What does a corporate auditor do?
Corporate auditors access corporate accounting systems to examine their accounting books and financial statements. These auditors ensure that all transactions made by these corporations comply with all laws and regulations. When employed by a company, these auditors periodically check for mismanagement and fraud indicators in their books to suggest what actions they can do to increase their income. There are skills that auditors need to have to perform their job properly, like having analytical skills, business acumen, and general IT knowledge aside from having good communication skills.
Corporate auditor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real corporate auditor resumes:
- 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.
- Play a key role in the design and implementation of a new billing system for payroll processing centers.
- Perform Sarbanes-Oxley planning and testing.
- Perform annual Sarbanes-Oxley compliance testing.
- Review SOX documentation relate to management's self-assessment and update and retest as needed.
- Conduct audits and inspections of pharmaceutical and sterile manufacturing operations to ensure compliance with FDA regulations and Merck policies and procedures.
- Participate in writing new policies and procedures and actively supporting testing and implementation of new ERP financial systems.
Corporate auditor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Corporate Auditors are proficient in Internal Controls, Internal Audit, and Risk Assessments. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Corporate Auditors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Internal Controls, 8%
Identified areas of risk exposure through analyses and evaluation of internal controls as well as in-depth interviews with executive management.
- Internal Audit, 8%
Communicated internal audit findings, provided suggestions for control improvements, and developed long lasting relationships with members of GM Management.
- Risk Assessments, 7%
Performed and ranked business risk assessments of 60 newly acquired manufacturing and distribution locations.
- Compliance Audits, 7%
Performed fieldwork for operational, financial and compliance audits of Capital One's Global Financial Services and US Card businesses.
- Audit Findings, 5%
Implement EHS program enhancements based on regulatory changes, audit findings, accident/incident investigations and continuous improvement/best practices.
- SOX, 5%
Reviewed SOX documentation related to management's self-assessment and updated and retested as needed.
Most corporate auditors use their skills in "internal controls," "internal audit," and "risk assessments" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential corporate auditor responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Many corporate auditor duties rely on communication skills. "accountants and auditors must be able to listen to and discuss facts and concerns from clients, managers, and other stakeholders," so a corporate auditor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways corporate auditor responsibilities rely on communication skills: "assisted with the interpretation and communication of sox 404 requirements across the company worldwide. "
Detail oriented. corporate auditors are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to corporate auditor responsibilities, because "accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when compiling and examining documents." A corporate auditor resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "created written audit reports and designed visual presentations to deliver detailed results/findings to all levels of the claims organization. "
Math skills. corporate auditor responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "accountants and auditors must be able to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures." This resume example shows what corporate auditors do with math skills on a typical day: "compiled statistics and documented sections of the quarterly quality assurance report to centers of medicare and medicaid services (cms). "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for corporate auditor responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of corporate 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 corporate auditor resume shows how this skill is central to what a corporate auditor does: "conducted affiliate rules compliance audit that ensured organizational compliance with california public utilities commission regulatory standards. "
The three companies that hire the most corporate auditors are:
- Kiewit4 corporate auditors jobs
- Arrow Electronics3 corporate auditors jobs
- 3M Company2 corporate auditors jobs
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Compare different corporate auditors
Corporate 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a corporate auditor are more likely to require skills like "acls," "financial audits," "data analysis," and "risk management." On the other hand, a job as an audit specialist requires skills like "patients," "customer service," "corrective action," and "data entry." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Audit specialists really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $72,330. Comparatively, corporate auditors tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $80,964.On average, audit specialists reach lower levels of education than corporate auditors. Audit specialists are 6.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Corporate 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).
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, corporate auditor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "acls," "financial audits," "data analysis," and "risk management." Meanwhile, an auditor supervisor has duties that require skills in areas such as "cpa," "excellent interpersonal," "night audit," and "front desk." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, auditor supervisors earn a higher salary than corporate auditors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, auditor supervisors earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $86,925. Whereas corporate auditors have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $80,964.In general, auditor supervisors achieve lower levels of education than corporate auditors. They're 5.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Corporate auditor vs. Auditor/quality
A quality auditor is responsible for inspecting the company's services and products, ensuring its adherence to business requirements and internal regulations. Quality auditors analyze the efficiency of operational functions and production processes to maintain high-quality deliverables with the utmost consideration for the safety and security of the production staff. They run quality checks for the outputs, create findings reports, and strategize methodologies to enhance stability by utilizing standard testing parameters. A quality auditor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as they may also recommend opportunities to generate more resources and increase revenues.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from corporate auditor resumes include skills like "internal controls," "risk assessments," "compliance audits," and "acls," whereas an auditor/quality is more likely to list skills in "excellent interpersonal," "excellent organizational," "customer service," and "medicaid. "
Auditors/quality earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $40,479. Comparatively, corporate auditors have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $80,964.When it comes to education, auditors/quality tend to earn lower degree levels compared to corporate auditors. In fact, they're 9.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Corporate auditor vs. Control analyst
A control analyst is an individual who is responsible for identifying weaknesses in the work process of an organization and implement methods to minimize risks. Control analysts are required to supervise the process for incident reports and provide technical guidance to their personnel. They must prepare monthly general ledger account analysis and balance sheets reconciliations that are according to the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Control analysts should also assist with the organization's ISO audit procedures and findings.
Types of corporate auditor
Updated January 8, 2025
