Auditor Exam Preparation

An auditor is a professional who examines an organization's accounting (financial) statements and expresses an opinion on whether they are reliable. Beyond the audit itself, an auditor advises on accounting, taxation, and internal control, helps management identify errors and risks, and proposes ways to address them.

Audit activity in Russia is governed by Federal Law No. 307-FZ “On Auditing Activities.” To practice as an auditor, you must pass the qualification exam, obtain an auditor qualification certificate, and be a member of a self-regulatory organization of auditors.

The HSE IPAA course helps you organize your knowledge and prepare for the exam. New groups start regularly; see the schedule for current dates.

Qualities an auditor needs

Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to handle large volumes of documents are an auditor's key professional qualities. Equally important are responsibility, accuracy, objectivity, and a willingness to stand by a well-founded professional judgment.

Career paths

• External audit — working at an audit firm: auditing clients' financial statements and issuing the auditor's report.
• Internal audit — working in-house at a company or group: assessing the internal control system and reviewing divisions and branches.
• Consulting — audit-related services: setting up and restoring accounting records, tax advisory, and financial statement preparation.

Learn more about the profession in the Resources section.

What an auditor does

• plans and performs audits;
• reviews the organization's financial and business operations;
• analyzes source documents, accounting registers, and financial statements;
• assesses risks and the internal control system;
• prepares the auditor's report and written communications to management;
• advises on accounting, taxation, and reporting;
• provides training and consultations for the client's staff.

Required knowledge and skills

• accounting under FSBU (Russian accounting standards) and IFRS;
• tax legislation (Russian Tax Code) and civil law;
• financial analysis and financial management;
• auditing standards and professional ethics;
• the ability to detect errors and misstatements and to distinguish unintentional errors from fraud;
• the ability to quickly understand the audited company's business processes;
• proficiency in Excel and accounting systems, including 1C;
• English language skills — an advantage when working with international clients.

Why choose this profession

• steady demand for audit and internal control specialists;
• competitive pay;
• a clear career path — from audit assistant to engagement manager and partner;
• work with companies across different industries and regions.

Candidate requirements

The requirements for obtaining an auditor qualification certificate are set by Federal Law No. 307-FZ. They cover passing the qualification exam, higher education, and work experience in auditing or accounting. The list of documents and the exam registration procedure are determined by the organization that administers the exam. We recommend checking the current requirements on its official website before applying.

Preparation program

The course covers seven subjects:

• financial accounting and reporting, including IFRS;
• management accounting;
• finance and financial management;
• taxes and taxation;
• law (civil law, banking and insurance legislation);
• professional ethics;
• auditing.

All subjects are closely tied to accounting: journal entries and accounting issues come up in almost every part of the exam. That is why the program places particular emphasis on accounting. Participants work through module assignments, take practice tests, and review solutions with the instructor.

Tuition

Group tuition fees are listed in the schedule.

Individual tuition fees are available on request.

Classes are held in person in Moscow and online. On completion, participants receive an HSE IPAA certificate of completion. The auditor qualification certificate is issued only based on the results of the exam at the authorized organization.

For questions about the course and exam preparation, contact HSE IPAA managers.