Internal Audit Manager
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Build the annual audit plan based on business risks
- Lead audits from planning through reporting
- Review and improve key business controls
- Evaluate compliance with internal policies and external requirements
- Identify control gaps and agree on corrective actions with stakeholders
- Track remediation progress and validate fixes are effective
- Manage and coach auditors through training and feedback
- Present audit results and trends to senior leadership and audit committees
- Coordinate with external auditors to reduce duplication and improve coverage
- Promote a culture of strong controls and ethical conduct
Top Skills for Success
Risk Assessment
Audit Planning
Internal Controls
Process Improvement
Stakeholder Management
Team Leadership
Coaching
Report Writing
Presentation Skills
Data Analysis
Fraud Risk Awareness
Regulatory Knowledge
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Senior Internal Auditor
Audit Supervisor
Internal Audit Manager
Transition Opportunities
Senior Manager Internal Audit
Director of Internal Audit
Head of Internal Audit
Enterprise Risk Manager
Compliance Manager
Finance Controller
Operations Manager
Governance Risk and Compliance Manager
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Audit Committee CommunicationAdvanced Data AnalyticsTechnology RiskChange ManagementProgram ManagementConflict Resolution
Development SuggestionsSeek audits that include systems and data, practice executive level summaries, and lead remediation tracking as a formal program. Ask to present results to senior leaders, and request feedback on clarity and impact. Pair technical learning with real audit use cases to build confidence quickly.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 95,000 to 120,000
Mid LevelUSD 120,000 to 155,000
Senior LevelUSD 155,000 to 210,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, supported by increased focus on risk management, data security, and regulatory expectations. Hiring is strongest in financial services, healthcare, technology, and large multi entity companies.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
JPMorgan ChaseBank of AmericaWells FargoCitigroupGoldman SachsMorgan StanleyUnitedHealth GroupCVS HealthAmazonMicrosoftAlphabetWalmart
Industry Sectors
BankingInsuranceHealthcareTechnologyRetailManufacturingEnergyTelecommunicationsPublic SectorProfessional Services
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a one page audit plan template that ties each audit to a clear risk statement2
Build a standard reporting format with a consistent severity scale and action owner tracking3
Strengthen stakeholder routines with weekly status updates during audits and remediation4
Develop a small analytics playbook for repeatable tests using common data sources5
Lead a cross functional remediation effort to demonstrate influence without authority6
Pursue a relevant credential based on your focus area such as CIA, CISA, CPA, or CRMA7
Practice concise presentations by summarizing each audit in three key messages and three actions