The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) will begin providing online testing early next month for all three parts of its Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam and for its exam to earn a Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). The professional association said it will begin offering the tests online, “to address the critical need for internal audit in these extraordinary times, as well as to meet the expectations of professionals wanting to maintain and advance their skills. The CIA Challenge Exam also will be available online for qualified individuals.
New applicants and those who had already signed up for the exams, which are usually conducted in person, can register for the online offerings now, with scheduling to begin in early next month. Online testing will be available only on an interim basis. The IIA also said it will provide a 20 percent discount on new application and registration fees to members for the CIA and CRMA exams through May. The discount is intended “to help candidates during this period of uncertainty,” the IIA said in a statement.
Certification exams are normally administered only in on-site locations around the world. However, out of the utmost caution to avoid further spread of COVID-19, most exam centers have been temporarily closed. The IIA said it understands that uncertainties during the pandemic are forcing many to reassess how they do their jobs. “Internal audit professionals are no exception, as they work tirelessly to show their value and commitment to providing well-informed and thoughtful assurance and evaluation of risk management and effective governance during these extraordinary times,” the IIA stated.
See also, “Auditing in Times of Uncertainty,” and “Auditing at Home: Addressing the Challenges of a Remote Internal Audit Workforce.”
The CIA, awarded to more than 165,000 individuals since 1974, is the only recognized internal audit certification in the world. To become a Certified Internal Auditor, candidates must meet educational and experience requirements, and pass all three parts of the CIA exam. Many CIAs today are chief and senior internal audit managers, vice presidents, and directors in top global companies.
The CRMA represents acumen in providing advice and assurance on risk management to audit committees and executive management. More information on the exams and a signup page for testing can be found on the IIA website. 