Is The CIA Certificate Worth It? Internal Audit CIA Benefits | I Pass the CIA Exam
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- If you’re an accountant or an aspiring internal auditor, you might be wondering if getting the CIA Certification is worth it. This video highlights some of the reasons you should consider the CIA certificate to strengthen your position in the job market. More information is available in this full-length article: ipasstheciaexa....
The CIA credential has been proven to increase your salary and advance your career. Some CIA benefits you can expect include:
Higher Income: In the United States, the average CIA makes about $69K-$84K. That’s about $38K higher than their peers. Even outside of the US, CIAs make more than uncredentialled accountants or auditors.
More Job Opportunities: With your CIA certificate, you’ll be more competitive in the job market. Plus, you’ll be eligible for more promotions. If you are aiming for high-level positions like Chief Audit Executive or Controller, you’ll need a CIA to be considered.
Greater Job Security: More and more, major companies are adding internal auditors to their teams. In fact, the need for CIAs is expected to grow by 10% by 2026. As a CIA with skills in corporate governance, internal controls, and risk management, you can help manage the financial future of your organization.
International Perks: The CIA credential is recognized and respected across the globe. The certificate lets potential employers know that you have the skills and knowledge to be CIA, regardless of your years of experience or your academic background. So, as a CIA, even international employers will respect your talents.
Anyone with the right skills and knowledge can become a CIA. Unlike some other certificates in the accounting world, like the CPA, you don’t have to have a higher degree like a bachelor’s or master’s degree. You must, however, have a fair amount of experience working as an internal auditor if you don’t have a degree. (The years of required experience goes down considerably if you have a college degree.)
The CIA certificate is offered by the IIA or the Institute of Internal Auditors. If you think the CIA Certification is worth it (like we do!), you can start on your path today with these steps:
1. Review the IIA’s CIA Requirements: Basically, you need to have a combination of education and experience; the ratio changes as your education level goes up. You can find a full-length article about the requirements here: ipasstheciaexa...
2. Purchase a CIA Exam Review Course: A good CIA Exam review course will help you study more efficiently and will increase your chances of passing the exam on the first time. I’ve compiled reviews on the top courses on the market in this article: ipasstheciaexa...
3. Create a Study Schedule and Study: Your CIA Exam review course will help you create a personalized schedule to make sure you cover all of the exam’s topics during your allotted study time. Of course, it’s then up to you to actually put in the work.
4. Take and Pass the CIA Exam: The CIA Exam is notoriously difficult. In fact, the pass rate is usually less than 45%. If you want to pass on your first attempt, jump up to the link in step #2 and purchase a good review course.
5. Get Your CIA Certificate: If you follow these steps, get your experience, properly study, and take and pass the CIA Exam, you can receive your CIA certificate from the IIA.
If you’re thinking about becoming a CIA, sign up for free CIA exam study advice here: ipasstheciaexa....
I'ts very easy passed CIA exam's with your video. Thank you Stephanie! You are the best coach CIA expert.
Thank you for the amazing compliment! I'm happy to help. And a huge congratulations to you for passing all your exams!
Talk about a motivational booster! I hadn't thought about what the CIA means if I wanted to work outside of the U.S. My company (Danone) has it's headquarters in France, so having a certification that is respected world wide is a great motivational booster during a time I'm struggling to find motivation to study. Less than 10% of my department's IA has this certification. I've sat for part 3 of the exam and failed so I'm studying for it again. This is the last part I need to become a CIA. I'm so glad I found your website, Stephanie. THANK YOU for your insightful and motivational emails!!
Hi Claudia! I'm glad you like the video. I'm sorry to hear that you had trouble with Part 3. Please feel free to email me for more advice so we can figure out how to get you a pass next time! And if you are in the elite 10% of your department, I'd say that you'd have an easier time with promotions and securing other jobs, too. Thanks again, Claudia, and please feel free to email me if you'd like to discuss p3 further!
Hi Stephanie. Very useful video for someone who's just ventured into the field of Internal Audit & looking for some guidance.
I've been a part of your CIA exam related mailer series & have diligently been reading all the exam related tips & blogs shared by other exam-takers & for sure there's nothing as helpful & inspirational as your website. The practical approach & easy to use guidance tips provided you have been extremely useful & helped me clear 2 out of 3 levels of CIA. :)
Thanks a lot for being such an inspiration & a mentor for so many aspiring students on this challenging & demanding track. Keep inspiring!!
You are too kind, Advait! I really appreciate the lovely sentiment. But I'm most excited that you cleared 2/3 parts of the CIA! That's amazing, and you're so close to being done now. It's a challenging exam but it's definitely doable (and worth it). Congrats again, Advait. Please keep me posted about part 3!
Very helpful video for CIA students, Stephanie your all articles are very informative, thanks and keep motivating us.
Thank you so much, Meenal!
Thanks for your mails and this video as well. Thank you for wanting me to be more. I appreciate. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, Zainab! You can absolutely become a CIA -- if you still have any exam parts to go, don't give up. The journey to CIA can be long, but it's worth it in the end! Feel free to email me if you have any questions or need any motivation along the way :)
Thanks for the video, Stephanie, CIA is the right designation for Internal Audit Career
I agree, and thank you so much for your comment, Modest Kissima!
