Table of Contents

Job Name

A Computer Auditor is also known as either an Information Systems Auditor or an IT Auditor.

Brief description

Computer Auditors are involved in the design and monitoring of control systems which ensure the accuracy and security of data. They also review an organizations computing environment and the use of their computer facilities.  Computer Systems auditors provide managers with expert opinions about the reliability of results and operations of computer systems. Computer Auditors are responsible for reviewing a range of business processes, seeking to improve the efficiency and profitability of the process.  It is essential that computer systems auditors understand the accounting and information technology implications of computer systems (Australian. Dept of Education, Science and Training [DEST], 2007, p.144). ([barclaysimpson.com/it-auditor-job-2983])

Duties & responsibilities of this role

Computer systems auditors may perform the following tasks:

• Analyse Information Processing Systems to assess their integrity, completeness, accuracy, validity, and efficiency (DEST, 2007).(Kadam, A. A career as Information Systems Auditor)
• Ensure the information systems have the ability to safeguard assets, consume resources effectively and successfully achieve organizational aims. (Kadam, A. A career as Information Systems Auditor)
• Redesigning of information processing systems with a goal of improving their efficiency and profitability. (barclaysimpson.com/it-auditor-job-2983, 2007)
• Participate in new system design to ensure an efficient, effective and well controlled system (DEST, 2007).(barclaysimpson.com/it-auditor-job-2983, 2007)
• Assesses business systems to gauge the the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of transaction processing (DEST, 2007).
• Review applications systems and their business procedures in achieving desired business objectives (DEST, 2007).
• Assist in creating annual audit plan while following the procedures set out in the internal audit manual and complying with the company's risk management strategy. ([barclaysimpson.com/it-auditor-job-2983]) (mycareer.com.au/job/sydney-2000-nsw/it-telecommunications/business-systems-analysis)
• Evaluate the organizations computing environment for effective systems software, systems development and security procedures (DEST, 2007).
• Assist members in the company outside the information technology and information systems field with the aspects of their assignments which are related to the IT/IS field to ensure the information they provided is accurate (mycareer.com.au/jobs/sydney-2000-nsw/it-telecommunications/business-systems-analysis).
• Report recommendations for improvement in computing facility management  
  (DEST, 2007). 

Job requirements

General Requirements for any IT Auditing Job

The successful completion of a training program is usually required with the company in question. Thorough knowledge of the areas such as "process design mapping, CAAT techniques, IT security, Internet Technologies, Database, Application Controls and general IT controls" (barclaysimpson.com/it-auditor-job-2983) are required. A computer auditor preferably has received the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Diploma in Information System Audit (DISA from ICAI) and Certification and Accreditation Professional (CAP) credentials. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology_audit)

Requirements for the Specified Advertisements

Hudson Accounting and Finance in London is seeking approximately 20 IT/IS Systems Auditors available to start work in September 2007 in the UK.  Applicants also require

- a valid Visa entry for the UK

-  accounting qualifications and training with a Big 4 or top-tier chartered firm

- at least one year of IT/IS Systems experience.  

- Demonstrable background in performing Information Systems audits and evaluating results for relevancy and accuracy.

- Ability to complete work assignments independently as part of a team project

- Demonstrable effective time management skills and ability to complete assignments within time budgets and calender schedules while handling multiple tasks.  

- Effective interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills

- Critical thinking, analytical skills as well as computer literacy

(Seek.com, Information Systems Auditor job ID- [10197134], 2007) 

 Barclay Simpson Corporate Governance is looking for a new member of their audit team. This job requires:

- Knowledge of process design and mapping, CAAT techniques, IT security, internet technologies, database, application controls and general IT controls.

-  QiCA and/or CISA qualification preferred, not essential.

([barclaysimpson.com/it-auditor-job-2983])

For a senior IT auditing management position, the applicant also requires:

- A minimum of 10 years auditing experience.

- A general knowledge of information security and risk management.

- A proficient knowledge of design and the ability to use security architecture and to adapt to new a developing technologies.  

