Financial examiners are professionals who ensure compliance with laws governing finance, real estate, and securities. The job might also entail financial data entry, computer automation of accounting procedure, reviewing tax returns for accuracy, and reviewing tax deductions and tax credits to ensure that they are legal. To become a financial examiner, you generally will need a college degree, college internship experience, post-graduate work experience, and a graduate degree.
To become a financial examiner, it is important to get a bachelor's degree in accounting so that you can become a certified public accountant (CPA). The degree in accounting typically includes coursework such as cost accounting, auditing, taxation, financial statement analysis, economics, math, statistics, and other finance-relevant courses. Getting good grades in this coursework can be essential because a high grade point average (GPA) will be something that many prospective employers and graduate programs will want to see.
During college, it can also be essential for you to participate in an internship. The career services department should be able to help you apply for an internship. There are various types of internships to consider. For example, the internship could be in a corporate setting, an accounting firm, or could be in a variety of other finance-related settings. If you want to become a financial examiner, completing an internship is important because an internship can provide you with valuable supervised experience to help supplement your classroom learning.
It is generally recommended that you apply for an accounting job during the final semester of college. The career services department at your college can usually provide job-search assistance. Talking with your college internship supervisor and doing online job searches may be helpful in your job search, as well. Also, if you want to become a financial examiner, keep in mind that the first job that you get immediately after college may not necessarily have the title financial examiner. For example, before becoming a financial examiner, you may have to gain experience as a compliance analyst, auditor, compliance specialist, or compliance officer.
You should typically look for graduate school opportunities as soon as you have completed your first year of post-graduate work experience. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in accounting is generally recommended for anyone who wants to become a financial examiner. Also, gaining experience on professor-supervised research projects can be essential while pursuing an MBA because it could improve your career prospects.
Attainment of skills such as computer database skills and software skills can be important for financial examiners. For example, financial examiners typically need expertise in using financial analysis software, spreadsheets, compliance software, project management software, and other finance and business software. Staying current in software and computer skills can be challenging because every year there typically are upgrades, new equipment, or new technology that must be integrated. Financial examiners, however, are typically required to stay abreast of new technology and new software in order to perform on the job.
Once you get an MBA and become a financial examiner, you can decide which type of work setting you prefer. For example, some financial examiners prefer to work for private companies or work as independent consultants. Others may prefer to work in federal or state agencies due to the stability that these types of positions typically offer.