Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

About this certification

A Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is the only globally recognized Internal Audit Certification.

It validates a candidate’s competencies along with advanced experience to conduct an internal audit anywhere in the world.

They are responsible for making sure that the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed when it comes to a company’s finances.

Who Should Apply Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)?

A CIA is a credible Internal Auditor. CIA's usually get paid $47,800- $58,000 for Internal Auditors and $100,000 or more for Senior and Management Level Auditors.

They require a high level of morality to ensure that the company’s money is not being defrauded or misused in any way.

The requirements furnished below to undertake the CIA Exam should be met in order to apply for the exam.

CIA Requirements

1. Education

Candidates must hold an Associate's degree or higher to be approved into one of The IIA’s certification programs. Common equivalents are a Foundation Degree, Diploma of Higher Education, Higher National Diploma, or three A-level certificates with a grade of C or higher are also acceptable.

1. Character Reference

Candidates must exhibit high moral and professional character and must submit a Character Reference signed by a CIA, CGAP, CCSA, CFSA, CRMA, or the candidate's supervisor.

1. Work Experience (Internal Auditing)

1. Master’s Degree: 12 months

2. Bachelor’s Degree: 24 months

3. Associate’s Degree, three A-level Certificates, grade C or higher: 60 months

1. Proof of Identification

Official Passport/National Identity Card

1. Supporting Requirement Exemptions

1. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Qualified Members: Education and Work Experience

2. U.S. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Active License Holders: Education

1. Confidentiality

Candidates in the program agree to keep the contents of the exam confidential and therefore may not discuss the specific exam content with anyone except The IIA's Certification Department. 

1. Code of Ethics

CIA candidates agree to abide by the Code of Ethics established by The IIA.

Exam details

The CIA Exam consists of three parts which can be taken in any order.

1. Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing

2. Part 2: Practice of Internal Auditing

3. Part 3: Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing

• Number of Questions: 125, 100, and 100 questions for each Part respectively
• Exam Time: 150, 120, and 120 minutes for each Part respectively
• Exam Languages: Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, and Turkish

For more exam details, log on to Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®) Exam Syllabus.

Time Taken To Complete The CIA Exam:

It takes about three years to complete the CIA certification process. If a candidate has not completed the certification process within three years, all fees and exam parts will be forfeited.