How to Become an Internal Auditor in the UK
Internal auditors check, independently, whether an organisation's controls, processes and risk management actually work. You plan audits, interview managers, test samples of transactions and controls, find weaknesses and write reports with recommendations that go to senior management and the audit committee. Areas range from finance and operations to IT, cyber security and financial crime.
Most people enter through a graduate scheme, an internal audit apprenticeship or after training in accountancy or external audit. Professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors matter for progression.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £32,000 - £45,000
- Mid-career salary
- £55,000 - £80,000
- Senior salary
- £90,000 - £140,000
- Work environment
- Office or hybrid
- Time to entry
- 2 - 5 years
- Degree required
- Not required - experience and professional qualifications count more
- Category
- Business, Finance and Legal
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, No-degree careers.
What a Internal Auditor does
Independently check that a company's controls, finances and processes are working as they should.
- Financial Audit - Test financial controls across the group.
- Operational Audit - Audit business processes and ops.
- IT Audit - Audit IT controls and systems.
- Financial Crime Audit - Audit AML, sanctions and fraud controls.
How to become an internal auditor in the UK
There is no single compulsory route. Many internal auditors are graduates who join a bank, insurer, large company, public body or audit firm and study professional qualifications while working. The Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (Chartered IIA) offers the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) qualification and its own chartered qualification. Apprenticeships include the Level 4 internal audit practitioner and Level 7 internal audit professional. Qualified accountants (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) and external auditors often move across, and IT audit specialists may add qualifications such as CISA.
- Learn what internal audit covers by reading the Chartered IIA's guidance and sample audit reports published by public sector bodies.
- Apply for internal audit graduate schemes, risk and assurance roles at audit firms, or the Level 4 internal audit practitioner apprenticeship.
- If you already work in finance or accounts, ask to join audit fieldwork or controls testing projects to build relevant experience.
- Study for the Certified Internal Auditor qualification or the Chartered IIA's chartered qualification, or complete ACA, ACCA or CIMA first.
- Practise interviewing, testing samples and writing short, evidence-based findings, because clear reporting is what audit committees value most.
- Choose a specialism such as IT audit, financial crime or operational audit, and add relevant qualifications to move into senior roles.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate scheme with professional study | 2-4 years | Usually employer-funded | Recent graduates |
| Internal audit apprenticeship (Level 4 or 7) | About 2-3 years | Paid by the employer | School leavers and career changers |
| Qualified accountant or external auditor moving across | Under 1 year | Little extra cost | ACA, ACCA or CIMA holders |
How long it takes
You can join an internal audit team straight from a graduate scheme or apprenticeship. Becoming fully qualified and working independently usually takes two to five years.
Internal Auditor salary in the UK
Internal auditors usually start on around £32,000 to £45,000. With experience and professional qualifications, pay rises to £55,000 to £80,000, and heads of internal audit or senior specialists can earn £90,000 to £140,000. Financial services and London-based roles pay the most. IT audit and financial crime specialists are in strong demand, and chartered status or the CIA qualification usually lifts pay. Public sector roles typically pay less but often offer better pensions and hours.
Key skills
- Controls testing
- Risk
- Interviewing
- Reporting
- Stakeholder mgmt
Internal Auditor FAQs
How do I become an internal auditor in the UK?
Join an internal audit graduate scheme, a risk and assurance team or an internal audit apprenticeship, then study for a professional qualification such as the CIA or the Chartered IIA's chartered qualification. Qualified accountants and external auditors can also move across.
Do I need a degree to be an internal auditor?
Many employers ask for a degree, especially for graduate schemes, but it is not essential. The Level 4 internal audit practitioner apprenticeship offers a paid route without a degree, and professional qualifications matter more as you progress.
How much does an internal auditor earn?
Starting salaries are typically £32,000 to £45,000. Experienced and qualified internal auditors earn £55,000 to £80,000, and heads of internal audit can earn £90,000 to £140,000. Financial services roles in London generally pay the most.
What is the difference between internal and external audit?
External auditors are independent firms that give an opinion on whether a company's financial statements are true and fair. Internal auditors work for or on behalf of the organisation and review risks, controls and processes across the whole business, not only the accounts.
Is Internal Auditor right for you?
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Still deciding whether internal auditor is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.