The accounts of all the companies, whether private, government or charities have to get their accounts checked by the specialists called auditors. An auditor is employed to look into the financial books and see that all the money that has come in or gone out of the business matches up and is accurately calculated. The auditor matches up the accounts with the profit or loss the company has declared in that particular year. An auditor is expected to advise the company on matters of savings. This becomes necessary while auditing for government bodies as they put people's money to use that comes to them in the form of taxes.
It is important to gather proper knowledge about the company for which the audit has to be done. The auditor will have to check profit and loss account as well as the balance sheets that have been made by the company. The auditor may also encounter some problems when it comes to calculation. For this matter, he will have to talk to the clients and identify the areas from where the problem is arising.
How Can You Become An Accounts Auditor?
The job of an accountant is not easy and there are a lot of responsibilities that have to be taken care of. Mathematics is an important aspect when it comes to calculations. It is thus important for a person to take algebra and accounting classes while he is in high school. You can also enroll in a community college program. This is not all, as you will need specialized degrees to be an auditor.
It is important to have a degree in accounting or any related subject. Some employers may also require you to have an MBA degree. To get better jobs one can opt for degrees and courses from a Chartered Institute of Management Accountancy, The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy or Institute of Internal Auditors.
What Skill Sets Should An Accounts Auditor Have?
For an auditor, it is important to have good mathematical skills. An auditor has to be a good analyzer and should have excellent organizational skills. Reviewing the accounts requires proper attention and there are a lot of details that need to be covered. Ability to work in a team and communicate with other people is also one of the many required skills. The accountants have to be trustworthy since they have access to all the data of the company.
What about Accounts Auditor Training?
In accountancy and auditing, it is important to have proper training if you want to give a boost to your career. There are a number of professional bodies with which you will have to register to take the exams. You might take three to five years to qualify but you will be supported financially by the company for completing your course. You can be working and studying at the same time.
It is important to have some management experience if you are looking for a job in a big company. While some companies may also keep trainees experience becomes a must if you are working with government companies or other big private sector companies.
What Are Your Job Prospects As An Accounts Auditor?
An auditor can work as an internal auditor or an external auditor. If working as an external auditor, you will have opportunities to work for firms of certified accountants or other government offices like the audit commission. If you want to work as an internal auditor, you will have many options to choose from and will be able to work for some commercial company or any organization in the public sector. After you have gathered experience, you can start your own firm.
The salary packages offered to the auditors are good and when starting with the job, you can expect to earn about $40,000 to $75,000. When you move further in your career, the salary will increase.
You need to be a qualified accountant and hard working to get yourself a good job. The firm you choose will make a difference to your salary. Do get some advice from the auditors who are currently working with some company as they can give you a lot of inside information on how to enter the industry.