17 Information Systems Auditor Interview Questions and Answers

Information systems auditors are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and security of an organization’s computer systems. They do this by assessing the systems for compliance with internal controls and external regulations. Information systems auditors also develop and implement audit plans, test controls, and prepare reports detailing their findings.

If you’re looking for a job as an information systems auditor, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, skills, and education. You may also be asked behavioral interview questions, which are designed to assess your ability to perform the job.

In this guide, you’ll find sample answers to some of the most common information systems auditor interview questions.

Are you familiar with the different types of audits that are available?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the different types of audits that are available and how they can be used in information systems. You can answer this question by listing the different types of audits you know about, such as compliance, operational and financial audits.

Example: “There are three main types of audits that I am familiar with. The first type is a compliance audit, which is usually performed by an independent auditor who checks whether or not a company’s internal controls are sufficient for meeting regulations. An operational audit is usually conducted by someone within the organization to check if the processes being carried out are effective and efficient. Finally, a financial audit is done by an external auditor to ensure that the financial statements accurately reflect the financial position of the company.”

What are the different types of controls that you would implement to reduce the risk of fraud in an IT system?

This question allows the interviewer to assess your knowledge of different types of controls and how you would implement them in an organization. Use examples from previous experience to highlight your expertise with information systems auditing.

Example: “There are several control methods that I use when conducting audits for my current employer, including segregation of duties, dual authorization and error proofing. Segregation of duties is a control method where two or more employees must work together to complete a task. This helps prevent fraud by ensuring that one employee can’t perform all tasks on their own. Dual authorization requires two employees to authorize any changes made to an IT system. Error proofing involves designing the system so that it’s difficult to make errors. For example, if there’s a field for entering numbers only, this reduces the risk of someone inputting letters.”

How would you approach an audit if you were not familiar with the company’s IT systems or policies?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to learn quickly. Use examples from previous experience where you had to adapt to a new company’s policies or systems, and highlight how you used your communication and collaboration skills to ask questions and seek guidance from others.

Example: “When I am starting an audit at a new company, I first read through all of the documentation that is available online, including the company’s privacy policy, terms of service and any other relevant documents. Then, I meet with the IT department to discuss their processes for managing data security and compliance standards. Finally, I speak with managers in charge of specific departments to understand their own internal controls and procedures for handling sensitive information. By asking these questions up front, I can ensure that I have enough time to complete my audit thoroughly before submitting my final report.

What is your process for ensuring that you have a complete understanding of the IT systems you are auditing?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what methods you use to complete it. Your answer should include a specific example of how you used this process in your previous job.

Example: “I start by reading through all of the documentation that I receive from my manager or client, including any policies or procedures they have regarding their IT systems. Then, I meet with the IT staff who manage the systems I am auditing to discuss their processes and check for any inconsistencies between the documentation and the actual operations of the system. Finally, I review the company’s financial records to ensure that there are no discrepancies between the information reported and the data stored within the IT systems.”

Provide an example of a time when you identified a risk in a company’s IT systems and recommend a solution to address the issue.

This question allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to identify risks in a company’s IT systems. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you used your critical thinking skills to find the root cause of the risk and implement a solution that addressed the issue.

Example: “In my last role as an information systems auditor, I noticed that there was a high number of failed login attempts on one of our servers. This could have been a sign of unauthorized access or other security issues. To determine what caused the high number of failed login attempts, I examined the server logs for any recent changes that may have contributed to the increase in failed login attempts. After reviewing the server logs, I determined that the increased failed login attempts were due to a software update that occurred earlier that day. The update changed the default password for all accounts, which is why there was such a large increase in failed login attempts. By identifying the root cause of the issue, I was able to address the problem before it became more serious.

If you discovered that multiple employees were violating company policies regarding the use of IT systems, how would you approach the situation?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to handle sensitive situations and make decisions that benefit the company. In your answer, try to show how you would use your critical thinking skills to address this issue in a way that protects the privacy of employees while also ensuring compliance with policies.

Example: “If I discovered multiple violations of IT policy by employees, I would first meet with each employee individually to discuss their violation and determine whether they understood the consequences of their actions. If any employees were unaware of the policies or had extenuating circumstances, I would work with management to develop an appropriate solution for each situation.

For example, if one employee was using a personal device for work purposes but did not realize it violated company policy, I might allow them to continue using the device as long as they agreed to complete additional training on company policies.”

What would you do if you noticed a discrepancy in the financial records compared to the information in the IT system?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a specific situation that may arise in your role as an information systems auditor. Use examples from past experience to show the interviewer that you know what to do when faced with this type of challenge.

