12 answers
Hedi
Student
Tunis, Tunisia
1
Question
Updated
724 views
What are the skills I need to become an audit consultant at EY in 2 years?
What are the skills I need to become an audit consultant at EY in 2 years
Login to comment
10 answers
S I
Finance
37
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
S’s Answer
If you aim to become an audit consultant at EY in the next 2 years, focus on a few important areas to help you succeed:
First, strengthen your knowledge in accounting and financial reporting. Get comfortable reading financial statements and understanding transactions.
Second, sharpen your attention to detail. In auditing, you'll need to spot inconsistencies and ensure everything is accurate.
Third, boost your Excel and data skills. You don't need to be an expert, but being good with spreadsheets will really help.
Fourth, work on your communication skills. You'll often ask clients questions, document your work, and explain your findings.
Fifth, practice time management and reliability. During busy seasons, being organized and meeting deadlines is crucial.
Lastly, try to gain relevant experience through internships, coursework, or projects in accounting or data analysis. This will make your transition smoother.
By focusing on these areas consistently, reaching your goal in 2 years is definitely achievable.
First, strengthen your knowledge in accounting and financial reporting. Get comfortable reading financial statements and understanding transactions.
Second, sharpen your attention to detail. In auditing, you'll need to spot inconsistencies and ensure everything is accurate.
Third, boost your Excel and data skills. You don't need to be an expert, but being good with spreadsheets will really help.
Fourth, work on your communication skills. You'll often ask clients questions, document your work, and explain your findings.
Fifth, practice time management and reliability. During busy seasons, being organized and meeting deadlines is crucial.
Lastly, try to gain relevant experience through internships, coursework, or projects in accounting or data analysis. This will make your transition smoother.
By focusing on these areas consistently, reaching your goal in 2 years is definitely achievable.
Jungjun Lee
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Jungjun’s Answer
Thanks for the great question, Hedi. First, you need to have a solid understanding of accounting and pass the CPA exam. Second, you must have strong communication skills to interact effectively with clients.
RAJARSHI MAJUMDAR
Consulting
5
Answers
Overland Park, Kansas
Updated
RAJARSHI’s Answer
You need to have following
- Strong understanding on financial accounting and corporate reporting
- Prefer to have CPA
- Must have full spectrum understanding on regulatory compliance
- Good analytical skill with knowledge in Excel, Access and equivalent analytical tool
- Formal education or training on Business Ethics and the role of the Audit
- Strong in communication, stakeholder management and leadership
If you don't have CPA - better to pursue now as it takes time.
Build strong networking among Big-4 consulting firms
- Strong understanding on financial accounting and corporate reporting
- Prefer to have CPA
- Must have full spectrum understanding on regulatory compliance
- Good analytical skill with knowledge in Excel, Access and equivalent analytical tool
- Formal education or training on Business Ethics and the role of the Audit
- Strong in communication, stakeholder management and leadership
RAJARSHI recommends the following next steps:
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
131
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Hedi,
That’s a great goal and two years is definitely realistic if you’re intentional about it.
To become an audit consultant at EY, focus on building strong accounting fundamentals (financial statements, GAAP/IFRS, internal controls), get really comfortable with Excel, and try to gain hands-on experience through internships or entry-level accounting roles.
Don’t underestimate communication skills either as audit is not just about numbers, it’s about asking the right questions and clearly explaining findings to clients.
If you stay consistent, get some practical experience, and network a bit (especially through campus recruiting if you’re in school), you’ll put yourself in a strong position within two years.
That’s a great goal and two years is definitely realistic if you’re intentional about it.
To become an audit consultant at EY, focus on building strong accounting fundamentals (financial statements, GAAP/IFRS, internal controls), get really comfortable with Excel, and try to gain hands-on experience through internships or entry-level accounting roles.
Don’t underestimate communication skills either as audit is not just about numbers, it’s about asking the right questions and clearly explaining findings to clients.
If you stay consistent, get some practical experience, and network a bit (especially through campus recruiting if you’re in school), you’ll put yourself in a strong position within two years.
Jonah M
Technology Consulting
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Jonah’s Answer
Hello,
I work as an IT Auditor at another Big 4.
The skills I'd prioritize:
1. Excel/Powerpoint/MS Office proficiency - get as much practice with these tools as you can as much of the work you'll do as an analyst will live in these systems.
2. Do some research on which practice interests you - Big 4 firms do a huge portfolio of work, if you have an idea of which is interesting to you (ex: accounting/tax/consulting) then you can focus on building relevant skills to that practice. If you are aiming for a career in audit, prioritize gaining deep understanding of accounting principles, for example. If you're not sure, this would be great topic to research as the technical aspect of the job will be very different from practice to practice. Be able to answer why you are interested in the job you are interviewing for when it comes time to interview.
3. Communication skills - written/verbal communication. This also includes being able to clearly speak to your experiences and strengths in the interview process.
Advice on landing an offer:
1. Be involved on your college campus - join clubs related to accounting/consulting, network with alumni from your school who have ended up in the Big 4, attend career days (if there is any opportunity to get face to face with the recruiter, definitely do so!)
2. Be on the lookout for opportunities early - the best way to get your foot in the door at Big 4 is via internships. Given you have a few years until graduation, aim to land an internship. Search career sites and apply for summer internships across all Big 4.
3. Don't limit yourself to one Big 4 firm, they all offer similar career opportunities especially at entry level - its better to cast a wide net and apply to all 4 (and other accounting/professional services firms) than to limit yourself to one firm.
I work as an IT Auditor at another Big 4.
The skills I'd prioritize:
1. Excel/Powerpoint/MS Office proficiency - get as much practice with these tools as you can as much of the work you'll do as an analyst will live in these systems.
2. Do some research on which practice interests you - Big 4 firms do a huge portfolio of work, if you have an idea of which is interesting to you (ex: accounting/tax/consulting) then you can focus on building relevant skills to that practice. If you are aiming for a career in audit, prioritize gaining deep understanding of accounting principles, for example. If you're not sure, this would be great topic to research as the technical aspect of the job will be very different from practice to practice. Be able to answer why you are interested in the job you are interviewing for when it comes time to interview.
3. Communication skills - written/verbal communication. This also includes being able to clearly speak to your experiences and strengths in the interview process.
Advice on landing an offer:
1. Be involved on your college campus - join clubs related to accounting/consulting, network with alumni from your school who have ended up in the Big 4, attend career days (if there is any opportunity to get face to face with the recruiter, definitely do so!)
2. Be on the lookout for opportunities early - the best way to get your foot in the door at Big 4 is via internships. Given you have a few years until graduation, aim to land an internship. Search career sites and apply for summer internships across all Big 4.
3. Don't limit yourself to one Big 4 firm, they all offer similar career opportunities especially at entry level - its better to cast a wide net and apply to all 4 (and other accounting/professional services firms) than to limit yourself to one firm.
Neh S
Project Manager
39
Answers
Lexington, South Carolina
Updated
Neh’s Answer
Hi Hedi, to become an audit consultant at for any consulting or professional services firm in 2 years, focus on developing these skills:
- Strong Accounting Knowledge: Understand accounting principles (GAAP, IFRS) and auditing standards.
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze financial data, identify issues, and provide actionable insights.
- Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with audit software and tools such as Excel, ACL, or other data analytics platforms.
- Communication Skills: Clear and professional verbal and written communication to interact effectively with clients and team members.
- Project Management and Teamwork: Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and collaborate well within diverse teams.
Do self-assessment and identify where you stand and layout a plan for what all you will need to do to uplevel yourself to become an audit consultant
- Strong Accounting Knowledge: Understand accounting principles (GAAP, IFRS) and auditing standards.
