How to build the perfect auditor resume

It's vital to stand out when applying for auditor roles, which means crafting a resume that immediately catches the eye. Land your next role with our top auditor resume tips.

So, it's time to take the next step in your auditing career. Your chosen path lends itself well to creating the kind of resume that will land you any job because you're all about keeping things organized and ensuring that they're correct.

However, you're not necessarily a sales professional, and it's all about marketing yourself to your target audience. We firmly believe that nobody should merely follow the crowd when putting in resumes for roles that catch their eye, and here are five ways to ensure your auditor resume showcases you in the best possible light.

1. Craft a strong professional summary for your auditor resume

How long have you been an auditor? If you've been in the profession for longer than two years, you need a resume summary. Anything less than that, and you'll want a resume objective.

They don't differ wildly, especially when it comes to end goals. Both present a snapshot of who you are, what you've achieved, and what you can bring to a business that hiring managers can read in just a few seconds. If it takes them less time to read your intro than to reach for the "delete" button, you've got it spot on!

Take the opportunity to reassure them you have the qualifications needed for the role – going for an auditor role without the necessary paperwork is a waste of everyone's time, after all.

Then, when you put your intro together, start as you mean to go on in the role by focusing on the numbers.

In a resume summary, drop names like it's going out of style and talk about cost savings, performance improvements, and anything positive that you can quantify with a figure.

Check the box next to qualifications in a resume objective, then talk about what you hope to achieve. Don't be afraid to mention it if you've got evidence of great performance even outside the corporate world. Voluntary roles, small freelance contracts, and other experiences still matter, especially when your professional history might be lacking.

Here's an example of a strong auditor resume summary

Experienced auditor with over 7 years of experience in conducting financial assessments and audits. Successfully led and completed more than 50 audits, resulting in improved internal controls and significant cost savings for clients. Proficient in identifying and resolving discrepancies, reducing financial risks by 20%. Skilled in analyzing financial statements and identifying opportunities for process optimization, leading to a 15% increase in efficiency. Adept at managing complex audit engagements and delivering high-quality reports within strict deadlines.

Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

2. Select the best auditor hard and soft skills

Including both hard and soft skills on an auditor resume is crucial for showcasing your qualifications and abilities in the field.

Hard skills demonstrate your technical expertise and proficiency in performing specific tasks related to auditing, while soft skills highlight your personal attributes and abilities that contribute to your effectiveness as an auditor.

Hard skills are essential because they validate your competence in areas such as financial analysis, data auditing, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance.

These skills demonstrate your ability to handle complex financial information, analyze data accurately, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. Hard skills are tangible and measurable, providing evidence of your technical proficiency to potential employers.

On the other hand, soft skills play a significant role in your effectiveness as an auditor. These skills include communication, attention to detail, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.

The best auditor hard skills for your auditor resume

Financial analysis
Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Taxes
Asset management
Payroll
Compliance
Collections

Effective soft skills to put on your auditor resume

Communication (verbal and written)
Attention to Detail
Critical Thinking
Problem-solving
Analytical Skills
Time Management

These are the kinds of skills that most employers hope their candidates have, so you might as well put their minds at ease and fill them with confidence by acknowledging that you have them from the outset!

3. Tailor your auditor work experience section to a specific role

If you want to succeed in finding a new role as quickly as possible, get out of the habit of thinking that your resume is your resume. It's done, finished, complete, and never needs to change again until you get another job.

Auditing jobs aren't challenging to come by — they've been on a growth trajectory for many years, and with more companies, money, and data around than ever before, that's unlikely to slow down. However, you shouldn't assume that a considerable number of roles means you could walk into a job at any moment.

The best way of all to stand out is to ensure your resume works for the job you want.

You've got a job description, but unless you want to audit for the world's smallest company, that's not all you've got. Check their website. Follow their social media. Find out their values and what makes them tick. Then, consider how what you can bring to the role impacts them directly.

Auditor work experience section example

LRM International, LLC, Brussels, Belgium
Auditor
2015-2020

Reviewed and analyzed the tax forms to ensure that everything was in compliance with existing laws and regulations.
Maintained and managed confidential documents and records and prepared detailed audit reports.
Collaborated with colleagues on the development and implementation of new auditing systems to reduce unnecessary costs.
Controlled accounting systems, hired and coordinated new personnel, and executed other tasks as necessary.
Won the Employee of the Year Award once for achieving extraordinary results and meeting all assigned targets.

4. Include relevant extra sections in your auditor resume

It's standard practice to keep resumes short and sweet. Ideally, they won't be any longer than a single page. However, if you've got space to spare or something you really want the hiring manager to know about, don't be shy about going above and beyond.

This is particularly pertinent in the auditing world, as most CVs can end up looking similar. That's not to say that auditors come off a production line, but their qualifications, education, and experience can often follow similar trajectories.

You can overcome this by considering relevant skills that might not be commonplace among the professional auditing community, including:

Additional languages beyond your native one
Specific projects you've played a role in
Relevant interests outside the workplace
Volunteering activities

Here's an example of how to list an extra section in an auditor resume

Volunteering activities

Volunteer Auditor, XYZ Nonprofit Organization, City, State
- Conducted financial audits for the organization's annual fundraising events, ensuring adherence to financial policies and procedures.
- Collaborated with the finance team to identify areas for improvement in financial controls and provided recommendations for enhanced transparency and accountability.
- Assisted in the preparation of financial statements and reports, contributing to the organization's annual financial review process.

5. Highlight your auditor certifications and memberships

If you want to prove you deserve the role more than someone else, it's not enough to have all the same credentials they do. You might have a CPA or CIA license.

They probably will do too. However, if you're passionate about your career, you probably didn't leave your interest there. You might be able to back up the basics with:

Institutional memberships, such as the Institute of Internal Auditors or equivalents
Additional certifications, like becoming a Certified Fraud Examiner or Certified Financial Analyst

In short, think about your resume, then try to predict what the next candidate's might look like. What can you do that they can't? Then, make the parts that go above and beyond a cornerstone of your resume to send it to the top of the pile.

Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

Published on Jan. 19, 2022

Nikoleta Žišková

PR & Content Manager

A journalist by trade, a writer by fate. Nikoleta went from writing for media outlets to exploring the world of content creation with Kickresume and helping people get closer to the job of their dreams. Her insights and career guides have been published by The Female Lead, College Recruiter, and ISIC, among others. When she’s not writing or (enthusiastically) pestering people with questions, you can find her traveling or sipping on a cup of coffee.

Your chosen path lends itself well to creating the kind of auditor resume that will land you any job. Follow our useful tips and samples and write a top-notch auditor resume with ease.