15 Auditor Resume Examples: Format, Design, and Writing Tips

Auditors play an important role in reviewing and ensuring that a company, institution, or organization's financial reports and financial systems are sound and compliant. With great responsibility, prospective auditors must possess diverse skill sets, including analytical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and a broader knowledge base.

Before embarking on writing your auditor resume, it is important to understand that this profession has several specialized types. These include internal auditors, external auditors, and forensic auditors. Each type of auditor has distinct responsibilities and focuses within the field. If you're looking to apply for other finance positions, check out our general finance resume writing guide.

Learning important information about the auditor job will help you build an appropriate resume, including knowing what skills to highlight. As always, Cake provides examples of auditor resumes along with guidelines and writing tips.

How to Write a Strong Auditor Resume

According to Forbes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 4% increase in the careers of auditors and accountants from 2022 to 2032. This indicates that pursuing a career as an auditor is a viable choice, especially during challenging times when the global economy is facing uncertainty.

To kickstart your journey toward becoming a professional auditor, it is essential to write a well-crafted resume. Below, Cake provides guidelines and tips for writing an effective auditor resume.

Include Your Personal Information

Let's start by learning what information to include in this section. Personal information, which is often in your resume header, includes basic data that will help recruiters get to know you better. But remember, not all personal information needs to be written down!

Write Your Auditor Resume Summary

The next step in creating a compelling resume is to write a summary as efficiently as possible. A summary is a concise statement of your work experience, accomplishments, and skills. You can call it an opportunity to promote yourself so that you can be among the selected candidates.

However, writing an auditor resume summary for entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level positions is different. What makes it different? Find out below!

Consider Adding a Career Objective

Career objectives, typically used by entry-level job seekers or recent graduates, are concise statements outlining their future plans. They are typically written in efficient sentences and do not include accomplishments and work experience.

• Efficient and detailed recent graduate in Accounting from Gadjah Mada University who brings strong knowledge in regulations, controls, and accounting and finance processes. Seeking an opportunity to contribute as a junior internal auditor at Swana.
• A motivated accounting student at Gadjah Mada University with a strong interest in financial auditing. Proficient in using audit tools such as ACL and Caseware. Seeking an opportunity to join an internship and contribute as an internal auditor at Swana.

Tailor Your Work Experience Section

Work experience is the most important part of an auditor's resume. Hiring managers look at your work history to determine if you are a good candidate. Here are some tips on how to write work experience correctly:

1) Summarize each sentence using action verbs and bullet points

Not all recruiters have enough time to read candidates' resumes in detail. Many end up skimming. That's why it's important to use action verbs and bullet points that summarize and highlight your accomplishments and contributions at your previous company.

Here are some examples of action verbs you can include:

2) Include measurable accomplishments in your resume to showcase your achievements

When you have prior work experience as an auditor, hiring managers are not only interested in your job descriptions. They primarily focus on measurable results and achievements when evaluating candidates. Include key details like previous position, company name, location, and tenure in this section as well.

Add Both Soft and Hard Skills that an Auditor Should Have

Entry-level and mid-level auditors should include a list of technical and non-technical skills on their resumes. These skills will help you perform your audit responsibilities.

Add Education If You Have Less than 10 Years of Working Experience

Since the position of an auditor requires a certain level of education, it is important to include your educational history unless you have over 10 years of experience OR have an impressive career trajectory.

Can you replace your education with coursework from a reputable institution? While this may be possible, not all companies may be open to considering this type of background.

Here are some points to consider when including your education on your auditor resume:

• Ensure your GPA is above 3; if it is below 3, you may want to omit it.
• Present your educational history in chronological order, starting with the most recent. For efficiency, include only one or two relevant education entries.
• At the professional level, you can also include your educational history if you hold a master’s degree or Ph.D.

Let's look at some examples below!

Other Information to Include in Your Auditor Resume

• Languages: In the field of auditing, English is one of the primary communication tools, particularly when conducting audits for multinational companies. Aiming for a TOEFL score of at least 550 is advisable. Additionally, possessing language skills in other languages like French, Chinese, or Japanese can provide added value when presenting yourself to a hiring manager.
• Certification: Certification is an acknowledgment that your skills and abilities are professionally recognized. To enhance your credibility as an auditor, consider obtaining one or more of these 11 certificates that align with your focus.
  • ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor
  • COSO Internal Control Certificate
  • Public Sector Certificate
  • Valuation for Financial Reporting (VFR) Certificate
  • Advanced-Data Management Certificate
  • Audit Committee Certificate
  • Performance Management and Strategy Certificate
  • Certification in Risk Management Assurance
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
  • Internal Auditor Practitioner
  • Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Certification
  • Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA)

3 Auditor Resume Examples for Different Experience Levels

Auditor Resume Example for Entry-level Specialist

Auditor Resume Example for Mid-level Specialist

Auditor Resume Examples for Senior-level

Want to create a similar auditor resume? Sign up and get started with our free resume builder!

