Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Course details

To qualify as a CIA , you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Hold a Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree
2. 2 years’ post- secondary education and 5 years’ relevant work experience
3. 7 years’ relevant work experience (if you do not have a bachelor’s degree)

CIA Exams

Part I: Internal audit basics

Topics

• IIA mandatory guidance
• Internal control and risk
• Tools and techniques for conducting the audit engagement

Part II: Internal audit practice

• Managing the internal audit function
• Managing Individual engagements
• Fraud risks and controls

Part III: Internal audit knowledge

• Governance
• Risk management
• Organisational structure and business processes
• Communication
• Leadership
• IT/business continuity
• Financial management
• Global business environment

The CIA exams are computer based and consist of 125 MCQs for level I and 100 each for levels II and III

The part I exam is 2.5 hours long and parts II and III are 2 hours each

The pass mark for the CIA exams is a scaled score of 600 for all three parts which equates to an approximate pass rate of 75% per part

How long does it take?

CIA examinations are offered all year round and how you choose to study for the CIA exam is very flexible so you can study at your own pace. Most candidates complete the programme within 9-12 months but you must ensure that you have 24 months of internal auditing experience. You can do this whilst you study or after taking and passing the exams.