A degree in accounting, finance, or business is usually expected. Professional qualifications such as ACCA, ACA, or CPA are highly valued, as they cover the knowledge and ethics needed for audit work. Many firms also offer graduate training schemes to help you qualify while working.
What is an external auditor?
By law, many commercial and non-profit organisations around the world must be independently audited. To meet this requirement, external auditors review financial statements to ensure they are a ‘true and fair’ account of past financial performance and current financial position. Due to this global legal demand for independent human scrutiny and interpretation of financial accounts, external auditing can be regarded as a future-proof career.
Specialising in auditing doesn’t limit you to finance though. You could undertake a wide range of audit types - each requiring a different breadth and/or depth of accounting skills. These could include measuring sustainability performance, or checking that organisations meet legal and voluntary obligations in health and safety, IT and social responsibility.After completing an audit, the organisation’s management team must review your findings to ensure they are adhering to rules, codes of practice, business ethics, internal guidelines and principles.
How do I achieve it?
External auditors must be qualified accountants and a member of a professional body such as ACCA. After qualification, there is often a clear progression from junior through to senior roles.
Aspiring external auditors will benefit from taking the following ACCA Strategic Professional Options exams:
- Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
- Advanced Performance Management (APM)
Getting the right experience will also help you to progress your career in the accounting industry. Indeed, many firms provide students with work experience within their audit teams.
Frequently asked questions
Key skills include attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong numerical ability. Communication and teamwork are vital, as auditors often work in teams and with clients. Skills in Excel, data analysis, and audit software are also increasingly important.
Progression varies by firm, but it typically takes 2–4 years to move from a graduate or trainee auditor role into a senior auditor position, depending on your performance and progress toward a professional qualification.
External auditors often work in client offices as well as their own firm’s offices. The role can involve travel, long hours during busy seasons (such as year-end), and working closely with client teams. Outside of peak times, hours are usually more balanced.
Most graduates start in professional services firms, particularly the Big Four (PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG) or mid-tier firms. These offer structured training and exposure to a wide range of industries including banking, manufacturing, retail, and technology.
Yes. Many external auditors move into internal audit, risk management, financial accounting, corporate finance, or consultancy. The skills you gain in audit—analytical thinking, financial reporting, and problem-solving—are transferable to a wide range of careers.
Auditors now use advanced tools to test larger data sets, identify anomalies, and assess risk more effectively. Technology is reducing manual work and increasing the focus on analysis, professional judgment, and client interaction.
In the UK, entry-level salaries typically range from £25,000–£32,000. As you progress to senior auditor, you can earn £35,000–£50,000, and audit managers or senior managers may earn £55,000–£80,000 or more, depending on the firm and location.
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