How to become an auditor
Inspect, review, and verify organisations’ accounts for accuracy and compliance.
Pathways to this career
- Complete an accredited bachelor's degree in accounting, commerce or finance.
- If you've already studied an undergraduate degree in a different field, you can still become an auditor by completing a postgraduate degree like a Master of Accounting. We'll help you check if you're eligible for any recognition of prior learning credits!
- Join an industry-based community. Organisations like the Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) offer professional development and networking programs.
- Become a Registered Company Auditor (RCA) with ASIC by demonstrating your qualifications, experience and progression as a practising auditor.
What does an auditor do?
Auditors review financial records and accounting books for companies and organisations. They should be well-organised, impartial, and thorough in their analyses and reporting. Auditors must have the capacity to work with large amounts of information, and the ability to work to deadlines during busy audit times in the year.Duties and tasks
- Advise company management of compliance issues and rules and regulations regarding business practices.
- Audit, scrutinise and formulate reports on the financial particulars and analysis for head management, board of directors and shareholders.
- Evaluate taxation laws and regulations and manage debt, equity and securities.
- Gather and analyse information on the financial status, operating systems, cost effectiveness and efficiency of internal activities of companies.
- Manage financial capital systems and conduct risk management assessments.
- Oversee shares holding and transfers, documenting activities.
- Plan and implement audit strategies and objectives as well as guidelines for documentation.
Industry bodies
- CPA Australia
- Chartered Secretaries Australia
- Institute of Chartered Accountants
- Institute of Public Accountants
Related jobs
- Accountant
- Compliance Officer
- Economist
- External Auditor
- General Manager
- Internal Auditor
- Management Consultant
Discover accounting courses online
Postgraduate ECU-MPA-MAS
Undergraduate SWI-ACC-DEG
Postgraduate CSU-ACC-GDI
Postgraduate UNE-MPA-GCE
Discover online accounting subjects
Postgraduate UNE-AFM406
Related degrees
Undergraduate USA-ACCT3015
Undergraduate GRF-AFE114
Related degrees
Step up your career with these resources
10 fascinating uni subjects that are open to everyone in 2025
Want to understand the psychology behind Trumpism? Push for better climate action? Or improve your cultural sensitivity in healthcare? These online subjects—and more!—are now accepting 2025 enrolments.
5 small business courses for self-starters
Whether you’re a small business owner or plotting away at a side hustle, there are many online business courses to choose from to help you get in touch with your entrepreneurial side and launch your ideas off the ground.
Humans of Open Universities Australia: Meet our Content Lead, Cat
A ‘braided river’ career path, a crystal ball moment from Bill Gates, and a heartfelt letter with complete disregard for the third wall—here's Cat.
How to negotiate a higher salary
Not sure what to say when negotiating your salary? Follow these tips from career strategist Kelly Magowan next time you need to make your case with an employer.
We're here to guide you there
Our student advisors can assist you with enrolment, help you plan your studies, and answer questions about how studying through Open Universities Australia can get you from where you are today, to where you want to be tomorrow.