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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)
  • CIA Challenge Exam (nur für aktive CPA- oder CA-Inhaber)
  • Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)
  • Internal Audit Practioner

The Certified Internal Auditor® (CIA®), Certification in Risk Management Assurance®️ (CRMA®️), Internal Audit Practitioner and CIA Challenge exams can be taken remotely. This flexible examination option will be available for a limited time only.
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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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Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

This certification qualifies experienced internal auditing professionals for more advanced roles. It is an internationally recognised internal auditing certification and has been the IIA’s most important qualification for over 40 years.

CIA certification offers the following benefits:

 

  • Proof of your internal auditing expertise and professionalism
  • Increased credibility within your organisation and the profession as a whole
  • More career opportunities

The CIA exam is made up of three parts (all multiple choice questionnaires). All three parts of the exam must be completed within three years of admission to the programme.
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 


You can find the fees here
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Learning material for the CIA exam

Order learning material online

Order helpful learning material to expand your auditing knowledge

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IIA Switzerland offers candidates the CIA Learning System™.

You can obtain IIA Global’s three-part CIA Learning System directly from us, as long as you can provide a billing and shipping address in Switzerland.
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MEHR INFOS

IIA CIA Learning System Version 7.0 Self-Study (English)

The CIA Learning System comprises learning material with interactive content and targeted tools to help you prepare for the CIA exams. This includes separate print material for each part of the CIA exam and interactive software to help you monitor your learning progress.

CIA Exam Practice Questions – Certified Internal Auditor® 2019 (English)

The CIA Exam Practice Questions offer useful practice questions to help you expand your knowledge of industry best practices. The questions relate to the IPPF's Mandatory Guidance and the Core Principles for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. The format, length and content of the questions are representative of what you can expect in future exams. They form the basis for continual improvement and development and prepare candidates for obtaining the CIA title – the only globally recognised certification for internal auditors.


The practice CIA exam questions cover:

 

  • Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing – 102 questions.
  • Part 2: Practice of Internal Auditing – 100 questions.
  • Part 3: Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing – 100 questions

The document also provides an understanding of the foundational concepts behind the CIA exam objectives with detailed explanations for each question. The guidelines help candidates understand why a given answer is correct and why the other answers are wrong – both of which are equally important.

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

Ensure that you meet the requirements for entry into and graduation from the programme, maintain confidentiality regarding the exam and adhere to the IIA’s 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.

Books (Parts 1–3) and online learning material

The IIA’s CIA Learning System Version 7.0 (English)

  • Books (Parts 1–3) and online learning material
PRICES:
  • CHF 910.00 for IIAS members (incl. VAT and shipping)
  • CHF 1,010.00 for non-members (incl. VAT and shipping
ORDER NOW
E-Learning

CIA Exam Practice Questions (English)

  • Book or E-Book
PRICES:
  • CHF 90.00 for IIAS members (incl. VAT and shipping)
  • CHF 110.00 for non-members (incl. VAT and shipping)
ORDER NOW
E-Learning
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Further training: Continuing professional education (CPE)

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 CPE 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. If your certification has been expired for more than 12 months, you will be charged a fee to restore it.
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.
REQUIRED HOURS OF FURTHER TRAINING:
CPE policy
DETAILED INFORMATION:
CPE reporting

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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