Certified internal auditors make an average of $26,000 more than their non-certified counterparts. Earn your CIA designation, and your wallet will thank you!
But first, you’ll have to meet a list of requirements.
In this guide, I’ll break it all down—everything from entry and exit requirements for CIAs to why earning this credential could be one of the best career moves you ever make.
Key Takeaways
- Globally Recognized Certification: The CIA is the only internal audit certification recognized worldwide, giving you credibility no matter where you work.
- Flexible Entry Requirements: You can qualify with a degree, work experience, or an Internal Audit Practitioner designation.
- Three-Part Exam: The CIA exam covers internal audit fundamentals, engagements, and functions—you can take the parts in any order.
- Career Benefits: Earning the CIA designation can lead to higher salaries, better job opportunities, and global career mobility.
- Plan Your Budget: Earning the CIA costs around $2,000—covering fees and materials—so budget accordingly.
Why the CIA Designation Is Worth It
The Certified Internal Auditor credential isn’t just a shiny badge for your resume. It’s recognized worldwide as the gold standard in internal auditing. Here’s why people invest time and money into earning it:
- Career Growth: Employers know the CIA means you’re serious about your expertise. This can open doors to promotions, raises, and leadership roles.
- Global Recognition: The CIA is the only globally recognized certification for internal auditors. Whether you’re in New York or New Delhi, it holds weight.
- Higher Pay: Certified professionals tend to earn more than their non-certified counterparts, as we’ve already discussed. Enough said!
- Skill Development: You’ll gain deep knowledge of risk management, internal control, fraud prevention, and more—skills every business needs.
If you’re looking for a credential that proves you’re the real deal, the CIA is it.
What Are the Requirements to Become a CIA?
To become a CIA, you must meet specific entry requirements to apply for the program and exit requirements to earn your certification. Let’s break these down.
Entry Requirements: Can You Apply?
To apply for the CIA program, you must meet at least one of these qualifications:
- Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
- Most candidates enter the program with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- You’ll need to submit official transcripts as proof.
- Be in Your Final Year of College
- You can start the CIA exams now if you’re in your last year of a bachelor’s degree program. However, you won’t receive the certification until you graduate and meet all requirements.
- Have Relevant Work Experience
- If you don’t have a degree, you can qualify with five years of relevant work experience in fields like internal auditing, risk management, or compliance. Two of those years must have been within the past three years.
- Hold the Internal Audit Practitioner Designation
- You can jump into the CIA program if you’ve already earned this entry-level certification.
- Professional Certification Exemptions
- Are you an ACCA-qualified accountant or a CPA with an active license? You may qualify for exemptions from some requirements.
Exit Requirements: What’s Next After the Exams?
To officially earn the CIA designation, you’ll need:
- Pass All Three Parts of the CIA Exam: More on this in a second!
- Work Experience:
- If you have a master’s degree: 1 year of relevant work experience.
- If you have a bachelor’s degree: 2 years of relevant work experience.
- If you entered with work experience instead of a degree: 5 years total, including at least 2 recent years.
Work experience can include roles in:
- Internal auditing
- Risk management
- Quality assurance
- Compliance
- External auditing
What Is the CIA Exam Like?
You need to pass the CIA exams. But what does that really mean? The CIA exam is where you prove your expertise, from basics and ethics to solving complex real-world scenarios. It’s divided into three parts, each focused on a different area of internal auditing:
- Part 1: Internal Audit Fundamentals
- Topics: Audit basics, ethics, governance, fraud risks.
- 125 questions | 2.5 hours.
- Part 2: Internal Audit Engagement
- Topics: Planning, conducting audits, communication.
- 100 questions | 2 hours.
- Part 3: Internal Audit Function
- Topics: Audit strategy, operations, quality assurance.
- 100 questions | 2 hours.
Each exam part is multiple-choice and timed, so practice is key!
How Much Does It Cost?
Earning the CIA designation is an investment, but one that often pays off in career growth. Here’s the breakdown:
Application Fees
- Students: $65
- IIA Members: $120
- Non-Members: $240
Exam Fees
- Part 1:
- Students: $245
- Members: $310
- Non-Members: $445
- Parts 2 & 3 (each):
- Students: $215
- Members: $280
- Non-Members: $415
Prep Course Costs
Though prep courses aren’t a requirement, they’re a necessity for most candidates to pass. Prep providers like Surgent, Gleim, and PRC offer packages between $499 and $1,249.
Total Costs
How much should you budget for your CIA journey?
It depends on whether you’re a student, member, or non-member, but generally speaking, you should budget about $2,000 for your exam fees and prep course costs.
Here’s a pro tip: Some employers cover these fees as part of professional development programs, so it’s worth checking with your company.
Your Next Steps
Ready to start your journey? Here’s a simple plan:
- Check Your Eligibility: Do you meet the entry requirements? Gather your documents now.
- Plan Your Timeline: Decide when to take each exam part and schedule study time. Also, consider your education and experience requirements in your overall timeline.
- Leverage Resources: If you’re an IIA member, you get discounts and access to top study materials. Also, check with your employer (if applicable) about payment options.
- Create a Budget and Save: With around $2,000 to plan for, the sooner you can start saving, the better!
- Choose Your Prep Course: Some of my favorites are Surgent, Gleim, and PRC. Pay attention to access periods and incorporate them into your schedule.
- Start with Part 1: It’s the most manageable for many candidates and builds confidence for the rest. You don’t have to take the exams in order, but it’s generally the best way to go.
Conclusion
Fulfilling the CIA requirements and passing all three exams takes time and effort, but ultimately, I bet you’d agree that the rewards are well worth it. After all, a little bit of stress and dedication for an additional $26,000 per year seems like a great trade to me!
Whether you’re looking to advance in your current role or open doors to new opportunities, earning the CIA is one of the best decisions you can make for your future.
So what are you waiting for? Take the first step today—you’ve got this!
FAQs
You need a bachelor’s degree, five years of relevant experience, or the Internal Audit Practitioner designation.
It’s rigorous, with three parts that test audit fundamentals, engagement planning, and operations. Most find Part 3 the toughest. Passing them is mandatory for earning the CIA certification.
CIAs earn an average of $80,000–$100,000 annually, depending on location, experience, and industry. Increased financial management skills and business knowledge can increase this number.
Yes, but according to the IIA’s professional certification board, you’ll need five years of relevant work experience, including two within the last three years.
Salaries vary, but CIAs earn $26,000 more on average compared to non-certified internal auditors.
