INTERNAL AUDIT ASSOCIATE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Updated: Dec 08, 2025 - The Internal Audit Associate has experience in a Big 4 firm within a retail environment and demonstrates knowledge of US GAAP, auditing principles, internal audit processes, and control evaluation. This role requires progress toward or possession of certifications (CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE), proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Power BI, SQL Query, and strong communication, organization, multitasking, and customer service skills. The associate collaborates with stakeholders, reviews audit programs and testing steps, delivers quality work, and supports a positive team environment through relationship-building and accountability.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Internal Audit Associate Resume
  • Controls Testing
  • SOX Compliance
  • Risk Assessment
  • Audit Execution
  • Control Evaluation
  • Data Analytics
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Financial Auditing
  • Process Improvement
  • Report Writing
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Team Collaboration
  • Communication Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Client Relations
  • Time Management
  • Professional Development
  • Integrity And Trust
  • Resilience
  • Adaptability

Summary of Internal Audit Associate Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Accounting with 7 years of Experience

  • Experience in financial crimes compliance/anti-money laundering, internal or external auditing experience, or relevant business experience.
  • Experience with internal audit methodology and applying concepts in audit delivery and execution.
  • Solid understanding of internal control concepts.
  • Ability to evaluate and determine the adequacy of controls by considering business and technology risks in an integrated manner.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to establish credibility.
  • Strong partnership with senior business and control partners.
  • Strong analytical skills, particularly in regard to assessing the probability and impact of an internal control weakness.
  • Proven ability to multitask as well as assess and change priorities.
  • Enthusiastic, self-motivated, strong interest in learning, effective under pressure and willing to take personal responsibility/accountability.
  • Flexible to changing business priorities and the ability to multitask in a constantly changing environment.
  • Must have people management experience.

2. BA in Business Administration with 5 years of Experience

  • Financial and operational audit experience, either with a Big 4 or 2nd-tier public accounting firm or a Fortune 500 company.
  • Proficient in US GAAP and US GAAS, with knowledge of SOX 404.
  • Strong project management skills.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio.
  • Knowledge of a query tool such as Hyperion Interactive Reporting or ACL.
  • Knowledge of AuditBoard or equivalent GRC tool.
  • Knowledge of IT applications and general computer controls.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, tact, initiative, and critical thinking skills.
  • Must be able to multitask.

3. BS in Finance with 4 years of Experience

  • External or internal audit experience.
  • Track record of risk assessment, problem identification, analytical problem solving, and issue resolution.
  • Ability to learn quickly with a strong foundation in understanding and assessing processes and controls.
  • Excellent written/verbal communication skills with the ability to regularly present to groups.
  • Availability and willingness to work outside of the usual business hours of Georgetown University.
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
  • Experience with Microsoft Office and audit tools (e.g., ACL).
  • Knowledge of higher education systems, applications, and software, including Banner, WorkDay, and GMS.
  • Public accounting experience, not-for-profit, and/or healthcare industry experience.

4. BA in Economics with 5 years of Experience

  • Audit or risk management experience.
  • Must have skills related to communication, including communicating in writing or verbally, copywriting, planning and distributing communication, etc.
  • Skill in presenting information and/or ideas to an audience in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.
  • Experience in the process of gathering and analyzing data to identify trends or relationships to inform conclusions about the data and to explain concepts and answer critical questions.
  • Skill in creating visual concepts, creating content, and editing content by hand or with the help of computer software to communicate ideas.
  • Knowledge of the audit life cycle, including planning, design assessment, operating effectiveness testing, reporting and issue monitoring.
  • Able to work with people with different functional expertise respectfully and cooperatively to work toward a common goal.
  • Must have skills related to Relationship Management, including managing and engaging stakeholders, customers, and vendors, building relationship networks, contracting, etc.
  • Skill in the Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Experience in TeamMate for audit solutions.

5. BS in Information Systems with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience in Accounting/Auditing.
  • Understanding of the internal audit processes.
  • Experience in performing walkthroughs and risk assessments of the internal control environment/performing controls and substantive testing/developing audit observations in accordance with internal quality assurance standards.
  • Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
  • Ability to rapidly learn and apply the Internal Audit methodology.
  • Ability to multitask between several projects and complete audits/projects within required time frames and budgets.
  • Team player with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and within a virtual team setting.
  • Keen attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
  • Must have ACCA/CA/CPA/CFA or equivalent certification.

6. BA in Management with 7 years of Experience

  • Public accounting and/or private industry experience with strong knowledge of information technology, data analytics and internal controls.
  • Experience with Tableau and other data mining and visualization tools.
  • Previous experience with SOX/MAR IT General Controls.
  • Prior insurance and/or reinsurance industry experience, in particular Life and Annuities.
  • Strong Information Technology knowledge and experience.
  • Experience with Data Analytics in the performance of audits.
  • Ability to develop strong relationships with management.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively present to peers and management.
  • Ability to efficiently multitask to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment and also independently.
  • Must have a CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) qualification or CISA track.

