Auditor

You could do a degree, then join a company's graduate scheme and complete further training to become an auditor.

Employers will accept a range of degree subjects though you may have an advantage with a subject like:

• accountancy
• economics
• business and finance
• maths
• IT and computing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

• 3 A levels or equivalent

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could apply to do an Internal Audit Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

You might go on to complete an Internal Audit Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship with the support of your employer.

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete. You will be expected to gain Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) status as part of the apprenticeships.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can join a company as a trainee auditor, or move into auditing by being seconded to an internal auditing team from another department.

You'll usually need at least A level qualifications or equivalent, and you'll be expected to take further training as your career develops.

You can qualify to audit public sector organisations through an apprenticeship or graduate training scheme with the National Audit Office .

Professional and Industry Bodies

To be an external auditor, you'll need to be a qualified chartered accountant and a member of one of the following professional bodies:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• The Association of International Accountants (AIA)
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)

You should be a member of the The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy to carry out audits in the public sector.

If you're qualified as an accountant with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) , you can carry out internal audits.

Further Information

You can find out more about a career in auditing from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors .

As an auditor, you could:

• examine company accounts
• assess a company's financial reporting systems
• identify risks to the business, like fraudulent activity
• interview staff to understand business processes
• check company procedures, like data security
• analyse financial data
• present recommendations to senior management teams

You could work in an office or at a client's business.