Auditor Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What does an energy auditor actually do when they're evaluating your home? I just received notice that my landlord is going to bring an energy auditor to my home to see how he can cut energy costs and I was wondering what they actually do. I don't really like people in my apartment poking around (it makes me really uncomfortable) and I was wondering how intrusive they actually are when they evaluate your place. Thanks!

Answer: They check the windows and doors to make sure they close tightly. They check the insulation levels in walls and attics. They check around faucets and pipes for air leaks. They have no reason to go through your stuff unless it's in the way and they need to move it. Grin and bear it, you really don't have a choice.

Question: What is the role of an auditor in corporate governance? While the need for corporate governance is growing, what do you think an auditor can do to make sure the company meets its deadlines and that the final information supplied to the investor is true. Who else can play a bigger role than an auditor?

Answer: Auditors in corporate governance are the internal gate keepers of compliance to the rules of the game in which the corporation is engaged. Auditors are in place to insure compliance with the regulations by which the entity is bound. An auditor would be trained in financial accounting, tax regulation, inventory management, human resources management, marketing outlets and any other regulated restrictions for a particular enterprise or industry.

Question: What is the difference between Auditor and Financial Analyst? Can an Auditor apply for a Financial Analyst job as well?

Answer: Auditors have to dig deep into a company's financial transactions and determine whether, or not, the transactions are reported in accordance to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Auditors also have to make sure that the company is not breaking any other laws and that the company has strong internal controls. Financial analysts, in the other hand, dig deep into a company's financials to determine whether the company is doing well and, perhaps, make recommendations to the company's management on how they can improve operations...or they might just write a report on their findings/analyses. Yes, an auditor can apply for a financial analyst position. But, in most cases, s/he will be taking a pay cut if s/he makes the transition.

Question: Which of the following types of documentary evidence should the auditor consider to be? Which of the following types of documentary evidence should the auditor consider to be Page 1 the most reliable? A) A sales invoice issued by the client and supported by a delivery receipt from an outside trucker. B) Confirmation of an account payable balance mailed by and returned directly to the auditor. C) A check issued by the company and bearing the payee's endorsement which is included with the bank statement mailed directly to the auditor. D) A working paper prepared by the client's controller and reviewed by the client's treasurer.

Answer: I would pick B cos the auditor had control of the confirmation request at all time and it was mailed back to the auditor's office and not the client's office. A sales invoice is an internally generated document.

Question: Is being a Night Auditor a good job for someone who enjoys solitude? I'm an insomniac so it was easy for me to start my job as a custodian for a restaurant at night. I'd like to get a different job at the same time of day like a Night Auditor at a hotel. Would this be a good job for me? What kind of qualifications do I have to have to do this?

Answer: I think it's a pretty introvert-friendly job. You do have to interact with people, but it's not constant. There's lots of alone time. As long as you can smile and act friendly when you need to. Usually this is an entry-level position. Some hotels want you to have a couple of years experience (usually the fancier hotels that pay better) but there are many hotels that will hire you without any hotel experience, as long as you know how to work a computer and have a decent customer service personality.

Question: What is the salary range for a senior auditor in Los Angeles, CA? I have been working at this mid-tier accounting firm (national firm) in Los Angeles for 2 years, doing financial statement audit. I have been promoted from associate to senior associate this summer but the raise won't be revealed until late August. I am just curious how much I can expect. Or what's the average salary for a first-year senior auditor so I can compare my salary with the average when I know my finalized raise.

Answer: Salary.com should give you some good information. Audit managers in 90071 area code earn between $98,895 (25th percentile) and $136,673 (75th percentile). Check out the sight and customize the parameters to your situation.

Question: How do you file a complaint against a tax auditor? We were recently audited by the IRS, and the auditor was abusive and ignored information proving that we did not make the income she claimed we did. How can I file a complaint against her, and with whom?

Answer: The Taxpayer Advocate Service was established to assist taxpayers like you. It is a separate organization within the IRS that assists taxpayers who are experiencing economic harm, who are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, or who believe that an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should. http://www.irs.gov/advocate/index.html

Question: What major is best to become an Information Systems Auditor? What major is best to become an Information Systems Auditor? Finance,MIS, or Accounting?

Answer: (to guy above...) DUH!! Information Systems (MIS) degree IS a business oriented computer class.... to answer your question... What I would recommend, is that you double concentrate, or emphasize (whatever your college term is). I'm currently in school to get an MIS and Finance degree. If you want to be an auditor, I imagine that MIS and Accounting would work better, but I don't think it will make that much of a difference. But, I would say that if you only do one, then do MIS. Good Luck!

Question: Where can I find an independent auditor's opinion about corporations? Like Sears Holding Corporation? I'm trying to find an independent auditor's opinion about investing advice and assessment of corporations and their future. Any thing would help. I've tried to "google" it like "independent auditor + sears holding corporation" but nothing helpful come up. Does anyone know any sites where you can get auditor's opinions on different businesses?

Answer: Go to www.sec.gov. Click on "SEC Filings & Forms (EDGAR)." Click on "Search for Company Filings" Click on "Companies & Other Filers" Enter the company name in the search box. Usually it is best to enter the main word in the company's name because the legal name could be slightly different than what you have. For example, enter "Sears" instead of "Sears Holding Corporation." The annual financial statements are the 10-K. The quarterly financial statements are the 10-Q. There is a lot of information in these reports, including the financial statements and the auditor's report. Keep in mind that the auditor is not recommending the stock as an investment. They are only issuing an opinion on the accuracy of the financial statements. Larry (CPA)

Question: What is the average salary for an accountant or an auditor in Singapore? What is the average salary for an accountant or an auditor in singapore? and which is better being an accountant or an auditor (in terms of work load)?

Answer: In terms of work load For the lower level staff, External auditor - highest (work till 2-3 am) Accountant Internal auditor - lowest For the top management Accontant (FC) - highest (need to answer & solve lots of major financial matters, go for meetings) External auditor (Play golf to build contact & go for meetings) Internal auditor - lowest (Read reports + correct staff's grammer & go for meetings)