When you hear the word auditing, it might not sound like the most exciting career at first. But in reality, it’s a fascinating and essential field that shapes businesses, investors, and the entire economy. If you’re thinking about a career as an auditor, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know — from responsibilities and career paths to key requirements and the top companies in the industry. Let’s get started!
Auditing plays a crucial role in companies and financial systems. Essentially, it’s about reviewing a company’s financial statements to ensure they are accurate and complete. This means carefully analyzing annual reports, balance sheets, and other financial documents. The goal is to verify that these records comply with legal standards and provide a clear, honest view of a company’s financial health.
Auditing is crucial for a variety of reasons and impacts many stakeholders. For companies, it ensures their financial reporting is reliable, helping build trust with business partners, banks, and clients. Without this verification, securing loans, attracting investors, or maintaining a strong reputation could become challenging.
For investors, auditing is an essential tool to determine whether a company is as stable and profitable as it claims to be. Without solid, verified data, investment decisions could rely on false assumptions — leading to costly mistakes.
Moreover, auditing provides valuable insights that drive strategic decisions. This includes optimizing internal processes, identifying new market opportunities, or adapting to regulatory changes. Ultimately, it contributes to the stability and growth of the broader economy.
The primary task of auditors is to review annual financial statements and balance sheets. They ensure that a company’s financial reporting complies with legal requirements and provides an accurate picture of its financial position. In practice, this means verifying that revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities are correctly and transparently presented.
However, an auditor’s work goes far beyond this core responsibility. Here’s an overview of other key tasks:
If you’re considering a career in auditing, it’s worth taking a closer look at the wide range of opportunities available. Whether you prefer a traditional path with clear promotion steps or want to specialize in a particular area, you have the flexibility to shape your career to match your goals. Below, we’ll explain how a typical career path in auditing is structured and highlight some alternative growth opportunities.
As in many other industries, auditing has a clear hierarchy that provides structure and guidance for your career progression. Most people start their journey as an Associate, often right after graduating. In this role, you’ll support experienced colleagues by assisting with audits of financial statements, preparing reports, and learning the fundamentals of the job.
With growing experience, you can advance to Senior Associate or Audit Lead. Here, you take on more responsibility, coordinate smaller audit projects, and interact directly with clients.
The next step brings you to the position of Manager, where you oversee larger audit projects, lead your team and maintain client relationships. At this stage, the focus shifts to strategic planning and further developing your expertise.
As your skills and experience deepen, you can move into a Senior Manager role. In this position, you manage particularly complex and high-profile mandates, explore new business opportunities and play a key role in the company’s leadership and strategic direction.
At the top of the career ladder is the position of Partner. As a Partner, you are primarily responsible for shaping the firm’s strategic vision, acquiring new clients, and actively contributing to the company’s long-term success.
As an auditor, you have the opportunity to work in various environments depending on your focus and career path. Here are the most common fields of work:
To succeed as an auditor, you’ll need a combination of technical qualifications and personal strengths. To give you a clear overview, we’ve outlined the key requirements below.
A Relevant Degree as a Foundation
A degree is the first step on the path to becoming an auditor. While a degree in economics or business is not strictly required, around 85% of practicing auditors hold one. This is because business-related content — such as accounting, tax law and controlling — provides an ideal foundation for the auditor’s exam.
If you choose this route, programs such as Business Administration, Economic, Business Law, or Finance can be an advantage. It’s highly recommended to focus on areas like auditing, corporate taxation, or accounting during your studies, as these subjects equip you with the knowledge you’ll need for both the exam and your professional career.
Alternatively, degrees in engineering or law can also serve as a strong entry point, especially if you specialize in areas like tax law, auditing, or financial management. What matters most is building a solid foundation in business-relevant topics, as this will serve as the backbone for your future career path.
Gaining Initial Work Experience
After completing your studies, gaining practical experience at an auditing firm is essential, typically starting in the role of an audit associate. With a master’s degree, you usually need three years of work experience, while a bachelor’s degree requires four years. Internships at auditing firms during your studies can also provide valuable early exposure, giving you insights into the day-to-day work and requirements of the profession while easing your transition into the field.
