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Senior auditor vs compliance auditor

The differences between senior auditors and compliance auditors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior auditor has an average salary of $74,382, which is higher than the $64,606 average annual salary of a compliance auditor.

The top three skills for a senior auditor include CPA, internal audit and audit reports. The most important skills for a compliance auditor are audit findings, compliance audits, and audit reports.

Senior auditor vs compliance auditor overview

Senior AuditorCompliance Auditor
Yearly salary$74,382$64,606
Hourly rate$35.76$31.06
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs23,02533,704
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a senior auditor do?

Senior auditors have a vital role to play in the financial auditing process. They hold more responsibilities compared to staff auditors and report to an auditing manager directly. They have varied duties and responsibilities, including assigning tasks to staff auditors, overseeing compliant and precise auditing processes, and performing control and risk assessments. Senior auditors also are responsible for presenting audit findings, coordinating periodical audits, and submitting reports to the manager. If you are looking to apply for this role, you need to have a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, strong analytical and mathematical skills, and proficiency in MS Office.

What does a compliance auditor do?

A compliance auditor is responsible for reviewing the company's policies and procedures, ensuring the organization's adherence to state and federal regulations. Compliance auditors inspect the operations of each department, adjusting internal guidelines as needed. They also inspect the condition of all facilities, including tools and equipment, network systems, and business operations. A compliance auditor mitigates risks by analyzing the operational processes and conducting a risk assessment study to prevent compliance issues that may pose a negative effect on the company's performance and stability.

Senior auditor vs compliance auditor salary

Senior auditors and compliance auditors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior AuditorCompliance Auditor
Average salary$74,382$64,606
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $101,000Between $45,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companyMicrosoftPayPal
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between senior auditor and compliance auditor education

There are a few differences between a senior auditor and a compliance auditor in terms of educational background:

Senior AuditorCompliance Auditor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorAccountingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior auditor vs compliance auditor demographics

Here are the differences between senior auditors' and compliance auditors' demographics:

Senior AuditorCompliance Auditor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 62.7% Female, 37.3%Male, 38.9% Female, 61.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 14.2% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between senior auditor and compliance auditor duties and responsibilities

Senior auditor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct routine retrospective and prospective audits for ICD-10 CM/PCS, CPT and HCPCS for outpatient/inpatient facility and manage auditors.
  • Lead internal control reviews for an internationally own agriculture manufacturing company focuse on the inventory and payroll areas.
  • Create technology specific audit programs for SOX and operational audits ensuring that risks are clearly define and adequately test.
  • Enforce regulatory requirements and uphold Sarbanes-Oxley financial disclosure procedures to ensure accurate representation of internal and on-site audit assignments.
  • Guide clients with the compliance of the accounting standards (IFRS).
  • Prepare, and conduct all GxP (GMP, GLP, and GCP) in house and CMO training.
  • Show more

Compliance auditor example responsibilities.

  • Work with department analyst to create measurement tools and methods for communicating results and managing QA analysis in compiling/reporting results.
  • Identify any issues that do not conform to CFR, ICH guidelines and corporate expectations.
  • Research HIPAA information from CMS website in order to determine correct revisions for policies and procedures and develop company-wide communications.
  • Coordinate team meetings, maintain calendars, support team with PowerPoint presentations.
  • Prepare and perform in-house presentations (both in person and using JoinMe) using PowerPoint.
  • Evaluate the level of compliance with company policy, GAAP, contract requirements and applicable rules and regulations.
  • Show more

Senior auditor vs compliance auditor skills

Common senior auditor skills
  • CPA, 13%
  • Internal Audit, 7%
  • Audit Reports, 6%
  • Audit Procedures, 5%
  • Audit Engagements, 5%
  • Risk Assessments, 4%
Common compliance auditor skills
  • Audit Findings, 7%
  • Compliance Audits, 7%
  • Audit Reports, 6%
  • Audit Results, 4%
  • CPT, 4%
  • Compliance Program, 4%

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