Staff auditors are accounting professionals who work in a variety of industries and companies under the supervision of a senior auditor. Examining, analyzing, and verifying a company’s operational and financial activities, as well as ensuring adherence to compliance regulations and guidelines, are among an auditor’s main responsibilities. These professionals, known as “internal editors,” may conduct audits for clients or within their own organizations. They could be solely concerned with financial matters, or they could also look into hiring practices and procedures.
The primary goal of a staff auditor is to identify potential risk areas for a business, such as mismanagement, fraud, and other irregularities. These professionals are hired businesses to help them avoid legal and financial issues. Reviewing ledgers, financial statements, receipts, financial and employment applications, and employee files are among the other responsibilities. In addition to reviewing all types of communications, such as emails, memos, and letters, the audit may include interviews with other employees. Following the audit, the auditor usually prepares a report for the upper management team, which includes recommendations and remedies for any issues discovered.
Staff auditors are employed in a variety of fields and industries. This type of professional is commonly found in industries with a lot of regulations, such as financial institutions, non-profit organizations, human resource firms, and medical research firms. A staff auditor may work alone or in a group with others. If the auditor is part of a team, each team member is usually in charge of a different aspect of the audit. He or she must have high ethical standards and be able to consistently expose fraud.
The staff auditor usually works Monday through Friday during normal business hours. When a company is experiencing peak seasons or is preparing to file a regulatory filing, the auditor may be required to work longer hours and on weekends. Some employees work overtime to meet month-end closing goals, and others travel to client locations.
The majority of people in this position have four-year college degrees in finance, accounting, or auditing. This is a position that most accountants hold for the first one to three years of their careers. The auditor may be eligible for promotions and raises if he or she obtains a professional license, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). After gaining experience as a staff auditor, the accounting professional may seek a position as a senior auditor.