Freelance in Audit

Your name. Your rates. Your choices.

Freelancing in audit isn't for everyone, but for those it suits, it's a liberating choice. More freedom, higher income and work you select yourself.

View the scenarios Schedule a conversation

Every freelance path is different. Choose the scenario closest to your situation.

Which situation are you in?
FROM EMPLOYED TO FREELANCE FREELANCE AS AN ESTABLISHED CHOICE FROM FREELANCE BACK TO PERMANENT COMBINING FREELANCE WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES
SCENARIO 01: FROM EMPLOYED TO FREELANCE

Stop working for others. Start working for yourself.

You have the knowledge, the experience and the network. What you're missing is the step. Most auditors who consider going freelance wait for the perfect moment. That moment doesn't exist.

5–8 years audit experience for a direct freelance start
+35–50% higher income compared to employment
6–10 weeks average time to first assignment

Route Plan

01
Employed
02
Decision
03
Preparation
04
First assignment
05
Independent

What does this scenario entail?

You've built your audit expertise at a firm. Now you're ready to work independently, on your own terms. This scenario guides you from the decision phase — when you're still employed — through to your first assignment and beyond. Auditworks knows this path inside out and helps hundreds of auditors make this step every year.

Focus Skills

01
Immediate deployability

With 5+ years of audit experience you're productive with a client from day one. No onboarding time needed.

02
Rate negotiation

Use your analytical sharpness to determine and defend your own market value.

03
Independent judgement

You're used to drawing conclusions without a safety net. The quintessential freelance mindset.

Tips for the entrepreneur

Build a strong practice
01
Start before you leave

Activate your network while still employed. Many first assignments come through former colleagues.

02
Set your rate correctly from day one

Research market rates and set your minimum. Underpricing is hard to correct later.

03
Arrange your administration

A Chamber of Commerce registration, invoice template, and basic bookkeeping — arrange this before your first day as a freelancer.

04
Protect yourself

Professional liability insurance and illness cover are essential, not optional.

Entrepreneur's Tip
Your first assignment is closer than you think.

Most auditors who make the step find their first assignment within their own network within 6 weeks. You already know the people. The question is whether you've told them you're available.

Ask for advice
Freelance auditor at work
Placed via Auditworks

Making the step felt enormous. In hindsight, it was the best professional decision of my career. Within three months I was earning more and had more time for my family.

MV
M.V.

Freelance auditor, former Big Four senior, client of Auditworks since 2019

Frequently asked questions

Not per se, but it increases your market value significantly. Many clients specifically ask for RAs. Without the qualification, you'll build your position on experience and specialisation.
For auditors with 5–8 years of experience, a day rate of €650–€850 is common. In specialised niches this can be significantly higher.
Usually through your network. Inform former colleagues, clients and supervisors that you're going freelance. Auditworks also has a broad network of active assignments.
Setting your rate too low, having no buffer for lean periods, and underestimating the administrative side. Good preparation is key.
Yes, many freelancers successfully complete their RA qualification. It requires discipline and good agreements with clients about training time.

Ready to take the step?

Schedule a conversation
SCENARIO 02: FREELANCE AS AN ESTABLISHED CHOICE

You're a freelancer. Now you want to do it better.

You have the foundation in place. Now it's time to professionalise: better assignments, higher rates and less time lost on peripheral matters.

15–25% average rate growth after two years
Network every assignment expands your reach
Niche focus specialists are irreplaceable

Route Plan

01
Established
02
Analyse
03
Professionalise
04
Grow
05
Authority

What does this scenario entail?

You've already made the step to freelancing and proved you can do it. Now the question is: how do you grow from a good freelancer to an exceptional one? Better assignments, higher rates, and a sustainable practice. Auditworks helps established freelancers professionalise and grow.

Focus Skills

01
Positioning

Who are you in the market and who is your ideal client? A clear positioning attracts better assignments and higher rates.

