[foreseeableCPA]

Hi all,

I am in the process of studying for the CIA exam. I was wondering if passing the CIA exam will count as CPE towards the CPA designation in California?

Also, I heard the first two parts are much easier than the third? Can anyone elaborate why the third is much harder? And what parts of the CPA exam, if any, over laps with the CIA exam parts?

Thanks!

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[pickanicken]

First, I am not sure about the CPE question.

I passed the CIA last year and am half way through the CPA (I passed REG and BEC) – so I can give some advice in that respect. The first two parts of the CIA are extremely conceptual and relate directly to your internal audit knowledge. The third part is considered more difficult because it touches on a wide variety of topics and includes financial and cost accounting. In my experience, the third part of the CIA is almost identical to BEC with the exception that the CPA exam requires more calculations and the CIA exam – even in part 3 – was more conceptual. I only studied about 2 weeks for BEC and passed with an 83 because I had a good base knowledge from having done the CIA.

REG - 81
BEC - 83
AUD - 86
FAR - 78 (Done!)

[foreseeableCPA]

Thanks for your feedback @pickanicken. I'm using Gleim to study for the CIA. Currently, I am in the process of scheduling the Part 1 Exam. So far, Part 1 doesn't seem too difficult. It could get quite tricky with the different cycles (AP, AR, etc.), but it seems to overlap with the CPA. It could also seem easier to me now that I have a bit more experience in audit.

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[pickanicken]

Gleim is great. I used it for the CIA and now the CPA as well. I didn't even realize until now that you have already passed the CPA. The CIA is going to be a breeze for you. I finished it in under 3 months, but in hindsight I think I could have done it in 1 month flat. Pressure is off I promise.

REG - 81
BEC - 83
AUD - 86
FAR - 78 (Done!)

[foreseeableCPA]

Thanks for the confidence booster! I'll let you know how the first exam goes once I take it!

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[foreseeableCPA]

@pickanicken, how does Gleim questions compare to the actual exam? Is it comparable in difficulty? I used Becker for the CPA exam. I felt that Becker questions, overall, were slightly more difficult than the exam.

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[Spartans92]

Hi, I just stumbled across this post. Was wondering if CIA is only useful if you are an auditor? I am going into tax but would like an extra certification after the CPA, potentially for a better pay. Does it really make a difference? I am assuming you guys are just going for the challenge..

BEC- PASS

[pickanicken]

CIA is for internal audit. I don't think it would be very helpful at all for tax. The Gleim questions, especially the calculations, were more difficult than the exam.

REG - 81
BEC - 83
AUD - 86
FAR - 78 (Done!)

[HoosierDaddy]

If you are interested in obtaining another certification other than the Certified Internal Auditor, I would recommend the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). You can buy the self-study course and exam for $1000.

Good luck!

-Passed all four sections of CPA exam in 2010 using Becker.
-Former Seasonal Audit Senior with Big Four accounting firm.
-Plan to sit for Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)

[foreseeableCPA]

@pickanicken

Reporting back some good news! Just finished taking Part 1 and resulted in a preliminary score of a PASS!
That better not change hahah.

Going to start studying for test 2. Comparing Part 1 and Part 2, is there much of a difference?

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[pickanicken]

@foreseeableCPA Congrats on the PASS! Btw I think it is highly unlikely that the preliminary score will change.

I didn't say this earlier, but even though many consider the third part to be the hardest, in my opinion the first part was the most difficult. I'm not sure if I was just nervous since it was my first exam, but I almost ran out of time and had a mild panic attack trying to rush so I could finish. Part 2 of the exam focuses more on what I would call the “Senior” role in internal audit. I found Part 2 to be by far the easiest, so I think you will do well. My order of difficulty from easiest to hardest would be 2,3,1.

REG - 81
BEC - 83
AUD - 86
FAR - 78 (Done!)

[foreseeableCPA]

Thanks for your input. It amazes me how much studying I did for certain areas in Part 1 and those areas barely appeared on the test.

I noticed unit/chapter 1 for Part 2 sorta overlaps Part 1. Hopefully that will cut down on some review time. I'm trying to pass all 3 Parts in 3 months.

In regards to scoring, if you receive a Passing score, does it show you the number you got as well?

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[pickanicken]

Yeah, there are a couple sections in Part 2 that overlap, and then Part 3 has some overlap as well. Finishing in 3 months in definitely feasible – I had no problem doing it in 3 months while working 50 hour work weeks.

No, the only time they provide a score is if you fail.

REG - 81
BEC - 83
AUD - 86
FAR - 78 (Done!)

[foreseeableCPA]

Very weird that they would make these tests overlap. I wish they would provide scores regardless of whether its a pass or a fail.

BTW, are you in public? And hows the CPA going for you? I know you mentioned you passed BEC. Have you passed others as well?

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[pickanicken]

I agree that they should provide the scores. It would have been nice to know if I was right on the border of failing or if I had passed by a comfortable margin. I am not in public. I'm an internal auditor for a bank. Since, this page has basically turned into us just chatting, do you have any study tips for AUD? I am taking it tomorrow and am trying to do some last minute review of important topics. I'm struggling to determine where to focus my attention, especially when it comes to SIMs.

REG - 81
BEC - 83
AUD - 86
FAR - 78 (Done!)

[foreseeableCPA]

I know the assertions were difficult for me to comprehend at the time I took the AUD exam. Are you comfortable with distinguishing which assertions certain procedures accomplish?

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

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