Certified Bank Auditor - CBA

Ah, to be a certified bank auditor (CBA). To get to go in and review a financial institution’s records to make sure everything is on the up and up. To wake up, shower, slurp some coffee, and then spend the day making sure banks are complying with state and federal regulations. What a life.

A CBA might work for a bank or accounting firm, or as an independent contractor who goes around and conducts audits at various firms. They first look to see if the bank’s own procedures are being followed. They will also do various tests and spot checking to look for anything out of the ordinary, such as the issuance of bad loans or signs of embezzlement. If they find anything illegal or a come across a security issue, they would discuss it with the bank’s executives (unless of course they are the ones doing the embezzling). The goal is to find and fix any problems before the state banking auditors find them.

To become a CBA, you should first get an undergraduate degree in accounting. Then you have to have at least two years of professional bank auditing experience and pass a four-part exam. The Banking Administration Institute sets the standards, and requires all CBAs to complete 30 hours of continuing education and pay a fee each year to maintain the certification.