{"id":3157,"date":"2024-12-11T19:09:38","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T00:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/?p=3157"},"modified":"2026-06-16T18:54:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T23:54:19","slug":"become-a-certified-internal-auditor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Certified Internal Auditor in 6 Steps"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Making up your mind to become a Certified Internal Auditor is exciting\u2014but that doesn&#8217;t mean it isn&#8217;t a little stressful.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After all, regardless of which career you choose, you&#8217;ll spend a lot of time and money preparing for your journey. And with what seems like 10,000 steps ahead of you and so many articles telling you &#8220;do this, not that,&#8221; it can get pretty darn overwhelming.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I went through similar when I decided to become a CPA.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&#8217;s why I&#8217;m here to help. Because this time in your life should be fun, exciting, and rewarding\u2014<em>not <\/em>giving you headaches and night sweats.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you are just checking out the career path or you\u2019re already chomping at the bit to get started, I wrote this guide for you. I&#8217;m here to help you plan every stop in your journey, step-by-step. No panic, no overwhelm: just you with your shiny new CIA certification at the end of this road.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>The CIA Is Globally Respected<\/strong>: The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation is recognized worldwide as the gold standard for internal auditors.<\/li> <li><strong>You Need Education and Experience<\/strong>: At least one and up to five years of internal audit experience are required for certification, depending on your education level.<\/li> <li><strong>The Exam Has Three Parts<\/strong>: The CIA exam covers Internal Audit Basics, Practice, and Business Knowledge, making it comprehensive but manageable with a plan.<\/li> <li><strong>Budget for the Investment<\/strong>: Expect to spend $1,000 to $2,500 on fees, study materials, and optional IIA membership.<\/li> <li><strong>CPE Keeps Your Certification Active<\/strong>: Continuing Professional Education is necessary to maintain your CIA credential and stay updated on industry trends.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-the-cia-certification-is-worth-it\"><strong>Why the CIA Certification Is Worth It<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re working in internal auditing, earning the CIA designation can be a game changer. It\u2019s recognized globally as the gold standard for internal auditors and showcases your expertise in areas like risk management, internal controls, and compliance. Plus, it opens doors to new career opportunities and often comes with a salary boost.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-makes-the-cia-certification-special\"><strong>What Makes the CIA Certification Special?<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Global Recognition<\/strong>: The CIA is respected worldwide, making it a smart choice if you\u2019re thinking about an international career.<\/li> <li><strong>Professional Credibility<\/strong>: It proves you\u2019re serious about internal auditing and willing to go the extra mile to be the best.<\/li> <li><strong>Career Growth<\/strong>: With a CIA, you\u2019re better positioned for promotions and higher-paying roles.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-1-understand-the-requirements\"><strong>Step 1: Understand the Requirements<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before diving into your CIA prep, make sure you meet the CIA certification requirements. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need:<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-education-requirements\"><strong>Education Requirements<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>You must have earned a <strong>bachelor\u2019s or higher degree<\/strong> from an institution that holds proper accreditation.<\/li> <li>Alternatively, an <strong>associate degree or equivalent<\/strong> with additional work experience may qualify.<\/li> <\/ul> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-work-experience-requirements\"><strong>Work Experience Requirements<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>For candidates with a bachelor\u2019s degree: At least <strong>2 years of internal audit experience<\/strong>.<\/li> <li>For candidates with a master\u2019s degree: Only <strong>1 year of experience<\/strong> is required.<\/li> <li>For candidates with an associate&#8217;s degree, equivalent, or lower: <strong>5 years of experience<\/strong> are required.<\/li> <li>Candidates with a bachelor&#8217;s degree or higher do not need to fulfill work experience requirements before entering the program, but other candidates do.<\/li> <\/ul> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-additional-requirements\"><strong>Additional Requirements<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>A <strong>character reference<\/strong>, typically from your supervisor or a CIA-certified individual.<\/li> <li>Agreement to follow the <strong>IIA\u2019s Code of Ethics<\/strong>.<\/li> <li>A valid <strong>government-issued ID<\/strong>.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-2-budget-for-your-cia-journey\"><strong>Step 2: Budget for Your CIA Journey<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CIA certification is an investment in your future, so it\u2019s important to plan your budget. Here\u2019s a breakdown of the costs:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>CIA Exam Fees<\/strong>: Around $215-$445 per exam part, depending on your IIA membership status.<\/li> <li><strong>Application Fee<\/strong>: Between $65 and $240.<\/li> <li><strong>Study Materials<\/strong>: Expect to spend $500-$1,500 on CIA prep courses, but you can save money with these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/cia-course-discounts\/\">CIA course discounts<\/a>.<\/li> <li><strong>IIA Membership (Optional)<\/strong>: Fees vary, but discounts on exams and study materials can be offered.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In total, you should budget between <strong>$1,000 and $2,500<\/strong> for the entire certification process.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-3-choose-a-cia-prep-course\"><strong>Step 3: Choose a CIA Prep Course<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A solid prep course is your secret weapon for passing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/certified-internal-auditor-exams\/\">three-part CIA exam<\/a>. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one?<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-things-to-consider\"><strong>Things to Consider<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Content Coverage<\/strong>: Ensure the course covers all three parts of the exam\u2014Internal Audit Basics, Internal Audit Practice, and Internal Audit Knowledge Elements.<\/li> <li><strong>Learning Style<\/strong>: Do you prefer video lessons, practice questions, or in-depth textbooks? Pick a course that matches your style and preferences.<\/li> <li><strong>Reviews and Pass Rates<\/strong>: Look for programs with strong pass rates and positive reviews from past candidates.<\/li> <li><strong>Cost<\/strong>: A higher price doesn\u2019t always mean better quality. Compare features and value.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-4-create-a-study-plan\"><strong>Step 4: Create a Study Plan<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most candidates take <strong>6-12 months<\/strong> to complete the program, depending on their schedule.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tips-for-effective-studying\"><strong>Tips for Effective Studying<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Set Clear Goals<\/strong>: Break your study time into manageable chunks and tackle one exam part at a time.<\/li> <li><strong>Practice, Practice, Practice<\/strong>: Use practice exams to get comfortable with the question format and identify weak areas.<\/li> <li><strong>Stay Consistent<\/strong>: Even 1-2 hours a day can add up quickly.<\/li> <li><strong>Join a Study Group<\/strong>: Connecting with other CIA candidates can keep you motivated.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-5-take-the-three-part-cia-exam\"><strong>Step 5: Take the Three-Part CIA Exam<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This exam is divided into three parts, each testing different aspects of internal auditing.