[foreseeableCPA]

I was looking into internal auditor positions and would love to hear your opinions about internal auditing. I know there are different types such as SOX, operations, and IT. I have experience as a public accountant so it may be weird for me to go to a job with no numbers involved (operation internal audit), but I am always willing to learn and expand my knowledge.

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[FutureChicagoCPA]

Interesting experience. I think things are a little different at a Big 4 firm than they are when working strictly in IA at the corporation. At the corporation I work for currently as well as the other I worked at previously, IA is typically the feeder level for the different finance functions. But then again, it's all within the experience. I will say that it would be interesting to make the switch to a Public Assurance or any other Finance Department honestly.

BEC - 86
AUD - 78
REG - 79
FAR - 78

[tough_kitty]

Wow, there are OUTSOURCED INTERNAL auditors?!?! I guess I learn something every day………

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Wow, there are OUTSOURCED INTERNAL auditors?!?! I guess I learn something every day………

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Mayo]

@tough_kitty, it's actually not uncommon, especially if the firm is a small public company with a few processes that don't change a whole lot.

They'll typically only be around for Audit Committee meetings, controls testing, walkthroughs, or any special projects that need to be done. Otherwise, they have other clients that they'll provide consulting/financial accounting services for, which takes up the rest of the year.

One could argue how good that set up is…..but that's another discussion for another day.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

@tough_kitty, it's actually not uncommon, especially if the firm is a small public company with a few processes that don't change a whole lot.

They'll typically only be around for Audit Committee meetings, controls testing, walkthroughs, or any special projects that need to be done. Otherwise, they have other clients that they'll provide consulting/financial accounting services for, which takes up the rest of the year.

One could argue how good that set up is…..but that's another discussion for another day.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

@Future – ha, thanks. Yeah, I hear you. Well maybe it's different in industry (if you stay within a certain company)

@ToughKitty – yeah, it's fairly common for Big 4…we have several clients like that.

@Mayo – It was a $25 Billion a year company…part of a 30 person team. Haha it def was not a small gig. Didn't make it suck any less, however.

[Anonymous]

@Future – ha, thanks. Yeah, I hear you. Well maybe it's different in industry (if you stay within a certain company)

@ToughKitty – yeah, it's fairly common for Big 4…we have several clients like that.

@Mayo – It was a $25 Billion a year company…part of a 30 person team. Haha it def was not a small gig. Didn't make it suck any less, however.

[surfer4life949]

@BobRoss I'm currently in an “advisory” role in a 2nd tier firm and it's pretty much exactly how you described it. We do business process internal audit, IT audits, SOC 1 reports, etc. which are all some varying form of internal audit. Having been misguided into exactly what a role in “advisory” entails, I chose it for the prospects of better pay and “sexier” work.

However, it has turned out to be just the opposite. Searching for signatures, screenshots of login screens and password settings, nothing exceptionally stimulating.

If you don't mind me asking, what state/area do you work in? (Won't ask firm for anonymity). I'm curious because I'd like to find a similar role to yours, but I don't know how many opportunities there are in the market I work in.

B-85 OCT 2012
A-84 NOV 2012
R-90 JAN 2013
F-89 AUG 2012
Ethics-92 (3rd try)

I am DONE BABY!!!
Used Roger 2012 + Wiley + NINJA Notes

[surfer4life949]

@BobRoss I'm currently in an “advisory” role in a 2nd tier firm and it's pretty much exactly how you described it. We do business process internal audit, IT audits, SOC 1 reports, etc. which are all some varying form of internal audit. Having been misguided into exactly what a role in “advisory” entails, I chose it for the prospects of better pay and “sexier” work.

However, it has turned out to be just the opposite. Searching for signatures, screenshots of login screens and password settings, nothing exceptionally stimulating.

If you don't mind me asking, what state/area do you work in? (Won't ask firm for anonymity). I'm curious because I'd like to find a similar role to yours, but I don't know how many opportunities there are in the market I work in.

