An internal auditor's primarily responsibility is to protect a company from incurring any penalties enforced by the IRS. Companies often have so much money coming from so many places that it is easy to miss something in their paperwork and the proper taxes might not be paid. Internal auditors review all of this information before taxes are actually taken care of.
An internal auditor may work alone in smaller companies or with a team when the company is large enough. Internal auditors work in an office setting. Some work in cubicles, and others have offices. Their work hours are the typical business hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Internal auditors usually report to an accounting manager. The tools they use while working are the typical office supplies of a calculator, computer, telephone, pen and paper, and related supplies. Internal auditors must know all of the tax laws and constantly be up to date with them as they change from year to year. They work to save their company from paying excessive taxes while also making sure that the company pays what is owed so as not to receive any penalties from the IRS. Internal auditors must also be good with numbers and have accounting skills.
A bachelor's degree in accounting is required for this job. An internal auditor must also be certified as a public accountant as well as an internal auditor. Several years of auditing experience are also required for many positions as an internal auditor.
Internal auditors provide a valuable service to companies in tracking their finances and making sure that they are paying the right amount of taxes to the IRS. Without internal auditors, a company may lose money by overpaying or by underpaying and then having to pay a penalty.
Internal Auditor Tasks
- Evaluate and document existing or proposed procedures and controls.
- Provide management with recommendations for policy, procedure and practice improvements.
- Conduct operational, compliance, financial and SOX audits within an organization.
- Acts as a liaison for audits with internal departments as well as outside auditors.