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General Description

This is an ideal career for analytical thinkers. Your role as an auditor is to provide an external, independent assessment of an organisation’s finances and accounting systems.  You must ensure internal procedures are being used; internal controls are in place, identify irregularities and alert management to areas that are working and those that need attention. 

Career Advice - Auditor Career

Yours is a policing role to ensure the reported financial statements are accurate and the assets and liabilities mentioned in reports really exist.  Operationally you randomly analyse samples of work and check with staff on procedural matters. You also carry out random checks on trading stock quantities and capital assets.
Auditors work in the full spectrum of company structures from private practices, to large consulting and advisory firms, major corporations, small to medium sized organisations, the public sector and community entities.

What you do every day?

An auditor works with companies or clients to review the organisation's finances, records and statutory accounts.  Typical working hours are Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.30pm, but these increase as the end of the financial year approaches.  Large consulting practices expect longer hours. Auditors visit client premises, often working there for a period of time to satisfy themselves on the accuracy of the figures and to sight the physical assets.

Personality that best fits this occupation

A career in accounting requires an aptitude for numbers and maths.  You'll also need excellent computer and communication skills to do well in the field.  Naturally you’re analytical, with a good eye for detail and excellent organisational skills.  Historically, accounting has been incorrectly labelled a profession for “introverted nerds.”  This is not so today.  If you’re extroverted, possess innovative thinking, take strategic views on various topics and can bridge the abstract to find a commercial solution, then you’re a nice fit with accountancy.  The “Big Four” companies look for business acumen and personal stature when recruiting graduates.  As you are dealing with confidential information and people’s personal affairs, you also need to be discreet, professional and ethical.

Best thing about this career

The huge variety of career paths makes accounting an exciting career choice.  You’re never bored and you work with smart, stimulating people most of the time.  There is job satisfaction working with new clients and managing existing clients.  It’s also a career which earns both respect and good money.

Worst thing about this career

At times the numbers and analysis can get tedious.  The pressure of unrealistic deadlines may gradually burn you out, and task-focussed management is de-motivating.  Others who continuously talk about money and accounting when you’re not at work is also a pain.