17 Senior Auditor Interview Questions and Answers

Auditors are the financial police. They work in a wide variety of industries, from small businesses to the largest global organizations, to ensure that everyone is playing by the rules. That includes making sure that revenue is properly recorded and expenses are accounted for, that assets are safeguarded, and that financial statements are accurate.

To become a senior auditor, you need to be able to pass an interview. In this guide, we will give you some tips on how to answer common interview questions. We will also provide you with a list of questions that are commonly asked during an interview for a senior auditor position.

Are you comfortable working with financial data and interpreting complex financial records?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your comfort level with financial data and how you interpret it. This can help them determine if you have the skills necessary for the role. Use examples from your experience that show you are comfortable working with complex financial records and interpreting them to make sense of them.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with financial data, especially when I need to analyze large amounts of information. In my last position, I was tasked with auditing a company’s financial records. The company had over 100 different bank accounts, so I needed to be able to understand the complex financial records they were producing. I used my knowledge of accounting principles to sort through the records and find any discrepancies.”

What are some of the most important skills for a senior auditor to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a senior auditor and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The two most important skills for a senior auditor are communication and problem-solving skills. As a senior auditor, I would be responsible for communicating with clients about their findings and explaining how we plan to solve any issues that arise. These skills are also important because they allow me to work more independently as a senior auditor. In my previous roles, I had managers who helped guide me through projects and provided feedback on my performance. However, as a senior auditor, I would need to rely on these skills to perform well.”

How would you conduct an audit if you were given a limited amount of time to complete it?

Time management is an important skill for senior auditors to have. Employers ask this question to see if you can complete your work in a timely manner while still maintaining quality. In your answer, explain how you would prioritize your tasks and manage your time effectively.

Example: “I would first determine what the most important aspects of the audit are. I would then focus on completing those parts of the audit that require more attention. For example, I would make sure all financial records were thoroughly reviewed before moving onto other areas of the audit. This way, I could ensure that I was getting the most out of my time.”

What is your process for ensuring that your work is free of errors?

Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you approach your work and ensure that it’s accurate. They want to know that you’re detail-oriented, organized and able to follow a process for completing tasks. In your answer, explain the steps you take to complete audits thoroughly and accurately.

Example: “I always start by reading through all of my notes before I begin working on an audit. This helps me remember what I’ve already done and ensures that I don’t miss anything. Next, I perform preliminary tests to make sure everything is in order. If there are any issues, I fix them at this stage so they don’t affect the rest of my work. Finally, I review my findings one last time before submitting my report.”

Provide an example of a time when you identified a major issue within a company’s financial records.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your analytical skills and how you use them to solve problems. When answering, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of the issue you found and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “In my last position as senior auditor for a large company, I noticed that our client’s financial records were missing several key pieces of information. This made it difficult to determine whether or not they had been overcharged by the company. After speaking with the client, I learned that they had never received an invoice from us. We then worked together to find the missing documents and ensure that the client was billed correctly.”

If you discovered multiple instances of misconduct during an audit, how would you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ethics and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you value honesty and integrity in the workplace. You can also emphasize that you would report any misconduct immediately so it could be addressed before it became more serious.

Example: “If I discovered multiple instances of misconduct during an audit, I would first make sure that I had enough evidence to support my claims. Then, I would report the misconduct to my supervisor or manager as soon as possible. If the company was aware of the issue quickly, they could address it before it got out of hand. I believe that maintaining honest and ethical practices is essential for business success, so I would take immediate action if I saw someone else breaking the rules.”

What would you do if you noticed that a junior auditor was skipping important steps during an audit?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you would mentor your team members and help them develop their skills. Use your answer to show that you value the development of others and are willing to take on a mentoring role in your workplace.

Example: “I have had experience working with junior auditors before, so I know that it can be challenging for them to remember all of the steps involved in an audit. If I noticed that one of my team members was skipping important steps during an audit, I would pull them aside after work hours to discuss what they were doing wrong. I would explain why each step is important and give them tips on how to remember each step going forward.”

How well do you work under pressure?

As a senior auditor, you may be responsible for completing important audits in a short amount of time. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the pressure of working on tight deadlines and still complete your work effectively. In your answer, share two or three ways that you stay productive under pressure.

