Independently tests whether controls and processes work, and reports to the board.
Steady demand. Regular postings, but fewer than the busiest roles. Expect a longer search or more specialization.
Common titles for this role at each level. Companies vary; see Role titles decoded.
| Level | Typical titles |
|---|---|
| Entry | Junior / Associate Internal Auditor · Internal Auditor I |
| Mid | Internal Auditor · Internal Auditor II |
| Senior | Senior Internal Auditor · Lead Internal Auditor |
| Expert (IC track) | Staff / Principal Internal Auditor |
| Management track | Manager, Internal Audit & Risk → Director of Internal Audit & Risk → VP |
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Searching for: Internal Auditor · anywhere in the US · change
Opens the job board's own search; results and counts are theirs.
Sources:
Senior/manager figure omitted: the senior posting cited (Sophos) listed no salary and Robert Half's guide page did not show an audit manager line. IT audit and SOX-heavy public-company roles pay at the top of the range.
Bachelor's in accounting, finance, information systems or business is required in every posting cited. Many internal auditors start in public accounting (external audit).
| Exam fee | $870 |
| Training | IIA CIA Learning System or Becker review; prices not published by the vendor |
| Renewal | annual self-attestation of CPE; hours not published by the vendor |
| Typical total | $990 (member: $120 application + $310 + $280 + $280) to $1,515 (non-member); prices change Jan 2027 |
The internal-audit credential: postings list 'CPA, CIA, or CISA' as preferred/required and 'Certified Internal Auditor' as nice-to-have.
| Exam fee | $575 |
| Training | ISACA review manual/online review; prices not published by the vendor |
| Renewal | annual maintenance fee and CPE per ISACA policy (amounts not published by the vendor) |
| Typical total | $575 (ISACA member) to $760 (non-member) exam, plus study materials |
Expected for IT-audit tracks: 'Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation' preferred in IT auditor postings.
| Exam fee | $1,075 |
| Training | review course cost not published by the vendor |
| Renewal | state license renewal and CPE; varies by state |
| Typical total | $1,200-1,500 in exam/application fees before a review course (Virginia fees; vary by state) |
Listed with CIA/CISA in senior internal auditor postings; the natural credential for auditors coming from public accounting.
CIA CPE hours and CISA annual maintenance fee/CPE hours are not published on the vendor pages cited. Senior/manager salary omitted for lack of a sourced figure. Glassdoor internal auditor page not available; Coursera 'Auditing I' (Illinois) pages also failed, so no dedicated audit MOOC is listed. The IIA says CIA pricing changes 4 January 2027.
Figures are US, from the sources listed, and change often; verify before deciding.