Is CIA Certification the Right Fit for You? Here’s What to Know

08 July, 2025
by Ansa Antony

Are you thinking of pursuing the CIA path in expectation of a satisfying finance career and high pay?

Well, you might have heard from fellow finance pros about the certification or might just have seen the phrase on the internet.

So, you might be in that phase where you feel that the cert is a good fit for you, but still be unsure at the same time.

We’ve got you covered! Once you finish reading this blog, you’ll have all the know-how to decide whether the CIA is meant for you.

Without further delay, let’s get started!

What is the CIA Certification

The CIA stands for the Certified Internal Auditor certification that’s awarded by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). It’s the gold standard for professionals who want to work in the internal audit field of finance.

Internal auditors are like behind-the-scenes guardians of a company’s financial and operational health. They’re not just bean counters; they're strategic advisors who help organizations stay on the right side of the law, boost efficiency, and avoid major screw-ups. Earning a CIA tells employers you’ve got the skills to do that and much more.

Who Should Consider Becoming a CIA?

This is the most pertinent question. Deciding whether you must pursue the CIA or not all boils down to your interests and strengths. The internal audit field is all about digging deep into systems and spotting red flags before they turn into full-blown disasters.

The CIA is an ideal fit for professionals who fall into one (or more) of these categories:

Internal auditors who want to boost their credibility, earn promotions faster, or move into management roles.
Accountants looking to specialize in internal controls, compliance, and risk mitigation.
Finance professionals aiming for a globally recognized credential that adds serious weight to their resume.
Auditing consultants who want to stand out in a competitive field and attract higher-paying clients.
Recent grads in accounting, commerce, or business who want to kick off their careers with a strong, globally respected certification.
Government employees or non-profit professionals working in audit or oversight roles who want to take their expertise up a notch.
Mid-career switchers from finance or operations who are curious about diving into the world of auditing.

If you identify with any of the above, then it’s worth seriously considering the CIA. The beauty of this certification is its versatility; it doesn’t tie you down to one type of job or employer.

Whether you're working in a Fortune 500 firm, a startup, a government agency, or even a nonprofit, CIA skills are always in demand.

What Does it Take to Become a CIA?

So, once you know that you want to do the CIA course and get the badge, how do you proceed? We’ll guide you here with the exact steps.

Firstly, you need to have a bachelor's degree in any discipline, though having a background in accounting, finance, or business definitely gives you a leg up.

However, even if college wasn’t your thing, there’s a workaround. The IIA allows candidates with no degree to apply if they have seven years of verified internal auditing experience. That’s their way of saying: real-world smarts count too.

Then, there’s the work experience requirement. You’ll need at least two years of experience in internal auditing or a related field to qualify. If you hold a master’s degree, you’ll only need one.

The final step is passing the CIA exam, which comes in three parts:

Essentials of Internal Auditing
Practice of Internal Auditing
Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing

Each section covers core topics like risk, governance, fraud, IT, and data analytics. It’s not a breeze, but with solid prep and the right study game plan, it’s very manageable.

How Much Do the CIA Earn?

One of the biggest perks of earning your CIA is the jump in your paycheck. Certified Internal Auditors consistently earn more than their non-certified peers, and the gap only widens as you climb the career ladder.
Here’s a breakdown of how much you can expect to earn depending on your experience, role, and location:

By Experience Level:

Entry-Level (0–2 years)
👉 Around $60,000–$75,000/year
Just starting out? A CIA helps you get your foot in the door with a stronger salary and more credibility from day one.

Mid-Level (3–7 years)
👉 Typically $80,000–$110,000/year
With some real-world experience under your belt, your CIA acts like a megaphone for your expertise.

Senior-Level (8–15 years)
👉 Expect $120,000–$150,000/year
At this stage, you’re leading teams, owning audit projects, and becoming a go-to voice in the room.

Executive Level (15+ years / Chief Audit Executives)
👉 Easily $180,000–$250,000+/year
You’ve made it to the top. CIA-certified execs are well-compensated for overseeing risk, governance, and strategic decision-making.

