16 answers
Anne
Student
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
1
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How did you enjoy your time in audit?
How did you enjoy your time in audit? #audit
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16 answers
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1858
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
To be honest, we do not have a lot of time to enjoy. Officially, we have to work at least 8 hours a day. To include travelling and lunch time, it occupies about 10 hours a days at least. Also, we also spend time for taking care of the family and children. You can image not really much time remains. However, we can still have some leisure time on weekends.
Usually, I would like to run and do exercise in the morning. It keeps me refresh and energetic for the entire day. If I have more time, I may watch movie, hiking, cycling, go to beach, etc.
How do you enjoy your time?
Usually, I would like to run and do exercise in the morning. It keeps me refresh and energetic for the entire day. If I have more time, I may watch movie, hiking, cycling, go to beach, etc.
How do you enjoy your time?
Ramona Vella
Legal Compliance
28
Answers
Michigan, Michigan
Updated
Ramona’s Answer
Great question, Anne. Based on some of the responses already provided, I feel it's important to clarify there is External Audit, SOX Audit and Internal Audit. External Audit is usually performed by an Accounting firm that involves reviewing /auditing financial statements for companies. SOX Audit is also focused on reviewing and monitoring key controls that relate to material accounts of the financial statements of a company. Both of these types of audit, are typically cyclical / repetitive in nature are performed monthly, quarterly and or annually. The time commitment, as others have pointed out, can be quite grueling depending on the time of the cycle. The commitment, organization skills and analysis gained through this role, will help you have a great foundation that is highly sought after, for future roles.
Internal Audit involves reviewing a companies processes and controls in place to mitigate risk. It includes identifying gaps, recommending solutions for the business to improve their control environment and writing it up concisely in a final report. Although Internal Audit can be outsourced to a third party, it is often sourced inside the company. After spending a few years as a financial analyst in the business, my career journey took me to Internal Audit. I was asked to move into this role because my prior experience allowed me understand various business areas and how they operated. Moving to Internal Audit gave me the ability to review the controls and help the business build better or more efficient processes. The work was very interesting, the business was receptive to learning where they had gaps, and working jointly on solutions was my greatest reward. The work was new with every business area we audited and lasted about 6-8 weeks. The hours aligned with when the business was working. I found this role truly rewarding and a great launching pad for my future senior leadership roles.
Internal Audit involves reviewing a companies processes and controls in place to mitigate risk. It includes identifying gaps, recommending solutions for the business to improve their control environment and writing it up concisely in a final report. Although Internal Audit can be outsourced to a third party, it is often sourced inside the company. After spending a few years as a financial analyst in the business, my career journey took me to Internal Audit. I was asked to move into this role because my prior experience allowed me understand various business areas and how they operated. Moving to Internal Audit gave me the ability to review the controls and help the business build better or more efficient processes. The work was very interesting, the business was receptive to learning where they had gaps, and working jointly on solutions was my greatest reward. The work was new with every business area we audited and lasted about 6-8 weeks. The hours aligned with when the business was working. I found this role truly rewarding and a great launching pad for my future senior leadership roles.
Orain McLeggon
PwC Cyber, Risk and Regulatory Manager
29
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Orain’s Answer
Hello Anne,
I hope all is well.
This is a great question and I am currently in audit (7 years now). I would say there is a mix bag of emotions. Audit allows you to learn alot about a company, new systems/tools, new guidances, challenge your skeptical, analytical etc thinking. It not only allows you to grow professional but gives you alot of skills to use in your personal life. I have been on audit where I enjoyed what I was doing, audits where it challenge me, audit where is was like recurring work. I would say with all that mix bag it does drives alot of emotions. I will also say a big one for being in audit is when you are able to volunteer to give back to the community, join BOD committees etc, you are equip to assist effectively. On the other hand there are busy times in audit where it is sometimes hard to have a great work life balance. However, I always communicate to my mentees that they have to get ahead of this season by being organize, work closely with your team on expectations and ensure to request and take time off during this season.
