External Auditor

Audit company accounts as part of a regulated practice - assurance work for investors and HMRC.

This UK external auditor career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.

Quick facts

Starting salary
£28,000 - £35,000
Mid-career salary
£45,000 - £70,000
Senior salary
£90,000 - £150,000
Work environment
Office or hybrid
Time to entry
3 - 5 years (ACA/ACCA)
Degree required
Usually required
Category
Business, Finance and Legal

What a External Auditor does

Audit company accounts as part of a regulated practice - assurance work for investors and HMRC.

  • Audit Trainee - Train as auditor in Big 4 / mid-tier firm.
  • Manager Audit - Manage audit fieldwork and clients.
  • Specialist Audit - Banking, insurance or public sector specialty.
  • Audit Partner Track - Senior manager to director route to partner.

How to become a External Auditor

  1. Look up External Auditor roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
  2. Talk to someone already working as a External Auditor - even a 15-minute call helps
  3. Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
  4. Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
  5. Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month

Key skills

  • Auditing standards
  • Accounting
  • Analysis
  • Client comms
  • Stamina