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Useful experience for auditors includes:

• accounting
• communications work
• information technology work.

Auditors may do some or all of the following:

• examine the financial statements and accounting methods of organisations to ensure they are accurate and comply with regulations
• find and report accounting errors
• check funds are used wisely and within the law, especially in government departments
• assess any risks to the business
• prepare audit reports, explain findings to managers, and advise on solutions to any problems
• check that organisations have followed audit recommendations.

Strong demand for auditors

Auditors are in demand due to:

• a growing economy, which means the number of businesses requiring audits is increasing
• stricter government regulations for private and public sector organisations, which need auditors to check for compliance
• an ageing workforce, with many auditors retiring.

Chances of getting work are best if you are an experienced auditor with strong problem-solving and people skills.

External auditor and internal auditor appear on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled external auditors and internal auditors from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 2,178 external auditors and 951 internal auditors worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Most auditors employed by accounting firms

Most auditors work for accounting firms, which can range from small, local businesses to large, national or international firms.

Other types of businesses that employ auditors include:

• legal and financial firms
• large private companies and charities
• central and local government departments such as Audit New Zealand.

Audit New Zealand

(04) 496 3099 - enquiry@auditnz.parliament.nz - https://auditnz.parliament.nz/

Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CAANZ)

0800 469 422 - service@charteredaccountantsanz.com - www.charteredaccountantsanz.com

Auditors may progress to work as:

• audit managers
• associate directors/partners
• audit directors, after gaining experience as associate directors/partners.

Auditors may specialise in:

• computer audits
• environmental audits
• tax services
• trust account audits
• trustee supervision
• risk management
• external audits – when an organisation contracts in an auditor
• internal audits – when an organisation is audited by an employee
• forensic accounting – investigating unusual financial transactions that could be illegal
• corporate governance support – making sure that management, boards, shareholders and other stakeholders know about professional accounting standards.

Auditors need to be:

• able to keep information private
• motivated and organised
• good at making decisions
• skilled at solving problems
• methodical and accurate
• able to work well under pressure
• good at communicating 
• able to analyse and interpret data.