Entry-level

How to become an IT Auditor

IT auditors test whether an organization's technology controls actually work, then report what they find to leaders, boards or regulators. Large accounting firms and internal audit departments hire many graduates each year.

First job?: Entry-levelCommonly hired straight from accounting, business or IS programs, especially by large accounting firms.
Coding: Little or none
Start with: ISACA student membership (not a certification, but a good first step)
Median US pay: $83,680BLS May 2025, Accountants and Auditors

What the job is like

The independent checker: you test whether an organization really does what it says. A typical week might include:

Interview a team about how they grant and remove system access
Test a sample of records to see whether the rule was followed
Write findings with a clear rating and recommendation

How to get in

Commonly hired straight from accounting, business or IS programs, especially by large accounting firms.

Take an auditing or internal controls course if your program offers one.
Join ISACA as a student; chapters often run student nights with employers.
Apply to IT audit, technology risk and internal audit graduate programs.

Close cousin: GRC and IT audit are close cousins. GRC builds and runs the security program from the inside; IT audit checks it, often from outside, and grades it. Compare with GRC Analyst →

Certifications

Start with

ISACA student membership (not a certification, but a good first step)

Later, with experience

ISACA CISA (you can sit the exam early; the certificate needs 5 years' experience, partly waivable)

Free places to practise and learn

ISACAThe main professional body for IT audit The Institute of Internal AuditorsInternal audit standards and student resources CIS ControlsControls auditors often test against

Habits that help in every cyber role

Build a small home lab (an old laptop or free virtual machines is enough) and write up what you try.
Do beginner capture-the-flag challenges and keep a simple public portfolio of what you learned.
Go to a local ISSA, ISACA, OWASP or BSides meeting. Most are free for students, and many jobs come from people you meet there.

Questions about this role

Can I get an IT Auditor job straight out of school?

Often, yes. Commonly hired straight from accounting, business or IS programs, especially by large accounting firms.

Do I need to know how to code to become an IT Auditor?

Very little. Comfort with computers matters more than programming; basic scripting can help later.

What certification should I get first to become an IT Auditor?

Good starting points: ISACA student membership (not a certification, but a good first step). Later, with experience: ISACA CISA (you can sit the exam early; the certificate needs 5 years' experience, partly waivable).

How much does an IT Auditor make?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median of $83,680 a year (May 2025) for Accountants and Auditors, the closest official category. Starting pay is usually lower and varies by city and employer.

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NICE work role: Technology Program Auditing. Pay: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025. Reviewed 2026-10-17 by Dr. Benjamin M. Ampel, Director of CCAIR.