How To Become A Corporate Auditor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a corporate auditor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Richard Chambers

The secret of a compliant and successful corporation is the corporate auditor. These professionals conduct close examination of an organization's financial records, regular operations, and compliance with federal, state, and local security legal requirements.

Following internal control procedures, they highlight and uncover critical issues during the audit and present their findings so the problems can be addressed and resolved. They verify the organization's assets and liabilities, and compare them to the declared lists in the documentation.

They must possess excellent analytical skills in order to grasp in-depth understanding of the organization's financial practices and procedures. They also have to be good communicators since they coordinate with multiple departments, including low- and high-level management teams, accounting and finance personnel, and company executives.

Pursuing this career typically requires at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in business administration (MBA). Practical experience in research analysis, accounting, or similar finance fields also plays a crucial part to get hired.

What general advice would you give to a corporate auditor?

Richard Chambers

President and Chief Executive Officer, The Institut of Internal Auditors

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges across industries and professions, it also has created opportunities for internal auditors at all levels, including those new to the profession, to step up and play a role in helping their organizations navigate through the issues to ensure positive outcomes.

"Based on our research, accounting/finance remains the most recruited academic degree, but the evolving nature of business and risks demands having individuals who bring a broader array of skills into the internal audit workplace. There's also an accelerated movement for what I call "Uber" auditors, those who may not be on staff but whose experience in, for example, cybersecurity or AI, are sorely needed. Graduates may find the first critical step in their career is specialization rather than generalization, so an education - perhaps even a dual degree - in technology, for example, may make you more appealing.

Additionally, internal audit employers are demanding strong soft skills, such as effective verbal and written communications, relationship acumen, critical thinking, and an eye for detail.

Early during the pandemic, we saw some tightening among internal audit departments, as most organizations were making adjustments overall due to the economic impact of COVID-19. Based on additional research, however, we know opportunities still exist in this environment and when we return to 'normal.' In this year's Pulse of Internal Audit survey, of the respondents who filled positions in the preceding 12 months, 47% reported they hired professionals who had not been internal auditors previously. A notable 28% of respondents had hired students or recent graduates, as well.

The IIA has begun a new program, in collaboration with AuditBoard, to provide existing internal auditors and those pursuing a career in the profession, including college students and graduates, access to training and educational courses provided by The IIA for those who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic pressures. The $500,000 'Elevate Internal Audit Scholarship Program' is providing scholarships that can be used to participate in IIA training and certification programs regardless of their professional level or ability to pay. More information on the scholarship program, including how to apply, can be found on The IIA's website at www.theiia.org.

ScoreCorporate AuditorUS Average

Salary

5.0

Avg. Salary $64,501

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.46%

Asian 12.23%

Black or African American 8.45%

Hispanic or Latino 10.78%

Unknown 3.95%

White 64.13%

Gender

female 38.28%

male 61.72%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

7.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.9

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a corporate auditor

Explore corporate auditor education requirements

Most common corporate auditor degrees

Bachelor's

73.5 %

Master's

16.1 %

Associate

7.3 %

Start to develop specific corporate auditor skills

Skills	Percentages
Internal Controls	7.96%
Internal Audit	7.56%
Risk Assessments	7.03%
Compliance Audits	6.83%
Audit Findings	5.17%

Complete relevant corporate auditor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New corporate auditors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a corporate auditor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real corporate auditor resumes.

Research corporate auditor duties and responsibilities

Manage and coordinate annual external business evaluation in conjunction with CPA consultants.
Complete SOX testing procedures at corporate headquarters informing management regarding results.
Research GAAP to determine if record transactions are in accordance with GAAP.
Handle ACH transfers, including transfers for payroll and accounts payable accounts; orchestrate direct deposit payrolls.

Get corporate auditor experience

Prepare your corporate auditor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your corporate auditor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a corporate auditor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable corporate auditor resume templates

Build a professional corporate auditor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your corporate auditor resume.