Overall I would say I love the flexibility of audit and depending on where you work it can be a great department for work life balance, diversity and inclusion, great compensation and benefit package and a great path to career development.
I hope this helps.
Thanks,
O.M
I hope all is well.
This is a great question and I am currently in audit (7 years now). I would say there is a mix bag of emotions. Audit allows you to learn alot about a company, new systems/tools, new guidances, challenge your skeptical, analytical etc thinking. It not only allows you to grow professional but gives you alot of skills to use in your personal life. I have been on audit where I enjoyed what I was doing, audits where it challenge me, audit where is was like recurring work. I would say with all that mix bag it does drives alot of emotions. I will also say a big one for being in audit is when you are able to volunteer to give back to the community, join BOD committees etc, you are equip to assist effectively. On the other hand there are busy times in audit where it is sometimes hard to have a great work life balance. However, I always communicate to my mentees that they have to get ahead of this season by being organize, work closely with your team on expectations and ensure to request and take time off during this season.
Overall I would say I love the flexibility of audit and depending on where you work it can be a great department for work life balance, diversity and inclusion, great compensation and benefit package and a great path to career development.
I hope this helps.
Thanks,
O.M
Lindsey Malzahn, CPA, CIA, CISA
Internal Audit
12
Answers
Owosso, Michigan
Updated
Lindsey’s Answer
Great question. I am in internal audit at an insurance company. I really enjoy my job. I get to interact with a diverse group of stakeholders within my company, from all functions and levels. I have the unique opportunity to learn what my company does from end-to-end. I find that everyday is different and my job is never boring since the company is everchanging. Lastly, I feel like I am really making a difference in my company.
Colleen McCulley
Auditor
4
Answers
Franklin, North Carolina
Updated
Colleen’s Answer
Great question. A career in audit is a huge advantage in your career as you get the opportunity to understand a company and the process in each organization within a company. I started out in public accounting straight out of college and advanced my career within public accounting for 20 years. I had the opportunity to work as a Financial, Tax, Risk, and Technology auditor which helped me to become a well-rounded auditor. I had the opportunity to work in many different industries which helped me to grow my industry knowledge base. I would say the best thing about being in auditing was the travel. I had the opportunity to travel around the world, see some amazing places, and build lifelong friendships. I am thankful to have started my career in public accounting and have now moved over to internal audit and am looking forward to the next 20 years.
Sharhonda B
Internal Audit
33
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Sharhonda’s Answer
Hi Anne! As a current auditor I enjoy what I do everyday but like most things it has its good and bad. The good is the ability to learn how businesses run day-to-day, travel and meeting new people. The bad is sometimes I get stuck in cities due to weather, not everyone is always receptive to auditors or the help we can provide and sometimes there's tons on paperwork to filter through. The good absolutely outweighs the bad and if I had to do it all again I would still choose the same profession.
Qian Zhang
Auditor
12
Answers
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Updated
Qian’s Answer
Certainly, discovering delight in the auditing process might seem like a tough hill to climb. We all experience our bustling times and our more tranquil moments. Amid the busy times, it's a dynamic mix of meetings, novel obstacles, communication, and so much more. It might seem like a multitude of tasks are cascading onto your desk simultaneously, and maybe it's your responsibility to keep them all in the air, while a throng of people eagerly anticipate your feedback. My most hectic period stretches from November to March of the ensuing year, but luckily, I get a chance to pause and replenish my energy during the festive season. After the flurry of activity, my main job is to relax and recharge, bouncing back from the unavoidable exhaustion.
In the quieter times, I might be summoned by teams from other service sectors, so there's never a shortage of work. Additionally, I have to meet my Continuing Professional Education obligations, participate in essential training, and so forth. Nevertheless, this phase offers a feeling of peace and tranquility in contrast to the bustling periods.