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-exam-breakdown\"><strong>Exam Breakdown<\/strong><\/h3> <ol class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing<\/strong> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Focuses on internal control, risk management, and compliance.<\/li> <li>Considered the foundation of the CIA program.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <li><strong>Part 2: Practice of Internal Auditing<\/strong> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Covers internal audit processes and the tools and techniques used in the field.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <li><strong>Part 3: Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing<\/strong> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Examines areas like data analytics, finance, and information technology.<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ol> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each exam part consists of 100-125 multiple-choice questions and takes about 2-2.5 hours to complete. Keep in mind that the topics and content are planned to change in May 2025.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-6-maintain-your-certification\"><strong>Step 6: Maintain Your Certification<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After earning your CIA designation, the work isn\u2019t quite over. You\u2019ll need to complete Continuing Professional Education (CPE) to maintain your certification.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cpe-requirements\"><strong>CPE Requirements<\/strong><\/h3> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>40 hours annually<\/strong> for active IIA members.<\/li> <li><strong>20 hours annually<\/strong> for non-practicing IIA members.<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Staying current with industry trends and sharpening your skills is a great way to remain a valuable internal audit professional.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becoming a Certified Internal Auditor is a rewarding journey that can elevate your career and solidify your role as a trusted expert in internal auditing. While it takes time, a lot of studying, and financial investment, the benefits\u2014like professional credibility, better job opportunities, and increased earning potential\u2014are well worth it.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now it\u2019s your turn. Start by meeting the CIA certification requirements, choose a prep course that fits your style, and tackle the exams one step at a time. Before you know it, you\u2019ll be proudly holding your CIA credential, ready to take on new challenges in the world of internal auditing.<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faqs\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1733730464656\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How long does it take to be a Certified Internal Auditor?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Most candidates complete the CIA certification process within 6-12 months, depending on their study schedule and the time needed to gain the required work experience.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1733730471250\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What qualifications do I need to be an internal auditor?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Certified internal auditors usually need at least a bachelor\u2019s degree and some internal auditing experience. However, there are exceptions if you have years of experience in the field, as well as different requirements for future internal audit professionals with a CCA (Chartered Certified Accountant), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1733730477393\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Can I take the CIA exam without experience?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes! Education and experience requirements are more flexible for the CIA than many designations. You can start studying for and taking the exams before completing the work experience requirement. However, you\u2019ll need to fulfill the experience requirement to receive the certification.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1733730483046\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How difficult is the CIA exam?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The CIA exam is challenging but achievable with consistent preparation. With difficult topics like internal audit planning, operations, and quality assurance, success often depends on choosing the right study materials and maintaining a disciplined study schedule.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1733730489711\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Is CIA harder than CPA?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The difficulty depends on your background. The CPA exam is broader and covers more subjects, while the CIA exam is focused on internal auditing. Both the CIA and CPA require dedication but cater to different career paths.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Making up your mind to become a Certified Internal Auditor is exciting\u2014but that doesn&#8217;t mean it isn&#8217;t a little stressful. After all, regardless of which career you choose, you&#8217;ll spend a lot of time and money preparing for your journey. And with what seems like 10,000 steps ahead of you and so many articles telling [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3160,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,241],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-accounting"],"acf":{"external_author":[129],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":false,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/how-to-become-a-certified-internal-auditor-768x427.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Become a Certified Internal Auditor in 6 Steps<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This step-by-step guide teaches how to become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Discover requirements, costs, and tips for exam success!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Become a Certified Internal Auditor in 6 Steps\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This step-by-step guide teaches how to become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Discover requirements, costs, and tips for exam success!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Charlotte Observer - Careers &amp; Education\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-12T00:09:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-16T23:54:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/how-to-become-a-certified-internal-auditor.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"7500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"4170\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"image\":false,\"name\":null,\"jobTitle\":\"Writer\",\"url\":false,\"description\":\"\"},\"headline\":\"How to Become a Certified Internal Auditor in 6 Steps\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-12T00:09:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-16T23:54:19+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1350,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/8\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/how-to-become-a-certified-internal-auditor.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Careers &amp; Education\",\"Accounting\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Become a Certified Internal Auditor in 6 Steps\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/8\\\/2024\\\/12\\\/how-to-become-a-certified-internal-auditor.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-12T00:09:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-16T23:54:19+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"\"},\"description\":\"This step-by-step guide teaches how to become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). 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However, there are exceptions if you have years of experience in the field, as well as different requirements for future internal audit professionals with a CCA (Chartered Certified Accountant), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/#faq-question-1733730477393\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.charlotteobserver.com\\\/careers-education\\\/become-a-certified-internal-auditor\\\/#faq-question-1733730477393\",\"name\":\"Can I take the CIA exam without experience?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes! Education and experience requirements are more flexible for the CIA than many designations. You can start studying for and taking the exams before completing the work experience requirement. 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