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Inspector general vs internal auditor

The differences between inspectors general and internal auditors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an internal auditor has an average salary of $63,013, which is higher than the $48,026 average annual salary of an inspector general.

The top three skills for an inspector general include IG, OIG and DOD. The most important skills for an internal auditor are CPA, risk management, and SOX.

Inspector general vs internal auditor overview

Inspector GeneralInternal Auditor
Yearly salary$48,026$63,013
Hourly rate$23.09$30.29
Growth rate-3%6%
Number of jobs58,20825,571
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4544
Years of experience--

What does an inspector general do?

An inspector general is responsible for doing audit reports and inspections to ensure that no possible fraud, misconduct, corruption, or power abuse in the government or private sector occurs. Their role is to monitor and inspect the agencies' effectiveness, assess possible mismanagement of a company, and improve the economy. Also, they usually conduct and review audit reports or investigations to ensure an agency's compliance to the policies and guidelines.

What does an internal auditor do?

An internal auditor is an individual who takes responsibility for crucial accounting functions in an organization. Internal auditors have trusted consultants who advise upper management on how to handle corporate goals and risks. They review the business operations and processes of organizations. They have to assess the efficacy of the company's risk management procedures. They are expected to have superb communication skills, IT knowledge, and math aptitude. Also, they help protect the organization from potential theft and fraud of its assets.

Inspector general vs internal auditor salary

Inspectors general and internal auditors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Inspector GeneralInternal Auditor
Average salary$48,026$63,013
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $74,000Between $45,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyMKP Capital ManagementMeta
Best paying industryGovernmentManufacturing

Differences between inspector general and internal auditor education

There are a few differences between an inspector general and an internal auditor in terms of educational background:

Inspector GeneralInternal Auditor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorBusinessAccounting
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Inspector general vs internal auditor demographics

Here are the differences between inspectors general' and internal auditors' demographics:

Inspector GeneralInternal Auditor
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 69.2% Female, 30.8%Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 8.3% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 12.9% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%7%

Differences between inspector general and internal auditor duties and responsibilities

Inspector general example responsibilities.

  • Identify the appropriate DoD organizations and project locations to accomplish assign project objectives.
  • Conduct complex functional inspections, focuse on logistics management of DoD activities.
  • Issue hundreds of subpoenas for production of records.
  • Conduct inquiries, investigations and respond to Hotline complaints.
  • Install overhead cranes, rail systems, trolley hoists.
  • Update the GIS system with new data as projects are complete.
  • Show more

Internal auditor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate annual external business evaluation in conjunction with CPA consultants.
  • Work with department analyst to create measurement tools and methods for communicating results and managing QA analysis in compiling/reporting results.
  • Conduct complex performance audits, fraud investigations, special projects and routine follow-up reviews in accordance with IIA standards.
  • Perform tests of critical controls in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley legislation and report results utilizing company compliance tool to validate SOX checklist.
  • Develop company FDA policy & procedures for liquid oxygen small bulk delivery vessels.
  • Perform planning, compliance testing, substantive analysis and testing in accordance with GAAS.
  • Show more

Inspector general vs internal auditor skills

Common inspector general skills
  • IG, 15%
  • OIG, 12%
  • DOD, 7%
  • Corrective Action, 6%
  • Audit Reports, 6%
  • Fraud Waste, 5%
Common internal auditor skills
  • CPA, 8%
  • Risk Management, 5%
  • SOX, 5%
  • Audit Findings, 5%
  • Audit Procedures, 5%
  • Internal Audit Function, 5%

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