What experience and skills do you need to work as an internal auditor or in the internal audit field? Student Accountant finds out from Clive Davis, director of Robert Half International
In recent years, the internal audit role has developed into a defined position with good prospects. The rise in corporate governance ensures that internal audit continues to be a good way into any company. You really get to see the nuts and bolts of an organisation, and it is a good place to start if you are hoping to develop all-round business skills.
There are two things to think about when starting your career as an internal auditor. Are you going into internal audit to understand business from top to bottom, in order to then move on to other roles? Or, are you looking to become an internal audit manager and stay within the internal audit field? Your mindset will make a difference to potential recruiters, so make it clear at the start what you want. If you want internal audit to act as a springboard to other jobs internally then make this clear.
Internal audit demands real attention to corporate governance and related updates. Potential internal auditors need to ask themselves whether they have the right people skills, as you need to communicate with staff at all levels within the business. Getting a job as an internal auditor is quite competitive. But once you get your foot in the door you should have a lot of opportunities to progress.