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Certifications

A certification opens many doors in the world of internal auditing – including ones you didn’t even know were there. The title you obtain is a strong statement of your professional expertise and abilities.

What’s the right path for me?

There are lots of benefits to obtaining an official IIA certification. Whether it’s our trademark – Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – or another industry-specific IIA qualification, a certification is a sign of professionalism.
IIA Switzerland works with the wider IIA, which offers the globally coordinated CIA and CRMA exams alongside other specialised certifications in Switzerland. You can choose from the following certifications:

 

  • Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®)
  • Certification in Risk Management Assurance® (CRMA®)
  • Internal Audit Practioner®

The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) and Internal Audit Practitioner exams can be taken at a test centre near you.
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Are you a Swiss CPA by EXPERTsuisse?

If so, you can benefit from the CIA Challenge program with just one exam until the end of September 2025. Take advantage of this opportunity and register here: CIA Challenge exam

Please note that the 'letter of good standing' is not required if you submit a copy of your auditor's diploma. As a member of EXPERTsuisse, you may also enclose a screen printout of the register.
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Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®)

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Since 1974, there has been only one internal audit credential that guarantees global recognition, career advancement and professional credibility - the CIA credential has been the gold standard for 50 years. Achieving the CIA Certificate is an investment in gold.

The certification serves as proof of expertise in the context of internal audits and professionalism. It strengthens reputation within the profession and within the organisation. It also opens up new career opportunities.

 

The CIA exam comprises three sections, all of which are multiple-choice questions. It should be noted that all three parts of the exam must be completed within a period of three years after authorisation. 

 
Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing
  • FOUNDATIONS OF INTERNAL AUDITING (15%)
  • INDEPENDENCE AND OBJECTIVITY (15%)
  • PROFICIENCY AND DUE PROFESSIONAL CARE (18%)​
  • QUALITY ASSURANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (7%)​
  • GOVERNANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND CONTROL (35%)
  • FRAUD RISKS (10%)​
125 questions
2.5 hours (150 minutes)

 

Part 2: Practice of Internal Auditing
  • MANAGING THE INTERNAL AUDIT ACTIVITY (20%)​
  • PLANNING THE ENGAGEMENT (20%)​
  • PERFORMING THE ENGAGEMENT (40%)
  • COMMUNICATING ENGAGEMENT RESULTS AND MONITORING PROGRESS (20%)
100 questions
2.0 Hours (120 minutes)

 

 

Part 3: Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing
  • BUSINESS ACUMEN (35%)
  • INFORMATION SECURITY (25%)
  • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (20%)
  • FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (20%)
100 questions
2.0 Hours (120 minutes)

 

 

Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing
  • FOUNDATIONS OF INTERNAL AUDITING (15%)
  • INDEPENDENCE AND OBJECTIVITY (15%)
  • PROFICIENCY AND DUE PROFESSIONAL CARE (18%)​
  • QUALITY ASSURANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (7%)​
  • GOVERNANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND CONTROL (35%)
  • FRAUD RISKS (10%)​
125 questions
2.5 hours (150 minutes)

 

Part 2: Practice of Internal Auditing
  • MANAGING THE INTERNAL AUDIT ACTIVITY (20%)​
  • PLANNING THE ENGAGEMENT (20%)​
  • PERFORMING THE ENGAGEMENT (40%)
  • COMMUNICATING ENGAGEMENT RESULTS AND MONITORING PROGRESS (20%)
100 questions
2.0 Hours (120 minutes)

 

 

Part 3: Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing
  • BUSINESS ACUMEN (35%)
  • INFORMATION SECURITY (25%)
  • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (20%)
  • FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (20%)
100 questions
2.0 Hours (120 minutes)

 

 

Please note

The exam can be taken in several different languages. More information is available here.

The changeover of examinations to the new standards will take place as follows 

  • from 28 May 2025 in English
  • from 28 October 2025 in French
  • from 28 November 2025 in German

Further information can be found at  www.theiia.org/CIA2025.
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Certification in Risk Management Assurance® CRMA®

The IIA's Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) program is the sole certification program in the field of risk management.

