The financial rewards offered to internal auditors are notable: Downs says salaries continue to outpace those of many other finance specialties, jumping by about 9 percent in 2006 budgets. According to the Robert Half Salary Guide, top level internal auditors at large firms - meaning chief audit executives, vice presidents of internal audit and internal audit directors - will earn between $128,750 and $202,750 in 2006.

Additionally, successful internal auditors often find themselves on the fast track. �The internal auditing part of the company is often used as a training ground for future management,� Downs says.

Today, the great majority of those in the field are CPAs with a minimum of seven years in finance. (There is also a professional designation that can be earned, the certified internal auditor, offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors.) Those who want to specialize might focus on enterprise risk management or information technology auditing.

The biggest consideration for the job is the willingness to travel. �Internal auditors might find themselves away for two weeks a month, or they might spend three days a week on the road,� says Downs. The job might also demand a stay at an overseas office for months at a time.

�You typically won�t sit behind the same desk for more than two days in a row, versus a controller who is set on a specific project for three months out,� observes Ray Paolantonio, managing director of commercial services in Northern New Jersey for Accume Partners, a provider of internal auditing and risk-management services. �Internal auditing is a rewarding career choice, especially for those looking to get away from pure financial work,� he says.

Reader Comments

I read your 'Top Stories' article entitled 'Demand For Internal Auditors Pushes Salaries' with interest. I have been unemployed for quite awhile, with no response or calls to my resume. I am a Certified Information Systems Auditor(CISA). I have also done financial auditing. I have 20+ years experience in auditing. At a loss for asking why, and about to go flip burgers for a living.

NW

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Myra Thomas Replies:

Possibly your resume needs some fine tuning. It would help if you tailored your resume to each employer, so that one might be designed to emphasize your internal auditing skills and the other resume might play up your IT expertise. It sounds like you have a good strong background. Maybe emphasizing one skills set over another, depending on the employer might help your search. Good luck on finding the right position.

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My Dad was an Internal Auditor and I recruit Internal Auditors for clients. I would guess that Internal Auditors who work for the Big 4 and other accounting firms spend a lot more time on the road than those who work internally. My current client tries to keep travel to 20 - 25%.

Bill

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This article encourages me. After a mediocre career as a corporate accountant, I have decided to pursue the CIA designation. The course is home study and difficult. Though internal auditing is not rocket science, it is difficult due to the level of detail.

I have noticed that many of the jobs only require one or two years of experience. With only one year of auditing experience and with my broad knowledge level, I expect to gain employment soon after my success in the board exam.

VS