A Cool Career in Auditing

The idea behind career guidance consists of services that help peoplesuccessfully manage their career development. Although this aspect ofhuman development occurs on its own as we mature, everyone can benefitfrom assistance in navigating this process.

In Namibia, many root the failing of students at universities and the incompetence of some workers in certain fraternities as a result of a lack of proper career guidance. At a school level around mid-year, pupils are taken to career fairs hosted by various institutions to help pupils decide on their future career paths. But, is this enough to groom a child about a specific career?

The Youthpaper turns the microscope to the career of auditing, catching up with Lukas Betwel at the Office of the Auditor General.

The basic definition on an auditor is an official whose job it is to carefully check the accuracy of business records. Auditors ensure that organisations maintain accurate and honest financial records and statements.

Lukas tells us more about this career…

Auditing is assurance. It can be applied in almost every sector, be it public or private. As an individual, one can also do a self audit. It is a specialist job but it exposes you to other sectors and industries; from mining to agriculture and finance – just to mention a few. So, as auditors in Namibia, we audit the state and inform the public as to how it manages its assets.

It is not a relaxed environment for relaxed people and thus it will not be fun for those who are laid back or a bit complacent. As an auditor, you get a wide range of exposure. It improves your outlook on things. You are not just confined to one specific way of doing things. It is one of those professions that can really make you grow as a person so you really need to be focused.

The characteristics are linked to the code of ethics. I believe the characteristics of an auditor have to be embedded in someone at an early age. Some of these characters are integrity, objectivity, honesty, professionalism and transparency. The opinions we provide should be independent and politically neutral. It is a demanding job, but very fun. You must be goal oriented and driven. You must really set goals for yourself in order to survive in the auditing industry.

There are pitfalls here and there. Obstacles are there for you to overcome and to help you grow. There is a very high chance to be misunderstood because many people do not have an in-depth knowledge of what auditing revolves around. Also, some people look at you like a police officer or a spy and tend to think that you are there to make their lives difficult. Nobody wants to be audited. All in all, these are things that can be managed because it hugely relies on your relationship with the client from the get-go. Your relationship sets the tone for the rest of the audit period.

People have this belief that it is only confined to people who do Accounting or have an interest in Mathematics. These are just the foundation subjects of the profession. If you want to develop yourself skills – wise and you want to gain vast knowledge in various areas without necessarily having to pursue studies on a full time basis, then auditing is the right job to take. Also, you have to love reading because we review a lot of documents from different sectors. Auditing puts you ahead of other people and careers.

Approximately 40% office work and 60% field work. The job involves a lot of travelling, thus, it is a fun job for those who love travelling and working at the same time. This can also be another pull factor.

Yes, definitely, but not in the interim I should say. If money is your main motivator to the profession, then you are likely not to be successful, because there are steps you need to take in order to get to a specific level. If you start to meet all the competence and requirements, then definitely the professions starts being more rewarding. No pain, no gain. And I suppose that is the rule with every profession.

There has been a global call from various institutions for auditors. The country currently suffers from a brain drain. So we have a shortage of qualified and credible auditors and chartered accountants in the country. This is something to think about. If the youth out there want to do something different and are driven individuals, then auditing is the field to take. The country needs auditors. Auditing is a global profession. You can work anywhere.

Auditing as a career has a wide range of specialities within the field. If you are in Grade 12 and would like to become an auditor, Lukas advises you to take on Accounting and Finance or any other Mathematical field at university level. “The two subjects are the foundation of auditing and it is required of one to have the background of these two fields,” he concluded.

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