[Biff Tannen]

For those who have studied and passed the CIA, how does this exam compare in difficulty to the CPA exam? I’m currently working in internal audit, and I’m debating if this certification will be worth the money and time spent. Also, what study materials did you use? Thanks!!

[Myredstapler]

If you have a CPA and your employer is not paying for the CIA materials, it’s not worth it.as for the difficulty, it was way easier than the CPA. Here was my studying timeline with Glein:

Part 1: 2 weeks casual studying
Part 2: 2 weeks casual studying
Part 3: 1 month full time studying

[sdollen64]

Did the CIA back in 2008 using Gleim. It was a little different back then as you could just buy a CD-rom of their test bank for each part. I would literally just sit a couple of hours a night for about a week or so on each section and crank out MCQs and went in and took the section and passed. Part 3 was probably the more difficult of the exams as it had material probably more similar to BEC of the CPA exam. But, the exam was so easy it's a little embarrassing to me now. It doesn't even compare to the CPA exam. Not even remotely close. I don't know the cost to take the exams now, but if you had the extra cash, I don't see why not do it. If you are going to be working in public accounting, having that CIA designation along with your CPA is a little extra bonus. Many public accounting firms have not only the audit and tax areas, but they will also create IA departments and you could end up doing IA engagements for clients that can't afford to have their own internal audit group. We just lost a guy to our external auditors and he took the job as their Director of Internal Audit and that's exactly what he'll be doing. He'll be heading up IA engagements for their clients.

[freecloud]

Good post

I have been working as a tax accountant for years and getting sick of tax stuff.

I wonder if CIA certification will help to land on an internal auditor job?

Thanks,

[Author]

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