[Anonymous]

I have been in Internal Audit just over two years within a Financial Services company, performing financial, operational, and compliance audits. However, I’m completely lost in how to map out my career. IA is cool, but I don’t want my career experience to be one sided, where all I can get are Internal Audit jobs. I have no other work experience (not even an internship) outside of the two years of IA. Also, I am not sure if my experience in Internal Audit would work against me, if I were to leave.

At the end of the day, I want to be able to get a well-balanced business experience to obtain either a CEO, CFO, or Chief Audit Executive (CAE) position down the road. I have a bachelors and masters in Accounting, and have passed the CPA exam. The following areas have been a possibility:

1. Work in public accounting (big or small)

2. Transfer to an accounting/finance business unit job within company

3. Stay In Internal Audit

Would anyone have any thoughts or suggestions of an area that would maximize my earnings potential, and give me a well-rounded business experience?

What are some road blocks I may face?

[gladrial]

Okay I am a CIA whose been audting for 7 years. I don't have my CPA I do have my CIA. When I apply for account jobs that aren't audit, the stumbling point I don't have supervisory experience. Both audit shops I have worked in are small so its me and the CAE. My advice is get a position with supervisory experience. Also, as a former bank auditor I would see if you can widen your industry experience, the bank auditing gave me a great background to get my foot in the door. But moving to a different type of auditing where the audit steps aren't written by the Federal Reserve for you may provide opportunities.

Reg 76
Bus 82
Aud 70, 86
Far 68 ,79 ten point combo FTW
April Fools day CPA licence WA

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever worked Internal Audit at a Big4? I was just recently recruited by a Big4 to join as a senior auditor in their IA division.

Since most IA positions now ask for Big4 experience, would this be a good move?

What are some of the exit opportunities that can arise from working IA within a Big4??

[Anonymous]

I've been an auditor in public for 4 years now, and have seen many of my co-workers leave directly to private for senior/managerial positions. The wide-type of experience you get at a public firm gets you good overall experience and is more in depth than internal audit I think. Plus I agree, try to get more supervisory experience

[Author]

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