Finance

How to become an Internal Auditor

From accountant: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

1–3 years

Typical pay

$68k–$95k

Starting from

Accountant

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from accountant and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   1–2 years

   Start in accounting or a control function

   You need to know how a process should work before you can test whether it does.

   Course that covers thisAccounting Fundamentals: From Zero to HeroUdemy · around $19.99 →
2. 2

   6–12 months

   Learn the audit cycle

   Planning, fieldwork, findings and follow-up. Documentation discipline is everything.

3. 3

   3–6 months

   Learn data analysis

   Full-population testing beats sampling, and it is now expected.

   Course that covers thisUltimate Microsoft Excel Bundle from Beginner to AdvancedUdemy · around $19.99 →
4. 4

   Certify with the IIA

   CIA is the standard credential; CISA if you go the IT audit route.

   ◆ CIA (IIA)

5. ✓

   Destination

   Internal Auditor

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