Internal Auditor Job Description

Author

Author: Richelle
Published: 18 Mar 2019

Internal Auditing: A Professional CPA Firm, The Office of the Internal Auditor at UHE-SLC, The Internal Auditor: An Assurance Provider for Risk Management and more about internal auditor job. Get more data about internal auditor job for your career planning.

Job Description Image

Internal Auditing: A Professional CPA Firm

Do you want to be an internal auditor? Is it your dream job or maybe you want to change careers and become an internal auditor? It is important for you to understand the duties of an internal auditor if you are not.

Internal auditors are an important part of an organization. Their success in the auditing profession is a reflection of their organization's success. Many organizations face risks.

Success in an organization is determined by how well employees manage risk. An internal auditor is expected to perform annual risk assessment of vital operational and management areas within an organization. The review will show resources are used within an organization.

The organization will be able to identify if the resources are being used in accordance with the procedures. Internal auditors can investigate the day to day operations of the organization while conducting the audit process. They can compare the operations of an organization.

They may advise the management of which operational methodologies to bank on for success. An internal auditor can enhance values by reporting on the progress of managing risks. They will engage in educating the staff and enhancing their development by doing so.

See our column about Senior Internal Auditor career planning.

The Office of the Internal Auditor at UHE-SLC

The University has a responsibility to the Office of the Internal Auditor to execute a comprehensive audit program. The OIA will perform audits with due professional care and compliance with the high standards of honesty, objectivity, diligence and loyalty outlined by the University, the State Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Association of College and University Auditors. The internal auditor is supposed to evaluate the systems of internal control to make sure that they are adequate to ensure that the University's objectives and goals are met efficiently and economically.

The OIA will identify activities that are subject to audit coverage based on their significance and the degree of risk inherent in the activity, as well as areas where non-compliance with guidelines could result in severe penalties to the System. The OIA will review procedures and records for their adequacy to accomplish intended objectives and appraise policies and plans relating to the activity or function. The OIA will advise management in the development of systems, future policies and plans, and share in the responsibility of maintaining effective and efficient operations.

The Internal Auditor: An Assurance Provider for Risk Management

The internal auditor will evaluate the risk management of the organization. The auditor will analyze the risks of the organization. The success of any organization depends on how they manage their risks.

The auditor will assess the risk management processes, systems of internal control and corporate governance processes. Internal audit can be used to evaluate the management of risk from the mailroom to the board room. The internal auditor role is to evaluate the risk at one level to report on the effectiveness of the implementation of management policies at another.

The management will identify all risks affects the organization's growth in return for an internal auditor anticipating possible future concerns and opportunities providing assurance, advice, and insight where it is most needed. The board's audit committee can provide a guarantee to executive management that the risks are being managed effectively. Other assurance providers are likely to perform the same role.

Don't miss our article about Internal Medicine job planning.

Internal Auditing Skills

The type of information you are managing is the biggest difference between an internal and external auditor. The management of information is a requirement for internal auditors. As an external auditor, you are supposed to look at the financial condition of the business and compliance with different laws.

Understanding the functions of each kind of external auditor helps one better prepare for the documentation and requirements when an audit is required. An internal audit is a managerial tool that improves processes and internal controls. It is a department within the company that is mandated to provide an assessment of the organization's risks, control environment, and operational effectiveness.

The department reports to the board and senior management. Internal audits are important for the company's growth because they ensure that the company is moving in the right direction. You must have good communication skills, good team work, and independence to be a CIA.

Certified Internal Auditing Specialists

There are many certifications and specialties related to internal audit. One could be a jack of all trades and support the company through many different types of internal audits. Some examples of specialists are: certified information systems auditor, certified financial auditor, certified medical claims auditor, and the list goes on. If it is applicable to your organization, you can specialize in any discipline.

A nice study on Internal Communications Specialist career planning.