Essential Writing Tips for a Top-Notch Auditor Resume

1) Research the company you are applying to

The first tip is to thoroughly research the company or firm to which you are applying. This research will help you gather important information, such as what type of auditors are needed, whether the company's vision and mission align with what you believe in, what salary range can be offered, whether the work environment supports self-development, whether there is a career path for an entry-level employee and more.

You can explore the company's reputation through its official website, LinkedIn account, Twitter conversations, and even Instagram hashtags. Some specialized platforms allow employees or former employees to speak anonymously about the company they worked for. Platforms like these can be a valuable tool for evaluating the value of the company you are applying to.

2) Understand the difference between a resume and a CV

In some countries, the terms resume and CV are often used interchangeably, although there are significant differences between the two, especially in page length and writing focus. Resumes are usually no longer than 3 pages and focus on work experience relevant to the position you are applying for.

For example, an auditor's resume contains a collection of information about your skills and experience related to auditing work. Any information beyond that is considered irrelevant by the ATS engine or the hiring manager.

A resume, on the other hand, summarizes all of your work experience, volunteer work, organizations, courses, and even education levels, regardless of whether each experience is relevant. Resumes are perfect for academic-related positions, such as applying for a scholarship, teaching, or even speaking at a conference.

3) Decide what type of auditor resume format to use

a) Chronological Resume

Hiring managers will often encounter chronological resumes because candidates often use this format. This type of resume is suitable for those whose careers are already on the same track or who want to move up in the same field.

The points that should be highlighted in a chronological auditor resume are your work achievements. These achievements are written in quantification. 

The chronological format requires your resume to be written in order from most recent to oldest. This applies to the sections on work experience, education history, courses, certificates, and achievements.

b) Functional Resume

The second type is the functional resume, which is suitable for fresh graduates and individuals without any work experience. In this type of resume, you can highlight your technical and non-technical skills that match the requirements of the employer.

c) Combination Resume

Lastly, the combination resume is known as a blend of chronological and functional. This format is commonly used by job hoppers or freelancers with diverse work backgrounds.

In a combination resume, you can highlight your technical and non-technical skills, followed by work experience that supports those skills.

Once you have decided on the format you want to use, make sure you use the standard format for resume writing:

• Each resume should be no longer than 3 pages, excluding the cover letter.
• Use three fonts only: 14 for headings and 12 or 13 for the rest of the text.
• For neatness, use a line spacing setting of 1.25 to 1.5
• Readability is an important factor for hiring managers, so use formal fonts such as Times New Roman, Roboto, Open Sans, or Arial.
• Don't forget to convert your resume file from Word to PDF file.

4) Tailor your resume with keywords.

An increasing number of companies are adopting AI or ATS machines to filter candidate applications in the initial stages. If the engine detects that the content of a resume does not align with the keywords specified by the company, the application is automatically labeled as ‘unsuitable’.

But don’t worry! To address this issue, you can strategically incorporate the relevant keywords in your resume. These keywords can be identified from the job description and requirements provided in the job posting. 

Including keywords in the summary and work experience section will enhance their effectiveness.

As a result, when applying to multiple companies, your resume must be tailored to each company’s specific criteria. Therefore, a single resume cannot be used for all auditor positions.

While creating an auditor’s resume can be a demanding task, your dedication and enthusiasm will shine through and increase your chances of receiving interview invitations.

5) Proofread your auditor resume

Typos in an auditor resume can reduce your credibility and professionalism in front of the hiring manager. An auditor needs to be focused and thorough, but a resume with a lot of typos, incorrect formatting, and reversed layout can make you look like you lack expertise in the field. For this reason, it is important to proofread your resume several times before submitting it.

Complete Your Application with this Cover Letter Template

Many people mistakenly believe that writing a cover letter is a waste of time since not all recruiters will read it. However, recent surveys indicate otherwise. In fact, 65% of hiring managers agree that a well-written cover letter significantly influences their decision to interview a candidate.

Compared to a resume, a cover letter offers a more personal touch. It allows you to share your career story, highlight your skills, express your motivation for the position, showcase your accomplishments, and provide explanations that may not be included in your resume, such as career gaps or changes.

