So,you want to be an Internal Auditor!

Congratulations, you decided to become an internal auditor! Would you be a successful one? Well, this is dependent on many factors, let’s start from the beginning:

 Why?

The cornerstone of your success starts with why you want to become an internal auditor. Your answer may fall into one of the following categories:

 

Ø  I have a passion for the profession and I believe in its mission and value

Ø  I want to be an auditor, but I could not join an accounting firm. This is the closest thing to it

Ø  It is just a transition to other operational roles, it is a good starting point

Ø  There is a strong demand for it in the market, it is a purely financial and economic decision

Ø  I didn’t have a choice! That was the only available option!

 Depending on your answer, your chances of success decrease as you go down the above list!

 How Long?

Although the length of time you spend as an internal auditor is not a direct factor of success, it could have an influence on it. If you consider internal audit as a long-term career, you will aim to excel in it by having more commitment to continuous development, quality of work, exceeding expectations, and relationship building.
 
If it is just a short-term job, you may not be inclined to invest in it!
 

Do you have what it takes?

Many articles and posts were written on the imperatives/skills needed to be an empowered and successful internal auditor. My objective here is not to repeat the obvious or compete with it, but rather to add my views based on observing the rise and fall of internal auditors throughout my career as a consultant:
  

Ø  The Will: You possess the absolute desire to be a successful internal auditor regardless of the countless challenges. You believe in yourself and your abilities and will do whatever is professionally acceptable to achieve your goals. (Where there's a will there's a way).

Ø  The Courage: internal audit is not for the faint of heart! If you can’t stand up for your beliefs and report things as they are regardless of the consequences, then an internal audit is not for you.

Ø  The Charisma: Cambridge Dictionaries online defines it as” the ability to attract the attention and admiration of others, and to be seen as a leader”

Ø  The Self–Realization: Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “the act of achieving the full development of your abilities and talents”

Ø  The Self-Respect: This is self-explanatory!

Ø  The Adaptation: adapt to change or become an extinct species! If you don’t change, you will be changed. Successful internal auditors act as agents of change

Ø  The Understanding: of the business, the industry, the culture, and the expectations.

Ø  The Risk sensors: successful internal auditors come with built-in and activated risk sensors!

Ø  The Ego: successful internal auditors check their ego at the door!

Ø  The  Learning: ability and desire to learn quickly and pass on knowledge to others

Ø  The Big Picture: if you can’t see it and you can’t align your objectives with the organization’s strategic objectives, don’t stay. Run as fast as you can!

                                                             And above all …..

 

Ø  The Human: Real Successful Internal Auditors treat people with dignity, respect, and kindness

 These are my thoughts, please share yours!