What is CIA: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
CIA full form is Certified Internal Auditor. CIA courses teach students to excel in internal auditing which focuses on risk management, internal control processes and even governance.
The CIA Certification is divided in three parts - Essentials of Internal Auditing, Practice of Internal Auditing and Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing.
CIA Course Details: Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the CIA course:
| Particulars |
All About CPA Course Details |
|---|---|
| CIA Course Full Form |
CIA Full Form in Commerce is a Certified Internal Auditor |
| CIA in India Course Level |
Certification |
| CIA Course Duration |
6 months – 2 years |
| CIA Course Structure |
3 Parts: |
| Conducting Body |
Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) |
| CIA Course Eligibility |
Bachelor’s degree + relevant work experience (or 5 years work exp. without degree) |
| CIA Course Fees |
Approx. INR 70,000 – INR 90,000 |
| CIA Average Salary |
INR 7 - 10 LPA |
| CIA Job Profiles |
Internal Auditor, Risk Consultant, Compliance Officer, Audit Manager |
| CIA Top Recruiters |
KPMG, EY, Deloitte, PwC, Barclays, Citi, HDFC, TCS, Amazon, and MNCs |
Relevant Links for CIA Courses:
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The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is basically a professional certification awarded by the IIA. The CIA course is meant for internal auditors to teach them about internal audit practices, internal controls, risk management, etc. You can complete the program in 1 to 2 years where you have to pass three CIA exam sections, meet the experience requirements and adhere to the IIA’s standards. The CIA program duration usually differs on the basis of individual pace of study and commitment.
Yes, the Certified Internal Auditor course is popular in India. Many candidates enroll through local IIA India chapters and register for the CIA exams, which are conducted globally via Pearson VUE test centers and online proctoring.
Certified Internal Auditor can earn an average salary which can range from INR 6 Lacs to INR 20 Lacs per annum depending on their experience, industry and location in India . Senior internal auditors and audit managers with a CIA certification often earn higher packages.
There is no fixed course duration for Certified Internal Auditor Cousres. Candidates typically take 12–18 months to prepare and pass all three exam parts. The IIA allows you up to three years to complete the certification once your application is approved.
No, the official CIA certification requires paid registration and exam fees. However, some free webinars or sample study materials are available online to help you prepare.
You can find local training providers or IIA-authorized coaching centers near you by visiting the IIA India chapter website or contacting local audit institutes that offer CIA coaching and exam prep support.
- CIA Course Eligibility Criteria and Admission 2025
- CIA Exam Pattern
- CIA Course Syllabus
- CIA Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
- CIA Courses: FAQs
- Popular CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) Colleges in India
- Popular Private CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) Colleges in India
CIA Course Eligibility Criteria and Admission 2025
Candidates can check the table below to see a general outline of the CIA eligibility:
Education level |
Work Exp. |
|---|---|
|
PG degree |
12 months of internal audit experience or equivalent |
|
UG degree |
24 months of internal audit experience or equivalent |
|
Associate degree, three A-level certificates with a grade of C or higher, or equivalent |
60 months of internal audit experience or equivalent |
- Character Reference: Candidates must provide a character reference, typically from a CIA holder, supervisor, or professor.
CIA ID Requirements
Following is a table listing the acceptable and unacceptable forms of ID.
| Acceptable Forms of ID | Unacceptable Forms of ID |
|---|---|
| Passport | Work Badge or Employee ID |
| Government-issued driver's license | Insurance card |
| Alien registration card | College or University ID |
| Military ID | Expired Photo ID |
| Government-issued local language ID | ID without photo/name/DOB |
CIA Certification Admission Process 2025
- Check Eligibility
- Apply Online with the IIA
- Submit Required Documents
- Get Approval
- Register & Schedule Exam
- Pass All Exam Parts
- Complete Work Experience
- Receive the CIA Designation
Relevant Links for CIA Course:
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You need to fill the form available online on google for CIA course, they are available throughout the year, firstly you have to create a CCMS profile, then you have to apply to the CIA programme, after that to have to upload the requisite documents, then register for the CIA exam, take the scheduled exam, after the result if you have cleared it you will become a CIA fees for it is rs 5928.56 for application, they will charge other then it for the exams, it was divided into three parts P1 - rs 14407.77, P2 - 11926. 05, P3 - 11926.05. You can find the CIA portal online and apply there.
