Profession · Full profile

Auditor

Auditors examine financial statements, test internal controls, and verify regulatory compliance.

Average salary

$81,000

Salary range

$50,000 – $140,000

Training time

About four years

Job market

As fast as average

6/10

Work-life balance

Moderate

Auditors review financial records, ledgers, and operational processes to ensure reporting accuracy and compliance with established standards. Working primarily for accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, and financial institutions, they assess risk and evaluate internal controls. Their work involves testing accounting procedures, examining transactions, and documenting evidence. They discuss findings with management, write audit reports, and recommend corrective actions to strengthen organizational integrity.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A typical day focused on document review, internal control testing, and data analysis in an office or remote environment.

8:30 AM
Reviewing workpapers and daily plan
Checking incoming client documentation and organizing the day's testing tasks.
9:30 AM
Internal control testing
Evaluating internal controls and verifying accounting procedures against documentation standards.
12:00 PM
Lunch break
Midday break outside of testing activities.
1:00 PM
Data analysis and transaction sampling
Using accounting spreadsheets and software to inspect ledgers and examine sample transactions.
3:00 PM
Audit team progress meeting
Discussing preliminary testing results, exceptions, and schedule milestones with the audit manager.
4:00 PM
Audit documentation and workpaper sign-off
Documenting testing evidence, recording findings, and updating audit workpapers.

Task breakdown

A client-facing day involving on-site inspections, control walkthroughs, and manager discussions during busy periods.

8:00 AM
Client site arrival and setup
Arriving at the client location and reviewing physical records alongside electronic files.
9:00 AM
Management walkthrough meeting
Interviewing department managers regarding transaction workflows and operational risks.
10:30 AM
Physical inventory inspection
Performing on-site physical asset checks and matching inventory counts to general ledger balances.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Break on-site during client field testing.
1:15 PM
Exception testing and ledger examination
Investigating discrepancies discovered during ledger reviews and documenting audit evidence.
4:00 PM
Client exit conference
Presenting audit findings, exceptions, and proposed corrective actions to client leadership.
5:30 PM
Drafting audit report summaries
Summarizing notes from client meetings and compiling draft sections of the audit report.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$50,000

Average

$81,000

Maximum

$140,000

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$50,000	$81,000	$140,000
California	—	$90,000	—
Texas	—	$79,000	—
Florida	—	$76,000	—
New York	—	$88,000	—
Illinois	—	$82,000	—

Salary by sector

Sector	Min	Avg.	Max
Public accounting	—	$82,000	—
Finance and insurance	—	$85,000	—
Government	—	$78,000	—

Typical benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Medical coverage packages provided by employers to support employee well-being.

Retirement plans

Employer-sponsored retirement savings programs designed for long-term financial security.

Paid time off

Allotted paid leave for personal time, illness, and vacation.

Professional development and exam support

Assistance with professional learning resources and professional certification exam costs at some employers.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Bachelor's degree

About four years

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Accounting is the most common degree field for auditors. Coursework provides foundational instruction in financial accounting, auditing principles, taxation rules, and business law.

Costs: About $11,950 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public four-year college for in-state students, and $45,000 at a private nonprofit four-year college
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; college admission requirements vary.
High school subjects: Financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law

Master's degree

About one to two years after a bachelor's degree

Master's degree in accounting

Graduate study deepens technical knowledge and helps meet educational credit requirements established by state boards of accountancy for CPA licensure.

Entry requirements: A bachelor's degree; accounting prerequisites vary by program.
High school subjects: Advanced auditing, technical accounting, and financial reporting

License

Varies by state

Certified Public Accountant license

State boards of accountancy issue CPA licenses. This license is commonly required to sign audit reports for public clients.

Entry requirements: Requirements vary by state and generally include education, passing the CPA examination, and qualifying work experience.
High school subjects: Auditing, financial reporting, business regulations, and professional ethics

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Financial statement analysisReviewing financial statements, ledgers, and supporting documentation for reporting accuracy.
Auditing and assurance proceduresApplying standard audit techniques to sample records and verify accounting operations.
Accounting software and spreadsheetsWorking with specialized accounting systems and spreadsheets to organize and evaluate financial data.
Internal control testingAssessing the design and operating effectiveness of accounting procedures and controls.
Data analysisAnalyzing transaction volumes and operational trends to detect anomalies and risk areas.
Regulatory and accounting standardsApplying legal, statutory, and professional accounting standards during evaluations.

Soft skills

Attention to detailCatching small numerical discrepancies and procedural non-compliance across large records.
Critical thinkingEvaluating evidence objectively to reach sound professional conclusions.
Clear communicationExplaining complex audit findings and corrective recommendations clearly to managers.
IntegrityMaintaining professional ethics, objectivity, and confidentiality when reviewing sensitive records.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
ThoroughExamines records methodically to make sure all transactions and supporting documents are accounted for.
✓
InquisitiveInvestigates unusual variances and asks probing questions to understand underlying financial events.
✓
EthicalUpholds strict compliance and confidentiality standards without compromising professional judgment.
✓
SystematicFollows rigorous testing procedures and documents workpapers in an orderly manner.
✓
DiplomaticDiscusses audit exceptions and control deficiencies constructively with business leaders.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Trend

Stable

Regional demand

California

Employment opportunities exist across corporate headquarters, public accounting practices, and public sector agencies.

