CareerGPS

Auditors
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for Accountants and Auditors
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
14,979 15,232 253 1.69% 51 1,318 1,369 $39.87 $82,920 Bachelor's degree
Description: Examine and analyze accounting records to determine financial status of establishment and prepare financial reports concerning operating procedures.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2022)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
  • Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
  • Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
  • Review data about material assets, net worth, liabilities, capital stock, surplus, income, and expenditures.
  • Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
  • Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
  • Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
  • Prepare, analyze, and verify annual reports, financial statements, and other records, using accepted accounting and statistical procedures to assess financial condition and facilitate financial planning.
  • Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
  • Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
  • Examine inventory to verify journal and ledger entries.
  • Examine whether the organization's objectives are reflected in its management activities, and whether employees understand the objectives.
  • Examine records and interview workers to ensure recording of transactions and compliance with laws and regulations.

Knowledge

87%
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
75%
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
61%
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
60%
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
57%
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

69%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
69%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
65%
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
65%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
62%
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
62%
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
62%
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
62%
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
60%
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
56%
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
56%
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
56%
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
56%
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
56%
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
53%
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
53%
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
53%
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
50%
Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
50%
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
50%
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Abilities

78%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
75%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
75%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
72%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
69%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
69%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
69%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
65%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
65%
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
65%
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
65%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
62%
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
62%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
60%
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
56%
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa
53%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
53%
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
50%
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Work Activities

94%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
89%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
86%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
85%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
84%
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
84%
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
84%
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
81%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
79%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
76%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
74%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
71%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
70%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
70%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
69%
Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
69%
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
69%
Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
69%
Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
68%
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
67%
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
58%
Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
57%
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
57%
Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
56%
Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
55%
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
54%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
53%
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
53%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Title Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Overall Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Interests

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Styles

Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Work Values

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.