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Another big change affecting all IIA certification holders this year is the new continuing professional education (CPE) reporting structure. Effective Jan. 1, 2012, all IIA-certified individuals must report their CPE annually by Dec. 31. “This change aligns The IIA with industry best practices and enhances the reporting experience for certified individuals,” says The IIA’s Director of Certification Operations Reno Deschaine, who explains that previously candidates had to maintain up to three years worth of documents before they could report their CPE. Certified individuals can report their CPE any time prior to the deadline using the Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS). Professionals certified by The IIA who fail to meet their CPE requirements by the reporting deadline automatically will be placed in inactive (grace period) status and may not use their designation until such time as the issue is resolved. To make the process of CPE reporting easier, The IIA is planning future enhancements, including allowing the CCMS to serve as a repository for all CPE earned. “In early 2013, certified individuals who log into
CCMS to report their CPE will be able to select from a list of IIA courses they attend, and the system will automatically calculate the amount of CPE they earned,” explains Deschaine. “Down the road, we’ll even be able to track the IIA events they attend and feed their CPE information directly into the CCMS.”
1. Earn credibility and respect in your field. 2. Open more opportunities for advancement. 3. Increase your salary. The 2011 Internal Audit Compensation Study, issued by The IIA’s Audit Executive Center, indicated that the median salary of all auditors holding a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation is up to 35 percent higher than auditors who do not have professional credentials.
These changes to The IIA’s suite of certifications strengthen an already outstanding program that provides real value for those who make the commitment to get certified. “I never underestimate the value of certification,” says Goepfert. “Professional certification shows that an individual has a certain level of knowledge and demonstrates their commitment to the profession. One of the very first things I look at when reviewing an applicant’s resume is whether that person is certified.” But Goepfert cautions that simply planning to get certified isn’t enough. “It’s just like doing an audit. You can make up the best plans, but it means nothing unless you follow through and execute.
CIA Candidate Transition Plan
Become Certified And…
4. Prove your willingness to invest in your own development. 5. Demonstrate your commitment to your profession. 6. Improve your internal audit skills and knowledge. 7. Enhance the profession’s image. 8. Represent your personal achievement. 9. Build confidence in your knowledge of the profession. 10. Invite greater recognition from your peers.
To access the complete CIA Candidate Transition Plan, visit www.theiia.org/certification/pages and click on “Certification News.” w w w. t h e i i a . o r g
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