I had a conversation with a colleague yesterday who firmly believes you need a finance or accounting degree to be a good internal auditor. I disagree and think we could be missing out on valuable talent by sticking to such a traditional view of what makes a good auditor. What are your thoughts on that?

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Let me start with this, I do not have an accounting degree of any sort, but I have my CPA, CISA, and run an audit department at a regional firm plus partner track. If any firm I've worked at held that view, I would not be where I am today. I personally hire on potential, not on degree. My abnormal background has helped me in my career.

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but you took accounting courses in order for you to get your CPA license. So you have the backround knowledge though

I went to MIT for Math and also speak 5 languages fluently. It is really tough to break into IA. I only hire folks who went to STEM in Ivy League equivalent

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Depends on the company's internal audit universe. If its financial accounting related then i imagine an accounting degree would help. If you're auditing SOX controls and compliance with regulations, company policy/procedures then yea probably anyone can do that.

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I have always been open to hiring anybody with a business degree not just accounting or finance

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I have been a tax auditor with the NYC Department of Finance as well as with the IRS, I worked briefly with the department of defense as an auditor as well. I have always had a hard time securing a position with any of the BIg 4 accounting firms. I have an accounting degree and I am pursing my masters in management with a concentration in Finance. But no firm will hire me, does ageism really exists? Are companies only focusing on the young college graduates believing that only they can do the job and will stay with the company longer?

I agree with auditor 1. CPA and CFA would be more useful for financial auditing. For reg, compliance audit, anyone who knows the basics of auditing and have great writing skills can do that. Plus, there are great certifications out there to enhance knowledge and skills such as CrMA, CISA, CIA etc

There is no substitute for experience. I recently took a government position and I am STUNNED by how little people know. These are people with advanced degrees in accounting/finance who have no practical experience.

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