Certified Internal Auditor®

What is the CIA^®?

The Certified Internal Auditor^® (CIA^®) designation is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and remains the standard by which individual demonstrate their competency and professionalism in the internal auditing field.

Candidates leave the program enriched with educational experience, information, and business tools that can be applied immediately in any organisation or business environment.

The CIA^®program, accepted internationally for over 30 years, is structured in four parts each culminating in a three hour examination undertaken by Computer Based Testing (CBT) in centres throughout Australia and the world.

Candidates study for the examination through self-study - there are no formal classes or lectures to attend.

Workload

The CIA^® Program and exam content is equivalent in complexity and difficulty to a postgraduate diploma and, as such, it is recommended that candidates set aside approximately 60 to 80 hours of study for each exam, over a minimum of a three month period.

Entry Criteria

By applying to become a candidate in the CIA^® Program, an individual agrees to accept the conditions of the program. These include requirements regarding eligibility, exam confidentiality, ethics and continuing professional education.

Eligibility and Skills Requirement

CIA^® candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Education: CIA^® candidates must have a bachelor's (four-year) degree or equivalent (in any discipline) from an accredited university-level institution. Certain international professional designations may also be accepted. A copy of the degree or transcripts must accompany the application.

Character Reference: CIA^® candidates must exhibit high moral and professional character and must submit a character reference signed by a CIA^®, supervisor, manager or educator upon application to the program.

Work Experience: CIA^® candidates are required to complete 24 months of internal auditing experience or experience in audit/assessment disciplines, including external audting, quality assurance, compliance and internal control. Either a master's degree or work experience in related business professions (such as accounting, law or finance) can be substituted for one year of experience.

Completion Timeframe

Candidates must take their exam/s within 180 days of their exam registration date. It is recommended that candidates register for one exam at a time. Usually, the CIA^® program is completed in two years.

More information

Professional Certification Brochure (805 KB)