Post job

Risk manager vs internal auditor

The differences between risk managers and internal auditors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a risk manager has an average salary of $116,072, which is higher than the $63,013 average annual salary of an internal auditor.

The top three skills for a risk manager include oversight, risk assessments and project management. The most important skills for an internal auditor are CPA, risk management, and SOX.

Risk manager vs internal auditor overview

Risk ManagerInternal Auditor
Yearly salary$116,072$63,013
Hourly rate$55.80$30.29
Growth rate17%6%
Number of jobs75,79525,571
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4644
Years of experience8-

What does a risk manager do?

A risk manager is responsible for analyzing potential risks that may affect the organization's operations, reputation, and market credibility. Risk managers identify risk controls and discuss business contingency plans for unforeseen circumstances to prevent delays in operational services. They also develop compliance training and programs for all the employees to provide them the awareness of the safety and security regulations within the company premises. A risk manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially on handling and investigating cases that might compromise the business stability and financial status.

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.

Risk manager vs internal auditor salary

Risk managers and internal auditors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Risk ManagerInternal Auditor
Average salary$116,072$63,013
Salary rangeBetween $84,000 And $160,000Between $45,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyCredit KarmaMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between risk manager and internal auditor education

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

Risk ManagerInternal Auditor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorBusinessAccounting
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Risk manager vs internal auditor demographics

Here are the differences between risk managers' and internal auditors' demographics:

Risk ManagerInternal Auditor
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 59.3% Female, 40.7%Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 10.1% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage11%7%

Differences between risk manager and internal auditor duties and responsibilities

Risk manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead team in addressing Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, and SAS70 compliance and control mandates.
  • Develop procedures and policies to manage site implementation of successful JD Edwards ERP system.
  • Direct staff, manage A/R and reconciliations, petty cash disbursements and tracking of all incoming claims and payments.
  • Manage the loan loss receivables SAS data mart, document change initiatives, implement SAS coding changes and process ongoing updates.
  • Manage accounting procedures and general ledger reconciliations.
  • Lead SOX project planning and implementation, successfully implement the corporate governance policies and internal control framework.
  • 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

Risk manager vs internal auditor skills

Common risk manager skills
  • Oversight, 10%
  • Risk Assessments, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Portfolio, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • Operational Risk, 4%
Common internal auditor skills
  • CPA, 8%
  • Risk Management, 5%
  • SOX, 5%
  • Audit Findings, 5%
  • Audit Procedures, 5%
  • Internal Audit Function, 5%

Browse executive management jobs