7. BS in Computer Science with 6 years of Experience

  • CPA, CIA, CISA, or other related professional certifications.
  • Must have public or internal audit experience.
  • Experience with financial, operational, and business processes, ERP systems and/or other financial applications.
  • Ability to analyze complex processes to identify potential financial, operational, systems and compliance risks.
  • Demonstrated technical knowledge and experience in performing financial and operational audits.
  • Ability to research topics, offer a broader perspective and provide added value to the business.
  • Knowledge and experience with Sarbanes-Oxley and methodologies for achieving compliance.
  • Knowledge of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA’s) code of ethics and professional standards.
  • Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Ability to build effective relationships in Finance and cross-functional teams across the company and the ability to work collaboratively on a team.
  • Must have retail industry experience.

8. BA in Risk Management with 4 years of Experience

  • Internal Audit/External Audit experience.
  • Must have CIa A/ACA qualification.
  • Experience in the Financial Services industry, and especially in IA and SOC1.
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking combined.
  • Ability to make independent recommendations.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Knowledge of data mining and analytics.
  • Strong IT/PC knowledge, especially in Excel.
  • Must have business acumen to allow for understanding the business needs.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for liaising with senior management.
  • Flexible in work approach due to the nature of the role to meet client deliverables.

9. BS in Data Analytics with 6 years of Experience

  • Must have completed (or part completed) an accountancy or internal audit qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent).
  • Experience in auditing financial and operational controls within a wide range of business processes (within either an external or internal audit environment).
  • Good understanding of governance, risk management and control at an operational and organisational level.
  • Strong analytical and project management skills.
  • Ability to work effectively across multiple assignments and in different audit teams for varying time periods and to deliver at pace.
  • Experience in supervising and developing junior staff.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and build good working relationships with colleagues and clients at all levels.
  • Excellent report writing and communication skills.
  • Able to effectively report any issues and recommendations for improvement to clients, as well as draft the related sections of high-quality (and high-impact) audit reports.
  • Able to be flexible in approach to meeting goals as part of the wider team, being open-minded and agile to change.
  • Innovative and have the ability to contribute and create new initiatives.
  • Must have an aptitude for learning and a desire to continually develop and improve.
  • Experience in performing data analytics/CAATs in an audit environment.

10. BA in Public Administration with 7 years of Experience

  • Must have Big 4 experience, working in a retail environment.
  • Possess or working toward the possession of industry-applicable certifications (CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE, etc.).
  • Knowledge and/or a proven record of success in completing aspects of the Internal Audit process, control evaluation and testing methodologies, and other Financial and Operational Internal Control methodologies and terminology.
  • Understanding of US GAAP and auditing principles.
  • Able to evaluate internal controls design, identify key risks and controls, develop and/or review audit programs and recommend control design changes.
  • Able to create high-quality deliverables using appropriate business and technical language, especially developing and reviewing audit programs or testing steps.
  • Able to collaborate with stakeholders and identify and address their needs through the building of solid relationships with associates and understanding their departmental challenges.
  • Able to create or contribute to a positive working environment through building solid relationships with team members by proactively seeking guidance and keeping supervisors abreast of work status and any concerns in a timely manner.
  • Able to use available resources and tools to research and expand one’s sphere of knowledge to enhance work product and contribute to business development efforts.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Power BI, and SQL Query.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively present to peers and management.
  • Ability to multitask in a remote setting, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Must be detail-oriented and organized, possess excellent customer service skills, and work well under pressure.

11. BA in Economics with 4 years of Experience

  • Experience working in Finance or Audit.
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver assignments on time.
  • Team player with a willingness to learn.
  • Detail-oriented and excellent analytical skills.
  • Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills (Visio and BI skills).
  • Prior audit experience (either internal or external).
  • Must have good written English.
  • Professional qualifications, such as a Certified Internal Auditor or Certified Public Accountant (CIA/CPA).
  • Must have a high level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Products.
  • Must have a high level of attention to detail.
  • Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Ability to work well within a team environment.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

12. BS in Accounting with 2 years of Experience

  • Experience in internal audit/external audit.
  • Big 4 working experience.
  • Good communication and good organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Must have a high sense of responsibility.
  • Able to demonstrate dynamic, honesty, and reliability.
  • Must have been working towards ACCA, CIA, CPA, or other certifications recognized by ISCA.
  • Work experience in internal audit.
  • Interested fresh graduates may also apply.
  • Good command of English with excellent written and oral communication skills.
Relevant Information
Head of Internal Audit Skills, Experiences, and Job Requirements
Internal Audit Director Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements
Internal Audit Manager Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements
Internal Audit Analyst Skills, Experience, and Job Requirements