Compliance Auditor Jobs Overview
Do you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills? Compliance auditor jobs put your skills to good use. As a compliance auditor, you'll review how well an organization adheres to internal policies, laws, and regulations.
You'll perform audits to search for issues of noncompliance. You'll also evaluate risk-management strategies and help companies take corrective action for any compliance issues that you identify. Your goal is to make sure that the company you work for is operating within legal boundaries.
Compliance auditor roles usually take place in office settings. In this role, you'll work alongside upper management staff to ensure the company is compliant. You can choose to work in many industries, from accounting and finance to security.
You can expect to work standard business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If your employer asks you to audit an external location or branch office, you may need to travel and work extended hours.
Salary for Compliance Auditor Jobs
Compliance auditor roles come with a salary range of $43,140 to $109,530 annually, with a median pay of $69,013 a year. The salary for compliance auditor jobs also depends on their location.
Median salaries in high-demand locations include:
- Washington, DC - $73,538
- Chicago, IL - $74,162
- Los Angeles, CA - $74,449
- Dallas, TX - $78,728
- New York, NY - $89,470
You can use our salary calculator to find the median annual pay for compliance auditor jobs in your area. After entering your location and the job title, you'll see a salary range along with the median.
How to Find the Job that Fits You
To find compliance auditor jobs that you like, take some time to think about your career goals and interests. Will this job help you reach the next stage in your desired career?
Before you apply, determine what you want from the job. Do you prefer to work for a smaller company that might have more flexible hours or a larger organization that offers more room for growth?
Review the Compliance Auditor Job Description
By reviewing the job description and analyzing your qualifications, you can determine if your skills and experience line up with the job responsibilities and requirements. If you believe that you need more development or training, consider getting Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) credentials. Some employers require this.
Research the Company and Its Culture
Before you start filling out an application, do some research on the company and its culture. If you're applying at a financial firm, do they have a strong reputation for adhering to industry standards and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulations?
Make sure the firm's values and mission align with your own. Their website should have more information on their "About" page. You can also learn about the company's track record and work environment by browsing the internet for employee reviews.
Look for Growth Opportunities
Find out if the company provides opportunities to earn promotions. Also, consider how the job fits with your long-term career goals. Is a compliance auditor function a natural stepping stone to the rest of your career?
How to Apply for Compliance Auditor Jobs
Once you find a job listing that interests you, review it to look for key skills and qualifications to emphasize throughout your application. For example, the position may require you to display proficiency in auditing software. If so, mention this in your application.
The employer might have specific instructions on how to fill out the application. Read these instructions carefully to increase the likelihood that your application will arrive in the hiring manager's inbox.
Create an Effective Resume
Writing a good resume begins with identifying keywords that you can use throughout the document. Most employers send all applications through an applicant tracking system (ATS).
This software sorts the applications by looking for keywords and phrases that are relevant to the position. For example, resume keywords that might apply to a compliance auditor job include the following:
- annual audit work plan
- maintaining facility compliance
- executes contingency plans
- addressing security noncompliance
- KPI management reporting
Compliance auditors often use a chronological resume format. This format emphasizes your work history by showing a clear timeline of your experience. You can list relevant skills and education facts below the experience section.
If you don't have a lot of experience, choose the combination format. It combines the best elements of the functional and chronological formats. This format begins with a summary of your qualifications and a list of your skills, after which you can show any experience you have in reverse chronological order.
When you're trying to decide what expertise you should list on your resume, use a mixture of hard and soft skills. For example, analytical and communication skills are soft skills. Hard skills are ones you learn through education or experience.
Skills and expertise to feature in your resume, when applying for compliance auditor jobs, include:
- ability to meet tight deadlines
- knowledge of audit and risk management principles
- understanding of GAAP, GAAS, PCAOB, and SOX
- ability to communicate complex auditing issues with a variety of audiences
- financial reporting standards knowledge
- in-depth understanding of industry-wide compliance standards and regulations
- strong organizational and decision-making skills
You can have a professional write your resume for you by selecting our Resume Writing Service. You'll receive a resume that's well-written and relevant to the job description.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter
No matter which company you apply to, always pair your resume with a cover letter. This is a single-page document that provides additional information and introduces you to the hiring manager. A well-written cover letter can help you make a good first impression.
Adopt a professional but friendly tone. Along with your contact info and some personal details, write about the skills that are relevant to the job. Demonstrate that you understand the company and the position you're applying for by describing how your goals and values match their mission and culture.
Read our cover letter etiquette guide if you need some help while writing the document. Proofread it before you attach it to your resume, and if possible, ask a friend or family member to review it, too.
Submit Your Compliance Auditor Application
Once you gather the necessary documents, apply through Monster. First, create a free account to gain access to thousands of listings and recommendations based on your skills. We will forward the latest jobs straight to your inbox.You can also request a free resume review.