Example: “I am used to working under pressure because I have done it throughout my career as an auditor. When I first started out as an auditor, I was often assigned last-minute projects. This taught me how to manage my time well so I could get all of my work done before the deadline. Now, I am more experienced at my job, so I don’t feel quite as much pressure when I receive new assignments.”

Do you have experience working with auditing software?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you apply them in the workplace. If you have experience using auditing software, describe what it is and how you use it. If you don’t have experience with auditing software, explain which other types of software you’ve used and how they’re similar or different from auditing software.

Example: “I have worked with several types of auditing software throughout my career. I started out working with a basic accounting program that helped me track expenses and revenues for small businesses. As I gained more experience, I moved on to using specialized auditing software like QASymphony and SAS Enterprise Guide. These programs allow me to perform complex data analysis and create detailed reports.”

When performing an audit, what is your process for selecting which areas to focus on?

Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you prioritize your work and determine which areas of a company’s operations require the most attention. Use your answer to highlight your analytical skills, communication abilities and organizational skills by describing your process for selecting audit targets.

Example: “When I begin an audit, I first look at the client’s goals and objectives to help me decide what areas of their operations are most important to examine. For example, if they’re looking to reduce costs or increase revenue, I’ll focus on those aspects of their business that contribute to these outcomes. Next, I review the financial statements to identify any red flags that could indicate potential issues with the company’s finances. Finally, I perform my risk assessment to select the areas of the company that need the most attention.”

We want to become more environmentally friendly. How would you go about auditing our environmental impact?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of environmental impact and how you can help companies reduce their carbon footprint. You should explain the steps you would take to audit the company’s current practices and what changes you would recommend to make it more environmentally friendly.

Example: “I would first conduct an initial assessment of the company’s current energy consumption, waste management and transportation methods. I would then compare these results with industry standards and best practices for reducing carbon emissions. After this, I would present my findings to senior management and provide recommendations on how they could improve their environmental impact.”

Describe your experience with performing external audits.

External audits are a major part of the senior auditor role. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with performing external audits and can do so effectively. In your answer, explain what an external audit is and describe your past experience with them. If you haven’t performed one before, talk about your willingness to learn how to perform them if hired.

Example: “External audits are when companies hire outside auditors to examine their financial records. I’ve performed many external audits in my career as a senior auditor. These types of audits are important because they help ensure that internal controls are working properly. Internal controls are policies and procedures designed to protect against fraud and theft. When I conduct an external audit, I look for any areas where internal controls aren’t working well or could be improved.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this 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 all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or certifications you have.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which is why I’ve been able to complete my audits so quickly in previous positions. In my last position, I completed an audit within two weeks, whereas most auditors take three to four weeks. This saved my company money and helped them meet deadlines.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in as a senior auditor?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it may relate to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any specific skills you have that are relevant to the role, such as industry-specific knowledge or technical expertise.

Example: “I’ve worked in both public and private sectors for most of my career, so I’m familiar with many different types of industries. However, I do have more experience working in the financial sector than other areas. In my last position, I helped a large bank improve its internal controls by implementing new policies and procedures. This allowed them to reduce their risk of fraud and increase efficiency.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of an effective audit?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the field and how you can contribute to a company’s success. Your answer should include examples from your experience that highlight what you think is most important in an audit, as well as how it relates to the company you’re interviewing with.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of an effective audit is communication. It’s essential for all team members to be on the same page when conducting an audit so they understand their role and are able to work together effectively. I also think it’s important to have clear expectations set before beginning an audit so everyone knows what to expect.”

How often do you perform audits on average?

This question can help the interviewer understand how much experience you have with audits and whether your work schedule would allow you to perform them often enough. Your answer should include a specific number of times you’ve performed an audit, as well as the length of time it took you to complete each one.

Example: “In my current position, I perform audits once every three months. However, in my previous role, I performed audits twice per month. In both cases, I completed each audit within two weeks.”

There is a discrepancy between your findings and those of a junior auditor. How do you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and collaborate with others. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “In this situation, I would first meet with the junior auditor to discuss their findings. If they are correct, then I will need to find another solution. However, if my findings are accurate, I will explain why and ask them to review their work. We may also decide to have an additional senior auditor look at the report to ensure accuracy.”