To be eligible for the CIA certification, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent).
- Relevant work experience: 1–2 years depending on your education level.
- A valid government ID.
Students can take the exam first and submit proof of experience later.
Yes, you can prepare online through accredited coaching providers or self-study with IIA-approved study materials. The CIA exam can also be taken via secure online proctoring in many locations.
CIA Exam Pattern
Here’s an overview of the CIA exam pattern:
| CIA Exam Part | Number of Questions | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 - Essentials of Internal Auditing | 125 questions | 150 minutes |
| Part 2 - Practice of Internal Auditing | 100 questions | 120 minutes |
| Part 3 - Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing | 100 questions | 120 minutes |
Helpful Links for CIA Courses:
How to Schedule a CIA Exam?
- Create an IIA Global Account
- Submit Your CIA Application
- Pay the Exam Fees
- Receive Authorization to Test (ATT)
- Schedule with Pearson VUE
- Prepare for Exam
- Take the Exam
Important Exam Dates
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 14 Nov ' 24 - 30 Oct ' 25 | CGCUET 2025 Registration ONGOING |
| 01 Aug ' 25 - 30 Nov ' 25 | ICSI CS Executive June 2026 Registration- Both Modules ONGOING |
| 16 Oct ' 25 - 15 Dec ' 25 | CSEET 2026 Registration- January Session ONGOING |
| 03 Nov ' 25 - 16 Nov ' 25 | CA Inter registration Jan 2026 |
| 08 Nov ' 25 | CSEET Exam Date 2025 November session |
| 17 Nov ' 25 - 19 Nov ' 25 | CA Inter registration Jan 2026 with late fee |
| 01 Dec ' 25 - 31 Jan ' 26 | ICSI CS Executive June 2026 Registration- Single Module |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 15 Sep ' 25 | CA Inter exam September 2025 Group II |
| 13 Sep ' 25 | CA Inter exam September 2025 Group II |
| 11 Sep ' 25 | CA Inter exam September 2025 Group II |
This is a well-respected certification from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) in the USA, and you can take the exams right here in India at authorized centers. The certification involves passing three exams, all done on a computer at Pearson VUE centers in various cities across the country.
Below is an overview of the CIA exam pattern:
| CIA Exam Part | Number of Questions | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 - Essentials of Internal Auditing | 125 questions | 150 minutes |
| Part 2 - Practice of Internal Auditing | 100 questions | 120 minutes |
| Part 3 - Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing | 100 questions | 120 minutes |
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) course equips professionals with a robust skill set necessary for effective internal auditing. These skills collectively enable CIAs to perform comprehensive and effective audits, contribute to organizational improvement, and uphold the standards of the internal auditing profession.
The purpose of the CIA exam is to identify candidates who meet the competencies in current internal audit practice. Therefore, candidates must have the following skill sets.
| Skills Required for the CIA Course | |
|---|---|
| Critical thinking | Analytical ability |
| Verbal communication | Research oriented |
The CIA exam syllabus is divided into three parts:
- Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing
- Part 2: Practice of Internal Auditing
- Part 3: Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing
Each part tests knowledge of governance, risk, controls, fraud, and business skills.
CIA Course Syllabus
The CIA course syllabus for each part is given below:
| CIA Course Part I | |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Internal Auditing (15%) | Independence and Objectivity (15%) |
| Proficiency and Due Professional Care (18%) | Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (7%) |
| Fraud Risks (10%) | - |
| CIA Course Part II | |
| Managing the Internal Audit Activity (20%) | Planning the Engagement (20%) |
| Performing the Engagement (40%) | Communicating Engagement Results and Monitoring Progress (20%) |
| CIA Course Part III | |
| Business Acumen (35%) | Information Security (25%) |
| Information Technology (20%) | Financial Management (20%) |
CIA Course Fees
The CIA course fees structure for all the levels is given in the table below:
| CIA Course Fees | IIA Member | IIA Non-Member | Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $115 | $230 | $65 |
| CIA Exam Fee - Part 1 | $280 | $395 | $230 |
| CIA Exam Fee - Part 2 | $230 | $345 | $180 |
| CIA Exam Fee - Part 3 | $230 | $345 | $180 |
Note: The fees is taken from the other sources and can be different. And to avail for 'Student' fees, candidates must have been enrolled for UG (at least 12 semesters) and PG (at least 9 hours) courses.
