Top External Auditor sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers & results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Things to remember when writing your External Auditor experience section
External Auditor Resume Experience: Checklist
- Use either chronological or reverse-chronological format when listing your previous jobs;
- Mention only relevant positions that add value to your resume;
- Briefly state the challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them;
- Highlight the results from your efforts (for bonus points, add numbers, percentage rates, etc.);
- Forget about buzzwords! Use power verbs instead.
Looking for real-life examples of what a strong experience section looks like? Check out our suggestions below!
- Conducted operational and IT audits in accordance with the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
- Led a team of auditors in executing audits and ensuring audit quality
- Developed and presented audit findings and recommendations to senior management
- Identified and reported on control deficiencies and recommended remediation actions
- Provided guidance to clients on financial reporting and internal control best practices
- Developed and executed audit plans for various business lines, including Wealth Management, Retail Banking, and Capital Markets
- Identified control weaknesses and recommended remediation actions to management
- Performed data analysis techniques to identify trends and anomalies in transaction data
- Communicated audit findings and recommendations to senior management in written reports and in-person presentations
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with auditees to facilitate effective and efficient audit execution
- Performed substantive testing of financial statement accounts and transaction cycles
- Evaluated internal controls over financial reporting
- Documented audit findings and recommendations for inclusion in the audit report
- Collaborated with client personnel to ensure timely and efficient audit execution
- Mentored and trained junior audit team members
- Managed audit engagements of companies with up to $2B in revenue, leading teams of up to 10 people and ensuring timely completion of all audit procedures
- Developed and executed audit plans, identifying and mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements
- Identified and recommended improvements to clients' internal controls and processes, resulting in over $1M in cost savings and increased efficiency
- Led the implementation of new accounting standards and provided training to clients on their implications, resulting in successful adoption and compliance
- Developed and maintained financial models to support business decisions, including scenario analysis, forecasting, and variance analysis
- Managed the month-end close process, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial statements and supporting schedules
- Prepared and presented financial reports and analysis to senior management and external stakeholders, including investors and analysts
- Streamlined financial processes and implemented new accounting policies, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced risk of errors
- Oversaw the month-end close process, including preparation of financial statements and supporting schedules, ensuring accuracy and completeness of results
- Managed a team of 5 accountants, providing guidance and training on accounting standards and company policies
- Developed and maintained internal controls over financial reporting, ensuring compliance with GAAP and company policies
- Led the implementation of a new ERP system, resulting in improved financial reporting capabilities and increased efficiency
- Conducted over 50 internal and external audits resulting in a 98% compliance rate for clients
- Implemented corrective actions resulting in a 20% reduction in non-conformances and a 15% increase in process efficiency
- Developed and delivered training on QMS documentation and continuous improvement principles to client teams
- Conducted over 30 successful ISO certification audits resulting in client satisfaction and retention
- Developed and implemented a plant audit program resulting in a 25% improvement in audit efficiency
- Trained and mentored new auditors resulting in a 90% success rate for certification exams
- Developed and implemented a document control system resulting in a 30% reduction in documentation errors
- Managed the company's customer satisfaction evaluation process resulting in a 90% satisfaction rate
- Chaired management review activities resulting in a 20% improvement in QMS effectiveness
PRO TIP
In writing your External Auditor resume, you will no doubt want to list your previous duties - as you should. But steer clear of just listing your duties, instead of your achievements. Make your resume stand out by communicating what you have done, and not merely what the job needed you to do.
Action Verbs for your External Auditor Resume
Recommended reads:
An Impressive Skills Section for Your External Auditor Resume
A skills section that shows what you’re capable of includes:
- Keywords from the job advert to help you pass ATS;
- Both hard and soft skills, incl. technical skills and people skills;
- Skills that are relevant to the position you’re applying for;
- No more than 15 skills – to keep your resume readable.
Top skills for your external auditor resume
Accounting Principles
Audit Standards
Financial Analysis
Risk Management
Data Analysis
Statistical Sampling
Fraud Detection
IT Auditing
Process Documentation
Internal Controls
Communication
Attention to Detail
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Time Management
Leadership
Collaboration
Adaptability
Ethics
Objectivity
PRO TIP
Avoid getting sidetracked by Applicant tracking software by including a tech skills' section matching the job description and your own qualifications.
Recommended reads:
External Auditor resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Things to include in your External Auditor resume summary:
- Your total years of experience in the industry;
- 2-3 of your most remarkable achievements so far;
- How your experience relates to the position you’re applying for;
- A very brief description of your strengths.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Read the job description carefully and understand what the hiring company is exactly looking for. After that, write your summary accordingly while highlighting your potential and ability to be the best at that job.
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Drafting a Job-winning External Auditor Resume
When drafting your resume, you can choose between three well-known formats:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Which format you decide to go for depends on two things: your personal preference and how experienced you are.
The reverse-chronological format is ideal for both really experienced people and those who joined the workforce just a couple of years ago. It’s also great if your experience combines different industries and jobs. Here, your most recent position comes at the top of your resume.
The functional skills-based resume format, on the other hand, is ideal for recent graduates or people who have no work experience whatsoever. It’s built around your skills, interests, and expertise. Ultimately, its goal is to show recruiters your biggest strengths and practical skills.
Combination resumes (also known as hybrid resumes) are great for all types of candidates – be they graduates, experienced professionals, or brave career changers. They usually follow a double-column format – one side focuses on your experience, while the other emphasizes your education, skills, interests, and accomplishments.
Here’s our resume format and style checklist:
- Choose a traditional resume font sized 12p;
- Go for standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Match the length of your External Auditor resume with your experience – choose a one-page template if you have less than 10 years of experience, and be careful with two-page templates;
- Send your resume in PDF – in this way, you’ll avoid formatting issues and potential editing from third parties.
And in case you want to go the extra mile, check out our guide for crafting a resume that stands out.
