diff --git a/docs/generated/reference/output/reference/api-docs/index.html b/docs/generated/reference/output/reference/api-docs/index.html
index 6ca36a3d4..2f7afae7a 100755
--- a/docs/generated/reference/output/reference/api-docs/index.html
+++ b/docs/generated/reference/output/reference/api-docs/index.html
@@ -1681,7 +1681,11 @@ Appears In:
 <td><code>LabelSelector</code></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody></table>
+<<<<<<< HEAD
 <p>A label selector is a label query over a set of resources. The result of matchLabels and matchExpressions are ANDed. An empty label selector matches all objects. A null label selector matches no objects.</p>
+=======
+<p>Authenticate against Vault using a Kubernetes ServiceAccount token stored in a Secret.</p>
+>>>>>>> Addresses comments and makes vault auth pointers
 <aside class="notice">
 Appears In:
 
@@ -1697,6 +1701,7 @@ Appears In:
 </tr>
 </thead>
 <tbody><tr>
+<<<<<<< HEAD
 <td><code>matchExpressions</code><br /> *<a href="#labelselectorrequirement-v1">LabelSelectorRequirement</a> array*</td>
 <td>matchExpressions is a list of label selector requirements. The requirements are ANDed.</td>
 </tr>
@@ -1746,6 +1751,18 @@ Appears In:
 <tr>
 <td><code>values</code><br /> <em>string array</em></td>
 <td>values is an array of string values. If the operator is In or NotIn, the values array must be non-empty. If the operator is Exists or DoesNotExist, the values array must be empty. This array is replaced during a strategic merge patch.</td>
+=======
+<td><code>mountPath</code><br /> <em>string</em></td>
+<td>The kubernetes mount path to be used when authenticating (/v1/auth/%s/login). If unspecified, the default value &#34;kubernetes&#34; will be used.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><code>role</code><br /> <em>string</em></td>
+<td>A required field containing the Vault Role to assume. A Role binds a Kubernetes ServiceAccount with a set of Vault policies.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td><code>secretRef</code><br /> *<a href="#secretkeyselector-v1alpha1">SecretKeySelector</a>*</td>
+<td>The required Secret field containing a Kubernetes ServiceAccount JWT used for authenticating with Vault. Use of &#39;ambient credentials&#39; is not supported.</td>
+>>>>>>> Addresses comments and makes vault auth pointers
 </tr>
 </tbody></table>
 <h2 id="localobjectreference-v1">LocalObjectReference v1</h2>
@@ -2538,6 +2555,7 @@ Appears In:
 <td><code>VaultAppRole</code></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody></table>
+<p>Authenticate against Vault using an AppRole that is stored in a Secret.</p>
 <aside class="notice">
 Appears In:
 