Texas

Organizations require auditors to evaluate risk, oversee financial reporting, and examine internal accounting controls.

Florida

Demand is driven by banking institutions, corporate offices, public sector entities, and regional accounting firms.

New York

Financial institutions, corporations, and major public accounting practices maintain steady demand for audit professionals.

Illinois

Audit positions are located within financial services, manufacturing corporations, government bodies, and accounting firms.

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Senior Auditor
Several years
Leads field audits, coordinates associate testing, and handles complex accounting risk evaluations after several years of experience.
Audit Manager
Several additional years
Oversees multiple audit engagements, manages audit staff, and presents reports to executive leaders after several additional years.
Financial Controller
Typically after substantial accounting and leadership experience
Directs overall accounting operations, reporting structures, and internal control systems after substantial accounting and leadership experience.

Horizontal move

Accountant
Transitions laterally into general ledger preparation, routine reconciliations, and financial statement compilation.
View Accountant
Compliance Officer
Moves laterally to oversee corporate compliance with statutory standards, internal policies, and regulatory mandates.
View Compliance Officer

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Usually full time during standard business hours; longer hours may be common during audit deadlines.
Remote work: Some audit work can be performed remotely, though client visits, inventory checks, and sensitive records may require on-site work.
Physical requirements: Primarily desk-based work involving prolonged computer use; occasional travel and visits to client or company sites.
Typical employers: Public accounting firms, corporations, banks and insurance companies, federal, state, and local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Professional associations: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the primary role of an auditor?

An auditor reviews financial statements, internal controls, and accounting procedures to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance. They examine ledgers, test transactions, assess financial and operational risks, and document evidence. After completing their testing, they communicate discrepancies and recommendations to managers and prepare formal audit reports.

Do auditors need a CPA license?

A Certified Public Accountant license is not always required for entry-level work, but it is commonly required to sign audit reports for public clients. State boards of accountancy issue CPA licenses. Meeting licensing criteria generally requires specific education credits, passing the CPA examination, and completing qualifying work experience.

Can auditors work from home?

Some audit work can be completed remotely through digital systems, but on-site work is often necessary. Tasks such as inventory checks, examining physical documents, and attending sensitive client meetings require visiting client or corporate sites. Travel is common in public accounting engagements.

What are typical working hours for an auditor?

Auditors usually work full time during standard business hours. Schedules are often predictable outside reporting and audit deadlines, though longer hours, including occasional evenings or weekends, become common during busy reporting cycles or tight audit deadlines.

What credentials exist for internal auditors?

Some internal auditors pursue the Certified Internal Auditor credential in addition to or instead of public accounting licensing. Internal auditors focus on evaluating internal controls, operating procedures, and organizational risk management across corporate or governmental entities.

How does automation affect the audit profession?

Automation handles routine data checks, transaction sampling, anomaly detection, and document review. Even with advanced software, auditors remain necessary to evaluate audit evidence, exercise professional judgment, assess internal control effectiveness, and discuss complex findings with organizational management.

What employers hire auditors?

Auditors find employment in public accounting firms, commercial corporations, banks, and insurance companies. They also work for federal, state, and local government agencies as well as nonprofit organizations that require regular financial reviews and control testing.

Related professions

In depth

All about auditor

The background, context and details.

Core responsibilities in auditing

Auditors examine financial statements, ledgers, and supporting documents to verify that accounting records match actual business operations. They test internal controls and accounting procedures. When sampling transactions for accuracy and regulatory compliance, these specialists evaluate financial and operational risks that could compromise reporting integrity or violate legal standards. Staff document evidence, testing methods, and specific exceptions in structured workpapers before presenting formal recommendations to management. Auditors also prepare audit reports and track corrective actions taken by client leadership.

Workplace settings and travel expectations

Most auditors work full time during standard business hours in corporate offices, public accounting firms, banks, insurance companies, or government agencies. The work is primarily desk-based and requires prolonged computer use. While some audit tasks can be performed remotely from a home office, physical visits to client locations remain necessary when inspecting inventory or examining sensitive records on site. Audit deadlines often require longer working hours, with occasional evening shifts or weekend work during busy periods. Job demand receives a market outlook score of 6, supported by regulatory requirements and organizational risk management.

Education costs and licensing requirements

A bachelor's degree in accounting is the most common entry route and requires about four years of full-time undergraduate study. Average published tuition and fees at a public four-year college for in-state students run about $11,950 a year, compared to $45,000 a year at a private nonprofit four-year college. Coursework covers financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law. A master's degree in accounting takes about one to two years after undergraduate graduation and helps candidates satisfy state requirements for professional licensure. State boards of accountancy issue the Certified Public Accountant license, which allows practitioners to sign audit reports for public clients. Licensing rules vary by state. State boards require candidates to pass the CPA examination and accumulate qualifying work experience.

Career progression across accounting

New professionals start as audit associates before advancing after several years into senior auditor positions. With several additional years of supervisory experience, auditors advance to audit manager to oversee engagement teams and direct complex schedules. After substantial accounting and leadership experience, professionals can move into executive roles such as financial controller, or they can switch horizontally into specialized adjacent fields by working as corporate accountants or regulatory compliance officers. Prospective auditors should evaluate state-specific CPA exam requirements before selecting an undergraduate accounting curriculum.