Before you upload your application, review it for errors. Make sure the grammar and spelling are accurate and that all important info is in the application. If you read it aloud, you can hear any mistakes in your writing.
How to Follow Up With an Employer
To increase your chances of landing an interview, follow up with the employer 10 to 14 days after applying. This gives them enough time to sort and read your application.
How to Follow Up on an Application
Following up after applying is all about using the best method of communication and saying the right things. Email is the preferred method. It allows the hiring manager to get back to you at their own pace.
Make sure the email is brief. Write about why the company and position interest you. Reiterate your qualifications before explaining why you're the right person to hire for the compliance auditor job.
Who to Follow Up With
Follow up directly with the hiring manager. Look for their contact info in the job description or on the company's website.
If you can't find it, call the company directly to speak with someone in the human resources department. If you explain the situation, they should give you the information you need.
Interviewing for Compliance Auditor Jobs
Landing an interview for a compliance auditor job means that you're one step closer to getting an offer. Before you attend the interview, prepare for it by researching the company and the position.
You may have already done this research when sifting through job descriptions. If so, use your findings to gain a better understanding of the company. During the interview, your knowledge of the company's culture, values, and mission can help you answer the hiring manager's questions.
While there are several ways to prepare for an interview, one option to consider involves having someone close to you ask common interview questions. Make sure they ask a combination of basic questions and more complex ones that relate to compliance auditor jobs. The types of questions you might get during an interview include:
- Can you give an example of a complicated compliance issue from your previous job?
- How do you effectively collaborate with numerous stakeholders when dealing with compliance issues?
- What tools do you use to monitor compliance controls and procedures?
- What steps do you take to make sure a company complies with relevant internal policies, laws, and regulations?
- Describe a situation in which you dealt with opposing compliance requirements from regulatory bodies. How did you navigate this issue?
What to Expect in an Interview
The interview process can vary based on the size of the organization and the importance it places on this position. The process for compliance auditor jobs may involve two to five rounds of interviews.
Your first interview will likely occur by video or over the phone. However, you can expect at least one in-person interview before you receive an offer. The hiring manager is usually responsible for conducting the interviews.
Compliance auditor jobs are all about analyzing documentation, formulating risk mitigation plans, and performing comprehensive audits. Your hiring manager will likely ask a series of standard and behavioral interview questions about these subjects.
Compliance Auditor Interview Tips
During the interview, you'll likely receive numerous behavioral questions, which you should answer with relevant examples from your past. To ace your interview, use the STAR technique to answer behavioral questions. This interview method, which stands for situation, task, action, and result, allows you to tell a rich and comprehensive story that shows the hiring manager that you know what you're talking about.
It's always a good idea to demonstrate your experience and skills with relevant examples. When answering any question, be confident and authentic.
Follow Up After Your Interview
After completing an interview, send a thank-you note to the hiring manager within 24 hours. Let them know that you want the job. Reiterate your skills and experience as well.
If you don't hear back from the employer within seven to 10 business days, call or email them. A phone call allows you to reach them directly.
During the call, mention who you are and why you believe you're a good candidate for the job. Talk about the aspects of the company you like the most. Before the call concludes, inquire about the status of the position.
What to Do When You Get an Offer
Once you receive an offer, immediately thank the hiring manager, and inform them that you need to take a day or two to look it over. While it's important that you read the entire job offer, the most relevant information involves your responsibilities, salary, and benefits. Make sure the offer meets your expectations in every regard.
If you have questions about the company, position, or salary, seek clarification from the hiring manager. When negotiating with the hiring manager about your salary and benefits, speak with confidence and professionalism.
Career Paths for Compliance Auditors
Compliance auditor jobs can lead to many unique opportunities. Once you gain years of experience in this position, you might have the qualifications necessary to become an internal audit manager, financial reporting manager, or audit manager. These positions are senior roles that most organizations with auditing and accounting teams should offer.
You may not know which career path is right for you until you gain some experience as a compliance auditor. Over time, you should better understand what your career goals, talents, and interests are. For example, do you enjoy your job as a compliance auditor enough to lead a team of auditors?
Depending on the size of the company you work for, you may receive internal promotions that allow you to climb the ladder and advance your career. You could improve your chances of obtaining a promotion by taking advantage of various networking and professional development opportunities.
Professional development usually involves earning a more advanced degree or obtaining a certification in the field. You could advance your career by entering a master's or doctoral program in business, finance, management, or accounting.
If you'd like to include a certification on your resume, you can choose from numerous compliance-related and auditing-related options. Some of the certifications available to you include:
You can also gain more opportunities for advancement by building a robust network of like-minded professionals who work in the auditing industry. Professional associations can give you resources and help you build networks. Consider joining associations like:
Similar Occupations
Would you like to take your compliance auditor skills to a similar occupation that provides a unique experience? Consider the following job opportunities: