What this life looks like
You verify that financial statements tell the truth. Auditors independently examine an organisation's accounts, internal controls, and financial records to confirm they are accurate, complete, and compliant with regulations. Auditors protect shareholders, taxpayers, and the public from financial fraud and mismanagement — making this a profession of real social importance.
What she actually does
You plan and conduct audits of financial statements, test internal controls, interview management, gather and evaluate evidence, identify errors or irregularities, prepare audit reports, and communicate findings to audit committees and boards. Internal auditors work inside organisations continuously, while external auditors are independent firms hired annually.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Big 4 Audit Firms | Deloitte Nigeria, KPMG East Africa, PwC South Africa, Ernst & Young West Africa |
| Mid-Tier Audit Firms | Baker Tilly Africa, Grant Thornton Africa, BDO Africa, Mazars Africa, PKF Africa |
| Development Banks | African Development Bank Internal Audit, World Bank Group, IFAD, African Export-Import Bank |
| Central Banks & Regulators | Central Bank of Nigeria, South African Reserve Bank, CBK — all have audit departments |
Why it matters in Africa
Improving corporate governance, fighting corruption, and building investor confidence are critical to Africa's economic development. Qualified auditors are essential to this mission. African governments, listed companies, and development banks are all under increasing pressure to demonstrate financial accountability, creating strong demand for audit professionals.
Your pathway in
- Study Accounting or Finance at university
- Qualify as a chartered accountant through ACCA, ACA, ICAN, ICAG, or ICPAK
- Join a public accounting firm's audit practice for your training years
- Consider the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) qualification if you prefer internal audit roles
- Develop knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) — now mandatory across Africa
Skills you will need
- Financial statement analysis
- Risk assessment
- Internal controls evaluation
- IFRS knowledge
- Professional scepticism
- Clear report writing
A woman in this field
Shirley Machaba
South Africa
Shirley is the CEO of PwC Southern Africa, making history as the first black African woman to lead the firm in that region. With over 25 years of experience in internal and external auditing, risk management, and governance, she is a titan in the audit profession. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and has served on the board of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), where she actively champions ethical reporting and transparency in African business.
Take your first step
- Read an annual report of a publicly listed African company — look for the independent auditor's report and understand what it says
- Research what the ACCA qualification involves and how long it takes to qualify as an auditor
- Volunteer to audit the accounts of a school club or community organisation — track every penny in and out
- Follow the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and your national institute of accountants on social media
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