The application deadline was 21 August 2026.
The South African Revenue Service is recruiting a Senior Specialist: Audit in its High Wealth Individual division at the Woodmead Office in Sandton. This is a highly specialised senior tax-audit position focused on complex High Wealth Individual structures, including aggressive wealth shifting, sophisticated avoidance arrangements, trusts and cross-border transactions. The role is intended for an experienced tax and audit professional who can lead technically difficult risk-based audits and provide authoritative guidance on matters where ordinary audit approaches may not be sufficient. Candidates need a postgraduate qualification, ten years of relevant experience and an applicable professional registration, so this vacancy is aimed at established specialists rather than general accounting applicants.
Job Details
- Position: Senior Specialist: Audit
- Requisition ID: 11428
- Division: High Wealth Individual
- Location: Woodmead Office, Sandton
- Reporting to: Senior Manager: Audit
- Closing date: 21 August 2026
Minimum Qualification and Experience
Applicants need a relevant Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Tax, Accounting or Auditing at NQF Level 8 together with ten years of experience in a tax and audit environment.
An applicable professional registration is also required. SARS lists recognised registrations or accreditation through bodies such as SAICA, SAIT, CFA, ACCA, SAIPA, ACFE, the Legal Practice Council or accreditation as a subject-matter expert by the World Customs Organization.
Purpose of the Position
The specialist provides expert guidance and carries out highly complex audits involving High Wealth Individuals. The work includes examining arrangements that may shift wealth aggressively, exploit legislative gaps or use special-purpose structures. Strong knowledge of trust taxation, trust law, cross-border taxation and the substance-over-form principle is particularly important.
Audit and Research Responsibilities
The successful candidate will plan, conduct and manage complex risk-based audits and identify tax gaps or evasion schemes that require specialist intervention. The role also includes managing audit quality from planning through execution and finalisation.
Research is another important part of the job. The specialist examines local and international practices, recommends improvements to tax law or specialist systems and helps develop practical solutions to complex compliance problems. Information from different sources must be compared and analysed so that trends, inconsistencies and risks can be identified for decision-making.
Governance and Specialist Leadership
The position contributes to governance and compliance policies in its specialist area and provides technical thought leadership to colleagues and stakeholders. The employee is expected to transfer knowledge, advise internal and external stakeholders and support improvements to processes and systems.
Key Competencies
Relevant competencies include audit methodology, tax law, operational auditing, data collection and analysis, business writing, financial acumen, planning, reporting and quality orientation. SARS also highlights analytical thinking, attention to detail, accountability, integrity, problem solving and continuous learning.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the official SARS SuccessFactors recruitment system. Use requisition ID 11428 and submit the application before 21 August 2026.
Apply for SARS Senior Specialist: Audit
Pre-Employment Requirements
Successful candidates may be required to complete an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, assessments or vetting and a declaration of private interests. Reference and security-clearance requirements can also apply.