CIA Course Fees - Other Fees
The CIA course fee structure for other things is given in the table below:
| CIA Course Fees | IIA Member | IIA Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Extension Fee | $100 | $100 |
| Exam Rescheduling/Cancellation Fee | $75 | $75 |
| One-time, 12-month certification program eligibility extension | $275 | $275 |
| CPE Reporting | NA (for North American members) | $120 |
| Reinstatement Fee | $100 | $250 |
Popular Specializations
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CIA syllabus is divided in 3 parts, for the first part, called "Foundations of Internal Auditing," you'll need to understand the basics of internal auditing, making sure auditors are independent and objective, doing your work professionally and carefully, having a system to check and improve the quality of audits, and knowing about fraud risks.
The second part, "Practice of Internal Auditing," focuses on how to actually do an audit. This includes managing the whole internal audit process, planning each specific audit, doing the audit work itself, and then sharing the results and keeping track of any improvements needed.
The third part of the CIA exam, "Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing," tests your broader understanding of the business world. This section focuses on four main areas: having a good grasp of general business principles (which makes up 35% of this part), understanding how to keep information safe (25%), knowing about information technology (20%), and being familiar with how finances are managed (also 20%). So, this part checks if you have the wider business knowledge needed to be an effective internal auditor.
CIA Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
CIA course graduates are now in high demand because they contribute to key business functions including corporate governance, risk management, internal control, fraud detection and prevention, operations etc. Candidates who graduated from the CIA course can become internal auditors, internal auditing managers, auditors, chief internal auditors, quality assurance managers, internal audit directors and auditing managers.
CIA Salary in India
The average salary as per the CIA job posts is given below.
CIA Jobs |
Average Salary |
|---|---|
|
Internal Auditors |
INR 2.8 LPA - INR 14.6 LPA |
|
Internal Auditing Managers |
INR 4 LPA - INR 34 LPA |
|
Auditors |
INR 2.2 LPA - INR 11.4 LPA |
|
Chief Internal Auditors |
INR 15 LPA - INR 1 Crore |
|
Quality Assurance Managers |
INR 6 LPA - INR 36 LPA |
|
Auditing Managers |
INR 3 LPA - INR 30 LPA |
Note: This average salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.
CIA Top Recruiters
Top recruiters for CIA course graduates typically include a mix of multinational corporations, financial institutions, consulting firms, and government agencies. Some of the leading employers known for hiring CIA are:
|
CIA Top Recruiters |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Tata Motors |
ABC Consultants |
EY (Ernst & Young) |
|
JP Morgan Chase & Co (JPMCC) |
DMart |
HCL Technologies |
|
WELLS FARGO |
PwC |
Master Card |
|
Deloitte |
BirlaNu |
HP |
|
KPMG |
Groww |
TATA |
Suggested Read for CIA Course:
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
How to Become a CIA?
To become a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), follow these steps:
- Meet the Eligibility Requirements
- Apply for the CIA Program
- Pass the CIA Exam
- Maintain Your Certification
- Join Professional Networks
CIA Courses: FAQs
Candidates can refer below for FAQs regarding CIA courses.
Popular CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) Colleges in India
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The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) certifies professionals as Certified Internal Auditors (CIA). The CIA designation is the world's most generally recognised internal audit credential. The CIA designation is a great asset for professionals interested in working in internal auditing.
CIA course demonstrates that the individual possesses the requisite knowledge and abilities to be an effective internal auditor. The CIA accreditation may also result in more work prospects and higher pay.