Example: “If I noticed a discrepancy, I would first try to find out why there was a difference between the financial records and the IT system. If it’s because of human error, I would work with my team members to fix the issue. However, if it’s due to a technical problem, I would report it to my supervisor so they could address it.”

How well do you perform under pressure and meet deadlines when completing audits?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle stress and time management. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation in which you met a deadline or worked under pressure to complete an audit successfully.

Example: “I have experience working under deadlines and performing audits with tight schedules. In my last position, I was tasked with completing a large-scale financial audit within two weeks. I managed to meet the deadline by working overtime on weekends and during evenings after work. The company ended up receiving a clean bill of health from the auditor.”

Do you have experience working with IT vendors and contractors?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience working with outside vendors and contractors. This is an important skill to have as an information systems auditor because you may need to work with these individuals to ensure they’re following company policies or procedures. In your answer, try to explain how you’ve worked with outside vendors in the past and what skills helped you do so successfully.

Example: “I’ve had experience working with IT vendors and contractors in my previous role as an information systems auditor. I was responsible for ensuring that all of our vendors and contractors were using the correct software and hardware to complete their tasks. To do this, I would meet with them regularly to discuss their projects and offer advice on how to improve their processes.”

When performing an audit, do you have a process for documenting your findings and communicating with others?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you communicate with your team and document your findings. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, attention to detail and ability to work independently.

Example: “I have a process for documenting my findings that I use throughout the entire audit process. First, I take notes during meetings and interviews so I can remember important information. Then, I write up my initial findings in an organized report where I include all of the relevant details about what I found and why it’s important. Finally, I present my findings to my supervisor or client and discuss any additional questions they may have.”

We want to ensure our IT systems are secure. What security measures would you recommend we implement?

This question allows you to show your knowledge of information security and how it relates to the company’s systems. You can answer this question by describing what security measures you would implement in your own work, or you can describe a specific situation where you implemented security measures that helped improve an organization’s IT system.

Example: “I would recommend implementing two-factor authentication for all employees who have access to sensitive data. This is one of the most effective ways to ensure only authorized users are accessing the system. I also suggest using encryption software on any devices with confidential data so that if they’re lost or stolen, the data remains secure.”

Describe your experience with performing risk assessments.

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific skill that’s important for an information systems auditor. Use your answer to highlight your skills and abilities in performing risk assessments, as well as how you use them to complete this task effectively.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for completing regular risk assessments on our company’s data storage facilities. These assessments helped me identify any potential risks or vulnerabilities within our system so we could implement solutions before they became problems. For example, during one of these assessments, I noticed some servers were running low on memory. We then allocated more resources to those servers to ensure the company’s data remained secure.”

What makes you a good fit for this IT systems auditor position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for this role. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that align with what they’re looking for in an employee.

Example: “I am passionate about technology and enjoy working as part of a team. I have extensive knowledge of IT systems and auditing processes, which makes me well-suited for this role. In my previous position, I worked alongside other IT professionals to complete audits on various companies’ information systems. This helped me develop my communication and problem-solving skills.”

Which IT systems do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with various IT systems. Use this opportunity to highlight any specific skills you have that are relevant to the job description and how they could benefit the company.

Example: “I’ve worked extensively with ERP, CRM and CMS systems. I also have some experience with HRIS and POS systems. In my last role, I was responsible for auditing all of these systems as well as developing a system for tracking issues within each system.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an IT systems auditor?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience as an IT systems auditor. They may also use your answer to decide whether you’re a good fit for their company and job. Try to think about what parts of being an IT auditor are most challenging for you personally, and try to relate those challenges to your own experiences.

Example: “The most challenging part of being an IT systems auditor is having to tell someone that they’ve made a mistake with their system. I know it’s my job, but I always try to be respectful when delivering bad news. It’s important to me that everyone understands why something isn’t working properly and how we can fix it.”

How often do you perform audits?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with audits and how often you perform them. Use your answer to highlight your comfort level with performing audits, including any certifications or training you’ve completed.

Example: “I perform an audit at least once a year for each client I work with. In my last position, I performed annual audits on all of our clients’ systems and helped develop a system that allowed us to complete quarterly audits instead of annual ones. This saved the company time and money while ensuring we were still meeting compliance standards.”

There is a new version of the software you use for your audits. Do you update your knowledge on it?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your commitment to continuous learning. It also shows that you are willing to adapt and change as needed. Your answer should show that you have an interest in keeping up with new developments in technology.

Example: “Yes, I am always interested in learning about new software versions. In fact, I subscribe to several newsletters that provide information on upcoming releases. This allows me to prepare myself before the release date so I can update my knowledge of the software’s features and functions.”