Financial Auditor Jobs Overview
Help businesses operate in compliance with industry standards and government regulations as a financial auditor by ensuring that an organization's financial statements and records are free of errors. Your responsibilities range from identifying discrepancies and fraud to pinpointing areas of potential risk. Financial auditor jobs require exceptional analytical skills and a thorough understanding of applicable federal and state laws, policies, and procedures.
Financial auditor roles fall into two general categories: external and internal. Internal auditors work for the organizations they audit. External auditors are employed by outside agencies. Both types of auditors are expected to provide an accurate, unbiased opinion of the financial integrity of the organization they audit.
Whether you prefer to work independently or on a company's payroll, the job outlook for financial auditors is positive. Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 4% over the next decade, which is on par with the average for all occupations.
Salaries for Financial Auditor Jobs
Pay rates for internal financial auditor functions range from $62,840 to $107,699 per year, with a median salary of $86,937 per year. The salary you can make as a financial auditor is significantly influenced by your level of education, expertise, and experience.
When determining how much you can expect to earn as a financial auditor, where you live also makes a difference. Here are the top five cities where financial auditor jobs are in high demand.
What are the salary ranges in your particular corner of the country? Find out by entering your location into our salary calculator.
Financial Auditor Job Hunting Tips
Your search for the ideal financial auditor role begins by determining what you want most from the position. If a flexible schedule and work/life balance are high on your list, working externally for an auditing service might be ideal. If you prefer the security of a steady paycheck, look for internal financial auditor positions.
Keep your long-term career goals in mind as well. Does the position offer opportunities for growth and advancement? Will you need to take additional educational courses or undergo further training to achieve your aspirations?
Review the Job Description
Before you apply, take some time to scrutinize the financial auditor job description. Draw on your analytical skills to assess whether the position's requirements and responsibilities correspond with your skills and experience.
Pay close attention to the wording used in the job posting. Think twice about applying to organizations that express unrealistic expectations or use vague or unclear terms to describe the finance auditor's duties.
Research the Company
Once you've decided that you want to apply for the financial auditor job, learn as much as you can about the company. The more you know about how the firm operates, the better your chances of landing the position.
It's also important to determine if the company's values, culture, and goals align with yours. Is this an organization you'd be proud to join? Finally, investigate whether opportunities exist within the company to advance your long-term career goals.
How to Apply for Financial Auditor Jobs
What's the top priority when submitting an application for a financial auditor position? Write a resume that will pass the screening system companies often use to filter out unqualified candidates. Using the right language to highlight your skills and qualifications helps ensure your application reaches the desk of the hiring manager.
Craft a Keyword-Rich Resume
From a mastery of the terminology used in legal documents to prowess with a variety of accounting software systems, working as a financial auditor requires a high level of expertise. Reviewing the company's job description can help you identify which resume keywords to use to highlight your qualifications.
Begin by demonstrating your extensive knowledge of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, commonly known as SOX. Employers want to ensure the financial auditors they hire have a complete grasp of the federal legislation that tightened auditing rules and often include this keyword in their job descriptions.
In a field where one simple error can have dire consequences, it's not unexpected to find keywords such as "attention to detail" listed in job descriptions for financial auditors. Here's a sample of additional words and phrases employers use to stress the importance of accuracy and efficiency.
- strong problem-solving skills
- critical thinking skills
- ability to think strategically
- exceptional analytical skills
- comfortable in a fast-paced environment
Since financial auditors typically interact with multiple departments, employers often emphasize strong communication skills in job postings. The ability to work independently or as part of a team is also frequently mentioned, as are terms like "professionalism" and "integrity."
Weave these important keywords into your resume, detailing your experience as in this auditor resume sample. If you'd like additional assistance, take advantage of our resume writing services. A professional writer familiar with auditing and accounting will create a resume customized to highlight your qualifications.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter
Including a cover letter when applying for financial auditor jobs lets you communicate with potential employers more informally than in a resume. It also gives you the chance to capture the hiring manager's attention.
Focus on writing an opening paragraph that makes the reader want to know more. Indicating what you can achieve for the organization is a good place to start. For more inspiration, check out these finance cover letter tips.
Submit the Application
Once you're satisfied with the quality of your resume and cover letter, open a Monster account to submit the application. Creating a personal profile allows you to receive additional financial auditor job notifications as they become available. You can also request a free professional resume review from one of our experts!
How to Follow Up the Application
It takes time for employers to review applications and confer with appropriate departments about scheduling interviews with financial auditor job candidates. Wait a week or two before contacting the organization to check the status of your application.
Use the waiting time to ensure you know the right person to contact about your application. This information is often included in the job posting. If not, you may find this information on the company's website or by contacting the firm's human resources department.
Whether you email or phone the employer, keep your message concise and professional. Express your continued interest in the position and recap your qualifications.
Interviewing for Financial Auditor Jobs
Congratulations! You've garnered an interview with an organization you're interested in joining. The following tips can help ensure you make a favorable impression at the all-important meeting.
Understanding the Interview Process
The way interviews are conducted varies from organization to organization. Some hold a single interview; others oversee several meetings. You may wish to ask the employer beforehand to clarify their process so that you'll know what to expect.
It also pays to be prepared for the unexpected as you may meet with multiple people. Don't be alarmed if the date or time of the interview gets changed at the last minute to accommodate their busy schedules.
Prepare for the Interview Questions
The most important thing you can do to prepare for an interview is practice answering questions. How you respond to the queries will largely determine whether or not you obtain the position.
Fortunately, you're up for the challenge. One of the most impressive skills financial auditors possess is an ability to process copious quantities of data. Study our list of 100 interview questions, and you'll be ready for any question that comes your way.
For specific questions related to the field of finance, review these accounting interview questions as they relate to financial auditing.
- What experience do you have as a financial auditor?
- With which auditing software programs are you most familiar?
- What tasks do you expect to perform as a financial auditor?
- Describe what actions you take to ensure accuracy.
How to Follow Up After an Interview
Expressing your thanks after the interview with a follow-up message is critical when it comes to securing a position as a financial auditor. You're likely to earn extra points if you send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the meeting.
If you haven't heard from the hiring manager in a week or two, stay positive! Don't hesitate to contact the employer again. Making that follow-up phone call can make all the difference.
How to Respond to Job Offers
A celebration is in order when you receive an offer for a financial auditor job for a company that you'd be proud to join. Before you accept, use those prized analytical skills to study the proposal. Thank the employer for the offer and let them know when they can expect your answer.
While it's natural to focus on the proposed salary, take time to evaluate the entire compensation package. If you feel it isn't competitive, consider negotiating the terms of the job offer.
Career Paths
As a financial auditor, you've already proven that you have an analytical mind and a head for numbers. Those attributes open up multiple opportunities for growth in your financial career.
From jobs that focus on the analytical aspects of finance to executive positions, here are some career paths you may wish to follow.
Similar Occupations to Financial Auditor Jobs
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