Auditors are responsible for scrutinising the accounts, processes and procedures of a business. They spend their working hours poring over financial statements, inspecting accounts and making sure the business is following the correct accounting and legal procedures. At the end of an audit, they will provide a report of any concerns or errors they have found.
Auditors usually either work in a large business conducting audits on the company accounts, or work for a practice firm that conducts audits for a range of clients.
What can I expect to earn?
An Auditor will earn on average £35,500 a year, but you could earn significantly more if you work for some of the larger practice firms or manage multiple clients (salary taken from Glassdoor, July 2016).
What skills do you need to be a good Auditor?
- A keen eye for detail – scrutinising accounts, fact checking and making sure there are no errors is the most important part of an auditor’s role
- Professional scepticism – you’ll need to be able to challenge and question things that don’t look right to you
- A team player – you’ll work within a team and often with people from all over the business
- Willingness to travel – you may be sent to off-site audits and could even get to travel abroad
How do I get into a career in Auditing?
To become an Auditor, you’ll first need to gain a Chartered Accountancy qualification.
If you're brand new to accountancy, the AAT Professional Qualification is a great entry point, covering all the main areas of accountancy and tax. Other options include ACCA Foundations or ACA Certificate in Finance or Business (CFAB). These qualifications will help you get your first role in an accounts department, allowing you to get hands on experience.
On completion (or if you have exemptions), you can then go on to study the Professional ACCA or ACA qualifications, which will allow you to apply for roles as a trainee Auditor.
If you would like to find out more about training options or ways to fund your studies, call our friendly advisors on 0161 259 7400.