External Auditor Jobs in the United States

External Auditor Jobs Overview

As an external auditor, you work as an independent professional to determine a business's financial health. You visit various organizations, analyze their operations carefully, and provide reports on their financial viability. External auditor jobs require checking that the organization is following all regulatory guidelines.

Being an external auditor is a flexible role. Though it's generally a full-time job that operates during standard business hours, you might find yourself working some nights and weekends. Your schedule often changes as you move between businesses.

This position also provides you with a lot of variety in where you work. You may regularly travel to new locations and meet new people. Some external auditor positions also provide the potential for remote work.

There's a lot of demand for external auditors, especially in fields like mergers and acquisitions or compliance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that 67,400 new auditor positions will open in the next decade.

Salary for External Auditor Jobs

An auditor makes a median salary of $70,525 a year, but external auditors can expect to earn more since this job requires extra responsibility and travel. Auditors can earn between $45,039 and $103,298 annually. Your salary may be higher if you focus on auditing large corporations or working with specialized technology.

The area you live in also impacts your wages. External auditors in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY earn particularly high salaries. To discover the average salary for external auditor jobs in your city, check out our Monster salary calculator.

Finding Your Ideal Job

Look for an external auditor role that can intrigue and motivate you. To find a job that fits you, you'll need to consider these factors.

Your Qualifications

Make a list of all the things that make you an ideal external auditor, such as your attention to detail or your in-depth knowledge of accounting procedures. Once you know what makes you special, you can look for jobs that require these qualities.

By finding a job listing that matches your qualifications, you can pick a job that will make you feel both confident and satisfied. For example, if one of your strengths is catching fraud, you might enjoy external auditor jobs that prioritize identifying embezzlement.

The Company's Reputation

The internet makes it easy to learn more about the company offering the job. You can find an employer who matches your values and work style. Check to see whether they get praise for things like work-life balance, fair salaries, or excellent benefits.

Also, check out the size of the company and see what employees have to say about working for them. You may prefer big companies with a reputation for highly regimented work, or you might like jobs with small businesses that prioritize flexibility and independence.

Your Lifestyle

Make sure the job listing suits your desired type of work life. If you enjoy going to new places, you might like jobs with a lot of travel. However, if you desire stability, you might prefer a job that lets you stay in your hometown.

Compare the job's hours to see if they match your desired schedule. In addition to considering whether you'll have time off for other responsibilities like childcare or school, think about whether you're comfortable working the number of hours mentioned in the listing.

Applying for External Auditor Jobs

Before you hit that apply button there are a few steps you need to take, such as writing a resume and cover letter. Follow our tips to ensure your documents are in order.

Design a Strong Resume

Your resume is your chance to showcase your qualifications. You'll need a cleanly formatted, one-page document that includes relevant education, like a bachelor's degree in finance, and workplace experience such as past accounting jobs. If you aren't quite sure how to format things, check out this auditor resume sample for inspiration, or consider hiring our professionals to write your resume.

Keep in mind that resumes typically go through applicant tracking software that highlights strong candidates. You can help your resume stand out by including these keywords:

• detail-oriented
• financial analysis
• compliance
• risk management
• data interpretation
• accounting
• financial reporting

Review the Job Listing Carefully

Another helpful clue for structuring your application will come from the listing itself. It tells you exactly what the employer wants to prioritize. For example, if they mention that they need help upgrading to new financial standards, make sure to mention a time when you assisted a workplace with upgrading their system.

The job listing may also include specific requests like applicants with CPA licenses or with a certain number of years in accounting. Be sure to emphasize that you have those qualifications.

Include a Cover Letter

Applications for external auditor jobs always benefit from a cover letter. Though they aren't a requirement in the industry, they show that you're a thoughtful person who is taking the application seriously.

The cover letter is a chance to show some personality and express why you're a valuable employee. You can also show your interest in the position by doing some research and making a few references to why you're so interested in the company.

Submit Your Application

Once you find a promising job listing, it's time to start working on your application. For best results, sign up for a free Monster account as soon as possible. You'll have access to great resources like a free resume review and customized recommendations that help you complete your application quickly and easily.

