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Auditor

Alternative titles for this job include

Internal and external auditors inspect financial records and procedures to make sure they are accurate, efficient and compliant.

Average salary (a year)

£28,000 Starter

to

£70,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40

You could work

between 8am and 6pm away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • training with a professional body

University

You could do a degree, then join a company's graduate scheme and complete further training to become an auditor.

Employers will accept a range of degree subjects though you may have an advantage with a subject like:

  • accountancy
  • economics
  • business and finance
  • maths
  • IT and computing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 3 A levels or equivalent

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for an Internal Audit Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship with a company.

This can take between 3 and 4 years to complete. You will be expected to gain Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) status as part of the apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a degree in a relevant subject

  • experience in related work 

More Information

Direct Application

You can join a company as a trainee auditor, or move into auditing by being seconded to an internal auditing team from another department.

You'll usually need at least A level qualifications or equivalent, and you'll be expected to take further training as your career develops.

Other Routes

You can qualify to audit public sector organisations through an apprenticeship or graduate training scheme with the National Audit Office.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

To be an external auditor, you'll need to be a qualified chartered accountant and a member of one of the following professional bodies:

You should be a member of the The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy to carry out audits in the public sector.

If you're qualified as an accountant with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), you can carry out internal audits.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in auditing from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • business management skills
  • customer service skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an auditor, you could:

  • examine company accounts
  • assess a company's financial reporting systems
  • identify risks to the business, like fraudulent activity
  • interview staff to understand business processes
  • check company procedures, like data security
  • analyse financial data
  • present recommendations to senior management teams

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

As an experienced external auditor, you could move into management and then become a partner or finance director. You could also set up your own accountancy practice.

As an experienced internal auditor, you could manage an auditing team. You could also work towards Chartered Internal Auditor status, or become a self-employed consultant.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an auditor right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Accountancy

  • Provider: DOWNHAM MARKET ACADEMY
  • Start date: 01 September 2026
  • Location: DOWNHAM MARKET

Accountancy

  • Provider: TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE
  • Start date: 01 September 2026
  • Location: Redditch
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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