Internal Auditor
Impact: Financial integrity, operational efficiency, risk mitigation
Evaluates and enhances organizational effectiveness by assessing internal controls, risk management systems, and financial reporting processes. Identifies areas for improvement and ensures compliance with regulations and company policies.
In their words
Internal auditing offers a dynamic career path where you're constantly learning about different business functions and industries. It requires a keen eye for detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly. While it can be demanding, the opportunity to influence organizational effectiveness and improve processes is highly rewarding.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- 60% Team / 40% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- 10-20% domestic
- Schedule flexibility
- Moderate
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 40-50 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $89,000
- Entry-level
- $60,000 - $80,000
- Senior
- $120,000+
- Growth by 2033
- 6% (average)
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High 80-100% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- $20,000 - $40,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Financial Reporting
- Risk Management
- Compliance
- Data Analysis
- GAAP
- Internal Controls
- Audit Software
- Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)
Soft skills
- Communication
- Analytical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Adaptability
Technical complexity: High
Tools you'll work with
Core tools
- ACL Analytics (software): Data analysis and audit automation
- TeamMate Audit Management (software): Audit workflow and documentation
- Microsoft Excel (software): Data manipulation and reporting
Common tools
- SAP GRC (software): Governance, Risk, and Compliance management
- SQL (language): Database querying for data extraction
Niche tools
- Power BI (software): Data visualization and dashboarding
- Python (language): Scripting for advanced data analysis
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's Degree
- Licensing
- Optional
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5 years
- Years to senior
- 7-10 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- External Auditor: Transitioning from external audit provides a strong foundation in audit methodologies and financial reporting.
- Accountant: Accountants with strong analytical skills can pivot to internal audit by focusing on controls and risk assessment.
- Financial Analyst: Financial analysts can leverage their understanding of financial data and processes to move into internal audit roles.
Where you can go from here
- Compliance Officer: Internal auditors often move into compliance roles due to their expertise in regulatory requirements and internal controls.
- Risk Manager: The risk assessment skills developed in internal audit are highly transferable to risk management positions.
- Financial Controller: Internal audit experience provides a comprehensive understanding of financial operations, preparing individuals for controller roles.
- Operations Manager: Understanding operational processes and identifying inefficiencies in audit can lead to roles in operations management.
Typical progression
- Staff Auditor > Senior Internal Auditor > Internal Audit Manager > Internal Audit Director
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 30% low to moderate risk
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 6.5/10
- Meaning
- 7/10
- Work-life balance
- 7.5/10
- Prestige
- 7.5/10
- Social perception
- High
Find your community
Professional organisations
- The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA): Global professional association for internal auditors, providing guidance, certifications, and education.
- ISACA: Global association for IT governance professionals, relevant for IT audit specialists.
Reddit communities
- r/InternalAudit: Online community for internal audit professionals to discuss industry trends, career advice, and challenges.
Online communities
- Audit & Assurance Professionals: LinkedIn group for audit and assurance professionals to network and share insights.