Autumn 2025 Module 2: Leadership
Chartered by Learning focuses on the development of knowledge, skills and behaviours for internal auditors. Click to book onto Chartered by Learning Module 2 - leadership.
Our Chartered Internal Auditor course is designed for internal auditors seeking a more senior position. It is also ideal for aspiring or experienced leaders who want recognition for their achievements.
Why take this course?
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Achieve accreditation and the benchmark for leadership within Internal Audit.
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Gain the skills and confidence to succeed at the highest level.
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Reach the rigorous requirements and international standards of internal auditing.
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Demonstrate your ability to lead in your organisation and the profession as a whole.
- Access to our Student Community to support you during your studies.
What will I gain?
- Chartered Internal Auditor designation (CMIIA), which is recognised globally as the UK benchmark for Internal Auditors.
- Voting rights as part of your Chartered IIA membership.
- The recognition for your contributions to organisational success.
Ways to study
How to choose between Chartered by Learning and Chartered by Experience.
Choose Chartered by Learning if you are looking to develop your leadership skills and strategic thinking to move into a senior role or Chartered by Experience if you are already in a senior leadership role and you can demonstrate your skills and experience within a panel assessment.
You will be given more details about the course or assessment once you start the signup process.
For applicants seeking a senior position.
Course content
• Competencies and skills required for strategic decision-makers and leaders.
• How to face operational challenges and be accountable for internal audit function.
Learning methods
Learning programme with resources and materials, classes with experienced tutors, an open forum to post questions and regular assessments.
Final assessment
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.
Assessment
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.
Achieve Chartered Status with Chartered by Learning
- Audit Managers/Supervisors
- Aspiring leaders
- You will need to hold Professional membership with the Chartered IIA.
- You will also need to hold the CIA designation unless you are applying for Direct Entry
You will be given access to the Chartered IIA's online Study System when the course starts. We use the Moodle platform, where students will have access to a host of learning materials and resources including a study forum. There are also five virtual classes led by a facilitator to lead the discussion on the syllabus topics.
The forums are an open environment to share knowledge and experience. You can easily connect and interact with fellow students and facilitators to discuss topics that are relevant to your classes, assignments or exams.
The forums are an open environment to share knowledge and experience. You can easily connect and interact with fellow students and facilitators to discuss topics that are relevant to your classes, assignments or exams.
Module 1: Strategy
Module 1 – Strategy is scheduled for relaunch in Spring 2026, having been comprehensively redesigned to reflect the updated IPPF framework. Further information will be communicated in due course.
Module 2: Leadership
Master the operational responsibilities of leading an internal audit function, whether as a manager or executive.
This module focuses on practical leadership challenges and is divided into five domains:
- Planning
- Assurance and insight
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Influence
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Talent management
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Quality assurance and improvement
As part of your learning programme, we will provide you with micro-courses and resources.
You will be assessed at postgraduate level, so it’s important to read beyond the resources we give you.
Additional recommended reading includes:
- Chartered IIA resources
- News media and current affairs
- Other printed and online sources
We also suggest exploring well-regarded books on leadership. While there are many excellent options, the following may be especially helpful:
For Module 2: Leadership
Recommended:
Schein, E.H. (2017). Organisational Culture and Leadership (5th ed.). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
This respected book looks at how leadership and organisational culture are connected. It’s quite detailed and may seem challenging at first, but it’s a valuable resource for those wanting to explore the topic in depth.
Although we’ve listed the latest edition, earlier versions are often just as useful and usually more affordable, especially second-hand. Try checking online marketplaces, university bookshops, or charity shops for good deals. Your local library may also have relevant business and management titles.
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Autumn 2025 Cohort |
Module 2 Leadership |
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End of registration |
Wednesday 25 August 2025 |
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| Online course content available |
Monday 1 September 2025 |
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Induction |
Monday 1 September 2025 |
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Programme commences |
Monday 8 September 2025 | |
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Revision period starts |
Monday 15 December 2025 (Full schedule available upon registration) |
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Exam |
Wednesday 14 January 2026 |
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The Professional Conferral Assessment is your chance to showcase your learning and professional development by applying your insights to real-world challenges in your work environment. This assessment evaluates your ability to lead both the internal audit function and the profession with confidence and expertise.
Eligibility
- To be eligible, you must be a member of the Chartered IIA.
- Having completed Chartered by Learning Modules 1: Strategy and 2: Leadership, you are eligible to move on to the Professional Conferral.
