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Internal Audit, CA•CIA The CICA's National Specialization Council has signed an exclusive Strategic Alignment and Accreditation Agreement with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Under this Agreement, the IIA's internationally recognized Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) program is the Specialist Certification Program for CAs working in Internal Audit. For more information on the agreement please see Objectives. CAs who are CIAs CAs who are also practicing CIAs who wish to describe themselves as CA-designated specialists in internal audit and use the symbol CA•CIA must register in the specialty register of their Provincial Institute(s). Registration is free. A member must file an annual declaration that he or she continues to devote a significant percentage of time to internal audit and continues professional development relevant to the specialty. (In Quebec, the legal environment currently prevents CAs from describing themselves as specialists and using the symbol CA•CIA.) For information on registering as a CA•CIA see the Declaration Form or contact Marisol Arroyo by e-mail marisol.arroyo@cica.ca The CIA Program Established in 1974 the rigorous professional standards and Code of Ethics of IIA have made the CIA designation a highly respected and internationally recognized designation for internal auditors. The program's formal admission and maintenance criteria includes a demanding series of four 3½-hour examinations and appropriate experience that combine to make the designation a valuable one in the marketplace. There are now over 40,000 CIAs worldwide. To earn the CIA designation a CA must: - abide by the IIA's Code of Ethics;
- provide a character reference;
- obtain two years experience in internal audit or its equivalent;
- successfully pass (i.e., achieve a minimum grade of 75%) a series of three, 3½-hour examinations in governance, risk and control, the internal audit engagement, and business analysis and information technology. (CAs are exempt from the program's fourth examination in business management skills.); and,
- possess a valid membership in the IIA.
The Institute of Internal Auditors http://www.theiia.org The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) was established in 1941 and is an international professional association with world headquarters in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The IIA has members in internal auditing, risk management, governance, internal control, IT audit, education, and security. With global representation, The Institute is the recognized authority, principal educator, and acknowledged leader in certification, research, and technological guidance for the profession worldwide. All IIA members and CIAs must adhere to a codified structure of professional standards and a well-established and enforced Code of Ethics. There are over 100,000 IIA members in 160 countries. Objectives of the CICA-IIA Accreditation Agreement The CICA and the IIA are working together to enhance this well-established designation and its profile in the marketplace. The objectives of the strategic alignment and accreditation agreement are to: - permit the CICA to recognize the IIA as the appropriate “Accredited Organization” to certify CAs as specialists in internal audit;
- enhance the strategic relationship between the CICA and the IIA to lead to other cooperative activities in education, research and professional standards;
- encourage excellence in internal audit under the auspices of the IIA, through research, training and education;
- increase awareness of the CIA® designation and its benefits to the public and the chartered accountancy profession;
- protect the public through the regulation by the IIA of those certified as CIAs and its members;
- encourage CAs who wish to become specialists in internal audit to become CIAs and members of the IIA; and
- ensure that CAs and CIAs are informed on internal audit issues internationally on a consistent basis.
Whether it is management principles and controls, information technology, corporate governance, business strategies or risk management, CAs can count on the CIA designation to bring them long-term value and credibility as internal audit specialists. For more information please contact: The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
277 Wellington Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 3H2 Phone: 416 204 3344
Fax: 416 204 3415
Email: marisol.arroyo@cica.ca |