Internal auditor vs accountant

The differences between internal auditors and accountants 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 $54,890 average annual salary of an accountant.

The top three skills for an internal auditor include CPA, risk management and SOX. The most important skills for an accountant are reconciliations, general ledger accounts, and account reconciliations.

Internal auditor vs accountant overview

	Internal Auditor	Accountant
Yearly salary	$63,013	$54,890
Hourly rate	$30.29	$26.39
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	25,571	60,073
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	4

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.

What does an accountant do?

An accountant is an individual whose primary task is to prepare, keep, examine, and interpret financial records. Most accountants are in charge of a wide scope of finance-related tasks, either for private individuals or for large-scale businesses and organizations they are employed with. They make sure that financial statements and records are accurate and comply with laws and regulations. They also compute for taxes, prepare tax returns, and ensure being paid properly and on time. As they keep track and record the flow of money, they can offer guidance on how to reduce costs, enhance revenue, and help in profit maximization.

Internal auditor vs accountant salary

Internal auditors and accountants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Internal Auditor	Accountant
Average salary	$63,013	$54,890
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $86,000	Between $41,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	Meta	Meta
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Technology

Differences between internal auditor and accountant education

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

	Internal Auditor	Accountant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common major	Accounting	Accounting
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Internal auditor vs accountant demographics

Here are the differences between internal auditors' and accountants' demographics:

	Internal Auditor	Accountant
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%	Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 15.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between internal auditor and accountant duties and responsibilities

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.

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Accountant example responsibilities.

Manage preparation of the statutory financial statements and financial aggregates in compliance with IFRS and local applicable norms.
Manage personnel financial matters including salaries, taxation procedures and other relate issues.
Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
Reconstruct and improve many balance sheet account reconciliations for easier reading and interpretation by senior level management.
Perform complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
Maintain general ledgers and preparation of monthly and other periodic financial reports in accordance with GAAP and international accounting standards.

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Internal auditor vs accountant skills

Common internal auditor skills

CPA, 8%
Risk Management, 5%
SOX, 5%
Audit Findings, 5%
Audit Procedures, 5%
Internal Audit Function, 5%

Common accountant skills

Reconciliations, 14%
General Ledger Accounts, 6%
Account Reconciliations, 6%
GAAP, 5%
Payroll Tax Returns, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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