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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