[missjones513]

Does anyone work in internal audit at a university or know anyone who does? What are the pros and cons?

REG - 5/29/12 (64), 10/1/12 (74), 5/20/13 (75, expires 12/31/14)
FAR - 8/14/12 (64), 8/5/14 (75)
BEC - 11/19/12 (70), 2/25/13 (72), 11/21/13 (73), 1/21/14 (73), 8/30/14 (72), 11/24/14 (75)
AUD - 4/22/13 (65), 10/12/13 (79)

I'm done!!!

Ethics - Pass

[Anonymous]

On my 9th year at IA for my thrid University.

Pros – I love it, no travel except for training, work is always do-able, you get to learn so much about so many different things (right now I am auditing our Transplant Services Center – I work for a Medical University). Also, I have a great work/life balance, I rarely work more than eight hours a day and have very little stress.

Cons – I only get into financials once a year during our annual financial audit, pay is not usually great unless you get into a major University or a Med School like me that does a large amount of research.

[smp73]

16 months in IA at an Ivy League/Large Research University. LOVE IT!

Pros: No travel, I was in public before, always interesting work (constantly changing)

Wide variety of topics to audit

I get to interact with students – I am working with student interns

The pay here is much much better than in public

Better benefits

Good work environment

Good people

I feel valued

I feel like I make a difference.

A lot of opportunities for networking, either with executives at the university or people in IA at other universities.

Fantastic work/life balance – I have pretty standard hours, they are supportive if I need to leave early or take time off to take my dogs to the vet,

It's fairly stress free. I could go on and on. I really really love my job.

Cons: I have had some audit clients get mad at me and try an intimidate me (apparently because I am really short people do not think I know how to do my job – yes I have been asked if I have graduated yet) Other than that no real cons, I really do love this job!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[jaredo155]

I have considered this route myself, as I already work at a University. I work at a large state University with a Medical School as well, does anyone already working for a University IA department know how competitive it usually is? I have several years in corporate, my Master's, and then about a year so far at the University. I don't have any public accounting experience, and I don't have any certifications yet. Do you think that would make it hard to get in?

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

[smp73]

@jaredo155: I had no certifications when I applied. It was an intense interview (7 straight hours) but well worth it. I was hired as a staff auditor and had to pass all four parts of the exam with in three years. I have done that (yay!) and am now a Senior Auditor. My office likes the masters degree and the fact that you are familiar with the university already may be helpful. Since you are well on your way to a CPA license I don't think not having it yet would make it harder to get in.

I would say apply if there is an opening. It can not hurt!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Anonymous]

Getting into IA at the Universities at a higher level (Senior, Supervisor) does usual take some experiece and certification. For instance I am a senior now and have a Masters, CIA and CGAP and to be a Supervisor I was told I needed my CPA. No big deal really, with the balanced work schedule I had enough time to study and work.

When I first started as an Auditor I I just had a bachelors degree.

[missjones513]

Thanks for the input. I work for a state auditor's office and I'm considering applying for an internal audit position at the university I went to.

REG - 5/29/12 (64), 10/1/12 (74), 5/20/13 (75, expires 12/31/14)
FAR - 8/14/12 (64), 8/5/14 (75)
BEC - 11/19/12 (70), 2/25/13 (72), 11/21/13 (73), 1/21/14 (73), 8/30/14 (72), 11/24/14 (75)
AUD - 4/22/13 (65), 10/12/13 (79)

I'm done!!!

Ethics - Pass

[smp73]

Good luck if you apply missjones! I actually work at the University I went to. You get to see a completely different side…I really love it!

NYS CPA License # 113563
CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[memmy29]

I'm in my third year as an Internal Auditor for a large university in Florida. I absolutely love it. Auditing is very interesting and I get to see many interesting operations throughout the university. Research, operations, construction, accounting, academics etc….all interesting. Plus, in Florida we are considered state employees so we have great benefits. I definitely recommend the field.

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[Author]

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