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Systems Auditor

Software products, applications, and information systems (including hardware, networks, and facilities) make up the internal control systems of an organization. Systems auditors assess the quality of these systems.

Also Known As

Computer Specialist, Computer Systems Auditor, Fraud Investigator, Information Technology Specialist, Investigator, Systems Analyst

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 2171.4: Systems Auditors

2006 NOC-S

  • C071: Information Systems Analysts and Consultants

2011 NOC

  • 2171: Information systems analysts and consultants

2016 NOC

  • 2171: Information systems analysts and consultants

2021 NOC

  • 21222: Information systems specialists

2023 OaSIS

  • 21222.00: Information systems specialists
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Systems auditors review, evaluate, and provide proactive, control-related advice regarding:

  • The effectiveness of policy, standards, and procedures
  • The performance of computer information systems and software
  • The effectiveness of security and control systems, which protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information and systems
  • Compliance with external regulating bodies and related regulations
  • Development of new business and information systems
  • Problems with applications and recommended modifications
  • Systems testing with internal and external clients and required support during various phases of testing procedures

In general, systems auditors work with the staff and management of the organization being audited. They assess the completeness, accuracy, validity, and efficiency of operational systems. They compare these with acknowledged internal and external criteria such as information security management (ISO 27001). While confirming compliance with standards, they account for specific conditions and risk tolerance.

Systems auditors may conduct audits as part of an audit department within the company. Or they may perform an annual external audit as part of a consulting company. In general, internal audits are done in advance of an external audit. The goal is to reduce the overall cost of external audits.

Duties vary in this role. In general, systems auditors:

  • Evaluate the authorization, accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of transaction processing and controls in business systems
  • Review application systems and business procedures to determine if they are achieving business objectives
  • Review the use of computing facilities and controls
  • Help in other financial and operational audits and projects
  • Design and build custom forms and reports for various business areas
  • Review requirements with users and provide time estimates for task completion

Systems auditors spend a lot of time consulting with people and authoring reports. Their reports must be clear and logical.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Systems auditors work in office settings. They may use advanced information technology.

They often work standard weekday hours. They may have to work overtime to meet project deadlines.

Some positions require a lot of travel.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
I
Investigative
This occupation
You
C
Conventional
E
Enterprising
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Information systems specialists
2023 OaSIS: 21222.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Systems auditors need:

  • The ability to learn quickly
  • Logical thinking and attention to detail
  • The ability to understand abstract relationships
  • Speaking and writing skills
  • Facilitation, consultation, and interpersonal skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • Organization and time-management skills (to juggle several projects at once)
  • The ability to convey technical ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Leadership skills

They should enjoy:

  • Working with people from a variety of backgrounds
  • Solving problems
  • Keeping up with changes in technology, regulations, and legislation

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Information systems analysts and consultants

2016 NOC: 2171

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 103 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 29, 2024 and Oct 08, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Design, develop and implement information systems business solutions
Tasks: Conduct reviews to assess quality assurance practices, software products and information systems
Tasks: Provide advice on information systems strategy, policy, management and service delivery
Tasks: Confer with clients to identify and document requirements
Tasks: Develop and implement policies and procedures throughout the software development life cycle
Tasks: Document technical requirements to ensure that products, processes and solutions meet business requirements
Tasks: Develop policies, procedures and contingency plans to minimize the effects of security breaches
Attention to detail
Tasks: Assess physical and technical security risks to data, software and hardware
Tasks: Execute and document results of software application tests and information and telecommunication systems tests
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

This is not an entry-level position. The work requires knowledge of business practices, information management, and computer technology. Systems auditors need both related post-secondary education and experience in technical, accounting, and business roles. Most employers prefer applicants with a degree in accounting, business, computer science, or a related field, as well as professional certification.

Various degree and diploma programs are related to computer science and accounting. These are offered by universities, colleges, technical institutes, and private vocational schools throughout Alberta. To learn more about accounting programs and designations (CA, CGA, CMA), see the Accountant occupational profile.

Before enrolling in any program, prospective systems auditors should discuss their education options with people already working in this field.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Bow Valley College
Robertson College - Calgary
Robertson College - Edmonton

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Certification Provincially regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Information Systems Professional

Information systems professionals investigate, analyze, design, develop, or manage information systems based on computer and related technologies. They do so objectively applying specialized knowledge and professional judgement.

Legislation

Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf]. This means that to call yourself an Information Systems Professional or use the I.S.P. designation, you must be a registered member of the Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS Alberta).

You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself an Information Systems Professional.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Information Systems Professional.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Systems auditors work for large organizations in the private and public sectors, and for consulting firms.

Experienced systems auditors may advance to senior management positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Information systems analysts and consultants
2016 NOC: 2171

79.9% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Information systems specialists
2021 NOC: 21222
Hot
Job Market
25,200
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Information systems analysts and consultants
2016 NOC: 2171
2.5%
Annual Growth
(Above average)
674
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Earnings for systems auditors vary depending on their education and experience and the responsibilities of the position.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Information systems specialists

2021 NOC: 21222
Average Wage
$47.46
Per Hour
Average Salary
$94,974.00
Per Year
Average Hours
38.5
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 21222 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $25.64 $61.54 $39.32 $37.78
Overall $30.77 $66.19 $47.46 $49.01
Top $33.92 $81.14 $54.13 $51.01

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Retail Trade
Information, Culture, Recreation
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
52%
52%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
15%
15%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
6%
6%
Vacancy Rate
6%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Computer and Information Technology
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) of Alberta website: ab.cips.ca

Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) website: www.ictc-ctic.ca

Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) website: www.isaca.org

Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) website: www.theiia.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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