A senior auditor is responsible for analyzing and communicating financial information for companies, local, federal and state government as well as individual clients. A senior auditor reviews the operations of a company making sure that they comply with corporate and government policies. As a senior auditor you will oversee fieldwork, planning and reporting of audit assignments.

Education

Senior internal audit positions call for candidates who have undergone a four year bachelor’s degree course accounting or a business related field. Some employers prefer master’s degree in business administration with concentration in accounting. Apart from that, senior internal auditors possess certifications in Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Public Accountants (CPA).

Desirable skills

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A senior auditor must have an aptitude for mathematics. You must have the ability to compare, analyze and interpret facts and figures promptly. Written and oral communication skills are also important as you will have to correspond with clients as well as managers orally or in written form about the results of the audits. Further still, you must understand basic computer software packages and business systems. High integrity standards are also desirable, and a senior auditor should be good at working with people.

Duties

As a senior auditor you will audit financial, operational, Sarbanes-Oxley and fraud inventories. You will also develop and prepare risk assessments, audit plans as well as compliance plans for the company you work for. Apart from that, a senior auditor defines potential risks to the company’s objectives, collects and analyzes complex data and also draws logical conclusions. You will also prepare written recommendations to the management so as to perk up the reporting process.

Average salary

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A senior auditor may earn an average of $73,560 to more than $128,000 annually even though the actual amount depends on the type of organization you work for. Senior auditors also receive standard benefits such as health, life and medical insurance, paid annual leave as well as a 401(k) plan. Certain companies also give additional benefits such as an expense account as well as the use of a company car.

Outlook

Employers prefer candidates with more than four years experience in auditing for the position of senior auditor. What is more, a senior auditor is likely to work in local or state government as well as private and public auditing and accounting firms. A senior auditor basically works in an office setting but you may travel to multiple locations if you work for a government agency, public accounting firm or a private firm with multiple locations.

Accountants and Auditors salary

• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $128,680 ($61.87/hour)
• Median Annual Salary: $73,560 ($35.37/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $45,220 ($21.74/hour)