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.
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.
"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 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 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.
