What Does an IT Auditor Do?
An IT auditor is responsible for evaluating an organization’s information technology systems to ensure that data integrity, security protocols, and technology infrastructure meet internal standards and external compliance requirements. These professionals identify weaknesses or inefficiencies in hardware, software, and procedural controls, then make recommendations for improvement. Their assessments help organizations mitigate risk, improve system reliability, and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.
Beyond system performance, IT auditors play a vital role in ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks such as SOX, HIPAA, NIST, and ISO 27001. They examine the effectiveness of controls related to data privacy, cybersecurity policies, change management, and disaster recovery. By issuing detailed audit reports and collaborating with IT and security teams, IT auditors support governance goals and inform executive decisions about risk and resource allocation.
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IT Auditor Core Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct audits of IT systems, networks, and security controls
- Evaluate the effectiveness of access controls, authentication protocols, and data backup procedures
- Review policies and procedures for compliance with industry standards and regulations
- Document audit findings, assess risk levels, and recommend remediation actions
- Collaborate with internal IT, cybersecurity, and compliance teams during audits
- Perform risk assessments and gap analyses on new systems or technologies
- Monitor audit follow-up activities and ensure implementation of recommendations
- Prepare formal reports and present findings to management and stakeholders
- Stay up to date on evolving threats, technologies, and regulatory requirements
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency with IT audit tools and frameworks (e.g., COBIT, NIST, ISO 27001)
- Knowledge of IT general controls (ITGC), cybersecurity practices, and access control systems
- Experience with audit management software (e.g., TeamMate, AuditBoard)
- Familiarity with enterprise systems (ERP, cloud platforms, databases, etc.)
- Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements such as SOX or HIPAA
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking and detail-oriented documentation
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to interpret technical findings for non-technical stakeholders
- Time management and adaptability during complex audits
- Ethical judgment and professional discretion
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science, accounting, or related field
Certifications
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) required
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or CompTIA Security+ recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in public accounting, consulting, or enterprise-level IT audit teams
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure audits (e.g., AWS, Azure)
- Understanding of security incident response or penetration testing
- Exposure to automated control testing and continuous monitoring systems
National Average Salary
IT auditor salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Position is:
$123,456
Sample Job Description Templates for IT Auditors
Junior IT Auditor
Position Overview
We are seeking a Junior IT Auditor to support our internal audit team in assessing information systems, controls, and compliance across the organization. This entry-level role is ideal for candidates who are detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and eager to build a career in IT risk management. The successful candidate will assist with audit fieldwork, documentation, and basic testing procedures under the guidance of senior team members.
Responsibilities
- Support audit planning by gathering documentation and participating in kickoff meetings
- Conduct walkthroughs of IT processes with control owners
- Assist with testing IT general controls (ITGC) and application controls
- Document audit work papers and findings in accordance with audit standards
- Follow up on open issues and remediation plans with IT staff
- Work closely with senior auditors to learn audit methodology and tools
- Perform data entry and validation using audit systems and spreadsheets
- Stay current on basic regulatory requirements (SOX, ISO 27001)
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic knowledge of IT systems and general controls
- Familiarity with Excel, audit tools, or GRC platforms
- Understanding of access management, backups, and system change processes
Soft skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation
- Curiosity and willingness to learn technical concepts
- Clear communication and teamwork
- Time management in a deadline-driven setting
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information systems, accounting, cybersecurity, or related field
Certifications
- None required
- Recommended: Working toward CISA or CompTIA Security+
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or academic project experience in audit or IT security
- Exposure to control frameworks like NIST or COBIT
Senior IT Auditor
Position Overview
We are hiring a Senior IT Auditor to lead audits across enterprise systems and evaluate risk and compliance with IT governance standards. This role involves direct engagement with control owners, development of audit scopes, and preparation of high-quality audit reports. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, audit experience, and excellent communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute IT audits with minimal supervision
- Perform control testing across platforms, including cloud, ERP, and infrastructure systems
- Analyze security configurations, change management, and logical access controls
- Document findings, evaluate risks, and propose actionable recommendations
- Partner with IT, risk, and compliance stakeholders throughout the audit process
- Mentor junior team members and review their work for quality assurance
- Track audit remediation efforts and provide status updates to leadership
- Ensure alignment with SOX, NIST, and internal audit standards
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in IT auditing tools and frameworks (e.g., COBIT, ISO 27001, SOX)
- Experience auditing ERP systems, cloud platforms, and cybersecurity controls
- Strong understanding of control design and operating effectiveness
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking and risk assessment acumen
- Confident communication with technical and non-technical audiences
- Project ownership and multitasking
- Mentorship and team collaboration
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information systems, auditing, or related field
Certifications
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Recommended: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), CIA
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in IT audit or information security
- Familiarity with data analytics or continuous monitoring tools
IT Audit Manager
Position Overview
We are looking for an experienced IT Audit Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of audits across critical IT environments. This leadership role oversees audit teams, sets risk priorities, and communicates audit results to senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in IT risk, governance, and regulatory frameworks and brings a strategic mindset to continuous control improvement.