@@ -2601,7 +2619,11 @@ Appears In:
 <td>This Secret contains a AppRole and Secret</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
+<<<<<<< HEAD
 <td><code>kubernetes</code><br /> *<a href="#vaultkubernetesauth-v1alpha2">VaultKubernetesAuth</a>*</td>
+=======
+<td><code>kubernetes</code><br /> *<a href="#kubernetesauth-v1alpha1">KubernetesAuth</a>*</td>
+>>>>>>> Addresses comments and makes vault auth pointers
 <td>This contains a Role and Secret with a ServiceAccount token to authenticate with vault.</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
diff --git a/pkg/apis/certmanager/v1alpha2/const.go b/pkg/apis/certmanager/v1alpha2/const.go
index 88e443c92..e6bb792c2 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/certmanager/v1alpha2/const.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/certmanager/v1alpha2/const.go
@@ -31,3 +31,12 @@ const (
 	// Default duration before certificate expiration if  Issuer.spec.renewBefore is not set
 	DefaultRenewBefore = time.Hour * 24 * 30
 )
+
+const (
+	// Default index key for the Secret reference for Token authentication
+	DefaultVaultTokenAuthSecretKey = "token"
+
+	// Default mount path location for Kubernetes ServiceAccount authentication
+	// (/v1/auth/kubernetes/login)
+	DefaultVaultKubernetesAuthMountPath = "kubernetes"
+)
diff --git a/pkg/controller/certificaterequests/vault/vault_test.go b/pkg/controller/certificaterequests/vault/vault_test.go
index 1a0827859..458b9a23f 100644
--- a/pkg/controller/certificaterequests/vault/vault_test.go
+++ b/pkg/controller/certificaterequests/vault/vault_test.go
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ func TestSign(t *testing.T) {
 				CertManagerObjects: []runtime.Object{baseCR.DeepCopy(),
 					gen.IssuerFrom(baseIssuer, gen.SetIssuerVault(cmapi.VaultIssuer{
 						Auth: cmapi.VaultAuth{
-							TokenSecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
+							TokenSecretRef: &cmapi.SecretKeySelector{
 								Key: "secret-key",
 								LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
 									"non-existing-secret",
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ func TestSign(t *testing.T) {
 				CertManagerObjects: []runtime.Object{baseCR.DeepCopy(), gen.IssuerFrom(baseIssuer,
 					gen.SetIssuerVault(cmapi.VaultIssuer{
 						Auth: cmapi.VaultAuth{
-							AppRole: cmapi.VaultAppRole{
+							AppRole: &cmapi.VaultAppRole{
 								RoleId: "my-role-id",
 								SecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
 									Key: "secret-key",
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ func TestSign(t *testing.T) {
 				CertManagerObjects: []runtime.Object{baseCR.DeepCopy(), gen.IssuerFrom(baseIssuer,
 					gen.SetIssuerVault(cmapi.VaultIssuer{
 						Auth: cmapi.VaultAuth{
-							TokenSecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
+							TokenSecretRef: &cmapi.SecretKeySelector{
 								Key: "my-token-key",
 								LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
 									"token-secret",
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ func TestSign(t *testing.T) {
 				CertManagerObjects: []runtime.Object{baseCR.DeepCopy(), gen.IssuerFrom(baseIssuer,
 					gen.SetIssuerVault(cmapi.VaultIssuer{
 						Auth: cmapi.VaultAuth{
-							AppRole: cmapi.VaultAppRole{
+							AppRole: &cmapi.VaultAppRole{
 								RoleId: "my-role-id",
 								SecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
 									LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ func TestSign(t *testing.T) {
 				CertManagerObjects: []runtime.Object{baseCR.DeepCopy(), gen.IssuerFrom(baseIssuer,
 					gen.SetIssuerVault(cmapi.VaultIssuer{
 						Auth: cmapi.VaultAuth{
-							TokenSecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
+							TokenSecretRef: &cmapi.SecretKeySelector{
 								Key: "my-token-key",
 								LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
 									"token-secret",
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ func TestSign(t *testing.T) {
 				CertManagerObjects: []runtime.Object{baseCR.DeepCopy(), gen.IssuerFrom(baseIssuer,
 					gen.SetIssuerVault(cmapi.VaultIssuer{
 						Auth: cmapi.VaultAuth{
-							AppRole: cmapi.VaultAppRole{
+							AppRole: &cmapi.VaultAppRole{
 								RoleId: "my-role-id",
 								SecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
 									LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
diff --git a/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/types_issuer.go b/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/types_issuer.go
index 71107c18b..efc63a355 100644
--- a/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/types_issuer.go
+++ b/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/types_issuer.go
@@ -158,6 +158,8 @@ type VaultIssuer struct {
 // - With a secret containing a token. Cert-manager is using this token as-is.
 // - With a secret containing a AppRole. This AppRole is used to authenticate to
 //   Vault and retrieve a token.
+// - With a secret containing a Kubernetes ServiceAccount JWT. This JWT is used
+//   to authenticate with Vault and retrieve a token.
 type VaultAuth struct {
 	// This Secret contains the Vault token key
 	// +optional
@@ -173,6 +175,7 @@ type VaultAuth struct {
 	Kubernetes *VaultKubernetesAuth `json:"kubernetes,omitempty"`
 }
 