(jobserve.us, Senior IT Audit Manager, job ID- W970E9B62B45C0C2D.job)

Academic qualifications

A Bachelors degree with a business emphasis in a related field (Seek.com, Information Systems Auditor job ID- [10197134], 2007) 

Bachelor of Information technology, Bachelor of Commerce majoring in accounting and business information systems,  Bachelor of Business Administration (DEST, 2007). 

Salary

Pay rates are competitive and will depend on experience ranging from the pound sterling equivilant of $A 117 per hour to to $ A 141.(Seek.com, Information Systems Auditor job ID- [10197134], 2007)

£55,000 + Car (Permanent)

£200 - £400 per day + expenses. Negotiable. (Seek.com, Computer Auditor job ID- 10177595, 2007)

Industry/Organisation

Big 4 accounting firm with head office in London with a number of regional sites around the UK.  Using Hudson accounting and Finance for recruiting purposes.  (Seek.com, Information Systems Auditor job ID- [10197134], 2007)

Computer systems auditors work in a range of occupational environments.  They can work in IT- specific industries as well as in other industries requiring the expertise.  They may work as part of a team, individually or on a freelance basis (DEST, 2007). 

Job listings

IT auditor. (06/07/07), Barclay Simpson Corporate Government Recruitment, retrieved 9 August 2007 from

http://www.barclaysimpson.com/it-auditor-job-2983/?session_id=

Information systems Auditor. (11 July 2007), Seek, retrieved 7 of August from

http://www.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=73&PageNumber=1&JobID=10197134

IT auditor, (07/09/07), Jobserve U.S.A, retrieved 9 August 2007 from

http://www.jobserve.us/W87C5212D6C78D6B8.job

Information technology audit page, Wikipedia, retrieved 9 August 2007 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology_audit

Computer Auditor, Goodman Mason Professional Recruitment, retrieved 15 August 2007 from

http://it.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=43&PageNumber=1&

 Senior IT Audit Manager, Jobserve U.S.A, retrieved 18 August 2007 from

http://www.jobserve.com.au/W970E9B62B45C0C2D.job

Other References Used

Australia. Department of Education, Science and Training (2007). Jobguide2007.  Canberra: Author.   

A career as Information Systems Auditor, Avinash Kadam, retrieved 18 August 2007 from

http://www.networkmagazineindia.com/200312/securedview01.shtml

Differences Observed

One of the job advertisements that was looked looked at was found on Seek.com and was placed by the Sydney office of specialist recruiting firm Hudson Accounting and Finance in London.
 
The firm are looking for up to 20 computer auditors to work for one of the Big 4 Accounting based in London. There may be a shortage of people with these skills, which would explain the firm seeking applicants internationally. 

The candidates are required to have at least one years experience working as a computer auditor with a large firm.

These jobs would be on a contract basis, as opposed to the other jobs which are permanent. This job can be distinguished as a contract job because the advertisement quotes an hourly rate.

The other job advertisement that was referred to on this part of the register was advertised by another UK recruitment specialist, Barclay Simpson.

Barclay Simpson advertised that they are looking for an IT Auditor specialist to join the audit team for a retail group. The job is based in Hertfordshire but this role would require traveling around the UK and internationally.

This job advertisement is obviously a more senior position, as there is a specific role described in the job description.  The required knowledge, such as: process design and mapping, IT Security, Internet technologies, Data base, Application and IT controls, are all skills which must be gained over a period working in the field of IS auditing.

Another advertisement looked at was for a Senior IT management position. As the name implies, this job would require a great deal more experience in the field than any of the other positions. To be eligible for this job, the applicant requires at least 10 years of audit experience in the IT field. As with the other advertisements, the applicant needs a degree in an IT or information systems related field.

All the advertisements looked at were similar in a broad sense, however, each differed in the amount of experience needed. As one would expect, the senior management position needed a great deal of experience in the field, whereas the advertisement on seek only expected around a years experience. This may also, however, be because the firm is in desperate need of applicants, and they aren't as fussed with experience. The job for the Barclay Simpson Recruiting agency is the only job advertised which does not seek experience. This may be a more junior position, for people looking to begin work in this field for their first time.