02
Client relationship management

Long-term client relationships are more valuable than individual assignments. Invest in relationships, not just deliverables.

03
Financial planning

As an established freelancer, financial planning becomes more complex. Provisions, VAT, company structure — get this in order.

Tips for the entrepreneur

Build a strong practice
01
Evaluate your rate

Compare your current rate with the market every six months. If you haven't raised your rate in two years, you're probably too cheap.

02
Find your niche

Specialists earn more and are easier to recommend. Choose a specialisation and commit to it.

03
Build recurring income

Retainer agreements and long-term contracts create predictability. Aim for at least 60% recurring work.

04
Invest in your own development

Courses, certifications and a professional network — these investments pay back directly in your rate.

Entrepreneur's Tip
The second phase is about choosing.

The first phase is about survival, the second phase is about choosing. Which assignments deliver the most value? What do you really want to be known for?

Ask for advice
Freelance auditor with their own practice
Placed via Auditworks

After two years as a freelancer I realised I was still playing it safe. Auditworks helped me position myself better and I doubled my rate within a year.

AK
A.K.

Freelance audit specialist, five-year relationship with Auditworks

Frequently asked questions

Compare rates within your network and via platforms. Auditworks can give you direct market insight based on current assignments. Transparency about rates prevents you from setting them too low.
Generally from around €80,000–€100,000 annual turnover. The fiscal and legal benefits then start to outweigh the administrative costs. Discuss this with an accountant.
Network actively even when you're busy. Keep in touch with former clients. Auditworks maintains an active database of upcoming assignments.
As a freelancer you're self-responsible. Options include a company pension, an annuity, or investing. Start early — the advantage of compound interest is significant.
Not exclusively. Many freelancers build their practice through a combination of their own network and intermediaries like Auditworks. Find the mix that works for you.

Ready to take the step?

Schedule a conversation
SCENARIO 03: FROM FREELANCE BACK TO PERMANENT

Freelancing has given you what you sought. Now you want something different.

The freedom was valuable. The experience was invaluable. And now you're ready for a role with more structure, responsibility or stability. That's not a step backwards — it's a deliberate choice.

Broad CV multiple sectors and clients
Senior/Manager often entering at a higher level
Proven you have demonstrated independence

Route Plan

01
Freelance
02
Reflection
03
CV positioning
04
Network activation
05
Permanent role

What does this scenario entail?

After years of freelancing you're looking for a new challenge in a permanent role. Your freelance experience is actually a significant advantage: you've worked independently, managed diverse clients, and proven your expertise. Auditworks has an extensive network of employers who value that background.

Focus Skills

01
CV positioning

Your freelance period must be presented as an asset. Multiple clients, sectors and projects demonstrate versatility — not inconsistency.

02
Interview preparation

Employers want to understand why you're returning to employment. A clear, honest answer is stronger than a rehearsed one.

03
Salary negotiation

Your freelance rate gives you a reference. Know what an equivalent permanent package represents, and negotiate from there.

Tips for the entrepreneur

Build a strong practice
01
Clarify your why

Why do you want to return to permanent employment? Interviewers will ask this. A clear, genuine answer is more convincing than a strategic one.

02
Update your LinkedIn profile

Frame your freelance experience positively. Specific clients, projects and results speak louder than a general 'freelancer' description.

03
Contact former employers

Many former colleagues have moved on and are now in decision-making positions. Reconnect — you're probably more welcome than you think.

04
Don't underestimate the transition

From total freedom to a structure takes adjustment. Think in advance about what you need to make this work well.

Entrepreneur's Tip
Your freelance experience is your strength.

Employers increasingly see freelance experience as proof of independence, adaptability and results-orientation. Use it — don't hide it.

Ask for advice
Audit manager returned to a permanent team
Placed via Auditworks

After five years of freelancing I was ready for something else. Auditworks helped me find a role at management level — something I couldn't have reached without my freelance experience.