+// Authenticate against Vault using an AppRole that is stored in a Secret.
 type VaultAppRole struct {
 	// Where the authentication path is mounted in Vault.
 	Path string `json:"path"`
diff --git a/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/v1alpha1/zz_generated.conversion.go b/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/v1alpha1/zz_generated.conversion.go
index 690a6afd0..ed34f2661 100644
--- a/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/v1alpha1/zz_generated.conversion.go
+++ b/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/v1alpha1/zz_generated.conversion.go
@@ -2095,15 +2095,9 @@ func Convert_certmanager_VaultAppRole_To_v1alpha1_VaultAppRole(in *certmanager.V
 }
 
 func autoConvert_v1alpha1_VaultAuth_To_certmanager_VaultAuth(in *v1alpha1.VaultAuth, out *certmanager.VaultAuth, s conversion.Scope) error {
-	if err := Convert_v1alpha1_SecretKeySelector_To_certmanager_SecretKeySelector(&in.TokenSecretRef, &out.TokenSecretRef, s); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if err := Convert_v1alpha1_VaultAppRole_To_certmanager_VaultAppRole(&in.AppRole, &out.AppRole, s); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if err := Convert_v1alpha1_KubernetesAuth_To_certmanager_KubernetesAuth(&in.Kubernetes, &out.Kubernetes, s); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	out.TokenSecretRef = (*certmanager.SecretKeySelector)(unsafe.Pointer(in.TokenSecretRef))
+	out.AppRole = (*certmanager.VaultAppRole)(unsafe.Pointer(in.AppRole))
+	out.Kubernetes = (*certmanager.KubernetesAuth)(unsafe.Pointer(in.Kubernetes))
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -2113,15 +2107,9 @@ func Convert_v1alpha1_VaultAuth_To_certmanager_VaultAuth(in *v1alpha1.VaultAuth,
 }
 
 func autoConvert_certmanager_VaultAuth_To_v1alpha1_VaultAuth(in *certmanager.VaultAuth, out *v1alpha1.VaultAuth, s conversion.Scope) error {
-	if err := Convert_certmanager_SecretKeySelector_To_v1alpha1_SecretKeySelector(&in.TokenSecretRef, &out.TokenSecretRef, s); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if err := Convert_certmanager_VaultAppRole_To_v1alpha1_VaultAppRole(&in.AppRole, &out.AppRole, s); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if err := Convert_certmanager_KubernetesAuth_To_v1alpha1_KubernetesAuth(&in.Kubernetes, &out.Kubernetes, s); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	out.TokenSecretRef = (*v1alpha1.SecretKeySelector)(unsafe.Pointer(in.TokenSecretRef))
+	out.AppRole = (*v1alpha1.VaultAppRole)(unsafe.Pointer(in.AppRole))
+	out.Kubernetes = (*v1alpha1.KubernetesAuth)(unsafe.Pointer(in.Kubernetes))
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/validation/issuer_test.go b/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/validation/issuer_test.go
index 9d40e9e04..0a63e57be 100644
--- a/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/validation/issuer_test.go
+++ b/pkg/internal/apis/certmanager/validation/issuer_test.go
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ var (
 		PrivateKey: validSecretKeyRef,
 	}
 	validVaultIssuer = v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
-		Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-			TokenSecretRef: validSecretKeyRef,
+		Auth: v1alpha1.VaultAuth{
+			TokenSecretRef: &validSecretKeyRef,
 		},
 		Server: "something",
 		Path:   "a/b/c",
diff --git a/pkg/internal/vault/vault.go b/pkg/internal/vault/vault.go
index c5f1e8853..f63aa6d2d 100644
--- a/pkg/internal/vault/vault.go
+++ b/pkg/internal/vault/vault.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
 	"path"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -33,10 +34,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/jetstack/cert-manager/pkg/util/pki"
 )
 
