How to become an auditor
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- training with a professional body
University
You could do an accountancy degree at university, then complete further training to become an auditor.
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 complete an apprenticeship to qualify as an internal auditor, while working with a company. Training includes:
- a higher apprenticeship as an internal audit practitioner
- a level 7 apprenticeship as an internal audit professional
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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 by doing:
- a graduate training scheme after completing an accountancy degree at university
- the National Audit Office 3-year training scheme for graduates in any subject
- the National Audit Office 5-year training scheme for school leavers with 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications
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:
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- The Association of International Accountants (AIA)
You'll need to 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 working in auditing from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors.