Your Major Could Make You a Great Auditor: Here’s How.
Most people think an internal audit job is only for accounting majors. But in 21+ years in this profession, I’ve learned something surprising: Some of the most effective auditors never studied accounting.
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Hi, my name is Allyson Edwards, and this is The Bottom Line.
If you haven’t thought about a career in internal audit, you’re not alone. Years ago, when I first got started as a political science major, I thought Internal Audit was the realm of accounting and business majors. But now, several years later? I’ve never looked back.
Internal audit gives you a front-row seat to how organizations really work. It’s easily one of the best first jobs out there because you get to learn about every single part of the business—from operations to finance to the C-suite.
And here is the thing: the field is changing. It needs people who think differently. So, if you’re a recent grad or early in your career, this is for you. Your major isn't just a degree—it’s a massive advantage.
Take my background, for instance. As a political science major, I was trained to understand systems, incentives, and governance. I can use that to look at how one small decision can ripple through an entire organization.
Or look at English and Communications majors—they are the ones who can take complex, messy data and turn those findings into clear, impactful stories that leadership can actually understand and use.
Whether you studied Psychology, History, or Philosophy, if you come from a "non-traditional" major, your perspective is exactly what this profession needs right now to stay ahead of risk.
Ready to see where your background fits? Read the full breakdown in our post on how your major could make you a great auditor
Thank you for listening to the Bottom Line, and have a great day.
If you’re curious, analytical, organized, or love understanding how organizations really work, your major might make you a stronger auditor than you realize.
Internal audit gives you a front-row seat to how organizations work, including how decisions are made, processes flow, where risks hide, and how culture shapes outcomes. That’s why diverse thinkers thrive here.
Below are several “nontraditional” majors and the value they bring to audit.
The field is changing, and the internal audit profession needs people who are thinking differently. Each non-traditional major brings a unique insight to audit.
Hover over each image to see how these majors translate to audit.
"The Systems Thinker"
[POLITICAL SCIENCE / PUBLIC POLICY]
You understand systems, incentives, governance, and how decisions ripple through an organization. Those are capabilities that matter when you map processes or assess risk.
"The Storyteller"
[ENGLISH / COMMUNICATIONS]
You already know how to craft clear messages, turn findings into clear stories leadership can act on, and communicate complexity without jargon.
"The Culture Decoder"
[PSYCHOLOGY / SOCIOLOGY]
You’ve studied how culture, behavior, and informal networks influence how work actually gets done, not just how it’s supposed to work.
"The Analyst"
[MATH / STATISTICS / DATA SCIENCE]
You speak the language of analytics and pattern recognition, which gives you an edge in data-driven audit.
Why This Matters
When I started, I was a business administration major. I didn’t think this was where I’d end up, but 21 years later, I’ve never looked back. I can say with confidence that Internal audit isn’t just a stepping-stone. It is a career with depth, purpose, and influence.
As you grow in this profession, you become a trusted advisor to your business leaders, a driver of transparency, accountability, and a catalyst for meaningful change. In our firm, it’s this mix of different thinkers that strengthens the work we do and the results we deliver.
Curious About the Field?
Your major is more than a credential; it’s a perspective. In internal audit, that perspective becomes a strength, a differentiator, and the foundation for a rewarding career. Bring your skills, your way of thinking, and your curiosity to make a real difference.
