Learn about the important requirements, skills, and keywords that should be included in an internal auditor resume.
All resumes are sales documents but an internal auditor resume makes a very specific pitch: this is the person who can help an organization save money, discover new efficiencies, and stay out of trouble with local, state, and federal authorities.
To make the best possible impression on the hiring manager, your resume needs to do more than highlight your credentials, skills, and work experience. It must persuade the hiring team that your previous preparation has made you the best candidate to solve their problems and grow their company.
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Internal Auditor Resume Example
Jane Brown, CPA
Internal Auditor
Contact
Email: jane.brown@email.com
Phone: (781)555-0232
City: Boston, MA
Summary
Licensed certified public accountant (CPA) with 8+ years of experience as an internal auditor. Results-focused, detail-oriented, and a keen communicator, I have used my deep knowledge of auditing procedures and accounting best practices to achieve $1.2 million in cumulative savings for my employers.
Work Experience
Internal Auditor
June 2017-Present
Acme Institute, Boston, MA
Developed annual audit plans, administered audit procedures, and evaluated plans for effectiveness. Identified potential risks and efficiencies, leading to a cost savings of $50,000+ per quarter. Supervised and mentored 4-6 junior auditors, leading to 25% year-to-year reduction in team turnover.
Internal Auditor
July 2015-June 2017
XYZ Inc., Boston, MA
Prepared audit workpapers and testing procedures. Monitored and validated management action plans for timely completion. Administered and analyzed questionnaires to identify business risks.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Accounting
State College, Boston, MA
Certifications
Massachusetts Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Skills
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- Audit procedures
- Budget projections
- Compliance
- Cost reduction
- Critical thinking
- Detail-oriented
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.)
- Written and verbal communication
What Is Unique About An Internal Auditor Resume?
Internal auditors ensure that companies are in compliance with their own policies, as well as state and federal regulations. Their work helps organizations avoid legal trouble, unnecessary expenditures, and wasted resources. This requires a great deal of specialized knowledge as well as math, accounting, and analysis skills.
To make it past the applicant tracking system and to the desk of a person who is empowered to call you for an interview, your internal auditor resume must demonstrate that you have the appropriate skill set and other qualifications to do the job. Make sure that your resume contains the appropriate keywords by scanning the job description in the listing, paying close attention to skills, certifications, education, work experience, and other requirements.
Because you’ll need to communicate a lot of information in a relatively small amount of space on the page, stay focused on the most important skills and qualifications. Consider using a profile statement instead of a resume objective to demonstrate your abilities right up front.
A resume profile is a short paragraph that explains how you’ve used your talents to achieve employers’ goals in the past. It also gives you a chance to use more keywords from the job listing, which will increase your chances of getting your resume past the ATS.
What Should Be Included On An Internal Auditor Resume?
Education
List your degrees and the schools you attended. Most employers will require at least a bachelor’s degree in a field such as accounting, business management, or finance. Many employers prefer candidates with advanced degrees such as a master's of business administration with a focus on accounting or internal auditing.
Certifications
Include any certifications, e.g., Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
For more information, check out our guide on how to list certifications on your resume.
Related work experience
List previous jobs in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent position. Be sure to include only jobs in accounting, finance, or related fields. Include keywords from the job listing and be sure to quantify your results whenever possible, indicating earnings increased, expenditures reduced, efficiencies realized, etc.
Related: Best Accounting Careers
What Should Be Left Off An Internal Auditor Resume?
Internal auditor resumes should be keenly focused on related work experience, knowledge of accounting practices and auditing procedures, and the ability to communicate and work well with others. Leave off other sections such as:
- Unrelated work experience: Stick to jobs in finance, accounting, business management, or related fields. If you don’t have an extensive work history in internal auditing, emphasize your relevant coursework, internships, certifications, and education, as well as jobs that helped you develop your accounting skills.
- GPAs lower than 3.5: Definitely include your GPA if it’s impressive and you’re a fairly recent graduate. If it’s lower than 3.5, however, consider cutting this reference.
- Excessive formatting or decorative elements: Employers in the financial services industry tend to be more conservative in terms of their expectations for resumes, cover letters, etc. Stick to a standard font like Arial or Calibri and avoid excessive use of bold, italics, capital letters, etc. Be sure that your formatting is consistent, as well.
Important Job Skills For Internal Auditors
Internal auditors need strong math, accounting, and analytical skills as well as experience with audition procedures and financial reporting requirements. To make the best possible impression on the hiring team, highlight resume skills like these in your application:
- Accounting and financial analysis software, e.g., Intuit QuickBooks, Sage50 Accounting, Delphi Technology, Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Active listening
- Audit engagements
- Audit procedures
- Bookkeeping
- Budget projections
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Compliance
- Cost reduction
- Critical thinking
- Detail-oriented
- Documentation
- Financial auditing
- Financial reporting
- Flexibility
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF)
- Math
- Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.)
- Organization
- Relationship building
- Risk management
- Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)
- Time management
The Bottom Line
The trickiest part of writing an internal auditor resume may well be narrowing down your experience and qualifications. Typically, auditors have a great deal of expertise, training, and education. To figure out which of your abilities is most attractive to employers, let the job listing be your guide. The duties and expectations outlined there will help you focus your CV.
Need help deciding how to format your experience? Try one of our top-reviewed resume-writing services. And when you’re ready to find your next role, check out ZipRecruiter for opportunities near you.
