How Can I Get a Job as an Auditor?

If you want to examine and dissect the inner financial workings of a company, you may be asking yourself: “How can I get a job as an auditor?” As a complex finance professional, an auditor is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the financial statements and expense reports of a company to ensure that the company is complying with state and federal regulations. Auditors may also review and evaluate the internal controls set in place so that they can analyze whether risk exposures are being managed properly. If all of this interests you, you will need to start your mission to become an auditor by enrolling in school. Read on, and find out what qualities you need to possess to become and auditor and what experience you will need.

What Makes a Good Auditing Candidate?

Whenever you must study in college to pursue a career it is important to do your homework so that you are confident that you are a good match for the position. While many of the skills that you need to be a good auditor can be learned in school and through hands-on experience, individuals need to possess the right personality characteristics to make it in this field. Auditors not only need to be ethical individuals, they also must have strong communications skills. Because you will be working with managers and employees, you must be able to build strong interpersonal relationships so that you are a respected team player.

Educational Requirements to Become an Auditor

If you have found that you possess the personality characteristics and inherent skills you need to be a great auditor, the next step is entering a formal degree program. There are both internal and external auditing positions, and virtually all employers and agencies require auditors to possess a business-related degree to be considered for any audit departmental positions. Once you earn your Bachelor’s degree, you will need to move on to earning a certification that will take you further. Some states may require that you have a Master’s, or 150 credit units, under your belt to test for certifications. Some of the different options that you can consider include: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Information Systems Auditor or Certified Government Auditing Professional. You need to review each certification closely to decide which is best based on your career goals.

Professional Experience to Become an Auditor

Some states may require that certification prospects have a professional experience in finance or in accounting before testing. If you want to work in Internal or External auditing positions, you may need to find an entry-level position as an assistant or a junior level accountant. After you work and gain experience, you will later be advanced into auditor titles, where you will hold more responsibility with a firm or direct with an organization.

Employment is expected to grow by 18% by the year 2016. If you would like to enter a field where employment growth is high and the compensation is higher than the average reported in other industries, becoming an auditor could be the right choice for you.