How Do I Become a Statutory Auditor?

If you want to become a statutory auditor, or external auditor, you should first get a master's or bachelor's degree. With the appropriate training and education, you will be able to obtain some work experience under a supervisory auditor. The final and most important two steps are to take the appropriate exam in your country and, having passed it, to register with any required supervisory body. Having completed these steps you will have officially become a statutory auditor, and all you need do is find employment.

If you want to be eligible to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, you must meet the educational requirements set by a local governing body. The California Board of Accountancy in the US, for example, requires you to have at least a bachelor's degree in either business or accounting with 24 accounting related study units, and 24 business related study units. It is best to check what the requirements are for your location, since it may vary depending on where you are.

Before applying for the exam, it can be helpful to get some hands-on experience. In some countries it is a prerequisite that you have work experience before you can be certified as a statutory auditor. In the US at least two years' experience is needed, but this can also vary depending on your location. This experience will allow you to apply the skills you have learned during your formal education and any further training in a practical way. The work experience will often need to be with a registered CPA in your area for it to be recognized.

To apply for the exam to become a statutory auditor, you may be required to pay a fee. As well as the application fee, you will also be expected to correctly fill out all appropriate application documents. You will usually be asked to submit any academic documents from high school onward. These include diplomas, academic transcripts, and any other relevant documents.

The examination is in written form most of the time, but can sometimes be oral. It is usually divided into four sections that evaluate the auditor's knowledge of tax laws, auditing, accounting, and business practices. You may also be required to take and pass an ethics course. Once you have taken and passed the exam, you will need to register as a certified statutory accountant with any appropriate regulatory body, such as the local recognized supervisory body (RSB) in the UK, to complete the process. With this done, you will have completed all the steps to become a statutory auditor.