An Internal Auditing Service

Internal auditors deal with issues that are important to the survival and prosperity of any organisation. They look beyond financial risks and statements to consider the impact on the environment and the way it treats its employees. Independent internal auditors have to be willing to stand up and be counted.

Their employers value them because they provide a constructive view. They need a lot of skills and knowledge. They might be advising the project team on a change programme or investigating a fraud.

The evaluation of an organisation's management of risk is a fundamental concern of internal audit. All organizations face risks. There are risks to the reputation of the organisation if it treats customers wrong, health and safety risks, supplier failure, cyber security and financial risks.

The key to an organisation's success is to manage those risks effectively, more effectively than competitors and as effectively as stakeholders demand. An internal auditor's knowledge of the management of risk allows him or her to act as a consultant and help improve the practices of the organisation. If a line manager is concerned about a particular area of responsibility, they could work with the internal auditor to identify improvements.

The internal auditor can help to ensure that project risks are identified and assessed with action taken to manage them, if a major new project is being undertaken. Everyone from the mailroom to the board of directors is involved internal control and that makes internal audit's role in evaluating the management of risk wide ranging. The internal auditor works to assess the tone and risk management culture of the organisation at one level through to evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness of the implementation of management policies at another.

Job Descriptions

A great job title usually includes a general term, level of experience and any special requirements. The general term will help you find jobs of the same nature. The level of experience will help you attract the most qualified applicants by outlining the amount of responsibility and prior knowledge required.

A nice post about Internal Communications Executive job description.

A Shortlist of Top Internal Auditors

Internal auditors are accountants who help organizations with financial accuracy, internal controls and regulatory compliance. They look at operating practices and financial and risk management processes. To ensure success, internal auditors must be critical thinker with a keen interest in improving an organization's internal control structure. Top candidates will have incredible presentation and report writing skills.

Auditing the Internal Financial Practices of a Public or Private Sector

A career in auditing is a good choice for people with an interest in numbers. An internal auditor looks at the fiscal operations of a public or private sectorganization. Part of the job description for the auditor involves conducting an assessment of the internal financial practices of the group.

An auditing process is meant to provide an objective review of the company's overall financial performance during a specific time period, while an internal auditor may be a paid consultant of the company. Depending on the organization, audits can be performed on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. The auditor job description states that they must transmit the findings of their audit to management.

The report outlines recommendations to address any data inaccuracies, financial operational concerns, or statutory issues noted during the auditing period. Corporations and firms that handle accounting and bookkeeping are just some of the industries that auditors work in. Auditors are employed by the governments.

They examine the flow of tax revenues and expenditures as a government employee. Auditors produce reports at the end of a fiscal year, just like in the private sector. Auditor salary expectations vary from industry to industry, as well as the level of experience.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics-Occupational Outlook Handbook reported that the median income rate for auditors was $68,000 in 2016 Auditor salary expectation rates can be different for auditors who earn at least $120,000 a year. Finance and accounting workers earn more than government auditors when they are surveyed.

Detailed column about Inventory Auditor job description.

The Senior Manager of Internal Audit

The Senior Manager of Internal Audit has directed the Internal Auditor to execute risk-based internal audits of financial statements in accordance with the internal audit plan, as well assisting with other audit matters and projects. Internal Auditor will participate in audits to support Sarbanes-Oxley. The Internal Auditor will be involved with associates at all levels.

A Bachelor's Degree in Accounting with an Emphasis on Analytical and Presentation Skills

Excellent analysis and presentation skills are what a bachelor's degree in accounting is about. Should have good report-writing skills. Must be able to work with little supervision. The Certified Internal Auditor certification is a must for this job.

Read our story on Physician Assistant - Internal Medicine career description.

An Internal Auditing Exam

Compliance audits are used to evaluate an organization's compliance with applicable laws. Federal or state statute can be used to create legal and policy requirements. The board of directors can create compliance requirements of their own.

