Auditor Job Description – What Are Their Duties And Responsibilities

Deciding a career path might sometimes be challenging especially when one does not have access to adequate information that can aid your decision-making process.

In deciding what course to study, what organisation to work with and the certifications you need to get your dream job, you need to consider your skills, strengths and knowledge in the area you might be considering to work in.

Auditing is a role which many people have little knowledge about due to the lesser publicity it enjoys when compared to other professional courses such as medicine, law e.t.c. But I can tell you that if you are considering a career in auditing then this article would give you an insight into what a career in auditing looks like.

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Job Profile For Auditors

Auditing involves reviewing accounts and financial statements of companies and organisations to ensure that all records are valid and not being tampered with in any way. It also involves carrying out thorough investigations to determine if a fraud has been carried out, risk aversion measures and possible cost reduction recommendations on cost-saving measures.

Auditors work with accounting departments in any organization to examine work in the accounting departments by ensuring that all records are updated and without error. Depending on what organisation you work with you can either be an;

Internal Auditor; They work majorly with organisations as a direct employee to improve the efficiency of businesses and identify where processes are not working for the management to work on. They also review financial accounts especially before giving out records to auditors from governmental agencies.
External Auditor; They work with private consulting firms most times to carry out audit processes for firms and the government especially when they require an unbiased and authentic report. They also play a role in ensuring that money raised by taxes is used efficiently and effectively.

Although your job description is the same with just a little variation, during job adverts placed by companies, auditor roles may be advertised as ;

Accounts Auditor
Senior Auditor
Healthcare Claims Auditor
Internal Auditor e.t.c

Your work schedule is usually from 9-5 and you spend most of your time in the office except on occasions where you need to visit clients in their offices when working as an external auditor.

Job Description For Auditors

As an Auditor, your daily activities would involve;

Collect and analyze data to find possible errors such as extravagance, fraud, theft or non-compliance with regulations or management policies
Give reports to management on audit reports, and making recommendations for change in financial activities or operations
Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, and recommend controls to ensure data integrity and system reliability
Prepare detailed reports on the findings during audits
Inspect account books and accounting systems for effectiveness, efficiency, and use the accepted accounting procedures to record transactions
Prepare, analyze, and verify annual reports, financial statements, and other records, using accepted accounting and statistical procedures
Advise company officials about regulatory and financial matters of the company
Evaluate taxpayer finances to determine tax liability and examine possible errors that may be found
Review compliance of the company with both state and federal legal requirements.

What Skill Should I Have To Work In As An Auditor?

Some of the relevant skills for a successful career as an auditor include;

Problem-solving skills
Decision- making skills
Organizational Skills
Proven Experience In Auditing
Good presentation skills
Analytical skills and great attention to details
Research and writing skills
Communication and interpersonal skills
Data visualization and analysis
Software skills with appropriate software programs

Where Can I Work As An Auditor?

Working as an auditor can be an exciting career especially when working in different organisations some of the sectors where you would work includes

Banks
Manufacturing Industries
Audit Firms
Non-profit Organizations
Government Agencies
Retail Outlets
Multinationals
Insurance Companies

What Steps Can I Take To Become An Auditor?

Having a degree in Economics, accounting and other related courses might sometimes be a requirement in getting a job as an auditor. But there are instances where people from other disciplines are trained on the requirements needed to become an internal auditor within an organisation.

Regardless of what path you take to become an auditor, it is required that your mathematical, analytical and data presentation skills are in good shape as you would make use of the while carrying out most of your daily activities.