auditor

American  

[aw-di-ter] / ˈɔ dɪ tər /

noun

1. a person appointed and authorized to examine accounts and accounting records, compare the charges with the vouchers, verify balance sheet and income items, and state the result.

2. a university student registered for a course without credit and without obligation to do work assigned to the class.

3. a hearer; listener.

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auditor British  

/ ˈɔːdɪtə /

noun

1. a person qualified to audit accounts

2. a person who hears or listens

3. a registered student who attends a class that is not an official part of his course of study, without actively participating it

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Other Word Forms

• auditorial
  adjective
• auditorship
  noun
• subauditor
  noun
• superauditor
  noun

Etymology

Origin of auditor

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English auditour, from Anglo-French, from Latin audītor “hearer,” from audī(re) “to hear” + -tor -tor

Explanation

An auditor is someone who inspects accounting records. Don’t cheat on your taxes, or an auditor might come and check your figures. An auditor is also an attentive listener. That kind is usually more fun. The word auditor is Latin for “hearer.” This word still applies to someone who listens closely, but it also refers to a kind of accountant who checks the financial records of other people, usually to make sure nothing illegal is going on. If the Internal Revenue Service demands an audit, an auditor will go over your financial records with a fine-toothed comb. This process used to be done verbally, so both kinds of auditors need good hearing.

Example Sentences

In December, the California State Auditor said a supervisor wrongly let four Alcoholic Beverage Control managers commute in their state vehicles, at an estimated cost of $16,200.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Yokeley was appointed to the chair position by State Auditor Dave Boliek in June.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2025

The two politicians welcomed Audit Wales' approach and said they looked forward to hearing from Auditor General Adrian Crompton "in due course once he has decided the next course of action".

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2025

The fire suppressants inside Vancouver’s ballot boxes were updated in the last few months, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said at a joint press conference between Portland, Vancouver, Multnomah and Clark County officials.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2024

What were the duties of Auditor, that they could not be performed for a salary of $500 or $600?

From History of the Constitutions of Iowa by Shambaugh, Benjamin F.

Related Words

• accountant
• actuary
• bookkeeper