Becoming an auditor requires meeting educational requirements and getting certified, which can take at least two years. Auditors review financial information for inaccuracies and errors, and must have strong attention to detail and be able to offer findings authoritatively. Career paths for auditors vary, including internal financial auditors, county auditors, and state auditors.
The steps needed to be completed to become an auditor can be pretty straightforward and simple, but they can take a lot of time. The first step is to meet educational requirements, which will include an advanced degree of some kind. The second step is to get certified. If both things are achieved, the question is not how to become an auditor, but what specific field you are interested in.
In most cases, an auditor’s job involves reviewing financial information and reviewing that information for inaccuracies or errors of fact. While most cases do involve uncovering cases of fraud, most of the time an auditor’s job is simply fact-checking and verifying information. If discrepancies are found, these are likely errors rather than attempted fraud. Those who wish to become an auditor must have a strong attention to detail, like working with numbers, and be able to offer their findings in an authoritative manner.
Most of the time, a person who wants to become an auditor will likely go through college and earn a degree in accounting. A degree in management, with an emphasis in finance, could be an option for those who want to keep their options open and look at other career paths as well. Many students looking at what it takes to become an auditor may decide that they would prefer a postgraduate degree, such as a master’s degree, which will provide some additional authority. When earning a degree, whether undergraduate or graduate, there will usually also be an opportunity for internships.
After graduation, even if the individual has found a job where he has become an auditor, certification may be required within a certain period of time. Generally, becoming a certified auditor takes at least two years. A professional may be certified as an internal auditor, certified financial services auditor, or certified government audit professional. The designation chosen usually depends on the type of career the individual is interested in.
The careers of auditors are quite varied. An internal financial auditor will likely work for a company and audit that company’s books, or work for a private firm that is contracted to perform an independent review of the company’s or organization’s books. A county auditor or state auditor may oversee the books of government organizations and approve budgets for local governments. In some states, the county auditor position and state auditor position are elected. In others, they can be named.
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