What to Expect
Upon registration and payment, you will gain access to our Professional Conferral Hub, which provides comprehensive guidance on the assessment process, including:
- Clear expectations of what you need to demonstrate.
- Templates and example documents to help you structure your submission.
The process begins with identifying and defining a suitably complex and strategic problem for investigation. Once your problem statement is submitted and approved by an assessor, you will develop actionable recommendations to address the issue.
Assessment Criteria
Assessment Criteria
You will be evaluated against five key competencies, grounded in:
- The International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).
- The Chartered by Learning syllabus.
- The Internal Audit Competency Framework.
These are –
- Professionalism
- Business Acumen
- Communication
- Leadership
- Governance
Chartered Membership
Upon successfully completing the assessment, you will be awarded Chartered membership and gain the prestigious CMIIA designation, marking a significant milestone in your professional journey.
Take the next step to demonstrate your expertise and advance your career!
Assessment Format
- The 60-minute online assessment, conducted via Teams, is structured as follows:
- Presentation (20 minutes): Present your recommendations to the assessor.
- Q&A Session (20 minutes): Answer questions to demonstrate your knowledge and reasoning.
- Discussion (20 minutes): Reflect on your learning and professional development.
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Item |
Fee |
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Module 1: Strategy is no longer offered for this cohort. It will resume in Spring 2026 |
TBC |
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Learning programme for Module 2: Leadership* |
£1,970 + VAT |
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Professional conferral* |
£440 + VAT |
Costs for a Direct Entry candidate with a standard exemption
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Programme |
Fee |
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Module 2 Leadership Direct Entry |
£2,630 + VAT |
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Module 2 Leadership - 20% discount (Civil servants only) |
£1,576 + VAT |
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Module 2 Leadership and Direct Entry - 20% discount (Civil servants only) |
£2,104 + VAT |
*VAT at 20%
Only Module 2: Leadership is currently running. This module includes a case study-based exam that is accessible online. Please note that there is no flexibility regarding the scheduled exam date, as it is a crucial requirement for successful completion of the module.
Join us to enhance your strategic and leadership expertise, preparing you for high-impact roles in internal audit and beyond.
Access our Candidate Handbook and full course syllabus.
Exclusive 20% Discount on Study Support for Central Government Employees
Take advantage of a 20% discount on tuition for the CIA qualification and Chartered by Learning (CMIIA) status.
This exclusive saving applies to:
- CIA Revision Masterclasses
- Chartered by Learning Tuition Programmes
All support is delivered online, offering flexibility to suit your schedule.
To claim your discount, simply email assessment@charterediia.org.
Please note: this offer is only available to students enrolled directly with the Chartered IIA. Apprentices and students registered with other tuition providers are not eligible.
Start your journey to professional excellence and make the most of this unique opportunity
For more detailed information regarding the study route to Chartered membership, please read our Candidate Handbook.
Click here to view the syllabus.
Syllabus Update: Transition to the New Standards
We are pleased to announce that the entire Chartered by Learning programme will be updated to align with the new global Standards in Spring 2026.
Candidates enrolling for the March 2025 intake will continue to be assessed under the current Standards and syllabus. However, those beginning the programme in September 2025 will transition to the new Standards and revised syllabus.
This marks the first comprehensive review of the Chartered by Learning syllabus. As part of this transition, updates to the teaching approach and assessment methodology are also expected. Further details will be shared in due course, and we are committed to supporting all current and prospective students to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
The publication date for the updated syllabus will be confirmed and announced as soon as it is finalised.
For more information, please contact assessment@charterediia.org.
Book your Chartered by Learning modules
Click below to book onto the Chartered by Learning modules - Strategy or Leadership.
If you are not a member please sign up prior to booking, if you are a member please book below.
Achieve Chartered Status with Chartered by Experience
Suitable for experienced internal audit leaders.
To be eligible to apply, the following criteria must be met:
- The applicant must first join the Chartered IIA as a member
- Eligible applicants will be internal audit leaders.
- Ensure your CV clearly demonstrates you meet all eligibility criteria.
This means that they are able to demonstrate:
- Responsibility for discharging the responsibilities of Chief Audit Executive as set out in the Global Internal Audit Standards.
- Attendance at an audit committee (or equivalent) in their capacity as an internal audit leader. This should be regular attendance at the committee, requiring the applicant to have a relationship with the committee and its members. The applicant will be involved in audit committee meetings (rather than just observing, or preparing papers for a colleague to present).
- Regular engagement with senior executive management in their capacity as an internal audit leader.
