Auditor

What is an auditor?

An auditor is a professional who checks the financial records of an individual, business, or organization to ensure they are accurate.

What does an auditor do?

Typically, an auditor performs the following tasks:

• Checks financial statements to ensure they are accurate and comply with laws and regulations
• Inspects accounts for any misuse or fraud
• Audits an organization's controls, operating procedures, and mechanisms
• Prepares reports on findings and suggest changes if required
• Assesses financial operations and make best-practices recommendations

What does the day-to-day life of an auditor look like?

An auditor generally works from 9am to 5pm, though these may change during busy periods, such as the end of the financial year.

The day usually starts by reviewing tasks from the previous day followed by auditing the financial accounts of businesses or individuals. Depending on the size of the business, this could take several days or even longer.

Where does an auditor work?

Auditors are typically employed by public accounting firms, government agencies, and corporations. They may work in an office or travel to their client’s places of business. Some auditors can work remotely from home.

What tools/software/hardware does an auditor use?

As an auditor, you will use a variety of software tools including:

• Accounting software: Packages such as QuickBooks, Sage, or Microsoft Dynamics GP
• Office software: MS Office or similar, particularly Excel for creating spreadsheets
• Audit software: Tools like IDEA or ACL for audit management
• Data analysis tools: Software like Tableau, Looker, or Microsoft Power BI

What do I need to become an auditor?

You can become an auditor in several ways:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance: Most auditors have at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field.
• Professional certifications: Some roles require you to be a Chartered Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor.
• Work Experience: Some companies offer positions for people with relevant work experience in lieu of formal educational qualifications.

What career paths are available?

As an auditor, numerous career paths are available to you, including:

• Senior Auditor: With experience, you can become a senior auditor, leading audit teams.
• Audit Manager: After gaining leadership experience, you might become an audit manager.
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): With significant experience in strategic finance and accounting, you might qualify for a CFO role.

What jobs are similar to an auditor?

• Financial Analyst: They provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions.
• Budget Analyst: They help public and private institutions organize their finances.
• Forensic Accountant: They use accounting skills to investigate fraud or embezzlement and analyze financial information for legal cases.

What made you want to become an auditor?

How did you get your first auditor job?

What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being an auditor?

Are you an auditor? We would love for you to share your experiences with those thinking of starting or changing their careers. If you're interested contact us at [contact email address].