Monster: What made you want to be an Auditor?
Michelle: I joined the Audit Commission as a graduate trainee auditor after completing a degree in History. Auditing probably wasn’t an obvious career choice after a degree in history but I was attracted to the Commission as I had an interest in working within the public sector.

The Audit Commission offered the chance to obtain a professional qualification whilst working with a variety of clients on a wide range of different projects including auditing financial statements, reviewing public bodies’ financial management and internal control arrangements, and ensuring bodies provide value for money. 

What skills and education are essential to your job? 
In order to be appointed at principal auditor level you would need to have a professional accountancy qualification such as CIPFA/ACCA. Some skills which are essential include experience of external and/or internal audit, strong IT skills, and time management skills, knowledge of the public sector and good written and oral communication skills.

The ability to build and manage client relationships is a key part of the job, the principal auditor acts as the key contact between the audit manager and the client. Most of our work is team based so the ability to work effectively as a member of a team is also essential. 

What advice can you offer someone wanting to become an Auditor? 
The best route is probably via a graduate trainee scheme ran by the Audit Commission or by a firm; you are able to obtain a professional qualification whilst gaining valuable experience at a variety of clients and roles. Others may obtain their professional qualification and experience whilst working as an accountant or internal auditor for a firm or public sector body. 

What are the best and worst things about your role?
The thing I enjoy most about my job is working with a variety of different clients within different sectors. At the moment I team lead three audits – an NHS Trust, District Council and a Conversation Board. I also enjoy the variety of work I undertake, including auditing financial statements, financial systems, grant claims as well as undertaking use of resources assessments including reviewing bodies’ internal control and financial management arrangements.

The Audit Commission also encourages employees to get involved in additional activities outside of the ‘day job’, I’ve also been involved in assessing and recruiting new graduate trainees and I also sit on our local quality group which is responsible for driving and improving quality within our sub region. It’s good to have the opportunity to work with different people and do something different every so often

It can sometimes be frustrating having to travel from office to office carrying your laptop and various files with you on your travels. However most of the time we will spend a number of weeks on a client site so it doesn’t happen every day. It would be nice to have my own desk though!

Are there any perks to the job? 
We don’t tend to receive freebies, but as part of our remuneration package we are entitled to a car or transport allowance. We also have the opportunity to buy or sell leave, purchase child care vouchers, critical illness insurance, employee and partner health screening, personal income protection and a range of other benefits through our flexible benefits package.

What is the end goal in your career? 
Within the next few years I would like to become an Audit Manager, that’s the next step up for me and my current personal development plan reflects this. My manager and I have tried to think of targets and objectives which will help me develop the competencies and skills I need to become an Audit Manager such as attending audit committees, meeting key clients such as Directors of Finance and drafting audit plans.

Finish this sentence. "This week I have been mostly..."
“…team leading an accounts audit at an NHS trust, discussing technical queries with clients and providing feedback to my audit manager on how the audit is progressing.”


Fancy following in Michelle's footsteps? Check out our latest Auditor jobs or see the latest jobs with The Audit Commission.