CIA USA
Certified Internal Auditor
CIA USA Overview
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and remains the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competency and professionalism in the internal auditing field. Since the program’s launch in 1973, it has opened up countless doors of opportunity for practitioners around the world as it communicates their ability to serve as a key player in their organization’s success. Candidates leave the program enriched with educational experience, applicable knowledge, and business tools that can deliver a positive impact in any organization or business environment.
CIA USA Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates in the CIA USA program agree to accept the conditions of the program, including eligibility requirements, exam confidentiality, Code of Ethics, and Continuing Professional Education (CPE), along with other conditions enacted by The IIA’s Professional Certification Board (PCB).
Education:
CIA USA candidates must hold a 4-year post-secondary degree (or higher) or its educational equivalent from an accredited university.
Important change to the Education Requirement for the CIA USA:
The Global Board of Directors has approved an alternate path to eligibility for the CIA USA for those candidates who do not possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
Candidates may now become eligible for the CIA USA, subject to approval, who possess:
Two years post-secondary education and five years verified experience in internal audit or its equivalent, OR
Seven years verified experience in internal audit or its equivalent.
Work Experience:
CIA USA candidates with a 4 year post secondary degree must obtain a minimum of 24 months of internal auditing experience or its equivalent. A Masters degree can substitute for 12 of the required 24 months. A completed Experience Verification Form is required. Candidates may apply to the program and sit for the exam prior to satisfying the professional experience requirement, but will not be certified until all program requirements have been met.
CIA USA Duration of Course Eligibility Period:
Effective November 2010, the certification program’s eligibility requires candidates to complete the program certification process within four years of application approval. However, serious candidates can complete the 3-part CIA USA exam within 1 year.
CIA USA Course Syllabus
- Foundations of Internal Auditing (15%)
- Independence of Objectivity (15%)
- Proficiency and Due Professional Care (18%)
- Quality Assurance and Improvement program (7%)
- Governance, Risk management & Control (35%)
- Fraud Risks (10%)
- Managing the Internal Audit activity (20%)
- Planning the Engagement (20%)
- Performing the Engagement (40%)
- Communicating Engagement results and monitoring progress (20%)
- Business Acumen (35%)
- Information Security (25%)
- Information Technology (20%)
- Financial Management (20%)
Frequently Asked Questions
Internal auditing activity is primarily directed at evaluating internal control. Internal control is broadly defined as a process, effected by an entity's board of directors, management, and other personnel, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of the following core objectives for which all businesses strive:
- Effectiveness and efficiency of operations
- Reliability of financial and management reporting
- Compliance with laws and regulations
- Safeguarding of Assets
To become a CIA, one must have an approximate four years of intensive college coursework to attain a bachelor’s degree in the appropriate major. The courses required to achieve this involve mathematics, accounting, and business analytics . The person also needs to have a 2 year working experience in Accounting / Finance / Audit field post graduation.
CIA -US exam is written at Pearson VUE testing centers.
The CIA exam is now fully computerized . The CIA exam registration and application is very straightforward because everything can be done online. IIA runs the Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS) that handles the entire application and registration process smoothly. It also allows you to monitor your certification progress, access exam scores, report the continuing professional education (CPE) credits, and print receipts for your exam fees at any time.
In order to sit for the exam, you need to go through a two-step process involving two layers of fees:
- Application
- Registration
You can write CIA exams without being an IIA member, but members have to pay much less examination fee.
Yes. Institute of Internal Auditors, India is affiliated to the parent body IIA, US.
CIA certification is a great platform for the Internal auditors to get exposure to international standards, also as it is globally recognized it will provide you with plethora of opportunities. The certification will provide you with specialization in the internal auditing domain showing your competency and giving you an edge for the consideration of promotion and other opportunities
The CIA exam grading system is similar to the other accounting exams. Since there are no essays, case studies and other long questions, all questions are equally weighted. Also, there is no penalty for wrong answers. The CIA exam minimum score to pass is 600. The score range is 250 to 750.
The person needs to have a 2 year working experience in Accounting / Finance / Audit field post graduation. Once graduated, one must become an intern or other entry-level auditor within an auditing-based job environment. After two years of relevant experience, that person becomes eligible for the exam .
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and remains the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competency and professionalism in the internal auditing field. Professionals with CIA are considered to be masters in the Internal Audit and Control domain, a key to become Financial Controller/CFO/Chief Internal Auditor of any big MNC.
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