- Line management / people management responsibilities within an internal audit function.
- Ownership / accountability for internal audit quality (even if some elements of this are delegated to other team members).
- Recent internal audit leadership experience covering the above criteria for a period of at least 18 months. This would ideally be in a current role but could be within a recent role during the past five years.
For large / complex organisations and internal audit functions:
For small internal audit functions (3 or fewer full time internal auditors)
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.For small internal audit functions (3 or fewer full time internal auditors)
We recognise that for small internal audit functions, there may not be a significant line management role for the head of internal audit. This should not prevent audit leaders from small internal audit functions from applying. We also recognise that in some smaller functions, the job title of the individual leading the internal audit function may not reflect a ‘head’ or ‘chief’ role. The candidate should make clear in their submission their role and how it meets the eligibility criteria.
For multi-client providers (for example a shared service or a professional services firm)
For multi-client providers (for example a shared service or a professional services firm)
Eligible candidates who are employed by a multi-client provider will be able to demonstrate that they fulfil the role of head of internal audit and the eligibility criteria for one or more named clients / customers.
What to Expect
After submitting your application, you will be notified if you have been shortlisted for a panel interview. All interviews are conducted online and last approximately 60 minutes which includes a 10 minute presentation where the topic will have been sent prior to the assessment.
During the assessment, a lead assessor and a support assessor will review your presentation and discuss specific points from your presentation and prior internal audit experience. These discussions will be informed by the examples you provided in your candidate statement and application and assessed against the Chartered by Experience competencies.
Important Details:
Important Details:
For quality assurance purposes, the interview will be recorded. Recordings are securely stored for 60 days before being permanently deleted. If you have concerns about this, please contact us at assessment@charterediia.org.
On the day of your interview, you must present a valid photographic ID. Accepted forms of ID include:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Government-issued ID (e.g., NHS/Civil Service pass scheme cards)
If you cannot provide valid ID, your assessment will need to be rescheduled.
This process ensures a fair and thorough evaluation of your qualifications and experience.
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:
- Your candidate statement
- A sponsor statement
- Two referee statements from your current or most recent employer: one should be from your line manager, the second can be from another senior representative who has knowledge of your work
- Your CV
- Your employer's organisational chart
- Copies of relevant academic and professional qualifications used to support your application
- An overview of the training and development activity that you have undertaken in the past 12 months.
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
- The candidate is a member in good standing of the IIA prior to or at the point of CBE application
- The sponsor is person of good professional standing
- The sponsor confirms that he or she has known the candidate in a professional capacity for a minimum of six months and has signed a statement to this effect
- The referees' statements confirm the candidate's professional integrity
- The application includes details of the candidate’s continuing professional development in the past 12 months.
- The candidate demonstrates a good working knowledge of the Global Internal Audit Standards and their practical application
- The candidate can evidence that they have participated in relevant training and development activity during the past 12 months.
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
- The application and CV demonstrate that the candidate meets the eligibility criteria
- The application demonstrates that the candidate is an internal audit leader, and works closely with senior management and the audit committee (or equivalent)
- The application provides examples of actions undertaken and roles that support the conclusion that the candidate possesses the attributes described in 2.1 – 2.4.
- The referees’ statements confirm the veracity of the candidate’s application and CV
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
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The application and CV demonstrate that the candidate meets the eligibility criteria
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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.
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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
- The application provides examples of actions undertaken and roles that support the conclusion that the candidate possesses the attributes described in 4.1 – 4.4.
- 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:
- agreeing the scope of work or input by internal audit including advisory and assurance activity
- flexing the internal audit plan to reflect changing priorities and risks
- addressing key technology, data, finance, fraud or culture risks within internal audit work
- maintaining a healthy dialogue with management regarding appropriate remediations, risk responses, and risk appetite.
Key dates for July 2025 assessment
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Register online by: |
Monday 9 June 2025 |
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Written application deadline: |
Monday 23 June 2025 |
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Interview shortlist announced: |
Monday 7 July 2025 |
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Panel interviews: |
Monday 21 & Tuesday 22 July 2025 |
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Results confirmed: |
Tuesday 5 August 2025 |
For more information, please call 020 7498 0101 or email assessment@charterediia.org.
Book your Chartered by Experience assessment
Click below to book onto the Chartered by Experience assessment
FAQs
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.
Chartered members from accountancy bodies in the UK and Ireland currently working in internal audit, or internal auditors holding advanced business degrees, may be eligible for our direct entry route.