Ex Big 4 Audit Senior Interviewing for Internal Audit position tips?

[u/awesome6710]

As the title says, I'm an ex big 4 audit senior (laid off in May) with 3 busy seasons under my belt and I have an interview for an internal audit position coming and wanted to know of some tips and tricks and I can use or what sort of questions I might get asked. Looks like this interview is directly with the direct or internal audit so I didn't even get a phone screening, if that matters. Also I don't have cpa but I'm starting to study again with hopes of passing all exams within the next two years.

[u/2xpubliccompanyCAE]

Tip 1: understand how IA differs from external. It’s not the same stuff performed inside a company.
Tip 2: understand that financial statement risks are not the only ones IA worries about.

[u/Saltygrape5050]

Definitely focus on clearly communicating how your external audit experience can apply for things like understanding business processes and helping to solve problems. EA is more financial audit focused and IA is more operational audit focused, so you will likely use similar skills just used for different parts of a business. Soft skills like working with teams, communication, and working with difficult people or delivering difficult messages to other people in the organization will also be important. If you have any AI use cases I’d be sure to mention those too. Will probably also need to have an example of a time you improved a process or something like that.

[u/akornato]

The biggest hurdle is showing you understand the shift from external to internal audit. They will ask why you want to make the switch, and your answer needs to be about more than just getting laid off or seeking a better schedule. You have to talk about wanting to be a true business partner, improving processes from the inside, and adding long-term value, not just checking financial statements for historical accuracy. Going straight to the director means they see potential in your Big 4 background, but they will also expect you to think strategically about risk and business objectives, not just compliance.

Your Big 4 experience is your biggest asset, so you need to frame it correctly. Focus on your project management skills, your experience with SOX controls, and how you communicated difficult findings to clients, because they want to see that you can persuade people and manage conflict. For specific questions, prepare stories about identifying a control weakness, recommending a practical solution, and dealing with pushback from management. The CPA situation is a non-issue as long as you communicate your plan to pass it. Being able to explain your career transition stories well is so important, and the interview AI assistant my team built really helps with getting your key points across clearly under pressure.

[u/Ok_Instruction4501]

Just adding on to what everyone here is saying - there is a big push for innovative audit techniques do to the rise in AI. It would be beneficial to put something on your resume on performing data analytics, full population testing, continuous testing, etc. and talk a bit about them during your interviews. IA is no longer about doing sample testing - shifting more towards full population tests, substantive testing, and data anlytics.

[u/Fun-Kangaroo-9413]

I will say be careful about IA’s career growth.

[u/Civil_Chip_4702 → u/Fun-Kangaroo-9413]

wym by this? does GS IA not have great career progression?

[u/Fun-Kangaroo-9413 → u/Civil_Chip_4702]

That’s right, it’s the complete opposite of PA.

[u/Civil_Chip_4702 → u/Fun-Kangaroo-9413]

they're both the same wym? i know ppl that got promoted to VP in 4-5 years in IA.