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Auditor

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AVG. SALARY

$77,620

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Finance cluster Accounting pathway.

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

Most auditor positions require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire applicants who have a master's degree, either in accounting or in business administration with a concentration in accounting.

Insider Info

Additional Information

Although an accounting background is common for auditors, it is not necessarily a requirement. Some auditors get into the profession with a law, engineering or science degree.

Rob Clark sits on the board of directors for the Association of College and University Auditors. He says he has hired auditors with business or IT degrees, and then taught them the auditing skills. But according to Lynn Morley, past president of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), most companies want potential employees to have some auditing experience.

Students might want to look for universities and colleges that offer co-op or internship programs to help them get the needed experience.

A few American universities have these programs in place. The IIA offers accreditation courses, although these are not mandatory to become an auditor.

Morley says that these courses are only available to those who have some auditing experience. Therefore, it's important to get involved with a company and get experience in their internal auditing department. "It's a learn-as-you-go type of profession," says Morley.

Many auditors have at least one, and sometimes several, accounting designations.

John Muirhead is an auditor who specializes in information systems. He says that in the U.S., more emphasis is put on the IIA certification than the professional accounting designations.

Extra Requirements

Certification provides an advantage in the job market because it shows professional competence in a specialized field of accounting and auditing. Accountants and auditors seek certifications from a variety of professional societies.

For additional information, visit these websites:

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.