What is Certified Internal Auditor?

Certified Internal Auditor

Certified internal auditors are highly skilled professionals with the refined ability to conduct internal audits using standard standards, examining and evaluating an organization’s internal controls, financial system health, and internal procedures.  They examine the Internal control mechanisms and test them to confirm that the financial data is accurate and reliable. Professionals who undergo the CIA exam and acquire the certified internal auditor (CIA) certification are capable of examining capital expenditures, interim financial reports and monthly balance sheets. They are also responsible for adhering to the rules and guidelines for auditing. Internal auditors have timelines and expectations to meet while developing and implementing audit programmes. A major part of a certified internal auditor’s job profile is to remain prepared and proactive on unforeseen, transient audit assignments. They have to actively oversee audit workflows and give management and the team regular reports and updates. They assess how well the business complies with both external and internal regulations. Their responsibilities also incorporate analysing contracts, purchases, sales, income, and general company behaviour. The certified internal auditor also needs to establish a formal rapport with departments, senior management, and other coworkers.

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Certification

A professional who holds a certified internal auditor (CIA) certification is also more likely to gain higher professional growth in their career than their non-certified colleagues, through the ranks to roles like senior internal auditor, risk manager, and audit manager during the course of their career. Even higher-level positions like vice president of internal audit, chief audit executive, chief financial officer, and finance director are open to those with the CIA qualification.

A certified internal auditor (CIA) certification helps professionals reduce risks, prevent expensive disruptions that obstruct progress, and open doors for their company. It also improves operational efficiencies through improvement recommendations. The professional can increase awareness of the risk ecosystem in a company that may result from human error, technology, or process bias by enrolling in a certified internal auditor course and becoming a specialist.