Auditing Degree Program Information

An auditing degree program teaches students to detect and monitor accounting irregularities and cash flow to help businesses and organizations plan and budget for the future. Those interested in a career in auditing are taught to verify the effectiveness within an organization and determine whether there is any financial mismanagement, fraud or waste occurring within departments.

Bachelor's Degree in Auditing

Students enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in auditing learn to analyze financial books and records and compare them with banks, creditors and brokers. This program examines all types of financial records, including payroll records, accounting books and inventory records. As technology advances, this program teaches students to use software applications to monitor financial information in real time, summarize transactions and format financial records.

Educational Prerequisite

Prospective students enrolling in an auditing bachelor's degree program must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. High school students should focus heavily on classes involving mathematics and business.

Program Coursework

The program coursework gives students a strong foundation in the financial and accounting principals involved in auditing. The curriculum includes courses in:

Federal income tax
Auditing
Principals of finance
Business law
Quantitative methods and analysis
Advanced financial management

Popular Career Options

Earning an auditing degree prepares students to work as auditors within the government or as internal auditors with companies and organizations. Government auditors work at the federal, state or local government level and ensure that taxes are collected and tax laws are properly followed. Internal auditors review a company's operations to ensure that they run as efficiently as possible and are compliant with government policies.

Master's of Business Administration with an Internal Auditing Specialization

Those enrolled in an MBA specialization in internal auditing focus on a variety of topics, including evaluating internal controls, assessing risk, compliance laws and detecting fraud. Internal auditing is objective and independent assurance that a company is actively achieving it's stated objectives. Graduates of this program are prepared to take the professional certificate exams in this field, which include the certified fraud exam and certified internal auditor exam.

Educational Prerequisites

Prospective students enrolling in this program should have a bachelor's degree in auditing, accounting or a related field. MBA programs require students to graduate with a strong grade point average and score on the graduate requisite exam.

Program Coursework

The coursework offers students an opportunity to learn a disciplined and systematic approach to risk management and control systems. Classes include:

Information systems audit and control
Fraud examination
Professional internal auditing
Strategic cost management
Accounting for e-commerce

Popular Career Options

Students earning an MBA with an internal auditing specialization are prepared for management careers in business organizations or as consultants. Other careers in the field include:

Internal auditor
Chief information officer
Government auditor

Ph.D. in Finance with an Accounting and Auditing Concentration

A Ph.D. program in finance with an accounting and auditing concentration is responsible for training doctoral candidates to research at the highest level. Students focus on the role of accounting and auditing within a consistently changing economic environment. Research in this field addresses a variety of questions on financial market participants and their accounting practices.

Educational Prerequisites

Students need to have an MBA in accounting or auditing to enroll in this program. High scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are essential, and most schools require letters of recommendations from former or current faculty members.

Program Coursework

The coursework is broadly based and offers specialized training in various types of businesses while covering numerous accounting and auditing issues. The curriculum may includes classes in:

Quantitative research methods in management
Econometrics
Game theory
Decision theory
Corporate finance

Popular Career Options

Individuals with a Ph.D. in finance with an accounting and auditing concentration have a vast number of career opportunities in settings such as government agencies, universities and private firms.

Salary Info and Employment Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) shows that career opportunities are going to grow much faster than is the average between 2008 and 2018. The increase in employment will be due to the implementation of government regulations and financial laws in business and corporate agencies. There is going to be a higher level of accountability involved in protecting stakeholders' investments within a company. As of 2009, Indeed.com reports an average salary for auditors of $72,000 per year.

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Auditors

Professional credentials for auditors and accountants can be obtained from the American Institute of Certified Accountants (AICPA) and several other professional societies. Many confer on a four-year degree requirement, continuing education and two-year minimum work experience.