During your professional practice, you’ll learn to audit financial statements, advise clients, and collaborate with teams on complex projects. This hands-on experience is essential for qualifying to take the auditor’s exam.
The Auditor’s Exam
The auditor’s exam is the most significant milestone on your journey. Known as one of the most challenging exams in the business world, it covers topics such as auditing, tax law, business administration, economics, and business law. Thorough preparation is key — both academically and mentally — as the failure rates are notably high. Passing the exam officially qualifies you to work as a certified auditor.
Personal Competencies
In addition to technical knowledge, personal skills are crucial for your success as an auditor. The profession demands a diverse skill set, as you’ll work with complex data, demanding clients, and varying projects on a daily basis. The following skills are particularly important:
If you’ve already looked into auditing, you’ve likely come across the term "Big Four". These four globally leading firms are renowned not only for their size but also for their influence and prestige. They serve the largest companies worldwide and offer exciting international career opportunities. Starting your career at a Big Four firm can provide you with invaluable experience, excellent networking opportunities, strong career development and competitive salaries.
However, there are also compelling alternatives beyond the Big Four. Firms like BDO, Grant Thornton, or Mazars provide similarly exciting work environments, often with a stronger focus on mid-sized businesses or a more personal workplace culture. These firms may appeal to you if you value flatter hierarchies, specialized roles, or a more regional focus. Depending on your career goals, it’s definitely worth looking beyond the biggest names.
1. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
With over 320,000 employees in 155 countries, PwC is one of the largest networks in auditing and consulting. Founded in 1998 through the merger of Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand, the firm is headquartered in London. PwC is particularly well known for its work with large multinational corporations and its expertise in sustainability and digital transformation.
👉 Interested in PwC's consulting division? Check out our PwC Interview Guide for valuable insights and tips!
2. Ernst & Young (EY)
EY employs around 365,000 people in over 150 countries and is headquartered in London. The firm invests heavily in technology and innovation, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence and blockchain, to advance auditing and consulting processes. EY is also known for its annual "EY Global Integrity Report," which is recognized globally as a benchmark for transparency and ethical business practices.
3. KPMG
KPMG operates in 145 countries and employs over 265,000 people worldwide. Headquartered in Amstelveen, Netherlands, the firm is known for its specialization in highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and energy. KPMG increasingly focuses on automated audit processes and offers comprehensive services in cybersecurity.
👉 Prepare thoroughly for your KPMG case interview with our KPMG Interview Guide.
4. Deloitte
Deloitte is the largest member of the Big Four, with over 415,000 employees in 150 countries. Founded in 1845 and headquartered in London, Deloitte is also the oldest of the Big Four. The firm leads the way in artificial intelligence and data analytics, investing heavily in integrating technology into its auditing and consulting services. Deloitte also enjoys an excellent reputation for advising start-ups and technology companies.
👉 Curious about a career as a consultant at Deloitte? Explore our Deloitte Case Interview Guide for practical tips and expert insights!
BDO
BDO operates in over 160 countries and employs around 97,000 people worldwide. The firm provides services in auditing, tax consulting, and advisory, with a strong focus on supporting mid-sized companies.
If you want to start your career as an auditor, you’ll face challenging recruitment processes, especially at top firms like the Big Four. But don’t worry — with the right preparation, you’ll be ready to shine!
Auditing is about far more than reviewing numbers — it’s a vital part of the economy, fostering trust, transparency, and stability for businesses and investors. It also provides insights that extend well beyond finance.
If you’re pursuing a career in auditing, you’ll have to manage diverse tasks — from auditing financial statements to consulting in areas like IT, ESG, or M&A. Career paths are clearly structured yet offer room for specialization and personal growth. With the right education, strong technical knowledge and personal strengths like analytical thinking and communication skills, you can be very successful in this dynamic field.
Whether at the Big Four or other international firms, a career in auditing offers exciting opportunities to grow professionally and work at the intersection of numbers, strategy, and innovation.