In the quieter times, I might be summoned by teams from other service sectors, so there's never a shortage of work. Additionally, I have to meet my Continuing Professional Education obligations, participate in essential training, and so forth. Nevertheless, this phase offers a feeling of peace and tranquility in contrast to the bustling periods.
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
224
Answers
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I think when most people think of auditing, they're thinking of financial auditing, so I'm assuming you're asking about that. Unfortunately, I don't personally have any direct experience of that, but as other answers have pointed out, there are other types of audit. I've had experience of internal Management Systems auditing, particularly quality management (assessing conformance with ISO9001 and similar standards).
It was a bit of a struggle at first, but once I got my head around what I was trying to do, I found it quite enjoyable. Assessing management system documentation and compliance is a great way to learn more about how processes are supposed to work, and learn about areas of the business you might not ordinarily have much to do with. I did audits as a secondary role to my main job, and some of the things I learned about the systems and processes helped me better understand why some of the "red tape" in my main job exists.
It was a bit of a struggle at first, but once I got my head around what I was trying to do, I found it quite enjoyable. Assessing management system documentation and compliance is a great way to learn more about how processes are supposed to work, and learn about areas of the business you might not ordinarily have much to do with. I did audits as a secondary role to my main job, and some of the things I learned about the systems and processes helped me better understand why some of the "red tape" in my main job exists.
Scott Slepian
Risk & Financial Advisory Consultant
3
Answers
Scottsdale, Arizona
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Becoming a skilled auditor takes time, like many rewarding things in life. The learning curve is steep, but it sets you up for success no matter your goals.
I earned a Management Information Systems degree in 2021 and have since worked as an internal IT auditor. I help clients improve their resilience, security, and stakeholder confidence in their IT systems' financial outputs. Even though I'm young and early in my career, I often conduct meetings with leadership from Fortune 500 companies. This offers great insight into the daily operations of some of the world's largest and most influential businesses.
I wouldn't change my first two years in the workforce for anything. I've gained a solid foundation of skills, built a respected professional network, and learned from some of the best in their fields.
I hope you find this helpful!
Read up on SOX Internal Control Testing
I earned a Management Information Systems degree in 2021 and have since worked as an internal IT auditor. I help clients improve their resilience, security, and stakeholder confidence in their IT systems' financial outputs. Even though I'm young and early in my career, I often conduct meetings with leadership from Fortune 500 companies. This offers great insight into the daily operations of some of the world's largest and most influential businesses.
I wouldn't change my first two years in the workforce for anything. I've gained a solid foundation of skills, built a respected professional network, and learned from some of the best in their fields.
I hope you find this helpful!
Scott recommends the following next steps:
Dilafruz Khaydarova, PhD
Senior Audit Manager
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Dilafruz’s Answer
Hi Anne,
All jobs in whatever field you go to will have the aspects that you absolutely enjoy doing and some that you wouldn't want to deal with. And it really depends on your personality.
I am extraverted and outgoing person and like to learn about different things. As such, there are few things I enjoy in Auditing are as follows:
- Partnering with my Audit colleagues, with my stakeholders/clients.
- Sharing my views and doing right thing for the entire firm.
- Exposure to different processes within the firm.
- Learning and understating the big picture, rather than focusing on one specific process.
Wish you best of luck in your career if you are going into the Auditing field!
All jobs in whatever field you go to will have the aspects that you absolutely enjoy doing and some that you wouldn't want to deal with. And it really depends on your personality.
I am extraverted and outgoing person and like to learn about different things. As such, there are few things I enjoy in Auditing are as follows:
- Partnering with my Audit colleagues, with my stakeholders/clients.
- Sharing my views and doing right thing for the entire firm.
- Exposure to different processes within the firm.
- Learning and understating the big picture, rather than focusing on one specific process.
Wish you best of luck in your career if you are going into the Auditing field!
Megan Morgan
Auditor and Digital Solutions
3
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Megan’s Answer
You learn a lot and you work with an array of people. A lot of accounting firms are embracing digital solutions, so in addition to auditing standards, you may get to experience innovation solutions for the next generation of auditors.
