Industry guides
Audit Internships in Singapore: Big 4 and Beyond
Audit internships in Singapore are a structured pathway to the CA qualification, with Big 4 firms offering 8–12 week programmes paying SGD 1,400–2,000/month. This guide covers external vs internal audit, the ISCA pathway, and how to get shortlisted.
Audit Internships in Singapore: Big 4 and Beyond
Audit is the most structured entry point into Singapore's accounting profession. The Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) dominate graduate recruitment and offer well-defined internship programmes with clear pathways to the CA Singapore qualification. Internal audit provides a parallel route with different skills and a broader strategic scope.
External Audit vs Internal Audit
| Dimension | External Audit | Internal Audit |
|---|---|---|
| Employer | Audit firms (Big 4, mid-tier) | Companies' internal audit departments |
| Goal | Independent assurance on financial statements | Risk management, process improvement |
| Clients | Multiple (public and private companies) | One organisation (your employer) |
| Regulators | ACRA, ISCA | IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) |
| Qualification path | CA Singapore, ACCA | CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), CISA |
| Pay (intern level) | SGD 1,400–2,000 | SGD 1,000–1,800 |
The Big 4 in Singapore — Detailed Breakdown
PwC Singapore
- Division: Assurance (statutory audit) + Risk Assurance (internal controls)
- Intern intake: January and July; ~100 interns per intake
- Application: Opens October (for Jan) and April (for July)
- Tech focus: PwC's Aura audit platform is used globally; tech literacy valued
- Monthly allowance: SGD 1,500–2,000
EY Singapore
- Division: Assurance, including Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS)
- Intern intake: January and July
- Application: Opens September (for Jan)
- Key strength: EY's IFRS technical team is highly regarded
- Monthly allowance: SGD 1,500–2,000
KPMG Singapore
- Division: Audit & Assurance; Internal Audit, Risk & Compliance (IARC)
- Intern intake: January and June
- Application: Opens September–October
- Key strength: Strong in financial services clients (banks, insurance)
- Monthly allowance: SGD 1,400–1,900
Deloitte Singapore
- Division: Audit & Assurance; Risk Advisory (internal audit)
- Intern intake: January and July
- Application: Opens October
- Key strength: Deloitte is the largest Big 4 firm by revenue in Singapore
- Monthly allowance: SGD 1,500–2,000
Mid-Tier Audit Firms
| Firm | Client Base | Monthly Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| BDO Singapore | SMEs, mid-caps, financial services | SGD 1,200–1,600 |
| Baker Tilly TFW | SMEs, listed companies | SGD 1,000–1,400 |
| RSM Singapore | SMEs, regional MNCs | SGD 1,000–1,400 |
| Mazars Singapore | Listed companies, European MNCs | SGD 1,000–1,400 |
| Nexia TS | SMEs, listed companies | SGD 900–1,300 |
Why consider mid-tier?
- More direct responsibility (Big 4 interns often work under close supervision; mid-tier interns may lead components of an audit engagement)
- Client variety can be broader
- Stronger chance of seeing a full audit cycle within a single internship
Internal Audit Internship Roles
Large organisations run internal audit (IA) functions that recruit interns separately from external audit firms:
| Employer | IA Internship Type | Monthly Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| DBS Bank | Group Internal Audit | SGD 1,500–2,000 |
| OCBC | Internal Audit | SGD 1,400–1,900 |
| Temasek Holdings | Internal Audit | SGD 1,800–2,500 |
| MAS | Audit & Risk | SGD 1,200–1,800 |
| Singapore Airlines | Group Internal Audit | SGD 1,200–1,700 |
| HDB | Internal Audit | SGD 1,000–1,500 |
The ISCA CA Singapore Pathway
For students targeting CA Singapore:
- University: Accredited accounting degree (NUS, NTU, SMU, SIM, SUSS)
- Big 4 or MIA-registered firm internship: Counts toward practical experience log
- Graduate role: Commence formal training under a Registered CA mentor
- QP (Qualification Programme): Complete ISCA's QP modules
- CA Singapore: Registered on completion
Your internship supervisor's ISCA membership number is needed for experience logs. Confirm this before your first day.
What You Learn in an Audit Internship
Week 1–2: Onboarding
- Audit methodology (Risk-based approach)
- Introduction to audit software (CaseWare, Deloitte Omnia, EY Canvas)
- Filing and documentation standards
Week 3–8: Core Audit Work
- Substantive testing: Vouching transactions to source documents (invoices, bank statements)
- Analytical procedures: Comparing client data to expectations and industry benchmarks
- Internal controls testing: Evaluating whether key controls prevent material misstatements
- Working paper documentation: Preparing clear, reviewable audit evidence files
Final Phase: Review and Reporting
- Addressing review queries from senior associates/managers
- Assisting with management letter drafting
- Closing observations and findings
Salary Benchmarks
| Firm Tier | Monthly Allowance |
|---|---|
| Big 4 | SGD 1,400–2,000 |
| Mid-tier (BDO, RSM, Baker Tilly) | SGD 1,000–1,600 |
| Internal audit (banks, large corps) | SGD 1,200–2,000 |
| Small CPA firms | SGD 800–1,200 |
Application Tips
- Apply to Big 4 in September/October for January intake — applications close before most students realise
- Specify your preferred service line (audit vs tax vs advisory) in cover letters — generic applications are less compelling
- Big 4 also recruit heavily for risk advisory and data analytics — if traditional audit isn't your preference, these divisions hire from the same pool
- For CA Singapore: Confirm with your school that your degree is ISCA-accredited; non-accredited graduates need to complete bridging courses
- Internal audit as an alternative: DBS Group Internal Audit offers unusually strategic work for a bank IA function and pays well
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audit internship SingaporeBig 4 audit internshipISCA CA Singaporeexternal audit interninternal audit internship