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Message
Is internal audit a waste of a career?
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:18 pm
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:18 pm
Hey everyone,
This question is directed to the auditors/accountants of the OT.
Ive been pondering lately if ive pigeon holed myself into a limited and dead end career path by my choices. I graduated with an accounting degree in 2018 and ive spent the last 7 years in external audit/internal audit. I started out with a Big 4 company doing FS audits for 2 years and then I switched to another big 4 doing advisory/SOX work for 3 more before settling in at a large private company in Louisiana in their internal audit department. I recently got my CIA in order to advance and hopefully soon get another promotion. I haven’t pursued the CPA due to personal life stuff (wife, kids).
Anyone else out here in this profession and have any words of encouragement? The reason I ask is because I wouldn’t mind switching jobs again within another company but not sure what pay/advancement opportunities look like.
Edit: I am making around $100k in total comp right now but I’m looking to make more.
Thanks in advance.
This question is directed to the auditors/accountants of the OT.
Ive been pondering lately if ive pigeon holed myself into a limited and dead end career path by my choices. I graduated with an accounting degree in 2018 and ive spent the last 7 years in external audit/internal audit. I started out with a Big 4 company doing FS audits for 2 years and then I switched to another big 4 doing advisory/SOX work for 3 more before settling in at a large private company in Louisiana in their internal audit department. I recently got my CIA in order to advance and hopefully soon get another promotion. I haven’t pursued the CPA due to personal life stuff (wife, kids).
Anyone else out here in this profession and have any words of encouragement? The reason I ask is because I wouldn’t mind switching jobs again within another company but not sure what pay/advancement opportunities look like.
Edit: I am making around $100k in total comp right now but I’m looking to make more.
Thanks in advance.
This post was edited on 9/16/25 at 8:31 pm
40
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:20 pm to Youngeye77
quote:
large private company in Louisiana
Which company?
quote:
Is internal audit a waste of a career?
No not at all. I have a bunch that work for me and they’ve done a great job at improving our company and have paid for themselves tenfold. Not a bad career at all! Very much appreciated too.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:21 pm to 225Tyga
It’s for a large financial institution.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:22 pm to Youngeye77
You’re not stuck. If anything, you’re at a prime point: 7 years in, credentialed, and already moved between Big 4 and industry. That flexibility is your asset. Many people in your shoes worry they’re “pigeonholed,” but companies see you as proven in controls, risk, and governance — and that’s always in demand.
If your end goal is higher pay and broader responsibility, the move might be:
Use your CIA to land an Audit Manager/Director role in a different company.
Or, if you want out of audit, look for Finance Manager or Risk Manager roles. Leverage your audit experience as a business advisor rather than just a tester.
If your end goal is higher pay and broader responsibility, the move might be:
Use your CIA to land an Audit Manager/Director role in a different company.
Or, if you want out of audit, look for Finance Manager or Risk Manager roles. Leverage your audit experience as a business advisor rather than just a tester.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:26 pm to Youngeye77
Hey, look at me, I graduated with a quality degree!
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:32 pm to Youngeye77
Should have gone to welding school
/OT
/OT
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:36 pm to Youngeye77
You are in a great spot !
SAS70 / SOC1 experience is GOLDEN.
Find what you like and make a change; you also may need to go skydiving ...or get laid.
SAS70 / SOC1 experience is GOLDEN.
Find what you like and make a change; you also may need to go skydiving ...or get laid.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:37 pm to OysterPoBoy
I agree with Oyster PB. I think you're in a good spot. Changing companies would probably help move your career along. Move to a bigger city if you have to.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:38 pm to Youngeye77
Yes internal audit is a waste of a career if you’re at a private company. At best you save the company money, at worst you piss off the wrong person.
Go back to either Big 4 firm in their consulting groups instead. Your pay will likely double - and you’re more than smart enough to succeed.
Go back to either Big 4 firm in their consulting groups instead. Your pay will likely double - and you’re more than smart enough to succeed.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:38 pm to Youngeye77
I do a bit of internal audit for my company, but quite frankly the only way you really get pigeon-holed in accounting is property accounting or fund accounting. I make good money fund accounting, but I have severe doubts how well a lot of what I do would translate to normal corporate accounting.
This post was edited on 9/16/25 at 7:39 pm
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:43 pm to Youngeye77
I don’t think you’ll ever be without a job. On another note, LSU has the best IA degree/certification program in the world, yet they focus on highlighting dumbass shite instead of their world class program.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:45 pm to Youngeye77
It’s not your career. It is the state you live in that is the problem.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:45 pm to LootieandtheBlowfish
quote:
Yes internal audit is a waste of a career if you’re at a private company. At best you save the company money, at worst you piss off the wrong person.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:49 pm to Youngeye77
I know a few internal guys that ended up in executive positions. CFO , COO positions after spending their early years in audit at big 4 and large regional firms. I know some that never really broke out as well and just toiled away in big firms are switched to partner track at smaller firms doing full service. Work.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:49 pm to tigeralum06
quote:
It’s not your career. It is the state you live in that is the problem.
Yep, you have about 3 or 4 companies that you have real opportunity to advance at in the entire state. Or you have to have a nepotism in (which I’m not even dogging, it’s just the reality)
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:50 pm to tigeralum06
This is actually my biggest fear. But moving is not an option for us unfortunately due to having to take care of some family members.
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:51 pm to Youngeye77
Are you my brother in law? Go and be a butcher like you dream about. Y’all have enough money
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:54 pm to HoboDickCheese
LOL. I am not your brother in law. My wife is a social worker-we need the money!
Posted on 9/16/25 at 7:55 pm to Youngeye77
quote:
This is actually my biggest fear. But moving is not an option for us unfortunately due to having to take care of some family members.
What do you want to do? You’ll always be able to find a decent to above average job, but if you are really career driven you’re going to have to make sacrifices to be in leadership or be an executive.
But considering you didn’t get your CPA, I’m assuming you aren’t. The CPA exam is not hard, they tell you exactly what is on it, people just act like they’re too busy to study. Ie make excuses
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