[cpame]

I’m in a IA dept and wanted to see if anyone had opinions or thoughts on completing the CIA after the CPA. Specifically, 1) how difficult (number of hours) is the exam after completing a CPA, 2) is there any benefit since even in IA the CPA seems to carry more weight, and 3) what study materials did you use?

Thanks!

B: 88 2/25/14
A: 81 5/12/14
R: 71, 84
F: 78 10/14/14

[M.O.D.]

But I read in Gleim that 30-35% of CPA candidates never pass any section.

For them the CIA would be a welcome alternative to “spinning their wheels” or giving up on certifications.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

MOD-

I couln't agree more.

The CIA is Busch League.

It's reserved for the bloody bodies the Uniform CPA Exam leaves in its wake.

It's a “me too” certificate for those that need a trophy, even when they lose.

[cpame]

While there is no contest that the CPA is a much more difficult and comprehensive certificate, I do believe that there is some value in the CIA (especially coupled with the CPA as proof that you didn't take the cheap way out with only the CIA).

The CPA doesn't really get into the role of internal audit so I can see some space that the CIA can fill. To me it seems the same as the CMA, but for a different profession. If you only had the CIA or CMA people would wonder why you never got the CPA

@bill isn't the CFF focused on litigation? What type of work are you in to get fulfill that requirement?

B: 88 2/25/14
A: 81 5/12/14
R: 71, 84
F: 78 10/14/14

[Anonymous]

I'm in litigation consulting- mostly damages calculations and expert reports. The occasional opinion on professional standards. Most of the litigation work is also valuation work- normally calculations instead of conclusions.

That's how I have my ABV & CFF requirements (except CPA). I'm pretty fortunate to be able to get these so early in my career. The litigation consulting arena really is filled with old white guys. The rates are so good, they come out of retirement to do this stuff. No BS.

I do some other stuff here and there, but I'd say its about 80% litigation consulting and 20% other (non-litigation valuations, due diligence, an external or out-sourced internal audit here and there, a turn-around or two as well).

I even had one job where the owner sent my boss and I in to find dirt so he could fire his CEO (who had an iron-clad contract). That was an interesting job. By interesting, I mean awkward. The CEO knew what was up from day one. As it turns out, the guy was squeaky clean. So the CEO negotiated a $300k “departure bonus” so he would leave quietly. All the while, he was negotiating another job at a competitor. He too a 100% leaving bonus and got a “big raise”.

It's nice to be able to do the other stuff, it keeps me busy. The work flow is really erratic in litigation consulting. One day its, work 12 hours, then the next day you have nothing to do at all and yesterday's 12 hr day was a waste because the case settled.

I think that's why BEC came so naturally for me. My job is a hodge-podge- just like the exam.

[M.O.D.]

I don't agree with calling any exam or profession “bush league”, “me too,” etc.

It is not professional.

I know a professor who taught my EA course and he hated CPAs and always found a way to throw verbal jabs at CPAs, never mind that the accounting dept in which he taught was full of CPAs.

It only made him look stupid and mean.

The fact remains that the majority do fail the CPA exam, and 30-35% cannot pass a single section.

For them, alternatives must exist.

Personally, I appreciate open and respectful discussion of such alternatives.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Pumpkins]

I've taken the CIA and I always heard the CPA is so much harder… I don't necessarily agree. I think the MCQs in the AUD section of the CPA is about the same level of difficulty as the CIA… it's just the SIMS and the volume of material over all 4 parts that make the CPA a challenge.

AUD- 93
BEC- 81
FAR- 1/26/2015
REG- TBD

CIA Exams Passed in March, 2014

[Anonymous]

I happen to be a CIA and have found that it is a well respected credential within the Internal Audit arena – I landed my current IA job and the hiring Manager told me it was due to this credential. You have to put some work into passing it but it is not nearly as difficult as the CPA exam.

Brasskey, I take some pride in the fact that I passed the CIA exam and don't appreciate your comments, really distasteful. There are some folks in here that have passed the CPA exam and are pursuing the CIA as well, it is a nice value-add to one's career.

[Ngozika7]

@ClosestPoinOfApproach can you kindly provide me with the steps for applying to sit and write the CIA exam?

[Anonymous]

@Ngozika7 – everything you need to know can be found at the link below:

https://na.theiia.org/certification/CIA-Certification/Pages/CIA-Certification.aspx

[cpame]

@closest what study materials did you use for the CIA? any thoughts on which is the “best”?

B: 88 2/25/14
A: 81 5/12/14
R: 71, 84
F: 78 10/14/14

[Excel14]

@cpame:

Everyone might differ on which study material is the best, but I used Gleim and passed all parts on the first sitting. Just my .02.

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[Pumpkins]

I used Gleim for the CIA as well.. and I'm currently using it for the CPA.. it has yet to fail me.

AUD- 93
BEC- 81
FAR- 1/26/2015
REG- TBD

CIA Exams Passed in March, 2014

[Excel14]

@Pumpkins:

Great Audit score. I began using CPAexcel for FAR, and decided to switch up and use Gleim (moved dated of exam back). I was torn between the two in the beginning, and decided on CPAexcel. While that program might do the job as well, I feel like I'm not as slammed with constant assignments to the point of falling behind all of the time (with Gleim). Not that FAR is easy, no matter which program you decide on.

BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
FAR (09/10/16)-----
AUD
REG

CIA, CGAP, CFE

[memmy29]

I agree with a few of you above. I'm a CPA and work in internal audit. Many of the people here have a CIA, and our boss actually provides a raise for those who pass. He thinks the credential makes us more reputable. I think parts 1 and 2 are extremely easy compared to the CPA exam, but part 3 definitely requires serious study time.

AUD-84, REG-75, BEC-84, FAR-77

Licensed CPA

CIA Exam
Part 1 - Passed
Part 2 - Passed
Part 3 - Passed

[Author]

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