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Auditor

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Auditor Career Details

Auditors can conduct either internal audits or external statutory audits. External statutory audits are independent assessments of the financial position of business within a standard framework, and are required by law; internal audits are reviews of the performance, profitability, stock control or costs of a business that is conducted within an organisation by their own employees. External auditors are primarily concerned with financial reporting, and plan and implement a series of audit tests on a company's records with the intention of showing a 'true and fair view' of the profit and loss for that year.

Their duties include:

examining company accounts
collating and interpreting evidence
assessing the financial risks to a business
appraising control systems
establishing productive working relationships with clients
discussing financial transactions with clients
conveying findings and recommendations.

Central and local government departments are also audited to check on how public money is being spent and to see if any savings can be made.

Internal audits can be carried out for a variety of reasons, eg wage reviews at the request of senior management or as part of the a regular cycle to check that policies and procedures are being followed correctly.

Working Environment

Auditors normally work 35-40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. However, in order to meet deadlines they sometimes have to work longer hours including evenings and weekends. Some travelling is involved in this job and auditors may have to spend nights away from home. It may be possible to work part-time.

The work is carried out on the auditor’s premises, in the client’s office on a laptop or by using the company’s own computers. To make a check on stock or equipment auditors might have to visit other workplaces such as warehouses, factories and building sites.

Auditor Related Skills

To be an auditor you should:

be able to interpret data and evidence
be competent in the use of IT
be a good communicator to convey information in writing and verbally
have an enquiring mind and the tenacity to solve complex problems
be able to manage a busy workload, often under pressure and maintain attention to detail
be comfortable working as part of a team and supervising others
have a thorough understanding of business management
be discreet and honest as some information may be sensitive.

Auditor Career Opportunities

External auditors work for firms of chartered or certified accountants, for the National Audit Office (which audits central government departments) or the Audit Commission (the Accounts Commission in Scotland) which audits local authorities, the NHS and other public bodies.

Internal auditors work for commercial companies or public sector organisations, or may be self-employed. There are opportunities to specialise in areas such as taxation or insolvency or to work overseas with large international accountancy firms and with private companies.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Auditor related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

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