About this class
A Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is a certification offered to accountants who conduct internal audits. The Certified Internal Auditor designation is conferred by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and is the only such credential that is accepted worldwide.
CIAs usually work in the audit department of government agencies, financial institutions, or corporations. They review financial records to look for deficiencies in internal controls.
How to Become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Accountants seeking the CIA certification are required to get a bachelor’s degree and have no less than two years of work experience in a field related to internal auditing, such as internal control, compliance, and quality assurance. Other requirements include a character reference and proof of identification. If you become a CIA, you will also have to meet continuing education (CE) requirements of 40 hours per year to maintain certification.
CIAs have a wide range of career options. A CIA can move into an executive position, such as vice president, chief audit executive, or director. A CIA can specialize as an internal auditor, an audit manager, and a compliance auditor, or in investigation auditing and information technology auditing. CPAs tend to earn slightly higher salaries than CIAs, but it will depend on the individual CIA’s job title and role.