 

Attainment of the CRMA demonstrates an ability to manage the impact of risks and shows that the holder is capable of:

  • to guarantee the fundamental processes  of risk management and governance
  • to inform the management team and the Audit Committee about the risks facing the organisation and the approaches that are being taken to manage them.
  • provide quality assurance and self-assessment of controls.
  • contribute to the value of your organisation as a trusted advisor.
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Internal Audit Practioner® IAP®

The Internal Audit Practitioner qualification is an excellent way of demonstrating aptitude for internal audit. The Internal Audit Practitioner certification opens a new pathway to the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), the only globally recognised certification for Internal Audit Practitioners.
Candidates have two years from the date of admission to successfully complete the Internal Audit Practitioner program.

From 28 May 2025, candidates seeking the IAP designation will be certified by taking the CIA Part 1 exam. The specific version of the syllabus for this exam will depend on the language chosen for the exam and the candidate's planned exam date.
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Steps to obtaining certification

There are a number of possible routes to becoming an internationally certified internal auditor. We are by your side on every step of your journey towards your chosen profession.
1
Basic requirements for certification
Ensure that you meet the requirements, have provided all necessary documents, and know and consent to the terms of the programme.
2
Create a profile
Create a profile in the IIA’s Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS) or use your existing profile.
3
Request and pay the registration fee
Select your desired certification programme in the CCMS to start the application process. You can pay the registration fee by bank transfer or by credit card (recommended as the fastest method).
4
Upload the required documents
You need to upload the necessary documents in the CCMS so the IIA can verify whether you meet the admissions requirements for the desired certification programme. You will only be able to register for the exam once your documents and application have been submitted.
5
Exam registration and payment of the exam fee
Register for an exam at your desired test centre ahead of time. You need to meet all admissions requirements and be accepted onto a certification programme before you can register and schedule your exam(s). The IIA payment guidelines for exam registration are similar to those for certification programme registration.
6
Provide proof of your professional experience
In internal auditing or an equivalent area
7
Download your certificate
Once you have passed all parts of the exam and provided proof of the required practical experience, your status in the CCMS will change to ‘Certified’. You can then download your certificate from the CCMS.
8
Enter your certificate in the IIA register
You can enter yourself in the register if you have a valid IIA Global certification. Registration is voluntary.
9
Keep your certificate valid
See professional further training for CIAs
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Learning material for the CIA exam

 

The IIA Switzerland offers the CIA Exam Review.

The new three-part CIA Exam Prep from Becker + The IIA can be ordered through our shop. three-part CIA Learning System directly from us, Please provide a billing and shipping address in Switzerland.
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CIA Exam Review

Order your study materials to help you pass the CIA exams in our shop

ORDER NOW

The CIA Exam Review comprises learning material with interactive content and targeted tools to help you prepare for the CIA exams. 

The learning experience has been designed for ease of use, with clear navigation. The self-paced format allows you to learn at your own pace, and Becker tracks your progress throughout the process.

CIA Exam Practice Questions – Certified Internal Auditor®

If you are still taking the CIA exam this year under the old standards (until 29 May in English, 28 October in French, 28 November in German), you can purchase the 2019 CIA Practice Questions in digital form individually or as 'all parts' directly from IIA Global.

The 2025 CIA Practice Questions are also available directly from IIA Global.

How to prepare for the exams:

1
Self-learning with the CIA Learning System programme

In response to widespread demand, the IIA has provided an ideal self-learning toolkit to help you prepare independently for the CIA exam.

2
Exam preparation training

IIA Switzerland offers seminars to help you prepare for Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the exam.

3
Study the exam requirements

Please ensure that you meet the requirements for entry and graduation from the program, maintain the confidentiality of the examination and adhere to the IIA Code of Ethics.