-const (
-	defaultKubernetesAuthMountPath = "kubernetes"
-)
-
 var _ Interface = &Vault{}
 
 type VaultClientBuilder func(namespace string, secretsLister corelisters.SecretLister,
@@ -147,7 +144,7 @@ func (v *Vault) Sign(csrPEM []byte, duration time.Duration) (cert []byte, ca []b
 
 func (v *Vault) setToken(client Client) error {
 	tokenRef := v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.TokenSecretRef
-	if tokenRef.Name != "" {
+	if tokenRef != nil {
 		token, err := v.tokenRef(tokenRef.Name, v.namespace, tokenRef.Key)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -158,8 +155,8 @@ func (v *Vault) setToken(client Client) error {
 	}
 
 	appRole := v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole
-	if appRole.RoleId != "" {
-		token, err := v.requestTokenWithAppRoleRef(client, &appRole)
+	if appRole != nil {
+		token, err := v.requestTokenWithAppRoleRef(client, appRole)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -169,8 +166,8 @@ func (v *Vault) setToken(client Client) error {
 	}
 
 	kubernetesAuth := v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.Kubernetes
-	if kubernetesAuth.Role != "" {
-		token, err := v.requestTokenWithKubernetesAuth(client, &kubernetesAuth)
+	if kubernetesAuth != nil {
+		token, err := v.requestTokenWithKubernetesAuth(client, kubernetesAuth)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("error reading Kubernetes service account token from %s: %s", kubernetesAuth.SecretRef.Name, err.Error())
 		}
@@ -208,7 +205,7 @@ func (v *Vault) tokenRef(name, namespace, key string) (string, error) {
 	}
 
 	if key == "" {
-		key = "token"
+		key = v1alpha2.DefaultVaultTokenAuthSecretKey
 	}
 
 	keyBytes, ok := secret.Data[key]
@@ -293,7 +290,7 @@ func (v *Vault) requestTokenWithAppRoleRef(client Client, appRole *v1alpha2.Vaul
 	return token, nil
 }
 
-func (v *Vault) requestTokenWithKubernetesAuth(client Client, kubernetesAuth *v1alpha1.KubernetesAuth) (string, error) {
+func (v *Vault) requestTokenWithKubernetesAuth(client Client, kubernetesAuth *v1alpha2.VaultKubernetesAuth) (string, error) {
 	secret, err := v.secretsLister.Secrets(v.namespace).Get(kubernetesAuth.SecretRef.Name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
@@ -301,12 +298,12 @@ func (v *Vault) requestTokenWithKubernetesAuth(client Client, kubernetesAuth *v1
 
 	key := kubernetesAuth.SecretRef.Key
 	if key == "" {
-		key = "token"
+		key = v1alpha2.DefaultVaultTokenAuthSecretKey
 	}
 
 	keyBytes, ok := secret.Data[key]
 	if !ok {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("no data for %q in secret '%s/%s'", key, kubernetesAuth.SecretRef.Name, v.namespace)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("no data for %q in secret '%s/%s'", key, v.namespace, kubernetesAuth.SecretRef.Name)
 	}
 
 	jwt := string(keyBytes)
@@ -318,10 +315,10 @@ func (v *Vault) requestTokenWithKubernetesAuth(client Client, kubernetesAuth *v1
 
 	mountPath := kubernetesAuth.Path
 	if mountPath == "" {
-		mountPath = defaultKubernetesAuthMountPath
+		mountPath = v1alpha2.DefaultVaultKubernetesAuthMountPath
 	}
 
