Types of Auditing Jobs

Auditing jobs can demanding, but rewarding.

Auditing jobs vary by industry and seniority. Internal auditors and compliance specialists work for private companies, whereas financial auditors review clients' data and issue annual reports. A tax auditor may work in the private sector or for a government entity. Although compensation levels are different for auditing jobs, federal statistics show that median wages are similar.

Internal Auditor

An internal auditor reviews a company's procedures and guidelines to ensure they are adequate, functional and conform to human resources policies and top leadership's guidelines. He also helps department heads identify major risks implicit in operating activities. A bachelor's degree in accounting or auditing is usually necessary for an internal auditor role. Some professionals also have certified internal auditor, or CIA, licenses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that internal auditors earned average salaries of $59,430 in 2008, with the bottom 10 percent of the profession earning less than $36,720 and the top 10 percent earning more than $102,380.

Certified Public Accountant

A certified public accountant, or CPA, reviews a corporation's financial statements, and she ensures that such statements adhere to generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. A CPA also ensures that accounting reports are accurate and complete. (Complete statements include balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows and statement of retained earnings.) A CPA usually works for a public accounting firm and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting or auditing. BLS polls indicate that median annual wages for CPAs were $59,430 in 2008, with the top 10 percent of the profession earning more than $102,380.

Tax Auditor

A tax auditor applies fiscal acumen and accounting expertise to review a firm's tax-reporting mechanisms, and he ensures that employees adhere to federal, state and local fiscal laws when performing their tasks. He also may help a federal or state agency collect fiscal revenues. A tax auditor generally holds a bachelor's degree in taxation or accounting, and =may have an Enrolled Agent, or EA, designation from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS. In 2008, tax auditors earned median wages of $59,430, according to BLS data. The same research shows that the middle half of the occupation earned from $45,900 to $78,210.

Compliance Auditor

A compliance, or regulatory auditor ensures that a corporation's internal policies abide by government regulations. For instance, a compliance auditor in the construction industry ensures that corporate employee safety measures conform to the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or OSHA, rules and recommendations. A compliance auditor usually has a bachelor's degree in business management. BLS surveys show that median annual wages for compliance auditors were $59,430 in 2008, with the bottom 10 percent of the profession earning less than $36,720 and the top 10 percent earning more than $102,380.