auditor

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person whose job is to examine financial records to check that they are accurate.

   Grammar: Countable; plural is auditors. Often used with a possessive: the company's auditor.

   Patterns

   • auditor for a company
   • independent auditor
   • internal auditor

   The auditor found several errors in the company's accounts.

   An external auditor will review our financial statements next month.

   She works as an auditor for a large accounting firm.

2. 2nouncountable

   A student who attends a class without receiving credit or a grade.

   Grammar: Countable; plural is auditors. Often used with as: attend as an auditor.

   Patterns

   • attend as an auditor
   • auditor in a class

   He enrolled as an auditor in the art history course.

   The professor allowed her to sit in as an auditor.

   Auditors do not take exams or receive grades.

Word forms

Common combinations

independent auditor

The independent auditor confirmed that the accounts were correct.

internal auditor

The internal auditor checks the company's procedures.

external auditor

An external auditor was hired to verify the annual report.

attend as an auditor

She decided to attend the lecture as an auditor.

auditor's report

The auditor's report highlighted several weaknesses in the system.

Synonyms and how they differ

accountant

An accountant keeps and prepares financial records; an auditor specifically checks them for accuracy.

examiner

An examiner tests or inspects something; an auditor focuses on financial records.

inspector

An inspector checks that rules are followed; an auditor checks financial accounts.

Word family

audit noun

An official examination of financial records.

audit verb

To examine financial records officially.

Commonly confused: auditor or audition? auditor or auditory?

Practice

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