Charles Thompson
1
Answer
Washington, Washington
Updated
Charles’s Answer
Thanks for the question. I personally enjoy the field as the nature of the work enables you to evaluate every high-risk business activity within a given enterprise. Mileage will vary, however. Process auditing is different than financial statement auditing. Moreover, the industry and company you're auditing will have strong correlation to your job's complexity (e.g., auditing an international financial services company that has different functional and reporting currencies is different than auditing a small domestic company).
Joshua Miller
Analyst & Money Coach
10
Answers
Berkley, Michigan
Updated
Joshua’s Answer
I struggled with audit. It is a great place to start a career because you can earn a high salary, but I found the work to be so mundane and boring! I quickly changed career course to consulting for healthcare in the revenue cycle space. I found the demands to be similar, but I had a lot more flexibility and I actually had more impact to my clients.
No matter where you end up, beginning a career in audit (or any accounting) is a great place to learn and earn money. It'll be a lot of work in the beginning, but you decide where to take your career after a few quick years.
No matter where you end up, beginning a career in audit (or any accounting) is a great place to learn and earn money. It'll be a lot of work in the beginning, but you decide where to take your career after a few quick years.
Ross Madler
Auditor
3
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Ross’s Answer
I feel most of your experience when your work in Audit is the people you're working with. Getting involved in with your team for connectivity events like dinner, boat trips, safe rooms, and other places as well as other new associates with other engagement teams will be what your remember the most outside of your work. Trying to establish those relationships and staying active I think will make SOX testing or Walkthroughs a lot more enjoyable.
Marcus Gray
Auditor
3
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Marcus’s Answer
I am writing this as a first year associate at a public accounting firm. I have just about 1 year of experience under my belt, and I can tell you that audit is the place to go if you want to learn the most amount of information fastest. You are exposed to all sorts of industries, and you get to see first hand what makes a business successful or a failure. You also get exposed to all sorts of management styles, both internal and external. I personally take notes on what styles work for me as a lower-level employee, and take notice to my client's employees' responses to their managers' styles.
The word I would use to sum up audit is "exposure." Get exposed to different areas of business and learn from companies' successes and failures. If you do, you will become a better auditor, and if you decide to leave public accounting for industry, you will find that your culmination of knowledge from your clients' experiences will help you succeed there as well.
The word I would use to sum up audit is "exposure." Get exposed to different areas of business and learn from companies' successes and failures. If you do, you will become a better auditor, and if you decide to leave public accounting for industry, you will find that your culmination of knowledge from your clients' experiences will help you succeed there as well.
Will Xue, CFA
Manager at PwC
102
Answers
Updated
Will’s Answer
Hi Anne,
I do not engage directly in audit but our team usually provide audit support work as complex financial instrument valuation services. Basically we are in the same boat and normally the busiest time is month/quarter/year ends.
During busy periods, we are looking at about 55-65 hrs/week. As Rebecca said, you don't have much time to enjoy life. However, if auditing is something you are interested in, definitely a boost of your jog during work time. Besides, motivation from both variety and opportunities for continued development is a plus too.
When you're not that busy (beginning of the month or summer time🏖️), certainly more time to reinvest in yourself, learning/training, and spend more time on your hobbies and with your family and friends👪!
I do not engage directly in audit but our team usually provide audit support work as complex financial instrument valuation services. Basically we are in the same boat and normally the busiest time is month/quarter/year ends.
During busy periods, we are looking at about 55-65 hrs/week. As Rebecca said, you don't have much time to enjoy life. However, if auditing is something you are interested in, definitely a boost of your jog during work time. Besides, motivation from both variety and opportunities for continued development is a plus too.
When you're not that busy (beginning of the month or summer time🏖️), certainly more time to reinvest in yourself, learning/training, and spend more time on your hobbies and with your family and friends👪!