Life As an Auditor
Job Description: Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
Life As an Auditor: What Do They Do?
- Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
- Audit payroll and personnel records to determine unemployment insurance premiums, workers’ compensation coverage, liabilities, and compliance with tax laws.
- Direct activities of personnel engaged in filing, recording, compiling, and transmitting financial records.
- Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
- Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
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Auditor Required Skills
Auditors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Auditor Jobs
- Data Processing Auditor
- Inventory Auditor
- Tax Specialist
- City Auditor
- Accounting Auditor
Auditor Job Outlook
There were about 1,397,700 jobs for Auditor in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
How Much Does an Auditor Make?
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?
Are there Auditors education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become an Auditor?

Who Employs Auditors?

Below are examples of industries where Auditors work:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Auditor in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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