What is an Auditor?
Career Description Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
A Day in the Life of an Auditor
- Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
- Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- Prepare, analyze, and verify annual reports, financial statements, and other records, using accepted accounting and statistical procedures to assess financial condition and facilitate financial planning.
- Examine records and interview workers to ensure recording of transactions and compliance with laws and regulations.
- Evaluate taxpayer finances to determine tax liability, using knowledge of interest and discount rates, annuities, valuation of stocks and bonds, and amortization valuation of depletable assets.
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Things an Auditor Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Auditors say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Information Systems Auditor
- Inventory Auditor
- Compliance Coordinator
- Financial Systems Analyst
- Assurance Senior
What Kind of Auditor Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 1,397,700 jobs for Auditor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 139,900 new jobs for Auditor by 2026. There will be an estimated 141,800 positions for Auditor per year.
The states with the most job growth for Auditor are Utah, Colorado, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Auditor Salary
Auditors make between $43,650 and $122,840 a year.
Auditors who work in District of Columbia, New York, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Auditors make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $70,310 |
Alaska | $82,920 |
Arizona | $69,190 |
Arkansas | $67,700 |
California | $84,430 |
Colorado | $82,320 |
Connecticut | $84,890 |
Delaware | $78,120 |
District of Columbia | $98,130 |
Florida | $71,790 |
Georgia | $75,930 |
Hawaii | $65,580 |
Idaho | $66,110 |
Illinois | $81,060 |
Indiana | $70,780 |
Iowa | $67,030 |
Kansas | $66,530 |
Kentucky | $67,080 |
Louisiana | $66,860 |
Maine | $70,810 |
Maryland | $82,610 |
Massachusetts | $81,460 |
Michigan | $74,370 |
Minnesota | $72,480 |
Mississippi | $62,850 |
Missouri | $70,240 |
Montana | $66,410 |
Nebraska | $67,920 |
Nevada | $66,600 |
New Hampshire | $72,690 |
New Jersey | $90,400 |
New Mexico | $66,370 |
New York | $96,300 |
North Carolina | $76,880 |
North Dakota | $61,870 |
Ohio | $72,370 |
Oklahoma | $73,040 |
Oregon | $71,450 |
Pennsylvania | $75,250 |
Rhode Island | $81,090 |
South Carolina | $64,750 |
South Dakota | $65,800 |
Tennessee | $69,690 |
Texas | $80,200 |
Utah | $70,980 |
Vermont | $75,360 |
Virginia | $85,640 |
Washington | $78,970 |
West Virginia | $68,160 |
Wisconsin | $68,410 |
Wyoming | $66,180 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Auditors
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Auditors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Visio
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Dynamics
- SAS
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Google Docs
- UNIX
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Oracle PeopleSoft
How do I Become an Auditor?
What education is needed to be an Auditor?
What work experience do I need to become an Auditor?
Who Employs Auditors?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Career changers with experience as an Auditor sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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