Auditor: role, salary, skills and training
An auditor is a professional who examines and evaluates an organization’s financial records, statements, and processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and transparency. Auditors verify that financial reports reflect the true financial position, identify errors or discrepancies, and assess internal controls to prevent fraud. They can work internally, within the company they audit, or externally, as part of independent audit firms serving multiple clients. Auditors are essential in maintaining trust between businesses, investors, regulators, and the public by providing objective assessments of financial health and operational integrity. Their work often follows established standards, such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), ensuring consistency and reliability in financial reporting.
What is the role of an auditor?
The auditor is an expert in management, administration, and accounting. Their main task is to analyze the regularity of a company's accounts based on accounting data. They assess financial statements to ensure compliance with international auditing standards and provide an opinion on the financial health of the organization. This involves a comprehensive review of financial records, accounting practices, and internal controls.
In most cases, the auditor is an external consultant hired by companies on an as-needed basis or due to legal obligations. In this case, this professional is part of an audit firm that examines the "health" of the company and, if necessary, defines corrective measures. External auditors work independently to maintain objectivity and offer assurance on the financial statement of public companies and other organizations. They are critical in ensuring that financial data is accurate and complete.
In practice, the auditor evaluates the general and specific situation of a company and checks its accounts (investments, depreciation, salaries). This expert often works as part of a team and must adhere to a schedule and a precise set of specifications. They work closely with management to make their diagnosis and recommendations. The auditor also plays a pivotal role in assessing the effectiveness of internal controls, which helps in mitigating risk and preventing fraud within the organization.
What are the main responsibilities of an auditor?
The main task of an auditor is to collect, study, and analyze documents and information related to the functioning of one or more departments of a company. They must also ensure that the company adheres to legal and regulatory requirements, and they provide guidance on best practices in financial management.
Here are their main activities:
- Developing and implementing an audit plan in accordance with regulatory standards,
- Promoting and participating in the risk management process, including identifying potential areas of risk,
- Training and supervising external management controllers to enhance compliance with auditing procedures,
- Monitoring audit recommendations to ensure they are effectively implemented,
- Conducting advisory meetings with management to discuss findings and improvement strategies,
- Reporting on operations to provide a comprehensive audit report that includes an opinion paragraph outlining the auditor's conclusions.
What are the expected skills of an auditor?
Here are the skills of an auditor:
- Mastery of audit methodology and internal control to ensure thorough evaluations,
- Knowledge of professional standards for internal auditing (NPAI) and understanding of the institute of internal auditors (IIA) guidelines, which are crucial for maintaining auditing standards,
- Conducting diagnostics to identify areas for improvement,
- Implementing control and monitoring procedures to maintain accuracy in financial reporting,
On a personal level, the auditor should be able to:
- Argue their decisions to convince company executives and board members of their findings,
- Demonstrate diplomacy in interactions with various stakeholders,
- Organize and work in a team to ensure the efficiency of auditing operations,
- Be responsive to changes in regulatory requirements and organizational needs.
What are the types of auditors ?
Auditors can be classified into several types depending on their role and affiliation.
- Internal auditors work within an organization to evaluate risks, internal controls, and compliance.
- External auditors, often from independent firms, review financial statements to ensure accuracy and fairness.
- Public auditors serve the general public, offering independent assessments for companies or individuals.
- Government auditors work for government agencies to verify the proper use of public funds and adherence to regulations. In all cases, these professionals—often certified accountants—play a crucial role in ensuring financial transparency, accountability, and trust.
What studies should be pursued to become an auditor ?
The Master in Management - Grande Ecole (MiM program) at emlyon business school enables students to acquire the hard skills essential for the role of an auditor. This includes training in auditing standards, risk management, and compliance procedures.
It is characterized by its academic excellence, with an emphasis on professional experience and international openness. Students have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and engage in internships that provide real-world insights into the auditing processes.
For students with a bachelor's degree
To access an auditor position after a bachelor's degree, the Master in Finance offered by emlyon business school allows you to develop a solid and in-depth expertise that will enable you to fully understand the challenges and demands of finance. This program offers a common core followed by a specialization in corporate finance or market finance, giving you a comprehensive view of financial aspects. Students can also pursue certifications such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) to enhance their qualifications.
The MSc in Financial & Business Performance is also an option. It is a two-year program designed to train experts capable of mastering management control and finance tools to drive corporate performance. Faced with strategic challenges and the evolution of digital technologies, you will develop essential analytical skills to collect, analyze, and interpret financial and operational data, which are crucial for strategic decision-making. This immersive programme includes group projects, academic and professional challenges, as well as two internships, providing you with hands-on experience and international exposure.
The MSc in Strategic Intelligence & Global Risks trains leaders capable of transforming uncertainty into competitive advantage through strategic vigilance. Located at the intersection of geopolitics, risk management, collective intelligence, and strategy, it prepares students to collect, analyze, and disseminate key information to guide decisions. Rooted in a “maker” mindset and experiential learning, the program combines academic rigor with real-world projects with companies.
What is the salary and career progression of an auditor ?
The starting salary for an auditor is between €2,500 and €3,300 gross per month. For experienced auditors, this salary can reach up to €4,500 gross per month. Initial training, the nature and size of the company, and the complexity of the work can all influence the salary. Public auditors, due to their expertise and responsibility, may command higher salaries and have opportunities to work with various companies and government agencies.
An external auditor who works for a company can be hired as an employee by that company. This professional can then advance to a financial manager or an executive position. They can also remain within the audit firm they work for and progress in terms of responsibility (senior auditor, partner, etc.). A career in auditing offers significant opportunities for growth and advancement, particularly for those who obtain additional certifications and demonstrate strong leadership and analytical skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the role of an auditor extends far beyond examining financial documents—it is about expressing an objective opinion that safeguards trust, accountability, and compliance. Whether working in public accounting or within agencies, auditors are responsible for examining, verifying, and recording activities (finance, energy,...) to detect errors or material misstatements. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment projections for accountants and auditors remain strong, reflecting the growing demand for professionals prepared to conduct audits and improve corporate practices. Ultimately, auditing is both a job and a mission: ensuring that laws are respected, financial data remains reliable, and organizations—whether local, national, or international—can operate with integrity.