Use these internal auditor interview questions to evaluate risk assessment, technical accounting knowledge and communication skills, so you can hire someone who genuinely strengthens your organization’s controls.

Considerations for Hiring an Internal Auditor

An internal auditor evaluates a company’s financial and operational processes to identify risks, inefficiencies and compliance gaps, and works within the organization to make sure internal controls and governance processes are in place and functioning effectively.

Look for proficiency in accounting principles and financial statements, genuine audit experience with familiar methodologies, and a working knowledge of the laws and regulations that apply to your organization. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills matter as much as technical knowledge, since the role involves spotting patterns and risks in complex data.

Communication and interpersonal skills are equally important. An internal auditor needs to explain findings and recommendations clearly to stakeholders, build relationships across the organization, and increasingly, use data analysis tools and basic IT skills to do the job well.

Operational and Situational Questions

• How do you handle cases of fraud?
• If you suspect a company is exposed to a major risk, what risk management techniques would you use?
• Tell me about a serious operational issue you detected. How did you find it and what solutions did you suggest?
• How do you deal with uncooperative team members?
• Have you ever experienced conflict in your workplace? How did you resolve it?
• Tell me about a time you suggested a new plan that proved successful.
• What challenges do you face when presenting a new recommendation, and how do you persuade your seniors?
• Has anyone ever asked you to cover up fraud? What did you do?

Role Specific Questions

• How have your education and experience prepared you to be an internal auditor?
• What reports do you consider when developing an audit plan?
• What do you do after finishing an audit?
• Name the key elements of internal control systems. How do you review them?
• What do you know about IFRS?
• What is information technology control?
• What is your approach to collecting important raw data?
• How do you stay current with changes in laws and regulations?
• How does internal auditing add value to an organization?

Behavioral Questions

• Tell me about a time you identified a risk in a company’s internal controls. What steps did you take to mitigate it?
• Have you ever encountered resistance when performing an audit? How did you handle it?
• Describe a time you had to collaborate with a team to complete an audit. How did you contribute to the team’s success?
• Can you give an example of identifying a problem during an audit and having to communicate it to management? How did you handle it?
• Have you ever had to make a difficult decision during an audit? How did you approach the decision?
• Tell me about a time you had to audit a complex process. How did you ensure you understood it and identified all potential risks?
• Describe a situation where you worked with a colleague who had a different working style than you. How did you handle it?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important skill for an internal auditor to have?
Sound judgment under ambiguity tends to matter most, since auditors regularly have to assess risk and materiality in situations where the right answer is not obvious.

Should an internal auditor have industry specific experience?
It helps but is not always required. Strong audit methodology and analytical skill transfer well across industries, though familiarity with your specific regulatory environment shortens the ramp up time.

How Glider AI Can Help You Hire an Internal Auditor

Glider’s recruitment platform is built on the principle of competency over credentials, helping you evaluate candidates through a structured, data driven process. With access to a large library of pre built assessments covering accounting knowledge, risk analysis and regulatory compliance, you can screen candidates for this role using our skill assessment platform rather than relying on resume claims alone.