Anyone an Internal Auditor?

[SageBlossomBunny]

I've seen an internal auditor role that looks like it might be a training type role and was wondering if anyone does this and what it's like day to day? I'd be willing to train/take exams etc.

It would be a complete career change (from teaching and interest in mental health). However I am an examiner good at applying marking criteria, I'm good at developing materials to meet a specification etc. I learn fast and have 2 good degrees.

Obviously they might not consider me against a young graduate but I'm a good communicator and do have experience albeit in a different role.

Id just love to know more about what you do!

I'm not an auditor but interact with them near enough daily. I work in FS so there's considerable regulatory expectations on what internal audit are there to do and how they do it. Obviously this will vary across different industries but the crux is the same. Their role is to provide assurance to management/the board over the effectiveness of internal controls - in practice this means carrying out testing of business processes to assess how controls are a) designed and b) operating, and reporting this back to management. That might involve looking at how desk procedures are being followed, case testing, interrogating systems and datasets - it will vary depending on what you are auditing. Stakeholder management is really, really important - your reputation precedes you and there can be very challenging conversations when you find the bad stuff

The majority of auditors I work with have an accounting background (not uncommon in a bank) but many firms will train on the job. There's various different qualifications you can do.

The job spec should specify whether any audit qualifications are essential, if not then that would indicate they may support on the job.

Ah I thought you meant training role as in at a training company, but do you actually mean like an entry level role? If so, then yes v likely they'd support you through a qualification and wouldn't expect you to have any already.

I know at my firm an experienced hire wanting to move into audit would be very well thought of - you'll likely have alot of the soft skills already

I think it's an entry ish level role and they're willing to train. I need to read up a bit more it's just jumped out at me today and I was really curious.

I can do attention to detail, leaned new material, hold work against a standard etc but my background isn't accountancy or maths.

I think I will apply and see.

I wondered day to day is it reading through reams of policies or spreadsheets or lots of data? I know it sounds silly but was curious what a "day on the life of..." actually looks like.

Its with a council.

I'm an internal auditor. I trained on a grad scheme as a career changer and really love it.

The main qualifications on training schemes are IIA or ACCA.

Day to day work is very project based. You look at the risks a system or process is exposed to and how well they are managed.

For example, you might look at the business' response to Modern Slavery. Then you assess what the law and any regulation says must be done. Then you see if the company's policies satisfy those requirements and act to treat the risk. Finally, you look for evidence of what actually happens in practice.

That does sound really interesting and more varied than I thought it might be!

Do people mainly work from home or in the office?

Is it long hours or work your own hours?

Do many people work part time? (eventually)

What sort of salary would you expect after a few years? (Not in London)

Bit of an odd question but so women tend to stay in these type of roles long term or burn out.. Is it a job for Young Graduates?

I realise these questions are all coming with a bit of baggage but it's so hard to know what a completely new area looks like!

I really appreciate all your responses! I hadn't really considered this before but I think I would really enjoy it.