To craft an impactful auditor cover letter that captures the attention of hiring managers, consider the following tips:

1. Ensure that your contact information, including your full name, current city of residence, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile, is included.
2. Mention the date the cover letter was written in the format mm/dd/yyyy.
3. Use a professional salutation, such as ‘Dear Hiring Manager’, or address the letter to a specific person using their name such as ‘Dear Ms. Mojo’..
4. The opening paragraph should introduce yourself, briefly mention your previous career experience, and state the position you want to apply for.
5. In the subsequent paragraphs, highlight your skills that align with the company’s needs and provide measurable accomplishments.
6. Conclude the cover letter by reaffirming your suitability for the auditor position and expressing your anticipation of hearing back regarding your application.
7. Just like a resume, customize the cover letter to match the specific criteria outlined by the company.
8. Remember to incorporate relevant keywords to ensure your cover letter is effectively read by any filtering systems.

Let's look at the cover letter below

Common FAQs

1) Do I need a college degree to become an auditor?

Working as an auditor requires specialized knowledge of finance and economics. For this reason, you must have at least an undergraduate degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a business-related field.

This is a very long and stable career, so it is no wonder that many auditors compete to continue their education with a Master's or Ph.D. You can also sharpen your auditing skills by taking various certified courses.

2) What are the distinct differences for each type of auditor?

There are four common types of auditors, each with distinct roles despite their shared focus on financial statements.

a) Internal Auditor

Remember that not all companies have internal auditors for various reasons. The primary role of this type of auditor is to evaluate, control, manage, and participate in all of a company's accounting processes. Internal auditors are also responsible for ensuring business administration efficiency, identifying financial problems (risk assessment), and acting quickly in the event of fraud or irregularities. All of this is done independently and objectively.

So, the internal auditor ensures that the financial statements are free of problems before they are audited by the external auditor.

b) External Auditor

External auditors typically work for independent public accounting firms that are not affiliated with the company, institution, or organization being audited. They serve as impartial third parties with no personal interest in the outcome.

Following the submission of financial statements, the external auditor conducts a comprehensive examination, assessing the adequacy of supporting transaction evidence, verifying cash flow, ensuring tax compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and offering evaluations and comments documented in the audit report.

The audit proves valuable not only to the company/institution/organization owners but also to investors, lenders, governments, and other stakeholders.

c) Forensic Auditor

The third type is known as forensic auditors, whose role is to examine and evaluate the financial records of companies, institutions, organizations, or individuals. The findings they uncover serve as crucial evidence in court or during legal proceedings.

A forensic auditor must possess a deep understanding not only of accounting principles but also of the legal procedures involved in the financial audits process. They frequently encounter cases involving fraud, embezzlement, and other financial crimes.

3) What is the average auditor's salary?

The salary range for an auditor varies based on several factors, including education level, state minimum wage, work experience, size of the company or law firm employing the auditor, and certification.

Salary.com data for February 2024 shows that the average salary for an auditor in the United States is $97,654. The salary range starts at $89,170 and goes up to $107,072.

4) Can an auditor's work be done remotely?

Before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, working remotely was relatively uncommon, particularly in the finance sector. However, advancements in technology have made it possible for all types of work, including auditing, to be conducted remotely. Nevertheless, performing audit work off-site requires certain adjustments and approaches.

KPMG, a UK-based accounting firm, has demonstrated that remote work can be successful. The key to achieving this success lies in maintaining focus and efficiency. Auditors who work remotely should establish a detailed work schedule to ensure that no tasks are overlooked.

5) What are the main challenges an auditor typically faces?

Auditing is a complex and high-risk profession, primarily due to the numerous accounting standards that must be adhered to for an audit report to be considered valid and regulatory compliance. Here are some of the significant problems and challenges auditors commonly encounter:

1. Resistance from organizations, institutions, companies, or individuals to providing accurate financial statements poses a major hurdle for auditors. Many refuse to cooperate and instead provide misleading information, making decision-making challenging.
2. Auditors must contend with the emergence of new audit software and systems. Many clients adopt specific programs or systems to record their financial activities, which places a greater burden on auditors to master these software tools.
3. The demanding nature of the auditing profession necessitates a continuous supply of skilled auditors for the future. However, several firms acknowledge the difficulty of finding qualified talent.

Key Takeaways

1. Being an auditor can be stressful at times, which is probably why not many young people pursue the profession. However, a career as an auditor has good prospects for the next few years, a clear career path, and a reasonable salary.
2. Before writing your auditor resume, you should carefully read the requirements of the job posting. For example, what skills need to be highlighted, whether the firm or company accepts entry-level candidates, whether there is any special software that needs to be mastered, and so on.

Hopefully, this article and the auditor resume templates can help you get to the next level. Remember to always make sure your resume is free of typos or misinformation before submitting it. Best of luck!

— Originally written by Erika Rizqi —