Remember that external auditor jobs are all about being precise, accurate, and thorough, so make sure to double-check your application carefully. Ensure that you have the right documents and they are free of spelling errors.

Following Up on an Application

If you're worried about your application getting lost in a pile, there are a few helpful steps you can take to stand out from the crowd. Here are some tips for following up on applications for external auditor jobs:

• Wait at least a week after the application before sending a follow-up email.
• Check the job listing for an email or number to contact.
• Look up the company's HR department contact information if the job listing doesn't include a contact.
• Send a polite message stating your name, the job position, and a request for more information about the position.
• Keep your follow-up email brief, but make sure to emphasize how excited you are about the job you're applying for.

Interviewing for External Auditor Jobs

Interviewing is one of the most exciting stages of the job hunt. If you want your external auditor interviews to go as smoothly as possible, follow these tips.

Research the Company Beforehand

You'll want to be fully prepared before you ever step foot in the building. Knowing the basics about the company and its mission helps you to showcase the many ways you could benefit the company.

To highlight your dedication and thoughtfulness, make sure to subtly work some of this knowledge into the interview as well. For example, when asked about your approach to auditing, mention your preferred method for auditing companies like the business you're currently interviewing with.

Practice With Interview Questions

Most external auditor interviews consist entirely of questions. You'll be asked to provide details about yourself and answer hypothetical questions that discuss how you handle situations at work.

Going over possible questions is one of the best preparation activities to try. It encourages you to think about your career and come up with ways to emphasize your skills. Some potential questions to practice answering include:

• How do you share your findings after you complete your audit?
• What is your favorite part of being an auditor?
• What experience do you have with auditing large organizations?
• How would you handle an audit where you found evidence of criminal behavior?
• Can you walk me through your preferred auditing method?
• How does being an external auditor fit into your career goals?

Techniques for Answering Interview Questions

It's also helpful to learn how to answer interview questions. This can give you a useful template no matter which sorts of questions you're surprised with.

One of the most effective options for external auditor interviews is the STAR method. This technique involves describing a situation, explaining a task, discussing the actions you took, and summarizing the result. It's an easy way to answer competency-based questions while mentioning your past experience.

Follow Up After the Interview

After the interview, make sure you stay on the interviewer's mind with a follow-up. Within 24 hours of the interview, send them a brief thank-you note to let them know that you enjoyed the conversation and hope to hear from them soon.

If you still haven't heard anything about the interview outcome within a week, a more detailed follow-up is reasonable. Contact the interviewer or the hiring department and politely ask for an update. Mention that you're willing to provide more information if desired, and consider asking for feedback in case they are not interested in hiring you.

How to React to an Offer

If your application and interview go well, you'll receive an offer. Thank the company, and let them know when they can expect your decision. A new job is a big step in your career, so it's reasonable to take a day or two to make up your mind.

During this time, you'll need to carefully consider all the details of the offer. If you have multiple job offers, you'll also need to compare and contrast them to see which is the best. Here are some things to think about as you look at each offer:

• how much salary is being offered and whether it fits industry standards
• how long it will take you to perform the duties listed in the offer
• whether you're capable of managing all the duties
• what your job title will be and who you'll work with
• whether your benefits are reasonable
• how well the job's hours and locations suit your lifestyle
• whether the company's reputation makes you want to work for them

Keep in mind that job offers are negotiable. If you're interested in the job but have some concerns, go ahead and reach out to your contact. Ask if the company is willing to negotiate, and state your requests in a polite yet firm manner.

Career Paths

External auditor jobs are rewarding, but you may not plan to stay in that position forever. Many external auditors hope to transition to internal auditing. This can provide more stability and responsibility while using the same basic skill set.

You may also enjoy using your financial skills to transition to managerial positions in accounting or finance departments. You can consider being an accounting coordinator or a financial controller.

Whatever career path you pick, the main thing you'll need is a track record of excellence. Work hard at your job, and show that you're a diligent and intelligent auditor. You can also focus on getting additional certifications, like a CPA, that may provide you with more career opportunities in the future.

Similar Occupations

If you're interested in external auditor jobs, you might also want to explore these positions:

• auditor jobs
• bank auditor jobs
• compliance auditor jobs
• IT auditor jobs