The board of directors set goals and objectives for the organization and performance audits can be used to find out if they are being met. The internal auditor will make suggestions for improvement to the board of directors if the organization is not meeting its stated goals. Most closely held companies and small businesses are not required to conduct audits within their businesses, but many private companies choose to employ auditors in an effort to improve their business processes and procedures.

Auditors are employed to monitor financial activities and eliminate wasteful spending. The General Accounting Office and the Defense Contract Audit Agency are internal auditing departments that are responsible for ensuring that resources are used efficiently within the administrative and legislative branches of the government. The internal auditing process uses four techniques to allow auditors to collect information and evidence, analyze the collected data, and report back to the board of directors with suggestions for improvement.

An internal auditor is able to perform an objective evaluation of a company's activities is arguably one of the most important aspects of their job. If company politics prevent the internal auditing department from performing its job as intended, the company will not receive the benefits that are associated with an honest internal audit such as increased efficiency and productivity, decreased waste, financial savings and legal compliance. Corporations can promote objective auditing by employing auditors that are not in other roles.

Section 1100 of the IIA manual states that internal auditors should report to a single committee or board member who has oversight authority over the internal auditing department in order to maintaindependence and objectivity. Auditors who fill other roles within the organization may have a harder time performing objective audits since their findings may impact other groups, individuals or managers who have authority over them. Although laws are in place requiring companies to conduct ongoing audits of their operations, qualification and practice standards for auditing professionals are unregulated by state and federal licensing departments.

Internal Auditing Qualifications

Every company is free to set whatever they want and call it the Internal auditor job description if they choose, but it is not required to meet the company's unique business need. There are internal audit roles and functions that need to be included in the modern day business environment. It is often all that it takes to become an internal auditor, if you have a first degree in any discipline. Employers nowadays strive to ensure that they get into their internal audit department with the help of professional qualifications like CFE or CIA.

Detailed paper on Sr. Internal Auditor career guide.

Sample Internal Auditor Job Description

Looking for a sample internal auditor job description that will get you qualified candidates for your open job? We have compiled 5 internal auditor job description samples that will help you find the best candidate for your position. Are you looking for a job as an Internal Auditor?

The internal auditor job description will give you an insight on the requirements, duties, responsibilities of an internal auditor in order to prepare more for the position. To ensure success, Internal Auditors must be critical thinker with a keen interest in improving an organization's internal control structure. Top candidates will have incredible presentation and report writing skills.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA): An aspiring external auditor with internal audit experience

Financial auditors look at accounting data, financial records, and business operations. They are tasked to assess and evaluate an organization's operations with the goal of identifying opportunities for improvement, reducing waste and production errors, and if needed, reporting fraudulent activities. After earning a degree and a professional certification, financial auditors can start their career internal audit in a junior position.

Internal Auditing Skills and Qualifications

Every organization needs to carry out internal auditing. That is a part of accountability which encourages stability and establishes a good analysis of what is happening in the workplace. An internal auditor is someone hired to work within an organization and is responsible for carrying out some audit work on the financial and operational proceedings of an organization.

You need to be able to dig deep and uncover what cannot be seen from the surface point if you want to be a great internal auditor. Businesses want to make money. Being an internal auditor requires that you have some business skills so that you can understand the intents and purposes of what you are researching and the information that is available to you.

You need to have the ability to organize the auditing process and assign jobs to members of your team, as well as set deadlines for every report to be submitted, if you are to be a manager of a team of auditors. You have to work with your team internal auditing. Inform them of what the company wants and how to work with each other.

Internal Auditing Jobs in Business

Internal auditors are involved in the financial, operational, compliance, control and governance functions of the business. It is a role that requires a deeper understanding of how business and operational processes work, and the ability to sift through large amounts of data in order to find patterns or loopholes. Internal auditors are employed by companies in all sectors of the economy from banks to manufacturing companies, service sector companies, government departments and so on.

