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Internal auditor vs staff auditor

The differences between internal auditors and staff 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 $55,431 average annual salary of a staff auditor.

The top three skills for an internal auditor include CPA, risk management and SOX. The most important skills for a staff auditor are audit procedures, CPA, and internal audit.

Internal auditor vs staff auditor overview

Internal AuditorStaff Auditor
Yearly salary$63,013$55,431
Hourly rate$30.29$26.65
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs25,57191,268
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

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 a staff auditor do?

The duties of a staff auditor depend on their line of work or place of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around conducting financial audits and operational analysis to determine efficiency and compliance to regulations, coordinating with different departments to gather data, reach out to clients through calls or correspondence, and arrange appointments when necessary. A staff auditor may also perform clerical tasks such as produce progress reports, create presentations, respond to inquiries and concerns, and maintain extensive records and data.

Internal auditor vs staff auditor salary

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

Internal AuditorStaff Auditor
Average salary$63,013$55,431
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $86,000Between $43,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyMetaSignature Bank
Best paying industryManufacturingProfessional

Differences between internal auditor and staff auditor education

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

Internal AuditorStaff Auditor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorAccountingAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Internal auditor vs staff auditor demographics

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

Internal AuditorStaff Auditor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 54.6% Female, 45.4%Male, 59.3% Female, 40.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 8.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 13.3% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between internal auditor and staff auditor 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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Staff auditor example responsibilities.

  • Manage accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations for internal corporate and bank transactions.
  • Review consolidated GAAP financial statements, inter-company eliminations and fluctuations between budget verses actual results.
  • Ensure engagements are in compliance with generally accept accounting principles (GAAP) and generally accept auditing standards (GAAS).
  • Conduct financial audits in accordance with GAAS to establish compliance with policies and procedures and to determine effectiveness of internal controls.
  • Collaborate closely with clients by educating them on new opportunities and conduct tax research and planning; train clients on QuickBooks.
  • Collaborate with the quality department in authoring ISO procedures for manufacturing engineering; key contributor on quality and ISO auditing teams.
  • Show more

Internal auditor vs staff auditor skills

Common internal auditor skills
  • CPA, 8%
  • Risk Management, 5%
  • SOX, 5%
  • Audit Findings, 5%
  • Audit Procedures, 5%
  • Internal Audit Function, 5%
Common staff auditor skills
  • Audit Procedures, 12%
  • CPA, 12%
  • Internal Audit, 7%
  • Audit Reports, 5%
  • Audit Findings, 5%
  • Compliance Audits, 4%

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