-	url := fmt.Sprintf("/v1/auth/%s/login", mountPath)
+	url := filepath.Join("/v1/auth", mountPath, "login")
 	request := client.NewRequest("POST", url)
 	err = request.SetJSONBody(parameters)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/internal/vault/vault_test.go b/pkg/internal/vault/vault_test.go
index 751d1ebf4..56db4bc3f 100644
--- a/pkg/internal/vault/vault_test.go
+++ b/pkg/internal/vault/vault_test.go
@@ -228,8 +228,8 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
 					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-						TokenSecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
-							LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
+						TokenSecretRef: &v1alpha2.SecretKeySelector{
+							LocalObjectReference: v1alpha2.LocalObjectReference{
 								Name: "secret-ref-name",
 							},
 						},
@@ -249,8 +249,8 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
 					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-						TokenSecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
-							LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
+						TokenSecretRef: &v1alpha2.SecretKeySelector{
+							LocalObjectReference: v1alpha2.LocalObjectReference{
 								Name: "secret-ref-name",
 							},
 							Key: "my-token-key",
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
 					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-						AppRole: v1alpha2.VaultAppRole{
+						AppRole: &v1alpha2.VaultAppRole{
 							RoleId: "my-role-id",
 							SecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
 								LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
 					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-						AppRole: v1alpha2.VaultAppRole{
+						AppRole: &v1alpha2.VaultAppRole{
 							RoleId: "my-role-id",
 							SecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
 								LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
@@ -325,13 +325,13 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 
 		"if kubernetes role auth set but reference secret doesn't exist return error": {
 			issuer: gen.Issuer("vault-issuer",
-				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha1.VaultIssuer{
+				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
-					Auth: v1alpha1.VaultAuth{
-						Kubernetes: v1alpha1.KubernetesAuth{
+					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
+						Kubernetes: &v1alpha2.KubernetesAuth{
 							Role: "kube-vault-role",
-							SecretRef: v1alpha1.SecretKeySelector{
-								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha1.LocalObjectReference{
+							SecretRef: v1alpha2.SecretKeySelector{
+								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha2.LocalObjectReference{
 									Name: "secret-ref-name",
 								},
 								Key: "my-kube-key",
@@ -350,13 +350,13 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 
 		"if kubernetes role auth set but reference secret doesn't contain data at key error": {
 			issuer: gen.Issuer("vault-issuer",
-				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha1.VaultIssuer{
+				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
-					Auth: v1alpha1.VaultAuth{
-						Kubernetes: v1alpha1.KubernetesAuth{
+					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
+						Kubernetes: &v1alpha2.KubernetesAuth{
 							Role: "kube-vault-role",
-							SecretRef: v1alpha1.SecretKeySelector{
-								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha1.LocalObjectReference{
+							SecretRef: v1alpha2.SecretKeySelector{
+								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha2.LocalObjectReference{
 									Name: "secret-ref-name",
 								},
 								Key: "my-kube-key",
@@ -370,18 +370,18 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 			),
 			fakeClient:    vaultfake.NewFakeClient(),
 			expectedToken: "",
-			expectedErr:   errors.New(`error reading Kubernetes service account token from secret-ref-name: no data for "my-kube-key" in secret 'secret-ref-name/test-namespace'`),
+			expectedErr:   errors.New(`error reading Kubernetes service account token from secret-ref-name: no data for "my-kube-key" in secret 'test-namespace/secret-ref-name'`),
 		},
 