RB
R.B.

Now: Head of Internal Audit, previously five-year freelancer via Auditworks

Frequently asked questions

Not at all. More and more employers see freelance experience as a plus: independence, client-focus, and accountability. It's how you present it that matters.
Often at a higher level than when you started freelancing. Your experience typically positions you for manager or senior manager roles.
On average 3–6 months for a suitable permanent role in audit. Auditworks has an active network of employers and can speed up this process.
No. You can keep your BV running while you explore your options. Once you have certainty about a permanent role, you can phase it out in consultation with your accountant.
Absolutely. Many auditors switch multiple times in their career. The knowledge and network you build in a permanent role are valuable for your next freelance period.

Ready to take the step?

Schedule a conversation
SCENARIO 04: COMBINING FREELANCE WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES

Audit is your foundation. But not your only one.

Audit is your foundation. But not your only one. Combine freelance assignments with coaching, education, or your own business.

Portfolio multiple roles alongside each other
Flexible assignment volume on your terms
Unique combined expertise

Route Plan

01
Audit base
02
Identify opportunity
03
Build in parallel
04
Combine
05
Portfolio career

What does this scenario entail?

You have a solid audit practice and are now looking to expand. Whether it's coaching junior auditors, giving lectures, building a product, or setting up a side business — the combination often proves more rewarding than the sum of its parts. Auditworks helps you structure the right flexible base.

Focus Skills

01
Time management

Managing multiple roles simultaneously demands iron-clad planning and clear agreements.

02
Expertise as a product

Your knowledge is deployable not just as an executor, but also as a trainer or advisor.

03
Broad network

Combining different worlds creates cross-pollination and more opportunities.

04
Entrepreneurship

Managing multiple income streams is the ultimate form of independence.

Tips for the entrepreneur

Build a strong practice
01
Build in parallel

Start your side activities while you still have a stable assignment running.

02
Negotiate flexibility

Discuss reduced hours or flexible scheduling with your main client. More clients are open to this than you might expect.

03
Find your anchor

An anchor assignment — a client that takes 60–80% of your time — provides the stability to develop your other activities.

04
Bundle fiscally

Multiple income streams have different fiscal treatments. A good accountant can make a significant difference here.

Entrepreneur's Tip
Build in parallel.

Start your side activities while you still have a stable assignment running. The safety of an income gives you the space to experiment without financial pressure.

Ask for advice
Freelance auditor and university lecturer
Placed via Auditworks

I do four days of audit and one day I teach at the university. The two continuously feed each other in a unique way.

JW
Joost W.

Freelance auditor and university lecturer, long-standing relationship with Auditworks

Frequently asked questions

More and more. Many clients now proactively look for flexible professionals. The key is being transparent about your availability from the outset and agreeing clear expectations.
Each client gets a separate invoice. If you have a limited company, that can be advantageous for bundling income streams. A good accountant can help set up the right structure.
It can be, but it depends on your specific situation. A company structure can be advantageous from a certain income level. Let a specialist assess your situation.
That's the beauty of a portfolio career: not all your eggs are in one basket. Ensure your other activities can absorb the shortfall, or that your savings buffer is sufficient.
Auditworks specialises in flexible freelance structures. We connect you to assignments that fit your availability and help you think about the right combination for your situation.

Ready to take the step?

Schedule a conversation
Overview

Which scenario fits you?

A direct comparison of the four routes

Scenario 01

Employed → Freelance

 Scenario 02

Established Freelance

 Scenario 03

Freelance → Permanent

 Scenario 04

Portfolio Career
Income potential High (+35–50%) Very high Medium–high High (multiple streams)
Stability Medium (building) High Very high Medium (diversified)
Flexibility High High Low–medium Very high
Experience required 5–8 years Already freelance Already freelance Experienced freelancer
Auditworks support Network + first assignment Better assignments + positioning Permanent placement network Flexible assignment structures
Auditworks

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