Title: Internal auditor: career path and qualifications
Headings: Internal auditor: career path and qualifications
Internal auditor: career path and qualifications
Internal Auditing Career Path
Educational Qualifications
Other Qualifications

Content: In a publicly traded company, internal auditors typically report to the audit committee of the company's board of directors, thereby maintaining independence from the company's management structure. This enables free and objective reporting of fraud and operational problems regardless of the parties involved, ensuring the issues are addressed and changes are implemented to improve the company. Internal Auditing Career Path
While many internal auditors begin in entry-level positions immediately after completing their bachelor's degrees, others obtain positions after gaining professional experience working in external audit firms or in accounting. With several years of experience, junior internal auditors can advance to more senior positions, handling complex audit assignments from the planning stages through to the final reporting stages. Senior internal auditors may supervise and lead audit teams to complete audit projects. Top performers in large internal audit departments can move into managerial roles directing the activities of the department, supervising department performance and communicating audit results to the relevant authorities in the organization. Educational Qualifications
An entry-level internal auditor position generally requires at least a bachelor's degree, preferably in a business discipline such as accounting, finance, management, public administration or computer information systems. Some companies may seek out entry-level job candidates with degrees in engineering or other technical subjects related to the company's operations. Senior positions in the field typically require bachelor's degrees and substantial professional experience in internal auditing. While a graduate degree is not usually required for advancement in the field, a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) or another relevant subject can provide an important advantage in the job market, especially for leadership positions in internal audit departments.