4
CIA practice questions

IIA Global provides free CIA practice questions. This allows you to practise answering the kinds of questions that will come up in the CIA exam. The questions are not assessed, they are just examples, and do not indicate whether a candidate is ready for the exam. A candidate’s performance when answering these questions is not indicative of how well they will perform in the exam.

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Further training: Continuing professional education (CPE)

New Certification Renewal Policy as from 1 September 2023

The IIA's Professional Certifications Board (PCB) has approved changes to the CPE Reporting Policy: On September 1, 2023, the CPE Reporting Policy will become the Annual Certification Renewal Policy. We have summarized the most important changes for you:

 

Removal of the "Expired" status and the "Reinstatement Process"

  •  The "Expired" status will be removed as of January 1, 2024. All certifications that are in "Expired" status on January 1, 2024 will be placed on "Revoked" through a 10-day review process. 
  • A certification set to "Revoked" can no longer be activated with a "Reinstatement Process". To reinstate certifications that have been set to "Revoked," all exams must be retaken beginning January 1, 2024.
  • Individuals whose certification is in "Expired" status can still reactivate using the "Reinstatement Process" until December 31, 2023. To do so, log into ccms.theiia.org and start the "Reinstatement Process" by reporting the required CPE points from the last 12 months. More information about the "Reinstatement Process" can be found here.  
Introduction of the "Revoked" status and the "Recertification process"
  • Revoked status will be implemented beginning January 1, 2024. 
  • Individuals whose certification is in "Revoked" status as of January 1, 2024 will be required to retake all exams in the "Recertification Process" to reinstate their certification.
  • There is no recertification for CCSA, CFSA, CGAP, and QIAL.

Extension of the Grace Period 

  • The "Grace Period" is extended from one year to two years.
  • After two years in the "Grace Period", the certification will be set to "Revoked". In order to restore certifications set to "Revoke", all exams must be repeated in the "Recertification Process" beginning January 1, 2024.
  • Individuals whose certification is in "Grace Period" status should check ccms.theiia.org to see until when their "Grace Period" lasts and complete the "Reinstatement Process" in a timely manner so they do not lose their certification. 
Change of the "Retired" status
  • "Retired" status will no longer allow reactivation after two or more years as of January 1, 2024.
  • Individuals whose certification has been in "Retired" status for more than 2 years will need to recertify using the "Recertification Process" to regain their CIA or CRMA designation.
  • For CCSA, CFSA, CGAP and QIAL, recertification is not provided.

Please log on to ccms.theiia.org to check the status of your certification and take the necessary steps there before December 31, 2023. October 1, 2023 also marks the start of the reporting period, during which you must report your CPE points for 2023 by December 31, 2023. Also, make sure your data is up to date in CCMS so that you receive the auto-generated emails from IIA Global each time and do not miss any deadlines.


For the full version of the policy effective September 1, 2023, see "Annual Certification Renewal Policy."

 
REQUIRED HOURS OF FURTHER TRAINING:
CPE Requirements New Certification Renewal Policy
DETAILED INFORMATION:
CPE reporting

Further professional training for CIAs

Certified Internal Auditors need to take certain measures to keep their knowledge and skills up to date and keep up with current developments in the field of internal auditing. After completing the exam, graduates need to undergo comprehensive further training to ensure they maintain high quality standards.

Holders of the CIA certification are responsible for ensuring they complete the required number of hours of further training. They are also responsible for ensuring that the required hours of CPE (continuing professional education) meet the IIA Global requirements and are accurate (see the New Certification Renewal Policy).


The deadline for reporting CPE hours is 31 December of each year. If you fail to report your CPE, your certification/qualification will expire, and you will no longer be able to call yourself certified.

 

Reporting CPE hours is free for members of IIA Switzerland. Non-members are charged USD 120.00 per certificate. If you have questions about membership and membership status, please contact info@iias.ch.

Become a member of IIA Switzerland

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The IIA Certification Registry

Anyone with a valid IIA Global certification can be entered into the registry. Registration is voluntary.
THE IIA CERTIFICATION REGISTRY
THE IIA CERTIFICATION REGISTRY

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