How to Become a Certified Internal Auditor in the State of Ohio

A certified internal auditor is an excellent career for individuals with accounting skills.

The designation of certified internal auditor is a globally accepted qualification for internal auditors. It remains “the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competency and professionalism in the internal auditing field,” according to the Institute of Internal Auditors website. Certified internal auditors are in demand, particularly in large corporations where complex financial record keeping across multiple departments can leave loopholes for white-collar criminals to exploit.

Things You'll Need

• Certified internal auditor registration and handbook

Instructions

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related financial subject at a recognized Ohio university or college. Certain professional designations, such as that of chartered accountant, are accepted as the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, but no amount of experience is accepted in place of educational qualifications.

2. Work for at least two years as an internal auditor in an Ohio company. This is a prerequisite for registration with the IIA for the Certified Internal Auditor program. As of May 2010, Ohio had the third largest concentration of accounting and auditing jobs, with 4,440 earning an annual mean wage of $66,030 in Delaware County alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

3. Register for the Certified Internal Auditor program using the institute’s online Certification Candidate Management System. This system enables you to download the handbook, prepare for the exam and access your records online. Registration costs $75 for members and $100 for nonmembers.

4. Take the four-part Certified Internal Auditor exam once you have completed the program coursework. The IIA offers the exam through computer-based testing at one of four Ohio centers, located in Central Ohio, Cincinnati, Dayton and Northeast Ohio. The fee to register for the exam is $150 for members and $200 for non-members, and students must obtain a score of 600 on a scale of 750 points to qualify.

5. Maintain your certification by continuing your professional education. The Professional Certification Board requires holders of the Certified Internal Auditor designation to complete 40 hours per year of professional education and to report every alternate year on the hours spent.

Tips & Warnings

• Join one of the IIA's four Ohio chapters. This is not a prerequisite for obtaining certification; however, membership of the Institute provides job listings, useful networking opportunities, access to the Institute’s ethics, auditing standards, guidance information and professional development options.

References

• Institute of Internal Auditors: Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Institute of Internal Auditors: Certification Candidate Handbook
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Accountants and Auditors
• Institute of Internal Auditors: The Central Ohio Chapter
• Institute of Internal Auditors: Certification Pricing Structure