 		"if kubernetes role auth set but errors with a raw request should error": {
 			issuer: gen.Issuer("vault-issuer",
-				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha1.VaultIssuer{
+				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
-					Auth: v1alpha1.VaultAuth{
-						Kubernetes: v1alpha1.KubernetesAuth{
+					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
+						Kubernetes: &v1alpha2.KubernetesAuth{
 							Role: "kube-vault-role",
-							SecretRef: v1alpha1.SecretKeySelector{
-								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha1.LocalObjectReference{
+							SecretRef: v1alpha2.SecretKeySelector{
+								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha2.LocalObjectReference{
 									Name: "secret-ref-name",
 								},
 								Key: "my-kube-key",
@@ -400,13 +400,13 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 
 		"foo": {
 			issuer: gen.Issuer("vault-issuer",
-				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha1.VaultIssuer{
+				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
-					Auth: v1alpha1.VaultAuth{
-						Kubernetes: v1alpha1.KubernetesAuth{
+					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
+						Kubernetes: &v1alpha2.KubernetesAuth{
 							Role: "kube-vault-role",
-							SecretRef: v1alpha1.SecretKeySelector{
-								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha1.LocalObjectReference{
+							SecretRef: v1alpha2.SecretKeySelector{
+								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha2.LocalObjectReference{
 									Name: "secret-ref-name",
 								},
 								Key: "my-kube-key",
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 				gen.SetIssuerVault(v1alpha2.VaultIssuer{
 					CABundle: []byte(testCertBundle),
 					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-						AppRole: v1alpha2.VaultAppRole{
+						AppRole: &v1alpha2.VaultAppRole{
 							RoleId: "my-role-id",
 							SecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
 								LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
@@ -444,8 +444,8 @@ func TestSetToken(t *testing.T) {
 								Key: "my-role-key",
 							},
 						},
-						TokenSecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
-							LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
+						TokenSecretRef: &v1alpha2.SecretKeySelector{
+							LocalObjectReference: v1alpha2.LocalObjectReference{
 								Name: "secret-ref-name",
 							},
 							Key: "my-token-key",
diff --git a/pkg/issuer/vault/setup.go b/pkg/issuer/vault/setup.go
index 8a9dfb7de..cf94f4099 100644
--- a/pkg/issuer/vault/setup.go
+++ b/pkg/issuer/vault/setup.go
@@ -58,43 +58,42 @@ func (v *Vault) Setup(ctx context.Context) error {
 		return nil
 	}
 
+	tokenAuth := v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.TokenSecretRef
+	appRoleAuth := v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole
+	kubeAuth := v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.Kubernetes
+
 	// check if at least one auth method is specified.
-	if v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.TokenSecretRef.Name == "" &&
-		v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole.RoleId == "" &&
-		v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole.SecretRef.Name == "" &&
-		v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.Kubernetes.Role == "" &&
-		v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.Kubernetes.SecretRef.Name == "" {
+	if tokenAuth == nil && appRoleAuth == nil && kubeAuth == nil {
 		klog.Infof("%s: %s", v.issuer.GetObjectMeta().Name, messsageAuthFieldsRequired)
 		apiutil.SetIssuerCondition(v.issuer, v1alpha2.IssuerConditionReady, cmmeta.ConditionFalse, errorVault, messsageAuthFieldsRequired)
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// check if only token auth method is set.
-	if v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.TokenSecretRef.Name != "" &&
-		(v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole.RoleId != "" ||
-			v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole.SecretRef.Name != "" ||
-			v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.Kubernetes.Role != "") {
+	// check only one auth method set
+	if (tokenAuth != nil && appRoleAuth != nil) ||
+		(tokenAuth != nil && kubeAuth != nil) ||
+		(appRoleAuth != nil && kubeAuth != nil) {
+		klog.Infof("%s: %s", v.issuer.GetObjectMeta().Name, messageAuthFieldRequired)
+		apiutil.SetIssuerCondition(v.issuer, v1alpha1.IssuerConditionReady, v1alpha1.ConditionFalse, errorVault, messageAuthFieldRequired)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// check if all mandatory Vault Token fields are set.
+	if tokenAuth != nil && len(tokenAuth.Name) == 0 {
 		klog.Infof("%s: %s", v.issuer.GetObjectMeta().Name, messageAuthFieldRequired)
 		apiutil.SetIssuerCondition(v.issuer, v1alpha2.IssuerConditionReady, cmmeta.ConditionFalse, errorVault, messageAuthFieldRequired)
 		return nil
 	}
 
