[rp 12]

Hello fellow ninja’s,

Am contemplating CIA exam. Just not able to get a break with CPA exams. I am not giving up on the CPA yet, but I wanted to get certification since I will be working as an Internal Auditor beginning from next week. My goal is to get both the certifications but I am thinking of getting CIA and then simultaneously go for CPA as well. If I pass Part I of CIA it will be a huge boost for my confidence in relation to standardized tests. Need your guidance if my approach is reasonable keeping short term goal in mind? Thanks in advance!

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[mommyof3texans]

I took the CIA exam back in 2006 and I know it's changed since then so not sure how relevant my experience/opinion is. I've sat for BEC so far in my CPA journey and preparing for FAR now.

The CIA and CPA are in two totally different universes in terms of material coverage and difficulty. I found back when I took the CIA, the GLEIM materials prepared me well and I easily passed the exams. The breadth of material to study is far less than the CPA from my experience as well.

The CPA is just on a whole other level, it is far more difficult than the CIA. If you have solid study skills you should find it easier to get that CIA under your belt.

BEC - 02/21/15 - 82
FAR - 05/29/15 - 82
AUD - 07/09/15 - 93
REG - 11/14/15 - 80

All done!!!

[rp 12]

Thanks for responding @mommyof3texans! Would you advise me to go for CIA in coming months and then go for CPA since I didn't pass any part from October 2014 onwards? I will be starting as an Internal Auditor in NJ area for a large F50 company. Am thinking to go for CIA to get some certification for the short goal (I intend to stay in this company for 2 to 3 yrs), and then go for CPA too. Want to get one standardized test passed as a confidence booster. What is your take on it?

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[mommyof3texans]

Not sure I can answer that for you but would say I would at least consider the following:

1 – study materials that expire like Becker – could mean extra expense down the road

2 – knowledge already gained from studying for the sections you didn't pass

3 – if you didn't pass a CIA section on the first try.. would you give up on both?

BEC - 02/21/15 - 82
FAR - 05/29/15 - 82
AUD - 07/09/15 - 93
REG - 11/14/15 - 80

All done!!!

[rp 12]

I use Gleim for BEC, and AUD so far. Since they don't expire I like it. I haven't flip-floped between all the parts. Thought this wouldn't be a good idea. I find out my fate with AUD next week score release. This CIA is like a back-up option if I fail AUD now (3rd attempt).

For CIA I intend to go with Gleim there are 3 parts. They don't expire as well. I have 4 years to pass all 3 parts.

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[Author]

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