Certified Internal Auditor

To be eligible, you must have one of the following:

• A degree in any subject
• Five years' experience in internal audit, risk or compliance
• An active Internal Audit Practitioner award
• An accountancy or CISA qualification

Additionally, degree-holders will need a minimum of two years' experience to be awarded Certified Internal Auditor, while holders of the Internal Audit Practitioner award will need 5 years' experience. This experience requirement has to be met within 3 years of enrolment.

• Comprehensive understanding of the skills and competencies required of an internal auditor.
• In-depth understanding of all elements of the International Professional Practices Framework and its implementation.

There are three exams to take:

• Part 1 – Internal Audit Fundamentals
• Part 2 – Internal Audit Engagement
• Part 3 – Internal Audit Function

Part 1 – Internal Audit Fundamentals:

• 125 multiple-choice questions
• 2.5 hours

The CIA Part 1 exam primarily tests knowledge of the IPPF and the Global Internal Audit Standards, predominantly for Domains 1 and 2. 

The syllabus has four sections:
A.    Foundations of internal auditing (35%)
B.    Ethics and professionalism (20%)
C.    Governance, risk management, and control (30%)
D.    Fraud risks (15%)

Part 2 – Internal Audit Engagement:

• 100 multiple-choice questions
• 2.0 hours 

Part 2 is about the application of the Global Internal Audit Standards in order to plan and perform an engagement, and communicate the findings, and tests your knowledge on Domain 5 and the Topical Requirements.

The syllabus has three sections:
A. Engagement planning (50%)
B. Information gathering, analysis and evaluation (40%)
C. Engagement supervision and communication (10%)

Part 3 – Internal Audit Function:

• 100 multiple-choice questions
• 2.0 hours 

Part 3 looks at the management of the internal audit function and in particular Domain 4.

The syllabus has four sections:
1.    Internal audit operations (25%)
2.    Internal audit plan (15%)
3.    Quality of the internal audit function (15%)
4.    Engagement results and monitoring (45%)

Click here to access the syllabus.

There are approximately 200 hours of study per part:

• 2 hours onboarding
• 9-10 hours independent study per week
• 38 hours of virtual classes
• 32 hours of preparation for the exam
• 2 hours of exam time

You can expect to complete the certification in approximately 18 months, or six months per part.

You have three years to complete all parts.

The Chartered IIA has developed a comprehensive 16-week learning programme to support you.  The programme includes:

• The Premium CIA Review package from Gleim, the global market leaders for CIA materials
  Support until you pass the exam
• A tutor to take you through the entire syllabus to make sure you understand every area
• 7 virtual classes to explore topics and practice your learning

Studying in a cohort means you can network with your peers to support each other on the course.

The peace of mind knowing you have the Chartered IIA supporting you every step of the way.

To qualify as a CIA you must pass three computer-based, multiple-choice exams:

1.    Internal audit fundamentals: 125 questions, 2.5 hours
2.    Internal audit engagement: 100 questions, 2 hours
3.    Internal audit function: 100 questions, 2 hours

Multiple choice questions 

To pass the exam, you need to achieve a score of at least 80% (or 600 of 750 marks). The CIA is a respected professional certification, and the exams are extremely challenging and should not be underestimated.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards came into effect at the start of 2025, and the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) syllabus will be changing significantly to reflect these changes. Here are some key dates to be aware of:

24th March    
Our new 16 week learning programme for the revised CIA Part 1 and CIA Part 3 begins. Places are still available.

27th March 
Students with access to the current Online Learning System will be given access to the new CIA Learning System for the 2025 syllabus. Access to the new system will be given for 2 years regardless of your when your current access to the Learning System expires, or your overall CIA deadline. 

Your access to the current CIA Learning System will continue as usual. If your access to the current CIA Learning System has expired, you will not automatically be given access to the new system. Please contact us if you need to arrange an extension.

31st March    
The new 16 week learning programme for the revised CIA Part 2 begins. 

27th May
The final day of exams under the current syllabus.

28th May
New CIA exams go live. From this date it will no longer be possible to sit exams, including resits, under the old syllabus.