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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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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What work experience do I need to become an Auditor?

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Who Employs Auditors?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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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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