What does an associate auditor do?

An Associate Auditor assists in the review and evaluation of operational and management control systems. They also assist clients with routine accounting functions.
Associate auditor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate auditor resumes:
- Manage accounts payable/receivable/inventory, payroll, selling and administrative expense, owner s equity and cash accounts.
- Manage accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations for internal corporate and bank transactions.
- Review simple visit coding of HCPCS, ICD, and CPT codes to ensure coding compliance.
- Provide education to linear departments base on payer bulletins and CMS guidelines via updates receive from Novitas.
- Prepare the charge master to reflect all charges for all departments by applying the appropriate HCPCS and CPT codes.
- Travel to various locations outside of normal business commute for audits, site visits, quarterly reviews, and SOX testing.
- Perform internal control testing to determine operating effectiveness in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley.
- Implement new SOX controls and assist in implementation of warranty digitization project.
- Coordinate and perform testing of internal control procedures establish by Sarbanes-Oxley regulations and authoritative entities.
- Specialize in Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement audits of Maryland hospitals, nursing homes and residential treatment centers for this national CPA firm.
- Perform full scope field audits and limit scope desk reviews on Medicaid cost reports for free-standing and hospital-base skilled nursing facilities.
- Help audit Georgia Medicaid cost reports, indigent care trust fund, and other reports pertaining to the Georgia Medicaid program.
- Perform random sampling of various Medicare documents, and test several criteria for accuracy.
- Conduct Medicare final settlements in order to ensure accurate reimbursement are distributed to Medicare providers.
- Develop user documentation, including SAAS reference manuals and training material.
Associate auditor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Associate Auditors are proficient in Internal Controls, Financial Services, and Internal Audit. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Associate Auditors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Internal Controls, 15%
Assessed internal controls over financial reporting and over compliance, sampled and performed test of controls to determine its operating effectiveness.
- Financial Services, 5%
Participated in audit engagements of public and private companies including financial services, telecommunications, consumer products, utilities and government.
- Internal Audit, 5%
Lead internal audits to maintain company policy, investigate fraudulent activity, resolve inventory discrepancies and analyze financial reports and documentation.
- Audit Procedures, 5%
Designed and conducted 401k audit engagement including planning, creation of audit procedures and preparation of financial statements.
- Audit Engagements, 5%
Researched significant accounting/business issues and reporting requirements related to audit engagements; presented conclusions to engagement team and client management.
- Risk Assessments, 4%
Review and assess the accuracy, completeness, specificity and appropriateness of diagnosis codes identified in the health risk assessments/evaluations.
"internal controls," "financial services," and "internal audit" are among the most common skills that associate auditors use at work. You can find even more associate auditor responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling associate auditor duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "accountants and auditors must be able to listen to and discuss facts and concerns from clients, managers, and other stakeholders." According to an associate auditor resume, here's how associate auditors can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "performed audit engagements in a variety of industries including manufacturing, construction, engineering, real estate, telecommunications and technology. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for associate auditors to perform their duties. For an example of how associate auditor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when compiling and examining documents." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an associate auditor: "developed and executed detailed audit procedures related to the individual audits. ".
Math skills. A big part of what associate auditors do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to associate auditor responsibilities because "accountants and auditors must be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical associate auditor tasks: "performed quantitative analysis on the bank's balance sheet to project future earnings. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for associate auditor responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of associate auditors all the time, as "strong organizational skills are important for accountants and auditors, who often work with a range of financial documents for a variety of clients." An excerpt from a real associate auditor resume shows how this skill is central to what an associate auditor does: "exemplified organizational skills in preparing and accomplishing test work for expenditure and payroll testing. "
The three companies that hire the most associate auditors are:
- Pwc428 associate auditors jobs
- KPMG LLP357 associate auditors jobs
- BKD LLP
138 associate auditors jobs
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Associate auditor vs. Audit specialist
An audit specialist is responsible for evaluating the reports by a professional auditor that will assist in improving the growth of the organization to achieve its goals and objectives. Audit specialists aid in the development of the company by using a systematic approach to reach the goals set by the company. Primary responsibilities include operating complex and difficult audit projects and conducting audits of control, financial, and other operating records. Also, they develop, implement distinct audit strategies, programs, and procedures for intricate assignments.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between associate auditors and audit specialist. For instance, associate auditor responsibilities require skills such as "financial services," "audit engagements," "professional standards," and "securities." Whereas a audit specialist is skilled in "patients," "customer service," "process improvement," and "corrective action." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Audit specialists really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $72,330. Comparatively, associate auditors tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $66,888.On average, audit specialists reach lower levels of education than associate auditors. Audit specialists are 11.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Associate auditor vs. Audit internship
An audit intern is responsible for assisting the finance department in processing financial reports, analyzing account statements, releasing invoices, and conducting tax audits. Audit interns shadow tenured staff on the operation procedures to familiarize themselves with work processes. They are also tasked to do administrative and clerical duties under the supervision of a direct supervisor, such as writing reports, ensuring the accuracy of financial statements, responding to clients' inquiries and concerns, and escalating high-level complaints to the supervisor for immediate resolution.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that associate auditor responsibilities requires skills like "internal controls," "financial services," "internal audit," and "professional standards." But an audit internship might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "cpa," "gaap," "audit intern," and "first hand."
Audit interns may earn a lower salary than associate auditors, but audit interns earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $58,466. On the other hand, associate auditors receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $66,888.In general, audit interns achieve similar levels of education than associate auditors. They're 3.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate auditor vs. Auditor supervisor
An auditor supervisor is a financial professional who manages a staff of audit professionals and controls consulting engagements that evaluate the management and operating practices of a corporate. This supervisor is required to supervise audit planning and fieldwork as well as communicates findings and recommendations to senior management. To ensure that audit staff follows the department's methodology, the supervisor must supervise the audit staff and review their automated audit work papers. The supervisor must also ensure that reviews are following the standards of the corporate audit department and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from associate auditor resumes include skills like "financial services," "professional standards," "securities," and "worksheets," whereas an auditor supervisor is more likely to list skills in "cpa," "excellent interpersonal," "night audit," and "front desk. "
Auditor supervisors earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $86,925. Comparatively, associate auditors have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $66,888.When it comes to education, auditor supervisors tend to earn lower degree levels compared to associate auditors. In fact, they're 10.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Associate auditor vs. Auditor/consultant
The duties of an auditor/consultant depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities include coordinating with different departments to gather and analyze data, performing audits and assessments on all financial activities, looking out for any errors and discrepancies, reviewing documentation, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of current systems, and developing strategies to optimize all operations. Furthermore, an auditor/consultant must recommend methods and solutions in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between associate auditors and auditor/consultants, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an associate auditor might have more use for skills like "internal controls," "financial services," "professional standards," and "securities." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of auditor/consultants require skills like "cpa," "project management," "process improvement," and "data analysis. "
The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for auditor/consultants, with average annual pay of $86,809. Comparatively, the highest associate auditor annual salary comes from the finance industry.In general, auditor/consultants hold similar degree levels compared to associate auditors. Auditor/consultants are 3.9% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of associate auditor
Updated January 8, 2025