By Location (U.S. Averages):

Big Cities (New York, Chicago, San Francisco, D.C.)
👉 CIAs often earn 10–25% more than the national average
Cost of living is higher, but so are the paychecks, think $100K+ as a mid-career pro.

Mid-Sized Markets (Austin, Charlotte, Denver)
👉 Average range: $75,000–$115,000/year
Strong job growth, good work-life balance, and solid CIA demand.

Smaller Towns / Rural Areas
👉 Lower range: $60,000–$85,000/year
Still a great income, especially where the cost of living is way more chill.

By Employer Type:
Public Sector / Government
👉 $70,000–$105,000/year
Lower base compared to corporate, but stable jobs and great benefits.

Large Corporations (Fortune 500)
👉 $90,000–$150,000+/year
Higher pay, high pressure. Perfect for ambitious CIAs who want to climb the ladder fast.

Big 4 / Consulting Firms
👉 $80,000–$130,000/year (plus bonuses)
Add travel and long hours to the mix, but the experience and networking are gold.

Nonprofits / International NGOs
👉 $65,000–$100,000/year
A bit lower in salary, but offers mission-driven work and global exposure.

Why People Are Jumping on the CIA Bandwagon

Come 2025, and there are several finance certifications in the market: CPA, CFA, CMA, CISA, and the alphabet soup continues. So why are more and more professionals gravitating toward the CIA?
For starters, it’s more accessible. The CIA doesn’t require a public accounting background or years of client-facing audit experience like the CPA does. You can come from corporate, nonprofit, or even government work and still qualify. Plus, the exam is focused and specific; it doesn’t drag on for years like some other certs.
Another big plus is the return on investment. You can complete the whole process, studying and testing, in under a year, and the total cost is around $1,500 to $2,000. That’s a small price to pay for a certification that could boost your salary by tens of thousands a year.
And let’s not forget the credibility factor. When hiring managers see “CIA” on your resume, they know you’ve been vetted, trained, and tested. It’s like having a stamp that says, “This person knows how to audit like a pro.”

Is the CIA Always the Right Choice?

While the CIA is a great cert, it’s not for everyone. If your dream job involves investment banking, portfolio management, or analyzing stocks, you might be better off chasing a CFA.
If you want to work in external audit, tax, or public accounting, then a CPA might be your go-to.
Also, if you dread the thought of policies, procedures, risk assessments, and digging through data, internal auditing might not be your vibe.
The role demands precision, ethics, discretion, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work. If you’re more into front-facing, high-stakes deals and fast-moving environments, you might want to look elsewhere.

How Long Will It Take to Get Certified?

The timeline to become a CIA varies depending on your hustle level. If you’re laser-focused and treat it like a part-time job, you can knock it out in 6 to 12 months. Most candidates spend 2–3 months prepping for each exam part, and since the tests are offered year-round, you can schedule them when you’re ready. No need to wait for a specific exam season.

What’s the CIA Investment?

The total cost of becoming a CIA isn’t too scary. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Application Fee: Around $115 for IIA members, $230 for non-members
Exam Fees: About $280 per part for members, $395 per part for non-members
Review Materials: Anywhere between $300–$800, depending on the provider

All in all, you’re looking at about $1,500 to $2,000 total. Compared to dropping $100K on an MBA or spending years chasing a CPA, this is a pretty budget-friendly move.

The Bottom Line: Is the CIA Worth It for You?

At the end of the day, the CIA isn’t just about passing some exams and adding a few letters after your name. It’s about stepping into a role that offers long-term career security, a global network of opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact inside organizations.
If you’re someone who values structure, ethics, problem-solving, and financial strategy, then the CIA just might be the power move you’ve been waiting to make.
So, don’t wait for the “perfect time.” That train doesn’t exist. Start small. Read up. Talk to people in the field. Maybe grab a trial version of a CIA prep course. And if it clicks, go all in.
At MyLogic, we’ll help you ace the CIA exam in no time and get you certified. Enroll in our CIA course here: https://www.mylogic.ac/cia.aspx
MyLogic is a pioneer in catering world-class training in financial professional courses like CMA (USA), CPA (USA), ACCA, CIMA, CFP, etc, to students across the globe. We offer top-class online training videos along with online interactive classrooms that help you crack competitive finance and accounting exams.