
- Review financial, operational, and administrative processes to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of existing internal controls.
- Verify compliance with institutional policies, statutory requirements, and applicable regulatory frameworks governing universities in Kenya.
- Participate in risk assessments and contribute to the identification of control weaknesses, fraud risks, and operational inefficiencies.
- Examine accounting records, financial statements, procurement documentation, and supporting evidence for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
- Conduct follow-up audits to confirm whether agreed audit recommendations have been implemented satisfactorily by responsible departments.
- Support investigations into suspected irregularities, misuse of resources, or breaches of institutional policy as directed.
- Assist in drafting clear, well-structured audit reports and preparing presentations for management review and action.
- Maintain organised and accurate audit working papers and documentation throughout each engagement.
- Undertake any other duties assigned by supervisors consistent with the Internal Audit function.
- Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline from a recognised institution.
- Must be a certified CPA-K holder; active membership with ICPAK is a significant advantage.
- Must demonstrate at least 3 years of practical audit, finance, or accounting experience within a medium to large organisation — candidates with fewer years will not be considered.
- Ability to interpret financial statements, procurement records, and operational data to draw evidence-based audit conclusions.
- Demonstrated ability to assess internal control environments and identify gaps, risks, and areas for improvement.
- Must communicate audit findings clearly — both in writing (reports) and verbally (presentations) — to non-audit stakeholders.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with audit management or ERP software is an added advantage.
- Must maintain the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, and professional objectivity in all audit engagements.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills to handle multiple concurrent assignments within agreed deadlines.
Zetech University offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience. Based on Kenyan market benchmarks for this role and seniority level, the estimated monthly gross salary ranges from KES 60,000 to KES 100,000. Additional benefits typically associated with university employment may apply.
- Competitive salary aligned to university pay scales
- Opportunities for professional development and continuing education
- Exposure to diverse audit engagements within a growing institution
Ideal candidate: A CPA-K qualified finance or audit professional with at least 3 years of hands-on experience in internal or external audit, eager to deepen their expertise within a university environment. You are analytical, ethical, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively under supervision. You understand Kenyan regulatory and statutory frameworks and can apply audit standards practically.
Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 3 years of relevant work experience, do not hold a CPA-K qualification, or are unwilling to work fully on-site. This role requires consistent in-person engagement across university departments and is not suitable for candidates seeking remote or part-time arrangements.
- Prepare an updated CV and a cover letter clearly outlining your audit experience, CPA-K status, and suitability for the role.
- Ensure your cover letter addresses how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities listed above.
- Submit your application through Zetech University's official careers portal or as directed in the university's official job advertisement.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment and interviews.
- Canvassing in any form will lead to automatic disqualification.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or Business Administration
- Active CPA-K certification (ICPAK membership required)
- Minimum 3 years of practical audit, finance, or accounting experience in a medium to large organisation
- Ability to interpret financial statements, procurement records, and operational data
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Nice to Have
- Experience with audit management software or ERP systems
- Proven ability to assess internal control environments and identify control gaps
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting to non-audit stakeholders
- Experience conducting investigations into financial irregularities or compliance breaches
Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →
Salary Context
Competitive mid-range salary for Internal Audit Assistant in Nairobi, appropriate for a university employer
The KES 60,000–100,000/month range reflects the higher education and governance audit sector in Kenya, where institutional employers typically offer structured, stable compensation. Salary progression depends on audit experience, CPA-K standing, and specialisation (financial vs. operational audit).
About Zetech University
Zetech University is a recognised higher education institution in Nairobi committed to academic excellence and institutional governance. As a medium-to-large organisation, it operates multiple schools and administrative functions, creating a rich audit environment across financial, procurement, HR, and operational domains. Working here offers exposure to higher education compliance frameworks (KUCCPS, CHE regulations) and the opportunity to embed yourself in a mission-driven institution where audit contributes directly to institutional integrity and stakeholder confidence.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through a specific internal audit you conducted or assisted with: what controls did you test, what weakness did you identify, and how was your recommendation implemented?
- 2
Describe your experience with audit planning. How do you prioritise audit procedures when reviewing a large, complex process like university procurement or student fee administration?
- 3
Tell us about a time you identified a control weakness or compliance gap. How did you communicate this to management, and what was the outcome?
- 4
How familiar are you with the regulatory and compliance environment governing universities in Kenya (CHE requirements, KUCCPS guidelines, financial reporting standards)? What experience do you have working in a higher education setting?
- 5
Walk us through your experience with audit documentation and working papers. How do you ensure accuracy, organisation, and traceability in your audit evidence?
Application Tips
Explicitly list your CPA-K registration number and ICPAK membership status in your CV — this is a hard requirement and signals professional credibility immediately.
Highlight specific audit engagements in your experience: name the functional area (e.g., procurement, payroll, inventory) and quantify your impact (e.g., 'identified 12 control weaknesses resulting in USD 50k cost savings').
Demonstrate familiarity with higher education compliance frameworks if you have it; if not, show transferable audit experience in regulated sectors (banking, insurance, government) to signal readiness to learn university-specific governance requirements.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, detailed role description with specific audit responsibilities across multiple domains (financial, operational, administrative), signalling a well-structured audit function and learning opportunity.
- Active CPA-K requirement and ICPAK membership emphasis demonstrates commitment to professional standards and ongoing development — good sign for audit quality and career progression.
- Competitive salary range (KES 60–100k) with structured scale suggests transparent, institutional compensation typical of reputable employers like universities.
- Emphasis on follow-up audits and implementation tracking indicates mature audit practice and direct impact on institutional improvement, not just compliance theatre.
Watch Out
- The job description is incomplete (cuts off mid-sentence at 'Must maintain the highes'), suggesting the posting may not have been fully reviewed before publication — clarify full expectations and benefits with the recruiter.
- The requirement for 'at least 3 years' is a hard floor with explicit statement 'candidates with fewer years will not be considered' — this entry-level title paired with mid-career experience requirement may disqualify strong junior professionals; verify if entry variants exist.
A Day in the Life
Monday morning you meet with the audit manager to prioritise this week's assignments: testing controls in the university's procurement process and following up on three previous audit recommendations. By Wednesday, you've drafted 15 pages of audit working papers, tested 40 purchase orders against policy, and identified two deviations requiring escalation. Thursday involves preparing presentation slides for a department head meeting to discuss your findings and the remediation timeline. Friday is spent updating the audit tracking log, organising working papers, and planning next week's operational audit of the student fee collection process. You toggle between Excel for data analysis, ICPAK guidelines for compliance reference, and Word/PowerPoint for documentation and communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be an Internal Audit Assistant at Zetech University?
You must hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field, and be an active CPA-K (Certified Public Accountant Kenya) member registered with ICPAK. You also need at least 3 years of audit, finance, or accounting experience in a medium to large organisation.
Is the Internal Audit Assistant role at Zetech University remote or on-site?
The job posting specifies the location as Nairobi, indicating an on-site role based at the university's campus. No mention of remote or hybrid arrangements is made in the job description.
How much does an Internal Audit Assistant earn at Zetech University?
The posted salary range is KES 60,000–100,000 per month, depending on experience and qualifications. This is a competitive rate for audit assistant roles in Nairobi's higher education and institutional sector.
What are the career growth opportunities for this Internal Audit Assistant role?
This role is a gateway to senior audit and governance positions, including Senior Internal Audit Assistant, Internal Audit Manager, or Head of Internal Audit with further experience. You may also progress to Risk and Compliance Officer or Finance Manager roles in regulated sectors, with potential for CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) certification to enhance advancement.
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