Audit manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an audit manager. Audit managers usually study accounting, business, or finance. 75% of audit managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 6,143 real audit manager resumes to see exactly what audit manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for audit managers are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online audit manager courses to help get the education required to be an audit manager.

There are certain audit manager certifications that you should consider. These audit manager certifications include Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

What education do you need to become an audit manager?

What degree do you need to be an audit manager?

The most common degree for audit managers is bachelor's degree, with 75% of audit managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 16% and master's degree degree at 5%.

Bachelor's, 75%

Master's, 16%

Associate, 5%

Diploma, 1%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an audit manager?

You should major in accounting to become an audit manager. 54% of audit managers major in accounting. Other common majors for an audit manager include business and finance.

Accounting, 54%

Business, 23%

Finance, 6%

Economics, 2%

Other Majors, 15%

Most common colleges for audit managers

Audit managers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Brigham Young University. Here are the most common colleges for audit managers in the US based on their resumes.

Audit manager common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	7.14%
University of Illinois at Chicago	6.80%
Brigham Young University	6.12%
University of Maryland - College Park	5.78%
Ohio State University	5.78%

Show more common audit manager colleges

Best majors for audit managers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Accounting	54.4%
2	Business	23.2%
3	Finance	6.5%
4	Economics	2.2%
5	Management	1.8%

Show more common audit manager majors

Best colleges for audit managers

The best colleges for audit managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

An audit manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for audit managers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become audit managers.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for audit managers

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1. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)

4.3

(387)

This course is an overview of the proper processes, controls and tests for adequate internal control...

2. Audit - Financial Statement

4.4

(2,545)

Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...

3. Internal Audit: a Guide for Management

4.5

(1,333)

Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, Governance, Internal Controls, CIA, Audit Report, Audit Charter, IIA...

4. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) ITGC Audit Concepts and Coordination

4.4

(3,154)

IT Compliance Training...

5. Become an External Auditor - External Audit Process Level 1

4.5

(362)

External Audit Process : Financial Statement Accounting : Business Valuation Methods : Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...

6. Financial Statement Auditing Cycles

4.3

(251)

In this course, we learn how public accountants plan and execute an audit...

7. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

4.1

(300)

Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...

8. ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System Implementation & Audit

4.2

(707)

Learn how to Implement and Audit a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001: 2015...

9. ISO 19011:2018. Management system auditor training

4.6

(752)

Build a succesful career in management system auditing by mastering ISO 19011...

10. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

4.4

(1,188)

Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...

11. IT Audit Complete Course

4.5

(350)

Learn how to test ITGC, ITAC, SOX Audit & SOC Audit...

12. Internal Auditing Part I

4.3

(605)

Learn how to conduct an audit from start to end. This course can be used as a guide to audit almost any process...

13. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor

4.5

(7,832)

Upgrade your career by learning how to implement and audit a quality management system according to ISO 9001...

14. Financial Risk Management (FRM): Foundational FRM Principles

4.5

(960)

Minimize Financial Risks While Maximizing Financial Reward. + Financial Risk Management (FRM) Process Implementation...

15. Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginner)

4.5

(409)

Practical Aspects of Information System Audit (For Beginners)...

16. Lead Auditor Tools for a Professional Internal Audit

4.5

(1,979)

Be a Pro Internal Auditor. This is the only course with 1-on-1 online meeting with the instructor & e-mail support...

17. IT Audit Fundamentals Introduction to Controls

4.5

(3,021)

Learn foundational principles of IT audits and controls...

18. Operational Risks Management ORM

4.3

(1,174)

Operational Risks Management ORM Case Studies for Risk Management, Compliance, Audit, IS Security, Banking Professionals...

19. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals

4.5

(580)

Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...

20. Technology Systems Auditing (Part 1 of 2)

4.6

(1,262)

Technology Systems Auditing Training Course...

Top 10 most affordable universities for audit managers

The most affordable schools for audit managers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, usf sarasota-manatee, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for audit managers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for audit managers.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for audit managers

The hardest universities for audit managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for audit managers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for audit managers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for audit managers

The easiest schools for audit managers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, holy names university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an audit manager without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for audit managers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

8. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average audit manager salary by education level

Audit managers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $162,213 annually. With a Master's degree, audit managers earn a median annual income of $154,148 compared to $134,124 for audit managers with an Bachelor's degree.

Audit manager education level	Audit manager salary
Master's Degree	$154,148
High School Diploma or Less	$107,564
Bachelor's Degree	$134,124
Doctorate Degree	$162,213
Some College/ Associate Degree	$107,550

Audit manager education FAQs

What is the best college for Audit Managers?

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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