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze financial data, identify issues, and provide actionable insights.
- Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with audit software and tools such as Excel, ACL, or other data analytics platforms.
- Communication Skills: Clear and professional verbal and written communication to interact effectively with clients and team members.
- Project Management and Teamwork: Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and collaborate well within diverse teams.
Neh recommends the following next steps:
YUICHI SAITO
Audit
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
YUICHI’s Answer
In the next two years, focus on building strong technical accounting skills. Even if US students can take the CPA exam after starting a job, they still need a good understanding of financial accounting, analyzing financial statements, accounting terms, and basic auditing ideas. It's also important to have a mindset of always learning. For example, in Japan, many accounting firms, including the Big 4, prefer hiring Japanese students who have already passed the CPA exams. In places where you can get a job offer before being fully qualified, there might still be a big difference between what's expected when you start and the CPA-level knowledge needed. So, all audit professionals need to keep learning both before and after they start working to bridge that gap. Strong accounting skills and a dedication to continuous learning are essential.
Thara R. Cisse
Auditor
1
Answer
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Thara R.’s Answer
Hi Hedi! Besides what others have mentioned, I think the best way for you to get into the Big 4 is through internships. They're easier to secure than entry-level job interviews and often lead to full-time offers. Also, if you haven't yet, consider getting a higher education degree in accounting. This will qualify you and prepare you for what companies like EY usually want. Keep going—you've got this!
Fatou Mbaye
Data & Risk Management Professional
3
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Fatou’s Answer
Hello Heidi,
It’s great that you’ve set a two-year timeline for yourself. That’s very thoughtful planning.
To become an audit consultant at EY, focus on understanding how companies track the money they earn and spend, and learn to read financial reports that show profits and expenses. You should also be comfortable using Excel to organize and analyze numbers. Strong attention to detail and the ability to clearly explain your findings are very important. It can also be helpful to understand international accounting standards such as IFRS, as they are widely used across many countries.
A great next step would be to research how EY recruits in Tunisia, including internship programs and application timelines. You can also connect with local EY professionals on LinkedIn to understand what qualifications are most valued in your region. This will help you prepare strategically over the next two years.
It’s great that you’ve set a two-year timeline for yourself. That’s very thoughtful planning.
To become an audit consultant at EY, focus on understanding how companies track the money they earn and spend, and learn to read financial reports that show profits and expenses. You should also be comfortable using Excel to organize and analyze numbers. Strong attention to detail and the ability to clearly explain your findings are very important. It can also be helpful to understand international accounting standards such as IFRS, as they are widely used across many countries.
Fatou recommends the following next steps:
Zandy Yeukai Marekera
Front of House Manager
15
Answers
Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North Province
Updated
Zandy Yeukai’s Answer
Hi Hedi,
To become an Audit Consultant at EY in 2 years, focus on these key skills:
1. Learn strong accounting basics (financial statements and bookkeeping).
2. Be very detail-oriented as auditors must spot small mistakes.
3. Develop analytical thinking … ask questions when numbers don’t make sense.
4. Improve your Excel skills (formulas like SUM, IF, and VLOOKUP).
5. Build good communication skills … speak and write clearly.
6. Always show honesty and integrity since audit is about trust.
7. Try to get an internship or accounting experience.
If you work on these consistently, you’ll be well prepared to apply to EY.
To become an Audit Consultant at EY in 2 years, focus on these key skills:
1. Learn strong accounting basics (financial statements and bookkeeping).
2. Be very detail-oriented as auditors must spot small mistakes.
3. Develop analytical thinking … ask questions when numbers don’t make sense.
4. Improve your Excel skills (formulas like SUM, IF, and VLOOKUP).
5. Build good communication skills … speak and write clearly.
6. Always show honesty and integrity since audit is about trust.
7. Try to get an internship or accounting experience.
If you work on these consistently, you’ll be well prepared to apply to EY.