Although they're often referred to as bean counters, auditors actually
have very exciting jobs.
Their duties range from determining fraud to protecting the environment.
Auditors are constantly using a variety of skills to work on new projects.
They're often responsible for the success of a company.
Companies depend upon auditors to do many things, including:
- Examining and analyzing each department's financial records
- Studying the effectiveness of a company's systems and programs
- Giving financial, business and tax advice
- Identifying any high-risk areas in a company that could lead to problems
in the future
- Looking for fraud, mismanagement and anything else that may cause a department
to run inefficiently
Some auditors become highly specialized in certain areas. These areas can
include computer technology, environmental and legal concerns or health-care
systems.
Regardless of specialty, foreseeing and solving problems is what auditors
do best. They help a department run efficiently. They help prevent all kinds
of catastrophes from occurring down the road. That saves the company both
time and money.
All kinds of companies hire auditors. These include government agencies,
universities and colleges, banks, accounting firms and oil and gas companies.
Depending on the organization, some travel may be required. But auditors
generally work in a business-type setting.
Auditors will need to spend time seeing how each part of the department
runs and fully understanding its function. Most of their time is spent analyzing
documents, checking for accuracy and looking for ways to ensure the department
is being run as efficiently as possible.
Lynn Morley is the past president of the Institute of Internal Auditors
(IIA). She says some auditors travel 50 percent of the time. Although she
doesn't encourage her staff to work overtime, she adds that many of them travel
to their assignments on their own time.
There are few physical requirements. Rob Clark sits on the board of directors
for the Association of College and University Auditors. He says that physically
challenged people can often work successfully as auditors.
However, this will vary. Some organizations, such as oil and gas companies,
may require auditors to perform safety procedures and routine evacuations.
This would be much less common if working for a bank or an accounting organization.