Responsibilities
- Develop annual IT audit plans in coordination with internal audit leadership
- Lead end-to-end audits of enterprise IT systems, networks, and security frameworks
- Guide audit staff in scoping, fieldwork, and reporting activities
- Evaluate IT control design and identify systemic risk across platforms
- Provide strategic advice on IT compliance (SOX, ISO, NIST, GDPR)
- Present audit findings to executive management and help drive remediation
- Manage audit tools, templates, and methodology updates
- Train and develop team members in IT audit best practices
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep knowledge of IT risk, controls, and governance frameworks
- Experience with enterprise systems (ERP, IAM, cloud security)
- Skilled in IT audit strategy and regulatory compliance
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and mentoring capability
- Executive-level reporting and influence
- Critical thinking and business judgment
- Process improvement mindset
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, auditing, or similar field
- Master’s degree (MBA or MIS) is a plus
Certifications
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Recommended: CISM, CRISC, or CISSP
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years of IT audit experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory role
- Experience managing SOX IT compliance for public companies
- Familiarity with automated control testing platforms
Remote IT Auditor
Position Overview
We are seeking a Remote IT Auditor to perform full-cycle audits of IT systems, controls, and compliance requirements while working from a home-based environment. This role is ideal for self-driven professionals who can manage audits independently and collaborate with distributed teams across time zones.
Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct IT audits remotely, including control testing and interviews via video conferencing
- Assess risks and evaluate IT controls over access, change management, and data security
- Document audit procedures using cloud-based audit management platforms
- Communicate findings clearly and professionally in written and verbal formats
- Coordinate with stakeholders and control owners via digital channels
- Participate in audit planning and contribute to continuous process improvement
- Track remediation activities and ensure closure of open issues
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with cloud-based audit platforms (e.g., AuditBoard, TeamMate+)
- Strong technical knowledge of ITGCs and compliance standards (SOX, NIST)
- Digital communication fluency (email, Zoom, Teams, Slack)
Soft skills
- Self-management and accountability
- Excellent virtual communication and professionalism
- Adaptability across remote team environments
- Organizational skills for independent workflow
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in information systems, cybersecurity, or related field
Certifications
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience conducting audits across time zones or remote teams
- Background in cloud computing or virtualized infrastructure auditing
Lead IT Auditor
Position Overview
We are looking for a Lead IT Auditor to manage high-impact audits and guide audit teams through complex evaluations of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and compliance frameworks. This technical lead role is suited for professionals who thrive in fast-paced audit environments and can serve as a subject matter expert on IT risk issues.
Responsibilities
- Serve as audit lead for IT reviews, including planning, fieldwork, and reporting
- Identify control gaps and high-risk areas in network security, identity management, and application controls
- Coordinate audit workstreams across internal staff and external resources
- Provide deep-dive analysis of audit findings and validate remediation effectiveness
- Deliver detailed reports and presentations to senior management
- Assist in developing audit programs for emerging technologies (e.g., AI, cloud security)
- Act as technical mentor for junior and mid-level auditors
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong command of cybersecurity audit principles and IT architecture
- Experience with complex audits (cloud, endpoint, third-party risk)
- Familiarity with audit data analytics tools and techniques
Soft skills
- Leadership in audit execution
- Strong technical communication
- Critical thinking with risk prioritization
- Ability to translate audit issues into business impact
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in IT, cybersecurity, or related discipline
Certifications
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Recommended: CISSP, CRISC, CISM
Preferred Qualifications
- 5–7 years of IT audit experience with exposure to security frameworks
- Experience working in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare)
- Track record of leading technical audits across enterprise environments