Is it necessary to get a CISA?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #198735
    joyflying
    Participant

    So I have passed my CPA exams and currently is a non-reporting CPA in MA. I am taking an advisory internship with EY next summer, therefore, I am thinking about getting a CISA. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the necessity to take CISA after getting a CPA license? Also, what kind of study materials do you use for CISA exam?

    AUD - 91
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 93
    REG - 94
    The best is yet to come..

    FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
    AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
    BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
    REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

    Here comes my touch down!
    Certified in MA (08/2015)

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #750184
    ruggercpa2b
    Participant

    There is a thread below that someone else started asking the same. It might be helpful.

    I personally plan on taking CISA mostly because I am in audit and would like to do a mix of financial and IT audits.

    CISA Worth??

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - NINJA in Training
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    AUD - 1/6/18
    FAR - TBD
    REG - TBD
    BEC - TBD

    AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
    BEC - 8/20/2016
    REG - TBD
    FAR - TBD

    I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

    #750185
    the LAST Coffee
    Participant

    joyflying, I remember you a while back. I am glad to hear that you got the job with Big 4! All that worrying eh? (sorry off topic and don't really know much anything about CISA)

    FAR 84 (AUG '15)
    BEC 83 (AUG '15)
    AUD 79 (OCT '15)
    REG 71, 78! (NOV '15, FEB '16)

    #750186
    Gabe
    Participant

    I am taking the CISA in a few weeks. I am in Internal Audit and do a lot of IT audits/IT projects, so it definitely helps add credibility to my testing. It also helps that I know what the IT folks are talking about. Additionally, my boss wanted someone who was more IT focused, so here I am. If it's something you think would help you in your career, go for it.

    ISACA has a CISA book and database, nearly identical to the Ninja software. The exam itself is offered three times a year (December, June, and September). Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂

    @rugger when you planning on taking it?

    CPA, CFE
    CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

    #750187
    joyflying
    Participant

    @rugger Thanks for the info. What textbook are you using?

    @Gabe How many sections are there in CISA? Are there any requirement for sitting the exam? Is it MCQ-based or are there any other type of questions? Is the cisa book offered by ISACA the official book to use? And how long did you prepare for it?
    Thanks.

    @the LAST Coffee Haha thanks. Gotta keep the GPA high still though!

    AUD - 91
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 93
    REG - 94
    The best is yet to come..

    FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
    AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
    BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
    REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

    Here comes my touch down!
    Certified in MA (08/2015)

    #750188
    Gabe
    Participant

    @joy Currently there are 5 sections. However, starting June 2016 there will be 6 sections. No requirements to sit. To actually be licensed you need 5 years of experience- bachelor's degree counts for 2, CPA license counts for 1. All MCQs. CISA book is offered by ISACA, as is the database. The test is 200 questions to be completed in 4 hrs. I am not positive how that will change in 2016. Oh, I've been studying since…October. The first 2 sections overlap with audit, the other 3 are more IT specific.

    CPA, CFE
    CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

    #750189
    joyflying
    Participant

    @Gabe Does each section have 200 questions or the total test have 200 questions? I assume it is the former? Are you planning to sit 5 sections in one sittings?

    AUD - 91
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 93
    REG - 94
    The best is yet to come..

    FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
    AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
    BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
    REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

    Here comes my touch down!
    Certified in MA (08/2015)

    #750190
    Gabe
    Participant

    I should have been more clear. It is one test, with 5 sections or “modules.” The entire test is 200 questions.

    CPA, CFE
    CISA- Experience will be completed by August 2016

    #750191
    joyflying
    Participant

    @Gabe Ah, got it. Thanks!

    AUD - 91
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 93
    REG - 94
    The best is yet to come..

    FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
    AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
    BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
    REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

    Here comes my touch down!
    Certified in MA (08/2015)

    #750192
    joyflying
    Participant

    @Gabe Hi Gabe, does the textbook you talked about contains all 5 sections of the exam, including reading materials and MCQs (and answers)?

    AUD - 91
    BEC - 90
    FAR - 93
    REG - 94
    The best is yet to come..

    FAR - 93 (08/24/2014 - First down!)
    AUD - 91 (11/21/2014 - Second down!!)
    BEC - 90 (02/26/2015 - Third down!!!)
    REG - 94 (05/29/2015 - Touch down!!!!!)

    Here comes my touch down!
    Certified in MA (08/2015)

    #750193
    ocarina
    Member

    hi!

    I am basically in the same boat as you except I've already started my IT Audit job.

    I recently got my CPA done and most definitely plan on the CISA. I also plan on the CCNA to hone my computer network skills which has been VERY HELPFUL. It's also only $300 and materials were about $20…. coming from the CPA that was a blessing! If you're interested in security I would also get the CISSP.

    CPA is very valuable, but l believe it's good to complement the skillset with the CISA. Which is also a very easy exam compared to the CPA. 🙂

    FAR - 78
    AUD - 82
    REG - 79
    BEC - 78

    Study Materials: Becker Self Study, NINJA Notes, NINJA MCQ for review
    Started March 2015 and finished December 2015 all on first attempt. Licensed CPA Jan 2016.

    IT Auditor/CyberSec Consultant in Public Accounting
    Future goals: Learn IT Network infrastructure, obtain CISA & CISSP

    #1642058
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I know I'm bringing this topic from the dead, but need some help. I just called ISACA to see if a CPA license would count as 1 year of waiver, and they said it wouldn't. 🙁 I currently have a bachelor degree and completed the CPA exams and working on my experience. How are you able to use CPA license as a waiver? Also is the Manual and Q&A books sufficient enough for the exams? I saw the database but it looks the same as the Q&A. How many hours of studying is enough for the exam? I'm used to the 10 hours of studying daily for the CPA exams for 2 weeks straight.

    Thanks so much.

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.