How to hire a lead auditor

How to hire a lead auditor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead auditor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lead auditor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead auditor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lead auditor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The lead auditor hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A lead auditor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead auditors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of lead auditors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Lead Auditor	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Auditor	Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time... Show more	$29-55
   Compliance Analyst	A compliance analyst is in charge of ensuring that every operation and aspect in a company or facility adheres to the laws and regulations. They are also responsible for conducting regular inspections and assessments, producing reports and presentations, disseminating necessary information and reminders, researching existing policies and laws related to the industry, and remaining updated with new regulations... Show more	$18-41
   Compliance Officer	A compliance officer is responsible for monitoring company operations, ensuring that all the processes and members are adhering to the regulatory and procedural policies set by the company. Compliance officers' duties also include proposing compliance programs, reviewing and updating existing company policies with management approval, taking immediate actions for policy violations, and mitigating risks... Show more	$20-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • ISO
   • Medicare
   • Management System
   • Audit Reports
   • Corrective Action
   • Internal Controls
   • Risk Assessments
   • Audit Procedures
   • Data Analysis
   • Audit Findings
   • Audit Results
   • Process Improvement
   • Audit Process
   • Scheme

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the SOX business process implementation, execution and improvement initiatives.
   • Work with department analyst to create measurement tools and methods for communicating results and managing QA analysis in compiling/reporting results.
   • Enhance Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) audit templates to provide standardization and structure that reflect current best practices while maximizing productivity.
   • Work the RMEI/RMAU reports regularly for various Medicare account types.
   • Develop exact specifications to determine why claims are not paid in accordance with specific DME Medicare guidelines.
   • Conduct surveillance and assessment of manufacturing firms, industries and companies to ensure that these systems comply with ISO standards.

   More lead auditor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead auditor job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A lead auditor salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a lead auditor in South Dakota may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level lead auditor usually earns less than a senior-level lead auditor. Additionally, a lead auditor with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average lead auditor salary

   $85,352yearly

   $41.03 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead auditor salary

   $62,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average lead auditor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$114,262	$55
   2	California	$102,638	$49
   3	District of Columbia	$102,217	$49
   4	Massachusetts	$94,088	$45
   5	New Jersey	$93,910	$45
   6	Delaware	$92,857	$45
   7	Pennsylvania	$90,273	$43
   8	Virginia	$89,414	$43
   9	Texas	$85,426	$41
   10	Maryland	$83,518	$40
   11	Ohio	$82,305	$40
   12	Michigan	$81,896	$39
   13	Colorado	$80,424	$39
   14	Illinois	$79,164	$38
   15	Indiana	$78,905	$38
   16	Georgia	$78,199	$38
   17	South Carolina	$77,695	$37
   18	Nevada	$76,370	$37
   19	Arkansas	$73,883	$36
   20	Missouri	$73,199	$35

   Average lead auditor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$141,213	$67.89	5
   2	LendingClub	$114,325	$54.96	1
   3	Intuit	$109,275	$52.54	1
   4	J.P. Morgan	$106,431	$51.17
   5	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$101,936	$49.01	8
   6	Bank of the West	$98,841	$47.52
   7	BNP Paribas	$98,485	$47.35
   8	Salesforce	$97,163	$46.71
   9	DFS Corporate Services LLC	$94,858	$45.60
   10	AT&T	$94,732	$45.54	7
   11	Visa	$94,196	$45.29	2
   12	Silicon Valley Bank	$93,416	$44.91	1
   13	FirstEnergy	$93,354	$44.88	1
   14	CVS Health	$93,232	$44.82	8
   15	PSEG	$92,223	$44.34	1
   16	Air Products	$91,239	$43.86
   17	DQS Inc.	$91,187	$43.84	2
   18	TÜV SÜD America	$91,093	$43.79	134
   19	Sherwin-Williams	$90,877	$43.69	4
   20	ERM	$90,480	$43.50

4. Writing a lead auditor job description

   A lead auditor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a lead auditor job description:

   Lead auditor job description example

   RQM+ is the largest medical device and diagnostics focused full-service regulatory and quality consulting firm in the world. We accelerate the success of medical device, IVD, and combination product companies by providing industry-leading regulatory and quality consulting solutions. We exist to promote economic growth through regional partnerships, provide a rewarding place to work, and improve our communities.
   
   With over 500 team members globally, providing world-class consulting services in a remote capacity is nothing new for RQM+. We are dedicated to the highest levels of client service and employee satisfaction delivered with empathy, integrity, individual pride and company spirit.
   
   RQM+ is looking for a pool of ISO 13485 Lead Auditors for upcoming audits. The auditing will cover the overall effectiveness of client's QMS to identify gaps internally prior to during an external audit with notified body. These will all be domestic audits (1 day/ 2 day/ 3 day). Will be asked if interested when each audit need arises.
   
   Utilizing their past experience in engineering, design, or quality control of medical devices, our QA Auditors conduct ISO 13485/MDSAP audits and CE Marking activities for clients to ensure products meet international standards and are go-to-market ready.
   
   Manage audits on a contract/project basis. All audits are short term maximum three days. Paid at hourly rate. 18 hours minimum for one-day audit. Client management includes contacting them to schedule the visit, planning the assessment, making appropriate travel plans, conducting assessments, and completing reports.
   
   ResponsibilitiesAnalyze quality systems and assess Quality Management Systems according to ISO Standards ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016.CE Marking certification under the applicable European Directives & Regulations Medical Devices 93/42/EEC (MDD).CE Marking certification under the applicable European Directives & Regulations Active Medical Device Implantable 90/385/EEC (AIMD).CE Marking certification under the applicable European Directives & Regulations In Vitro Diagnostics devices 98/79/EC (IVDD).CE Marking certification under the applicable European Directives & Regulations EU MDR 2017/745.CE Marking certification under the applicable European Directives & Regulations EU IVDR 2017/746.CE Marking certification under the applicable European Directives & Regulations Quality Management Systems under the requirements of the Medical Device Single Audit Program MDSAP.
   
   RequirementsBachelor's degrees in related field. A minimum of four years of full-time hands-on (R&D, manufacturing, testing and/or auditing) work experience in the field of medical devices or related sectors.At least two years in the area of quality management (experience working in an organization governed by regulations and standards).Lead Auditor Certificate - Med Devices.
   
   Being an industry leader in client support is just the beginning for RQM+. Providing a rewarding place to work is rooted deep in the core values of RQM+. From an industry leading compensation package to a deeply engrained focus on work life balance, RQM+ applies the “and means more” approach to employment. At RQM+, you are not just another employee, you are a member of the RQM+ family. Make your impact today!
   We invite you to submit an application if you have an interest in learning more about our organization and beginning your journey as a consultant with us.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find lead auditors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any lead auditors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level lead auditors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lead auditor job on Zippia to find and recruit lead auditor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit lead auditors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lead auditor

   Once you've selected the best lead auditor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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