 	// check if all mandatory Vault appRole fields are set.
-	if v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.TokenSecretRef.Name == "" &&
-		v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.Kubernetes.Role == "" &&
-		(v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole.RoleId == "" ||
-			v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole.SecretRef.Name == "") {
+	if appRoleAuth != nil && (len(appRoleAuth.RoleId) == 0 || len(appRoleAuth.SecretRef.Name) == 0) {
 		klog.Infof("%s: %s", v.issuer.GetObjectMeta().Name, messageAuthFieldRequired)
 		apiutil.SetIssuerCondition(v.issuer, v1alpha2.IssuerConditionReady, cmmeta.ConditionFalse, errorVault, messageAuthFieldRequired)
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	// check if all mandatory Kubernetes Auth fields are set.
-	if v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.Kubernetes.Role != "" &&
-		v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.Kubernetes.SecretRef.Name != "" &&
-		(v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole.RoleId != "" ||
-			v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.AppRole.SecretRef.Name != "" ||
-			v.issuer.GetSpec().Vault.Auth.TokenSecretRef.Name != "") {
+	// check if all mandatory Vault Kubernetes fields are set.
+	if kubeAuth != nil && (len(kubeAuth.SecretRef.Name) == 0 || len(kubeAuth.Role) == 0) {
 		klog.Infof("%s: %s", v.issuer.GetObjectMeta().Name, messageAuthFieldRequired)
 		apiutil.SetIssuerCondition(v.issuer, v1alpha1.IssuerConditionReady, v1alpha1.ConditionFalse, errorVault, messageAuthFieldRequired)
 		return nil
diff --git a/test/e2e/framework/addon/vault/setup.go b/test/e2e/framework/addon/vault/setup.go
index 5661cd279..3c84a4607 100644
--- a/test/e2e/framework/addon/vault/setup.go
+++ b/test/e2e/framework/addon/vault/setup.go
@@ -65,14 +65,36 @@ func NewVaultServiceAccount(name string) *v1.ServiceAccount {
 	}
 }
 
-func NewVaultServiceAccountRoleBinding(namespace, subject string) *rbacv1.ClusterRoleBinding {
-	return &rbacv1.ClusterRoleBinding{
+func NewVaultServiceAccountRole(namespace string) *rbacv1.Role {
+	return &rbacv1.Role{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Name: fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s:auth-delegator", namespace, subject),
+			Name:      "auth-delegator",
+			Namespace: namespace,
+		},
+		Rules: []rbacv1.PolicyRule{
+			{
+				APIGroups: []string{"authentication.k8s.io"},
+				Resources: []string{"tokenreviews"},
+				Verbs:     []string{"create"},
+			},
+			{
+				APIGroups: []string{"authorization.k8s.io"},
+				Resources: []string{"subjectaccessreviews"},
+				Verbs:     []string{"create"},
+			},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func NewVaultServiceAccountRoleBinding(namespace, subject string) *rbacv1.RoleBinding {
+	return &rbacv1.RoleBinding{
+		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
+			Name:      fmt.Sprintf("%s:auth-delegator", subject),
+			Namespace: namespace,
 		},
 		RoleRef: rbacv1.RoleRef{
 			APIGroup: "rbac.authorization.k8s.io",
-			Kind:     "ClusterRole",
+			Kind:     "Role",
 			Name:     "system:auth-delegator",
 		},
 		Subjects: []rbacv1.Subject{
@@ -203,7 +225,7 @@ func (v *VaultInitializer) Setup() error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if err := v.setupKubernetes(); err != nil {
+	if err := v.setupKubernetesBasedAuth(); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -397,7 +419,7 @@ func (v *VaultInitializer) setupRole() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (v *VaultInitializer) setupKubernetes() error {
+func (v *VaultInitializer) setupKubernetesBasedAuth() error {
 	if len(v.APIServerURL) == 0 {
 		// skip initialization if not provided
 		return nil
@@ -441,11 +463,17 @@ func (v *VaultInitializer) CreateKubernetesRole(client kubernetes.Interface, nam
 		return fmt.Errorf("error creating ServiceAccount for Kubernetes auth: %s", err.Error())
 	}
 
