Have you ever found yourself staring at job descriptions, wondering which direction your career should take? I’ve been there. After spending years in the compliance world, I’ve watched countless professionals wrestle with the same question: Should I build my career around internal control or pursue external audit certification?
Let me share what I’ve learned through my journey in this field, and hopefully, it’ll help you make sense of your own path.
Before we dive in, let’s chat about what these roles actually look like in real life.
Think of internal control specialists as the behind-the-scenes heroes. They’re the ones who know their organization inside and out, constantly fine-tuning processes to keep everything running smoothly.
I remember Sarah, a quality manager at a manufacturing firm, who transformed her company’s chaotic documentation system into a streamlined process that saved hours of headaches during audit season. That’s internal control at its finest—creating order from chaos and making everyone’s life easier in the process.
Internal control professionals typically:
They’re the ones who sleep well at night knowing they’ve built systems strong enough to withstand scrutiny.
Now, imagine being the person who walks into a room and everyone straightens up a bit. That’s life as an external auditor.
My colleague Miguel transitioned from internal IT security to external auditing, and he describes it as “seeing the forest instead of just the trees.” Where he once focused on one company’s systems, he now evaluates dozens, bringing insights from across industries.
External auditors:
They’re the ones who get to say “yes, you’ve made it” or “here’s what you need to fix”—wielding a certain power that comes with independence.
Do you get satisfaction from building things that last? Does seeing a well-oiled machine of processes make you smile? You might be an internal control person at heart.
This path might be your calling if:
I’ve seen professionals like Jamie, who started in IT support but had a knack for documentation and security. She moved into ISO 27001 implementation and found her true calling—creating information security systems that protected her company while still being practical for users.
If this sounds like you, consider these certifications:
These courses will give you practical tools to build systems that not only comply but actually work.
Do you have an eye for detail and a talent for asking the right questions? Do you value independence and the ability to set the standard rather than meet it?
This path could be yours if:
Take Carlos, who spent years as a compliance officer before becoming a lead auditor. He now travels to different companies, helping them achieve certification in ISO 27001. “I love seeing the lightbulb moment when organizations realize how security can become part of their DNA, not just a checkbox,” he tells me.
If you see yourself in this description, look into:
These certifications open doors to registrars, consultancies, and large organizations that need third-party verification expertise.
Here’s a secret from someone who’s been around the block: the most valuable professionals today understand both sides of the equation.
My own career took a turn when I realized I could use my implementation experience to become a more effective auditor. I understood the challenges organizations faced because I’d faced them myself. This made me not just an auditor, but a trusted advisor.
Consider the hybrid path if:
The natural progression often looks like this:
This gives you that rare 360° understanding that organizations increasingly value.
The ISO world is vast, but you don’t need to master everything. Focus on what aligns with your industry and interests:
I usually recommend starting with either ISO 27001 or ISO 9001, as they provide foundational concepts that apply across other standards.
Let me save you from a mistake I almost made early in my career. Not all certifications are created equal.
When investing in your training, make sure it’s accredited by recognized bodies like PEBC. I’ve seen the disappointment on people’s faces when they discover their certification isn’t recognized for certain roles or by certain organizations.
An accredited certification ensures your credentials travel with you anywhere in your career.
We all learn differently. Some of my colleagues thrive in intensive bootcamps, while others prefer the flexibility of self-paced learning. Consider what works for your lifestyle:
The best programs offer scenario-based learning and practice exams to prepare you for the real thing.
Whether you choose internal control, external auditing, or a hybrid approach, the most important thing is aligning your path with who you are and how you like to work.
Are you a builder or an evaluator? Do you prefer depth in one organization or breadth across many? Do you want to be part of the team or the independent voice?
There’s no wrong answer—just the right fit for you.
Whatever you choose, remember that in the ISO world, continuous learning is part of the journey. The standards evolve, and the best professionals evolve with them.
So, which path feels right for you?