B-85 OCT 2012
A-84 NOV 2012
R-90 JAN 2013
F-89 AUG 2012
Ethics-92 (3rd try)

I am DONE BABY!!!
Used Roger 2012 + Wiley + NINJA Notes

[Anonymous]

Hey @Surfer4life — I worked in Chicago, but moved to the Bay Area to pursue what I'm doing now. Yeah, good luck escaping IA, bro.

[Anonymous]

Hey @Surfer4life — I worked in Chicago, but moved to the Bay Area to pursue what I'm doing now. Yeah, good luck escaping IA, bro.

[nbad311]

When I see the IA walking towards my cube, I start to get sad and want to run away.

Where I work, the IA turnover rate seems very high, so it feels like we explain the same thing to a new person every year (or 6 months) (it makes them rather annoying). Maybe if it's an IA position that doesn't experience a lot of turnover, maybe that says something good?? Go for it if you're interested!

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[nbad311]

When I see the IA walking towards my cube, I start to get sad and want to run away.

Where I work, the IA turnover rate seems very high, so it feels like we explain the same thing to a new person every year (or 6 months) (it makes them rather annoying). Maybe if it's an IA position that doesn't experience a lot of turnover, maybe that says something good?? Go for it if you're interested!

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[Anonymous]

IA depends on the company you are with if you are in private/regular company then your IA might be awesome. If your CAE has power with the board and various other super bosses, then IA is seen differently instead of just cops you are the next leadership team within the company. IA is the training ground for how the business works, how to conduct yourself with various levels of executive branch, shareholders etc. Which means more moolas and much respect, great travelling accommodation more perks. Because next to Business Planning (merges and acquis.), Risk, Business Improvement you are awesome IA!! you help company cut costs and make it run better and BOD and shareholders love you. As IA you make profits look clean (complying with regulations etc. might not be top notch ethical but hey you comply mostly shareholders care about that) Reputation Reputation. You can tell I drank the juice and thought we were special.

The hours are better, my friends in external hated me because in good week I work 20 hrs and spent the other 20-30 travelling. If you are the boss you can choose your destinations. Check the work of your global team online. Great bosses know how to delegate and be on the best side on company politics.

Yes, if your boss is awesome when external comes you can be an ass*** because IA (most accountants/insiders) think external auditors are idiots and vice versa. But generally its just the money games and company politics.

Value of any department is determined by where you fall in the food chain. You can be the most needed department but if you are not seen as important you will be paid less and work longer hours and be miserable.

You will know where you fall in the food chain just in the interview process and information gathering. Nothing like getting paid allot of money and then being miserable because you hate your job and everyone and there are no prospects.

[Anonymous]

IA depends on the company you are with if you are in private/regular company then your IA might be awesome. If your CAE has power with the board and various other super bosses, then IA is seen differently instead of just cops you are the next leadership team within the company. IA is the training ground for how the business works, how to conduct yourself with various levels of executive branch, shareholders etc. Which means more moolas and much respect, great travelling accommodation more perks. Because next to Business Planning (merges and acquis.), Risk, Business Improvement you are awesome IA!! you help company cut costs and make it run better and BOD and shareholders love you. As IA you make profits look clean (complying with regulations etc. might not be top notch ethical but hey you comply mostly shareholders care about that) Reputation Reputation. You can tell I drank the juice and thought we were special.

The hours are better, my friends in external hated me because in good week I work 20 hrs and spent the other 20-30 travelling. If you are the boss you can choose your destinations. Check the work of your global team online. Great bosses know how to delegate and be on the best side on company politics.

Yes, if your boss is awesome when external comes you can be an ass*** because IA (most accountants/insiders) think external auditors are idiots and vice versa. But generally its just the money games and company politics.

Value of any department is determined by where you fall in the food chain. You can be the most needed department but if you are not seen as important you will be paid less and work longer hours and be miserable.

You will know where you fall in the food chain just in the interview process and information gathering. Nothing like getting paid allot of money and then being miserable because you hate your job and everyone and there are no prospects.

[Author]

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