Auditor

What is the role of an auditor?

An auditor independently examines financial records and internal controls to verify accuracy, ensure compliance with regulations, and assess financial risk.

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day involves reviewing financial statements, testing transactions, evaluating internal controls, documenting findings, and communicating results to management or clients.

What is the difference between an accountant and an auditor?

Accountants are responsible for creating and maintaining financial records. They prepare financial statements, track transactions, manage budgets, and ensure day-to-day financial accuracy within an organization.

Auditors are responsible for independently reviewing financial records. They examine the work accountants produce to verify accuracy, test controls, and ensure compliance with laws and standards.

In short, accountants build the financial system, and auditors evaluate whether that system is working correctly.

Where do auditors work?

Auditors work in public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and regulatory bodies. Some work internally, while others audit external organizations.

What are the common job titles and career paths?

Common titles include Audit Associate, Internal Auditor, External Auditor, Senior Auditor, Audit Manager, and Director of Audit. Career paths often progress from execution-focused roles to oversight, management, and advisory positions.

Who is this career a good fit for?

This career fits individuals who are detail-oriented, comfortable questioning systems, able to follow strict standards, and interested in identifying risk and ensuring accountability.

What does long-term growth look like?

Long-term growth includes advancement into senior audit and leadership roles, specialization in risk or compliance, higher compensation, and opportunities to move into consulting or executive oversight positions.

What does the educational pathway look like for an auditor?

Auditors typically begin with a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field. This education is essential because auditors must first understand how financial records are created before they can evaluate accuracy, controls, and compliance.

Most auditing roles, especially in public accounting, require eligibility to sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam. While a master’s degree is not required, candidates must complete additional college credits beyond the standard bachelor’s degree to meet CPA eligibility requirements set by state boards.

Sara Schenirer’s bachelor’s degree in accounting fulfills the academic credit requirements needed to sit for the CPA exam, allowing students to pursue auditing careers and professional licensure without completing a separate graduate degree. This makes it a direct and efficient pathway into the auditing profession.