As the global economy and regulatory environment become more complex, the demand for internal auditors has been increasing. Increased cyber security threats, internal fraud, and operational risks have led to increased need for more internal auditors. Internal auditors are expected to have a degree in finance.

Other degrees in fields like economics or mathematics can also be considered. The idea is to have the necessary quantitative skills in order to look logically at accounting, financial reports and other data that comes your way. If you are willing to work at an entry level role, you can transition straight out of college into internal audit.

If you are going to an interview, accounting or audit internships are a good idea. Many large companies offer internship opportunities to college students, which allows them to assess their suitability for a permanent job offer. Internal auditors can find problems on a daily basis.

Consider a situation where you need to figure out how to process a massive database of transactions for any errors or intentional manipulation. Imagine a situation where you detect an operational error and have to create a mechanism to prevent and control it in the future. Some internal audit tasks can be big enough to be independent projects.

The role of technical skills in internal audit

The internal audit function is a good example of the skills shift. Technical skills are a requirement, but they are not enough as the job expands.

The Role of Behavioral Interviews in Internal Audit Function Success

The report says that both skills improve with age. They are harder to teach than people hire. The report states that behavioral interviews are more important than technical skills to ensure the long-term success of internal audit functions.

Internal Audit: A Great Career Path

Each internal audit team is assigned to a specific business or a silo of similar business units. Auditors have to specialize and learn everything they can about how the business unit works in order to audit them. Communication skills are important for internal auditors because they spend a lot of time poring over documents.

A clear understanding of the market risks associated with each division is required. Most internal auditors have a few years of experience. The internal audit team has to exert influence on the revenue generating departments because they are the cost center.

Veteran veterans who generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue are the people that you would be dealing with at the front-end. Accounting professionals with a few years of experience are usually good candidates for internal audit roles. It is common for experience with financial services related audit roles to be experienced.

Auditors have experience with banks or specialized accounting firms. You need to focus on your work experience. Internal audit is not a role where you can get into quickly.

IA requires superior knowledge and understanding, so you need to spend some time in accounting or compliance roles. When building your CV, focus on your experience and knowledge. Internal auditors have a variable compensation of around 8000 and a salary of between 45,000 and 80,000.

Using Numbers in Answering Questions

You can use numbers in your answers. When there is an opportunity, talk about your past jobs or anything else. They should feel that you care about details and will not neglect them as an auditor.

Internal Auditing

Internal auditors provide an independent assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of a company's operations. The internal audit function helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. The scope of internal auditing can encompass efficiency of operations, IT controls, the reliability of financial reporting, and compliance with laws and regulations. Internal Auditors can also conduct compliance and operational audits, offering solutions for weaknesses internal controls and ensuring that all laws and regulations are upheld.

Auditing Accounting Systems

Auditors work with a range of clients to review financial documents for accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations. A detailed review of the company's accounting policies and procedures is included in some audits. Auditors are trained to identify potential risks.

Consultants are focused on providing objective assessments and informed opinions about how existing practices and procedures might be improved. Increased operational efficiency, risk management and regulatory compliance are some of the goals of an audit. Auditors specializing information systems analyze risks related to technology infrastructure.

Business managers should make improvements to their systems to cover system upgrades and internal policy revisions for access, use and maintenance of financial data. Information technology auditors can work for a company or for an accounting firm. When discrepancies arise, auditors make sure that the reports match the transactions.

They analyze financial data and make sure the organization is following financial regulations. Auditors earn an average annual salary of over $60,000. The salary potential is dependent on location, experience, and education.

Auditors earn an average of 64,329 per year with five or more years of experience. Internal auditors work for a single organization, where they keep track of financial activities and ensure the company complies with legal requirements. External auditors work for accounting firms.

Difficult Job Interviews

Difficult job interviews are required for any job internal audit. The hiring managers will test your motivation, skills, attitude, and knowledge with a mix of personal, behavioral, and technical questions.

Click Cat

X Cancel
No comment yet.