CIA Certification Work Experience requirement

Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting the CIA Work Experience Requirement

The CIA Certification work experience requirement is a critical part of the journey to becoming a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Whether from an internal auditing background or a related field like risk management or compliance, submitting the proper documentation is essential to advancing your CIA application.

This guide walks you through the CIA work experience submission process, ensuring you meet all requirements and successfully submit your verification through the IIA’s Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS).

Step 1. Confirm the Required Work Experience

Before starting your submission, ensure you understand the CIA work experience requirement based on your educational background:

• With a Bachelor’s Degree (or higher): You need two years of relevant work experience in internal auditing or a related field such as risk management, compliance, external auditing, or quality assurance.
• With an Associate’s Degree, You must submit five years of work experience.
• No Formal Degree: If you don’t have a degree, you need seven years of relevant experience.

Related Fields

Work experience in fields such as risk management, external auditing, or compliance can count toward the requirement as long as your role involves tasks similar to internal audit functions, such as:

• Performing risk assessments
• Testing internal controls
• Conducting audits or process evaluations
• Writing and presenting audit reports

For detailed insights on meeting the CIA work experience requirement, visit our CIA Certification Eligibility Guide.

Step 2. Gather Documentation

Before submitting your work experience, make sure you’ve gathered all necessary documents and information. Here’s what you’ll need:

Job Details

• Title of Your Role: Your official job title (e.g., Internal Auditor, Risk Manager, Compliance Officer).
• Employer’s Name: The name of the company or organization where you gained the relevant experience.
• Dates of Employment: Exact start and end dates of your position(s).

Work Verification

You’ll need to provide the details of a supervisor or certified professional (such as a CIA, CRMA, or other IIA designation holder) who can verify your work experience.

• Verifier’s Name: The name of the supervisor or professional who will confirm your experience.
• Verifier’s Contact Information: Their email and phone number, as the IIA may reach out to verify the information.

Description of Job Responsibilities

Be prepared to describe your job duties in terms that align with internal audit functions. Some qualifying tasks include:

• Conducting risk assessments
• Developing or testing internal controls
• Performing audits of business processes
• Writing audit reports or presenting findings

Documents to Have on Hand (Optional)

Although the IIA typically doesn't request physical documents unless needed, it’s good practice to have the following ready:

• Job Description: A copy of your official job description.
• Employment Verification Letter: A letter confirming your employment dates and job responsibilities.

Step 3: Access the IIA’s Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS)

The entire work experience submission process is handled through the IIA’s CCMS portal.

• Login to CCMS: Visit the IIA’s CCMS portal and log in using your credentials. If you don’t have an account yet, you must create one.
• Navigate to Work Experience Submission: Once logged in, navigate to the CIA application dashboard. Look for the "Work Experience Verification" section or "Experience Requirement."

Step 4: Complete the Work Experience Form

The CCMS work experience form will prompt you to fill in several fields. Follow these steps carefully:

Enter Your Employment Details

Provide the following for each job that counts toward your experience:

• Employer’s Name and Address: Include the name and location of the organization where you worked.
• Position Title: Your job title at the organization.
• Dates of Employment: Input the start and end dates of your position.
• Description of Duties: Write a detailed summary of your responsibilities, ensuring they align with internal auditing tasks (e.g., risk assessments auditing processes).

Enter Verifier’s Information

You’ll also need to provide details about your verifier:

• Verifier’s Name: Enter their full name.
• Job Title: Provide the verifier’s position (e.g., Director of Internal Audit).
• Email Address and Phone Number: Make sure contact details are accurate in case the IIA reaches out for confirmation.

Step 5: Submit the Work Experience Form

Once all information has been entered:

• Review the Submission: Double-check that all the details you’ve entered are accurate. Ensure your work descriptions match internal audit functions.
• Submit the Form: Once you know everything is correct, submit the form through the CCMS portal.

Step 6. Work Experience Verification

After submission, your selected verifier will need to confirm your work experience.

1. Automated Email to Verifier: The CCMS system will automatically email your verifier with instructions on verifying your experience. It’s a good idea to notify your verifier beforehand so they know to expect the email.
2. Verifier’s Responsibility: Your verifier will review the details of your work experience and confirm whether your job responsibilities meet the IIA’s requirements for the CIA certification.

Step 7: Monitor Your Application Status

Once your verifier has submitted their confirmation, you can monitor the status of your work experience verification through the CCMS portal.

1. Approval Timeline: The IIA typically takes a few days to a few weeks to process and approve work experience submissions, depending on how quickly your verifier responds and the IIA’s review schedule.
2. Notification of Approval: You’ll receive an email or CCMS notification once your work experience has been verified and approved, signaling that you've completed an essential eligibility requirement for the CIA certification.

For more insights on what happens next, visit our CIA Certification Timeline Guide.

Step 8: Final Steps: Schedule Your CIA Exam

Once your work experience is approved, you’re ready to schedule your CIA exam:

• Log in to CCMS and select an exam part.
• Choose a Pearson VUE test center or schedule an online proctored exam.
• Confirm your exam registration.

For tips on exam prep, check out our CIA Study Plan to create an effective study schedule and ace the exam.

Conclusion: Streamlining Your CIA Work Experience Submission

Submitting your CIA work experience is straightforward if you follow these steps. By ensuring that your documentation is accurate, preparing your verifier, and monitoring the process, you can meet this requirement efficiently and move closer to earning your CIA certification.

For more resources on the CIA certification process, check out our CIA Certification Application Guide and CIA Exam Structure Overview.