How To Become A Staff Internal Auditor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a staff internal auditor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Richard Chambers

Staff internal auditors are responsible for identifying and assessing significant business risk areas and implementing best audit and business practices in line with applicable internal audit statements. Staff internal auditors manage resources and audit assignments. They also compile and implement the annual internal audit plan and oversee risk-based audits covering operational and financial processes. Staff internal auditors earn an average salary of $62,000 annually or $30 per hour.

Staff internal auditors are professionals with a thorough knowledge of accounting procedures, and they use this knowledge to determine internal audit scope and develop annual plans. Part of their duties includes identifying loopholes and recommending risk aversion measures and cost savings. They may also conduct follow-up audits to monitor management's interventions.

Staff internal auditors mostly hold a bachelor's degree in internal auditing, financial accounting, financial management, or other relevant fields. They are expected to have some years of work experience in an internal audit environment or fraud auditing. Some employers prefer candidates with excellent accounting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

What general advice would you give to a staff internal auditor?

Richard Chambers

President and Chief Executive Officer, The Institut of Internal Auditors

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges across industries and professions, it also has created opportunities for internal auditors at all levels, including those new to the profession, to step up and play a role in helping their organizations navigate through the issues to ensure positive outcomes.

"Based on our research, accounting/finance remains the most recruited academic degree, but the evolving nature of business and risks demands having individuals who bring a broader array of skills into the internal audit workplace. There's also an accelerated movement for what I call "Uber" auditors, those who may not be on staff but whose experience in, for example, cybersecurity or AI, are sorely needed. Graduates may find the first critical step in their career is specialization rather than generalization, so an education - perhaps even a dual degree - in technology, for example, may make you more appealing.

Additionally, internal audit employers are demanding strong soft skills, such as effective verbal and written communications, relationship acumen, critical thinking, and an eye for detail.

Early during the pandemic, we saw some tightening among internal audit departments, as most organizations were making adjustments overall due to the economic impact of COVID-19. Based on additional research, however, we know opportunities still exist in this environment and when we return to 'normal.' In this year's Pulse of Internal Audit survey, of the respondents who filled positions in the preceding 12 months, 47% reported they hired professionals who had not been internal auditors previously. A notable 28% of respondents had hired students or recent graduates, as well.

The IIA has begun a new program, in collaboration with AuditBoard, to provide existing internal auditors and those pursuing a career in the profession, including college students and graduates, access to training and educational courses provided by The IIA for those who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic pressures. The $500,000 'Elevate Internal Audit Scholarship Program' is providing scholarships that can be used to participate in IIA training and certification programs regardless of their professional level or ability to pay. More information on the scholarship program, including how to apply, can be found on The IIA's website at www.theiia.org.

ScoreStaff Internal AuditorUS Average

Salary

4.5

Avg. Salary $57,430

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.46%

Asian 13.11%

Black or African American 8.77%

Hispanic or Latino 11.11%

Unknown 3.97%

White 62.59%

Gender

female 42.21%

male 57.79%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

7.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.9

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a staff internal auditor

Explore staff internal auditor education requirements

Most common staff internal auditor degrees

Bachelor's

82.0 %

Master's

13.0 %

Associate

3.6 %

Start to develop specific staff internal auditor skills

Skills	Percentages
SOX	8.29%
Audit Findings	7.69%
Sarbanes-Oxley	5.45%
Acls	5.10%
Compliance Audits	4.67%

Complete relevant staff internal auditor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New staff internal auditors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a staff internal auditor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real staff internal auditor resumes.

Research staff internal auditor duties and responsibilities

Manage and coordinate annual external business evaluation in conjunction with CPA consultants.
Perform annual SOX testing of business unit controls, global share service controls, and process controls to assist external auditors.
Evaluate and communicate findings from the investigations or financial and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance audits to management through formal audit reports.
Review and test the adequacy and effectiveness of establish management and SOX controls.

Prepare your staff internal auditor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your staff internal auditor resume.

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