If you’ve ever wondered how businesses stay on track, follow the rules, and keep their finances in order - that's where auditors come in.

Auditors play a crucial role in making sure companies are being honest and accurate with their numbers, whether it’s checking financial statements or spotting potential risks. But being an auditor isn’t just about spreadsheets and tick-boxes, it’s about understanding how the organisation works from the inside out. Auditors often work in a large business conducting audits on the company accounts, or for a practice firm that conducts audits for a range of clients.

What can I expect to earn?

The average UK salary for an auditor is around £49,557, but often ranges between £46,7000 to £55,000 (as of April 2025).* However, your salary will depend on several factors such as the organisation, your experience, and location.

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?

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. If you have prior experience or qualifications, it’s worth contacting AAT directly or answering the questions in the AAT Skillcheck to help you choose the correct level.

Other options to get into auditing include ACCA Foundations. This level is a good place to start if you’re new to accountancy or already working in a finance role but have no formal qualifications. Again, it’s worth speaking to ACCA directly to find the level that’s best for you. On completion (or if you have exemptions), you may then wish to future your studies with the full ACCA or ACA qualification and apply for roles as a trainee auditor.

If you want to learn more about training options or ways to fund your studies, contact our Student Services team at studentservices@kaplan.co.uk.

*Reed.co.uk Average salary checker (April 2025)