What does a lead auditor do?

Lead auditors are professionals who are responsible for providing leadership and coordinating work schedules to a team of audit experts within an organization. These lead auditors are required to prepare audit plans and conduct team meetings before conducting internal or external audits at the end of the quarter or year. They must conduct audits to provide reviews to the management about the effectiveness of the overall quality system. Lead auditors must also develop action plans to improve the financial reporting systems of the organization.
Lead auditor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead auditor resumes:
- 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.
- Perform over 180 third party registrations and continuous assessment audits of quality systems for compliance to ISO 9000 and QS 9000.
- Assist in implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley initiatives.
- Certify Sarbanes-Oxley compliance by thoroughly testing and documenting processes as guided by corporate control playbooks.
- Conduct audits and inspections of pharmaceutical and sterile manufacturing operations to ensure compliance with FDA regulations and Merck policies and procedures.
- Audit aircraft maintenance program documentation packages for compliance with FAA regulations and company requirements.
- Participate in writing new policies and procedures and actively supporting testing and implementation of new ERP financial systems.
Lead auditor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Lead Auditors are proficient in ISO, Medicare, and Management System. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Lead Auditors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- ISO, 16%
Created/edited/implemented ISO 9001:1994 Quality Policies and Procedures within seven months for successful registration with BVQI.
- Medicare, 10%
Honored with Team-of-the-Year award in 2001 for contributing to the reimbursement of $75 million to the Medicare Trust Fund.
- Management System, 6%
Delivered technical and management expertise required during client engagements for this provider of quality management systems certification services.
- Audit Reports, 5%
Prepared risk assessments and audit reports, presenting them to senior management along with recommendations for process improvement.
- Corrective Action, 5%
Develop process improvement plans/corrective actions to resolve coding issues, to ensure productivity, efficiency and quality.
- Internal Controls, 4%
Evaluated adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls by reviewing examination and analysis of records, reports, operating practices and documentation.
Most lead auditors use their skills in "iso," "medicare," and "management system" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential lead auditor responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling lead auditor duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "accountants and auditors must be able to listen to and discuss facts and concerns from clients, managers, and other stakeholders." According to a lead auditor resume, here's how lead auditors can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "lead financial statement audit engagements for various china based sec registrant, and facilitate communications between the firm and clients. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of lead auditors is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday lead auditor duties, as "accountants and auditors must pay attention to detail when compiling and examining documents." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed and implemented detailed audit procedures/protocol. "
Math skills. lead 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 lead auditors do with math skills on a typical day: "perform and maintain data/statistics for coder compliance, utilizing charts for data trends and process improvement measures. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for lead auditor responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of lead 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 lead auditor resume shows how this skill is central to what a lead auditor does: "assisted in establishing an internal audit function following an organizational split. "
The three companies that hire the most lead auditors are:
- Wells Fargo104 lead auditors jobs
- UL37 lead auditors jobs
- Brown-Forman11 lead auditors jobs
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Lead auditor vs. Compliance specialist
The role of compliance specialists is to ensure that companies comply with relevant industry standards and regulations. Their duties may vary depending on the industry they work in, such as healthcare or banking. Tasks include reviewing their company's business practices to ensure they follow specific regulations, resolving compliance issues that may arise, and being up-to-date with regulatory changes. As a compliance specialist, you should have industry expertise, in-depth knowledge of regulations, and auditing skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lead auditors and compliance specialist. For instance, lead auditor responsibilities require skills such as "medicare," "audit reports," "oil gas," and "audit procedures." Whereas a compliance specialist is skilled in "patients," "strong analytical," "customer service," and "powerpoint." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Compliance specialists really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $73,015. Comparatively, lead auditors tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $87,426.The education levels that compliance specialists earn slightly differ from lead auditors. In particular, compliance specialists are 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a lead auditor. Additionally, they're 3.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead auditor vs. 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. Furthermore, there are instances when a compliance analyst must gather requirements and process them to receive compliance certifications from agencies.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, lead auditor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "iso," "audit reports," "oil gas," and "audit procedures." Meanwhile, a compliance analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "powerpoint," "customer service," "compliance issues," and "compliance program." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Compliance analysts may earn a lower salary than lead auditors, but compliance analysts earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $74,186. On the other hand, lead auditors receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $87,426.compliance analysts earn similar levels of education than lead auditors in general. They're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead auditor vs. 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. A compliance officer must have extensive knowledge of legal procedures and regulatory standards to manage and evaluate problems, providing meaningful solutions, and keep the company's positive reputation.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a lead auditor is likely to be skilled in "iso," "audit reports," "oil gas," and "audit procedures," while a typical compliance officer is skilled in "oversight," "risk management," "compliance program," and "excellent project management."
Compliance officers earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $73,510. Comparatively, lead auditors have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $87,426.Most compliance officers achieve a similar degree level compared to lead auditors. For example, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lead 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between lead auditors and audit specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lead auditor might have more use for skills like "medicare," "management system," "oil gas," and "data analysis." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of audit specialists require skills like "patients," "customer service," "data entry," and "powerpoint. "
In general, audit specialists earn the most working in the professional industry, with an average salary of $72,330. The highest-paying industry for a lead auditor is the professional industry.audit specialists reach similar levels of education compared to lead auditors, in general. The difference is that they're 2.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of lead auditor
Updated January 8, 2025