Thank you for your emails and videos on CIA exams that guide on the CIA certification process very well.
I was able to secure a CIA review course by going through one of your emails that listed the review courses that were evaluated based on various criteria like availability of video lectures, number of questions, and rates with discount.
Thank you once again for taking a passion for helping others decide on Accounting Certifications to choose, benefits, and how to attain them.
Thank you for the kind words; I am very happy to help! If you need any additional motivation, just ask! You've got this :)
Thank you for explaining in detail, Its very helpful for all CIA students and It describe all the possible benefits of getting certified as a CIA.
That is very kind of you to say, Rajendra! Have you already started to take the exam parts? Warm regards, Stephanie
Good summary on the benefits of having the designation. It looks at the demand for the profession and its relevance
Thank you so much, S M!
This is very useful information Stephanie. You've been constantly helping many of us with all the informative content, prep course discounts and guidance in abundance. Thank you for sharing all this information and extending your time and support to many of us.
Hi Nitin, thanks for the kind comment! If there is any further guidance you would like (via video or otherwise), please feel free to let me know. I'm always open to ideas. Cheers, Stephanie
Thank you for focusing CIA Designation
Thank you for watching!
This is a great overview on the CIA qualification. I have been working as a IC/IA professional for the last 13 years and have been delaying getting to it! Finding time to study and managing work is my main obstacle right now. I feel like its a monkey off my back that I need to get out of the way and complete it as soon as I can to ensure I remain relevant and credible in this profession. I also have a view that once you have a CIA you are labelled as if you can only be in this profession only, and not necessarily be attractive to a commercial role in a organisation. This is also something that bothers me with regards to completing this specific certification other than the benefits shared to obtain CIA certification. I have also seen many individuals repeating the same parts frequently before qualifying which lead me to complete a Masters degree instead due to the costs associated with having to redo and reapply for exams! None the less, I hope to give this certification a try sometime soon! I'd like to know, for the experienced IC/ IA professionals out there, how much time do they really spend preparing for these exams versus someone that does not have many years of audit experience and alternative experiences and qualifications.
Hi Lyndon! First, it is very challenging to find study time -- you're absolutely right. A master's degree is especially helpful if you want to pursue other certifications too, like the U.S. CPA, as it will allow you to meet the educational requirements in many states.
You ask a great question about the time involved in studying. It does vary. Although, what I have found is that candidates who are fairly used to standardized or computer-based testing and who have recently had an auditing class, need the least amount of study time. And certainly, if you have another certification that tests on the auditing function, you'll be a step ahead. However, I've found that how the IIA tests concepts is challenging, even though candidates may have an IC/IA background. But if you study properly, I think you'll be fine!
For an average candidate, it could take approximately 200 hours to study for all 3 parts. But for a candidate who is efficient with their studies (because things "click" more easily based on your background with accounting exams or work experience), you may find that it will take you significantly less time. Part 3 is challenging for auditors without an accounting background, so you may need the full 80-100 hours to study for that part. Part 3 tests on financial accounting to a large extent, and having a foundation in intermediate accounting classes is very helpful there. But it's still doable with studying, even if you don't have an intermediate account background.
Thank you for posting. However, I’d like the site to be a bit more granular, providing details about must know concepts, new testing areas, etc
Thanks, Mike! I'm going to be posting that information via video soon. I try to keep them shorter because I realize everyone's busy :) Please subscribe to my channel so you'll be notified of the upcoming videos. And feel free to ask me if you have any questions! Thanks, Stephanie
Your guidance is always helpful.Watching this video..cleared one more doubt that i had about opportunities in foreign countries...Preparing for Part 1 hopeful to crack it
You got this, Pratik!
I second what Claudia says! :)
Dear Stephanie, thank you for an informative video elaborating the benefits of earning a CIA credential. It describes all the possible benefits of getting certified as a CIA. Very rightly said that it helps in strengthening one's position in the job market, earn more than one's peers and get recognized internationally. With this, I believe that the CIA certification is totally worth it for a professional seeking to build a career in internal auditing.
Hi Aditya, I couldn't agree with you more. The CIA is extremely beneficial, and I hope you have much success in your CIA certification exams. How many parts do you have remaining? Warm regards, Stephanie
@@Ipasstheciaexam100 I have recently joined the course. Your videos and mailers have been very useful for me in selecting the prep-course (that too, at a discount). I am yet to study for all the 3 parts of CIA. Thank you very much for your continued guidance and support. Best regards, Aditya
@@AdityaGupta03 I'm glad you're back, Aditya! I'm here if you ever need anything. Wishing you much success, Stephanie
Please, would you produce a video that is explaining paths and ways that CIA holders can become chartered accoutants from ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW.
Hello, thanks for the suggestion! I will try to add those on after I finish updating the main certifications I'm working on now. Thanks again for the comment!
I have only a bachelor's in accounting. How many hours of work would I need and are there other requirements to take the CIA Exam?
Hello, Fateen! Yes, there are other requirements to become a CIA. You can find all the requirements here: ipasstheciaexam.com/cia-exam-requirements/
Do you need to take the CIA exam to become an internal auditor?
No, you can become a non-certified internal auditor. Although, most employers will make becoming a CIA a requirement as part of your continued employment.