Everything you need to know about the career of financial auditor: studies, salary, duties

A career as a financial auditor offers the opportunity to analyse a variety of projects and to strengthen your skills in rigour, risk management and financial analysis. Find out here how to become a financial auditor, what the job involves, and the career progression and salaries you can expect, in a job market where demand is strong.

Discover our MSc in Audit & Management Control to become a financial auditor

What is a financial auditor?

Definition and main role of the financial auditor

The financial auditor is an expert responsible for examining the financial health of a company by analysing its accounts and its accounting processes. Their main role is to check that the financial statements comply with the standards in force, to identify any anomalies and to make recommendations to improve the transparency and reliability of financial information. They work in external audit, within specialist firms, as well as in internal audit, directly within organisations, in order to optimise their management and limit financial risks. They therefore operate in a range of economic sectors.

The different types of financial auditor

There are several types of financial auditor, depending on their role and working environment:

External auditor: they work with client companies to check that their accounts comply with accounting and regulatory standards. They carry out one-off, independent assignments in a variety of sectors.

Internal auditor: an employee of a company, they continuously analyse financial and operational processes in order to optimise risk management, improve the effectiveness of internal controls and prevent possible fraud or accounting errors, within the framework of internal organisation and monitoring documents.

Statutory auditor (commissaire aux comptes, or CAC): they are appointed by law to certify the accounts of companies exceeding certain financial thresholds. Their role is to attest that the financial statements are accurate and give a true and fair view.

IT financial auditor : specialising in information systems, they assess the risks associated with the digital tools used in a company's financial management and check the reliability of the accounting and financial data stored on these systems and in their associated documents.

Compliance and regulatory auditor: they ensure that the company complies with the legislation in force and adapts its practices accordingly. They work in a range of business sectors.

What are the duties of a financial auditor?

Analysing and verifying the compliance of financial statements

The auditor examines a company's accounts to ensure that they give a fair picture of its financial situation. They check that they comply with the accounting and regulatory standards in force, review accounting documents, detect any anomalies, errors or fraud, and assess financial risks as part of their assignments.

Making recommendations and improving processes

Beyond simple verification, the auditor suggests ways of improving the effectiveness of the company's accounting and financial processes. They help optimise internal control systems, reduce risks and guarantee greater financial transparency, providing a genuine service to the company audited.

Qualities and skills needed to be a good financial auditor

Rigour and an analytical mind

The financial auditor must have a great eye for detail in order to spot any errors, inconsistencies or fraud in the financial statements. Their analytical mind allows them to interpret accounting data, assess risks and make relevant recommendations. They carry a great deal of responsibility in verifying financial information.

Good communication skills

They must be able to explain their conclusions clearly and accessibly, both to financial experts and to non-specialists. Good listening and persuasion skills are also essential in building a relationship of trust with clients or with internal teams within organisations.

What are the advantages of working as a financial auditor?

Strong employability and career opportunities

Financial audit is a field in high demand, offering many opportunities for progression and employment in a range of sectors. After a few years of experience, an auditor can move on to roles such as manager, chief financial officer, management controller or finance consultant.

Rapid skills development

Thanks to the variety of assignments and of companies audited, the auditor quickly acquires expertise in finance, risk analysis and accounting management. The job also develops transferable skills such as project management, communication and teamwork, particularly through handling and analysing numerous professional documents relating to organisations.

Financial auditor: salary and career progression

Average salary of a financial auditor by experience

Junior (0-3 years of experience) : between €35,000 and €45,000 gross per year

Experienced (3-5 years of experience): between €45,000 and €60,000 gross per year

Senior (5-10 years of experience): between €60,000 and €80,000 gross per year

Director or partner (10+ years of experience): more than €100,000 gross per year, with pay that can reach several hundred thousand euros for partners in the large firms.

Career progression prospects for a financial auditor

In an audit firm

Junior auditor (0-3 years): Starts on analysis assignments under the supervision of more experienced colleagues.
Senior auditor (3-5 years): Takes on more complex assignments and supervises juniors.
Manager (5-8 years): Oversees several assignments, manages the client relationship and leads a team.
Senior manager / Director (8-12 years): Leads strategic assignments and drives the firm's business development.
Partner (12+ years): Takes part in running the firm and may become a shareholder.

In a company (internal audit or corporate finance)

Management controller: Analyses financial performance and helps optimise costs.
Finance manager: Oversees the company's accounting and financial management.
Chief financial officer (CFO): Defines the financial strategy and steers investments.
Finance or risk management consultant: Offers their expertise as an independent or within a consulting firm.

What should you study to become a financial auditor?

Initial and specialist training to enter the profession

Business schools with a specialisation in finance, audit or management control.

University masters:

Master in Accounting, Control, Audit (CCA)
Master in Finance
Master in Audit and Management Control

Accounting qualifications:

Diploma in Accounting and Management (DCG - Bac+3)
Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Management (DSCG - Bac+5) → provides access to the profession of statutory auditor.

Specialist training and certifications

MBAs or specialised masters (Mastères Spécialisés, MS) in finance, audit or risk management (offered by some business schools).

Professional certifications:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) (mainly in the United States)
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) (internationally recognised)
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) (specific to internal audit)

Certifications and continuing training for improving your skills

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Awarded by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), this certification is internationally recognised and allows you to specialise in internal audit. It is ideal for financial auditors who want to focus on auditing internal processes and risk management within a company.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

An internationally recognised certificate, particularly in the United States. Although it is more focused on accounting, it is often required of financial auditors in the large audit firms, especially for international assignments.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

This certification focuses on financial analysis, investment and risk management. It is particularly useful for financial auditors who want to strengthen their skills in asset and investment portfolio management.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

This certification is dedicated to the audit of information systems, an increasingly essential field in financial audit, as it makes it possible to assess the security, the management of financial data and the compliance of IT systems.

Diploma of Statutory Auditor (DCAC)

In France, for those who wish to move into the certification of accounts, the Diplôme de Commissaire aux Comptes (DCAC) is required. It allows you to practise as a statutory auditor, a key role in external audit.

Training in risk management

This training allows you to specialise in identifying, assessing and managing financial risks within a company. It is often offered by universities or business schools.

Training in IFRS and accounting standards

Financial auditors must be familiar with international (IFRS) and local accounting standards. Continuing training courses make it possible to keep up to date with developments in these standards and their impact on financial statements.

Information systems audit (IT audit)

This training focuses on the audit of IT systems and their integration into financial audit. It is particularly useful given the digital transformation of companies and the growing importance of cybersecurity risks.

Training in internal control

Internal control is essential for assessing processes and ensuring the reliability of financial information. Continuing training in this area allows you to deepen your knowledge of techniques for assessing internal processes.

Master's or specialised master's in Audit and Management Control

Several institutions offer continuing training in the form of a master's or specialised master's in audit, management control or finance. These programmes are often flexible and designed for working professionals, allowing you to acquire advanced skills in financial audit while pursuing your career.

This training allows you to master the requirements of the law, to interpret financial documents correctly and to work effectively in a range of professional sectors within organisations.

Find out more about our programme to become a financial auditor