+	role := NewVaultServiceAccountRole(namespace)
+	_, err = client.RbacV1().Roles(namespace).Create(role)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("error creating Role for Kubernetes auth ServiceAccount: %s", err.Error())
+	}
+
 	roleBinding := NewVaultServiceAccountRoleBinding(namespace, serviceAccountName)
-	_, err = client.RbacV1().ClusterRoleBindings().Create(roleBinding)
+	_, err = client.RbacV1().RoleBindings(namespace).Create(roleBinding)
 
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error creating ClusterRoleBinding for Kubernetes auth ServiceAccount: %s", err.Error())
+		return fmt.Errorf("error creating RoleBinding for Kubernetes auth ServiceAccount: %s", err.Error())
 	}
 
 	// vault write auth/kubernetes/role/<roleName>
@@ -466,8 +494,17 @@ func (v *VaultInitializer) CreateKubernetesRole(client kubernetes.Interface, nam
 
 // CleanKubernetesRole cleans up the ClusterRoleBinding and ServiceAccount for Kubernetes auth delegation
 func (v *VaultInitializer) CleanKubernetesRole(client kubernetes.Interface, namespace, roleName, serviceAccountName string) error {
-	client.RbacV1().ClusterRoleBindings().Delete(fmt.Sprintf("%s:%s:auth-delegator", namespace, serviceAccountName), nil)
-	client.CoreV1().ServiceAccounts(namespace).Delete(serviceAccountName, nil)
+	if err := client.RbacV1().RoleBindings(namespace).Delete(fmt.Sprintf("%s:auth-delegator", serviceAccountName), nil); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if err := client.RbacV1().Roles(namespace).Delete("auth-delegator", nil); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if err := client.CoreV1().ServiceAccounts(namespace).Delete(serviceAccountName, nil); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 
 	// vault delete auth/kubernetes/role/<roleName>
 	url := path.Join(fmt.Sprintf("/v1/auth/%s/role", v.KubernetesAuthPath), roleName)
diff --git a/test/e2e/util/util.go b/test/e2e/util/util.go
index ed1fd13a8..ef14f19ff 100644
--- a/test/e2e/util/util.go
+++ b/test/e2e/util/util.go
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ func NewCertManagerVaultIssuerToken(name, vaultURL, vaultPath, vaultSecretToken,
 					Path:     vaultPath,
 					CABundle: caBundle,
 					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-						TokenSecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
+						TokenSecretRef: &cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
 							Key: "secretkey",
 							LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
 								Name: vaultSecretToken,
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ func NewCertManagerVaultIssuerAppRole(name, vaultURL, vaultPath, roleId, vaultSe
 					Path:     vaultPath,
 					CABundle: caBundle,
 					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-						AppRole: v1alpha2.VaultAppRole{
+						AppRole: &v1alpha2.VaultAppRole{
 							Path:   authPath,
 							RoleId: roleId,
 							SecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
@@ -526,11 +526,11 @@ func NewCertManagerVaultIssuerKubernetes(name, vaultURL, vaultPath, vaultSecretS
 					Path:     vaultPath,
 					CABundle: caBundle,
 					Auth: v1alpha2.VaultAuth{
-						Kubernetes: v1alpha2.KubernetesAuth{
+						Kubernetes: &v1alpha2.VaultKubernetesAuth{
 							Path: authPath,
-							SecretRef: v1alpha2.SecretKeySelector{
+							SecretRef: cmmeta.SecretKeySelector{
 								Key: "token",
-								LocalObjectReference: v1alpha2.LocalObjectReference{
+								LocalObjectReference: cmmeta.LocalObjectReference{
 									Name: vaultSecretServiceAccount,
 								},
 							},