
Chartered by Experience 25/26
Apply for the Chartered by experience route and book a date for your interview.
Achieve accreditation and the benchmark for leadership within Internal Audit.
Gain the skills and confidence to succeed at the highest level.
Reach the rigorous requirements and international standards of internal auditing.
Demonstrate your ability to lead in your organisation and the profession as a whole.
For applicants seeking a senior position.
• Competencies and skills required for strategic decision-makers and leaders.
• How to face operational challenges and be accountable for internal audit function.
Learning programme with resources and materials, classes with experienced tutors, an open forum to post questions and regular assessments.
Case study-based exam.
If you are a member of the Chartered IIA, sign in above.
If you are not a member, please sign up.
For applicants who are already a leader with senior experience.
A written application and panel interview.
If you are a member of the Chartered IIA, sign in above.
If you are not a member, please sign up.
When the course begins, you'll gain access to the Chartered IIA's online Study System, hosted on the Moodle platform. This provides a wide range of learning materials and resources, including a dedicated study forum. Your learning will be further supported by the Perligo online reading library, which offers in-depth content tailored to key syllabus areas.
The programme also includes eight virtual classes, each led by a facilitator who guides discussion around the syllabus topics. Forums will remain open throughout, offering a collaborative space to share insights, ask questions, and connect with fellow students and facilitators on course-related themes and assignments.
The revised syllabus reflects the responsibilities of the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) as outlined in Domains I–IV of the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF), and aligns with the role description defined in the Competency Framework. Given the standards’ strong focus on CAE expectations within internal audit, the syllabus is further enriched with knowledge and skills designed to equip aspiring leaders to meet the evolving demands of the profession.
The new syllabus is presented in the four sections below and constitutes a total of 400 hours of learning:
Section 1: Professionalism
This section explores the importance of areas like independence, objectivity and due professional care, and how these ethical elements feed into the competency of the CAE.
Section 2: Governance
This section explores the relationship of the CAE with the Board and Senior management to ensure bring about effective authorisation and oversight, in the delivery of quality services.
Section 3: Strategic leadership
In addition to the internal audit strategy, this section explores the development of strategic objectives, and how these are delivered especially considering emerging risks like associated with the climate, geopolitical and macroeconomic, AI and other technologies.
Section 4: Managing the function
This section focusses on internal audit planning, the resources to deliver the plan, and the effective management of a team to deliver the plan.
Recommended reading list information to be announced
Next course to start in Spring 2026
If you completed and passed Chartered by Learning Modules 1 and 2 on or before the January 2026 exam, the Professional Conferral is now open for booking. You’ll have until December 2026 to complete your assessment.
Candidates enrolling in the new programme from Spring 2026 onwards will not need to book the Professional Conferral separately, as the assessment will be integrated into the updated curriculum.
The new Chartered by Learning programme will be starting in Spring 2026. Please email assessment@charterediia.org for any queries
Suitable for experienced internal audit leaders.
For large internal audit functions and / or complex organisations an eligible applicant may hold a head of internal audit role below a group head of internal audit. Where this is the case the applicant must have a clear responsibility for leading the internal audit service for a clearly defined area (for example a subsidiary or geographical region).
Where the organisation is complex, it is likely that there will be junior audit committees based on corporate structure, geographic region, or business divisions. Formal responsibility to attend one or more of these junior audit committees meets the eligibility criteria.
Please first of all register through the website and become a member of the Chartered IIA. Once this has been completed or you are a current member you can then register for an assessment date through the website, and we will then contact you to support you through the application process.
You will need to provide the following information as part of your application, using the following (Word) templates:
You will need to provide all your information at the same time and email it to assessment@charterediia.org within the published schedule deadline.
The application fee is £2,040 +VAT.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate their suitability in both the written application and during the professional discussion. The criteria, based on the Global Internal Audit Standards, are shown below together with the evidence that is required, and how each will be assessed.
1. Purpose and Professionalism
Links to Domains I and II of the Global Internal Audit Standards
Competencies
1.1 Operates ethically, with integrity and professional courage
1.2 Demonstrates business acumen
1.3 Upholds the Global Internal Audit Standards
1.4 Exercises due professional care and scepticism
Evidence
Written application
Within assessment
The assessment will cover areas within your experience such as ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest and challenge your conformance to the Global Internal Audit Standards. It will consider how you act as an advocate for an ethical organisational culture. It will also cover areas such as how you keep informed on leading edge practices and with the sector or industry in which you work.
2. Leading and governing the internal audit function
Links to Domain III of the Global Internal Audit Standards
Competencies
2.1 Can demonstrate recent experience as a head of internal audit / internal audit leader
2.2 Works with, and engages, the audit committee and senior management
2.3 Evaluates the governance arrangements for internal auditing and influences, where appropriate, to ensure there is an appropriate environment and support for internal auditing.
2.4 Understands the assurance needs of the organisation, and how these are met.
Evidence
Written application
Within assessment
The assessment will cover areas within your experience such as engaging with and reporting to audit committee, working with senior management, and driving the quality and continual improvement of the internal audit function. Candidates should also be able to evaluate the Essential Conditions set out in Domain III of the Global Internal Audit Standards and how these are met within their organisation.
3. Managing the internal audit function
Links to Domain IV of the Global Internal Audit Standards
Competencies
3.1 Communicates effectively
3.2 Demonstrates skill in managing people, financial and technological resources
3.3 Understands the assurance needs of the organisation, and how these are met.
3.4 Demonstrates skill in managing change and / or transformation
Evidence
Written application
The application and CV demonstrate that the candidate meets the eligibility criteria
The application provides examples of actions undertaken and roles that support the conclusion that the candidate possesses the attributes described in 3.1 – 3.3.
The referees’ statements confirm the veracity of the candidate’s application, CV and organisation charts.
Within assessment
The assessment will cover areas within your experience such as developing the internal audit strategy, developing the internal audit plan and managing internal audit resources. Your submission (and the subsequent interview) should discuss examples of how you have been involved with change or transformation (directly or when providing assurance), and how you are driving forward the internal audit function through areas such as increasing the value add of audit, introducing innovation, or raising profile and understanding of internal audit and assurance.
Your communication skills will be assessed during your presentation and the following interview. Your presentation should be prepared as if for an audit committee or internal audit leadership peers
4. Delivery of internal audit services
Links to Domain V of the Global Internal Audit Standards
Competencies
4.1 Understands and evaluates governance, risk management and control with reference to strategic and operational organisational objectives.
4.2 Provides assurance on areas of change as well as ‘business as usual’ risks
4.3 Is conversant with risks associated with: information systems and technology, data, fraud, finance and organisational culture.
4.4 Challenges management constructively regarding risk appetite and acceptance, and the actions taken to mitigate risks.
Evidence
Written application
Within assessment
The assessment will cover areas within your experience such as:
Key dates for 2025 assessment
Register online by: |
Monday 29 September 2025 |
Written application deadline: |
Monday 13 October 2025 |
Interview shortlist announced: |
Monday 27 October 2025 |
Panel interviews: |
Monday 10 & Tuesday 11 November 2025 |
Results confirmed: |
Tuesday 25 November 2025 |
For more information, please call 020 7498 0101 or email assessment@charterediia.org.
Click below to book onto the Chartered by Experience assessment
There are two assessment stages:
1. Written application
You will complete a candidate statement which demonstrates how you meet our competencies. We have provided a template to help you do this. You must also submit supporting details, which include the endorsement of a sponsor and two referees, your CV, training and development records and an organisational chart. We then undertake a shortlisting exercise. If you meet the criteria and submit the required information, you will be invited for interview.
2. Panel interview
If you meet the eligibility criteria and have submitted all of the required application information you will be invited to a panel interview.
This stage of the assessment begins with a ten-minute presentation on a topic chosen by the assessors and given to you in advance of the day. The assessors will then follow up with related questions they may have about aspects of the presentation before moving on to a more general discussion where the assessors will consider your evidence in more detail - discussing your submission and exploring the examples you've used. The session will last around one hour.
Yes, to be considered for Chartered status, you must be a member of the Chartered IIA. You can apply to become a member Membership | Chartered IIA
The panel interview will take 50 – 60 minutes, including your 10 minute presentation. We will contact you nearer the date to arrange a specific time for your interview
You should provide details of the training and development activities that you have undertaken over the 12 months prior to your application. There is no prescribed format, but you should provide enough detail for the assessors to understand the nature of the activity.
If this is the case, please share details of any training and development activity undertaken in the 12 months prior to your leave.
Interviews take place using an online meeting resource.
To be considered for this route, you must have relevant experience of operating as a head of internal audit, or at a senior level in an internal audit role within an organisation or outsourced provider of internal audit services. This means that you fulfil the responsibilities of Chief Audit Executive as set out in the Global Internal Audit Standards. You need to have had direct influence over the internal audit strategy of the organisation or business unit.
Eligible applicants will have at least 18 months experience in that role.
The full eligibility criteria are set out here on the Chartered by Experience website page.
Please ensure you read the criteria before applying as your application fee is non-refundable, but if we feel you haven't submitted enough evidence to be eligible for interview, we will give you some feedback and you can re-apply within two months at no extra cost.
If you are not awarded Chartered Internal Auditor status following the interview, we will provide you with feedback. We will also suggest what you may need to do to be successful in future, and may suggest a minimum timeframe before we believe you should re-apply.
We’re sure you will take the time to review the resources available to you to support you in your application process. However, if you apply and change your mind, unfortunately your fee is not refundable.
Please email assessment@charterediia.org.