Auditor Job Description

Salary Range

$67,020 - $109,810

Experience

Entry-level to mid-career

Work Environment

Internal audit office, with fieldwork in departments

What Does an Auditor Do?

For boards, regulators, and the public, trust in an organization's numbers rests on auditors. They make sure that policies are followed, and financial records are accurate and complete. In an internal audit office at a university, state agency or large company, this might involve testing controls, sampling payments or tracing how a grant was spent.

Other Job Titles for This Work

Workers in this occupation report titles such as Accountant, Accounting Officer, Audit Partner, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Cost Accountant, Financial Auditor, General Accountant, Internal Auditor.

Auditor Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of an auditor include:

• Plan audits of departments, programs or processes based on an annual risk assessment.
• Test internal controls over cash, purchasing, payroll and grants against written policy.
• Select samples of transactions and trace each one to invoices, approvals and payment records.
• Interview managers and staff to learn how a process really works day to day.
• Document work papers clearly enough that a reviewer can follow every conclusion.
• Write audit reports that state each finding, its risk and a practical fix.
• Follow up on past findings to confirm management's corrective actions were carried out.
• Investigate suspected fraud or misuse of funds referred through a hotline or by management.
• Use data-analysis tools such as ACL, IDEA or Excel to scan full transaction files.
• Present results to the audit committee or senior leadership alongside the audit director.

Required Skills and Qualifications

To succeed as an auditor, you will need the following skills and qualifications:

• CIA or CPA certification, or progress toward one
• IIA standards and the COSO internal control framework
• ACL, IDEA or advanced Excel for data analysis
• Sampling and control-testing methods
• Clear, neutral report writing
• Professional skepticism, with tact in interviews
• Keeping findings confidential
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field

Education and Training

Most employers require auditors to hold a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, the typical entry level BLS lists for accountants and auditors. Many start in public accounting. To become a Certified Internal Auditor, in most cases you will need a degree and some audit experience to qualify for the credential, while CPA licensing rules vary by state.

Salary and Job Outlook

BLS projects employment of accountants and auditors to grow about 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, with roughly 115,300 openings a year. Most of those openings will replace people who retire or move to other work, and auditors who can test data systems as well as ledgers are more likely to land them. Median pay for the group was about $84,000 in May 2025, according to BLS.

Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Accountants and auditors.

Auditor Pay Range

Highest-Paying States for Auditors

The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are District of Columbia ($111,530), New York ($102,640), New Jersey ($100,830), Massachusetts ($99,460), Connecticut ($97,550). Pay is lowest in Nebraska ($72,080), Mississippi ($68,100), Arkansas ($66,330).

Tools and Software Auditors Use

Tools and equipment

• 10-key calculators
• Computer data input scanners
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Laser facsimile machines
• Notebook computers
• Personal computers
• Personal digital assistants PDA
• Photocopying equipment
• Scanners

Software

• Intuit QuickBooks
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• SAP software
• Adobe Acrobat
• Alteryx software
• Epic Systems
• Google Docs
• Google Sheets
• IBM SPSS Statistics

Is This Job a Good Fit for You?

People who do well in this job tend to enjoy organized work with data, records and clear procedures as well as leading, persuading and making business decisions.

Skills O*NET rates most important: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making.

Knowledge areas used most: Economics and Accounting, English Language, Mathematics, Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service.

Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.

Related Careers

These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:

• Accountant job description
• Accountant Associate job description
• Budget Assistant job description
• Accounting Assistant job description
• Accounting Specialist job description
• Accounts Payable Coordinator job description
• Chief Financial Officer job description
• Bank Manager job description

Applying for an Auditor Job

• Business cover letter sample
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• Job interview tips
• Interview thank-you note

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