Top 10 Audit Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an audit manager in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to professional standards, as well as an understanding of the latest regulations and best practices. They also help employers assess the qualifications of potential hires and provide assurance that the individual has the required knowledge and skills to do the job. Finally, certifications are often seen as a sign of competence and professionalism, which can make an audit manager more attractive to prospective employers.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for Audit Managers and explain how they can help further their career.

What are Audit Manager Certifications?

Audit manager certification is a professional designation that recognizes the expertise and knowledge of an individual who has successfully completed an approved audit management training program. The certification is earned after passing an examination covering topics such as risk assessment, internal controls, audit planning, data analysis, and more. This certification demonstrates to employers that the individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage audits.

Having this certification can help individuals in many ways. It can improve their job prospects by demonstrating their commitment to excellence in the field of audit management. It can also provide them with a competitive edge when seeking promotions or higher-level positions within their organizations. In addition, obtaining this certification may open up opportunities for better pay or other benefits from employers who recognize the value of having certified professionals on staff. Lastly, having audit manager certification can make it easier for individuals to stay up-to-date on industry developments and trends, enabling them to remain at the forefront of the profession and increase their effectiveness as auditors.

Pro Tip: Audit manager certification is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field. To maximize the value of this certification, make sure you stay up-to-date on new developments in the audit industry and take advantage of any continuing education or professional development opportunities available to you.

Related: What does an Audit Manager do?

Top 10 Audit Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Audit Managers today.

1. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). The CIA designation is one of the most highly respected certifications in the field of internal auditing, and it is recognized worldwide. It demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the areas of risk management, control systems, governance, and other aspects of internal auditing.

To become a Certified Internal Auditor, you must pass three exams administered by the IIA. The exams are based on the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF), which outlines the standards for internal auditing. Each exam is four hours long and consists of multiple-choice questions. You can take all three exams at once or spread them out over time.

The cost to register for each exam varies depending on your country and whether or not you are an IIA member. In addition to registration fees, there may be additional costs associated with study materials and preparation courses.

Once you have passed all three exams, you will receive your CIA certification from the IIA. This process usually takes about six months from start to finish.

2. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a professional certification offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). It is designed to demonstrate an individual's expertise in information systems auditing, control, and security. The CISA certification validates an individual's ability to assess vulnerabilities, report on compliance, and institute controls within an organization.

It typically takes 12-18 months of preparation to pass the CISA exam. To get started, individuals must first become ISACA members, which costs $125 for one year or $325 for three years. After that, individuals must complete the CISA Exam Application form and submit it along with the required fees ($575 for ISACA members; $760 for non-members). Once approved, individuals can register to take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center.

The CISA exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering five domains: The Process of Auditing Information Systems (25%), Governance and Management of IT (17%), Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation (15%), Information Systems Operations, Maintenance & Support (20%) and Protection of Information Assets (23%). The exam takes 4 hours to complete and costs $575 for ISACA members or $760 for non-members.

In order to maintain their certification status, CISA holders must complete 120 Continuing Professional Education credits every three years. Additionally, they must renew their membership with ISACA every year in order to remain certified.

3. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional designation awarded to individuals who have met the education, experience and examination requirements set forth by their state board of accountancy. CPAs are licensed to provide a variety of accounting services including auditing, tax preparation, financial planning, and consulting.

In order to become a CPA in the United States, you must meet certain educational requirements, pass the Uniform CPA Exam, and fulfill any additional requirements as set forth by your state board of accountancy. Generally speaking, it takes approximately two years of college-level coursework in accounting to meet the educational requirements for licensure.

The Uniform CPA Exam is offered twice per year (April and October) and consists of four sections: Auditing & Attestation (AUD), Business Environment & Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). Each section is 4 hours long and covers a range of topics related to accounting principles and practices. The exam is administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

The cost for taking the Uniform CPA Exam varies from state to state but generally ranges from $200-$800 depending on which sections you take. In addition to these fees, there may also be additional costs associated with obtaining licensure such as application fees or continuing education courses.

4. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is an internationally recognized certification awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the prevention, detection, and investigation of fraud.

To become a CFE, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having a minimum of two years of professional experience in fraud examination or related fields such as accounting, auditing, law enforcement, or criminal justice. Applicants must also pass the CFE Exam, which covers topics such as financial transactions and fraud schemes; legal elements of fraud; investigation; and fraud deterrence and detection.

The CFE Exam is offered four times per year at testing centers worldwide. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The cost for taking the exam is $400 for ACFE members and $450 for non-members. Once applicants pass the exam, they will receive their official CFE designation from the ACFE.

5. Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)

Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) is a professional designation awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It recognizes the expertise and experience of professional accountants in the management accounting field.

To qualify for the CGMA designation, applicants must have a valid CPA license or equivalent international qualification, plus three years of relevant work experience. Applicants must also pass an online assessment to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of management accounting principles. The assessment consists of two parts: multiple choice questions and case studies.

It typically takes about four weeks to complete the application process, including taking the online assessment. After passing the assessment, applicants must submit an application package that includes a resume, references, and other information as required by AICPA.

The cost to apply for the CGMA designation is $200 USD plus applicable taxes. This fee covers both parts of the online assessment as well as processing fees associated with submitting your application package.

6. Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP)

The Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). It is designed to recognize and promote excellence in government auditing. The CGAP credential is available to internal auditors who meet certain criteria, including having at least two years of relevant experience in governmental auditing and passing an exam.

To become a CGAP, you must have a minimum of two years of professional experience in governmental auditing or related fields. You must also pass the CGAP Exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as government audit standards, risk assessment, financial statement analysis, and fraud detection. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $450 USD.

Once you have successfully completed the exam, you will receive your CGAP certificate. This certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue and can be renewed by taking additional continuing education courses or by retaking the exam.

7. Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)

Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) is a professional certification program offered by the American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM). It is designed to provide financial professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess, analyze, and manage risks associated with financial investments. The CRMA certification program is based on a comprehensive set of risk management principles and practices.

The CRMA certification program consists of three parts: an online examination, an in-person assessment, and a final review. The online examination tests the candidate's knowledge of risk management principles and practices. The in-person assessment includes a practical application of risk management techniques as well as case studies. Finally, the final review involves an evaluation of the candidate's performance in both the online examination and in-person assessment.

The CRMA certification process typically takes about six months to complete from start to finish. To get started, candidates must first register for the AAFM’s CRMA Certification Program and pay a fee which varies depending on the country you are located in. After registering, candidates must then complete all three parts of the exam: online examination, in-person assessment, and final review.

Once all three parts have been successfully completed, candidates will receive their official AAFM CRMA Certification document which will be valid for two years from date of issue. After two years have passed, candidates may renew their certification by taking another online examination or attending an approved continuing education course offered by AAFM or its affiliates.

The cost for obtaining a CRMA Certification varies depending on country location but generally ranges between USD $500-$700 plus any applicable taxes or fees.

8. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional designation given by the CFA Institute, which is a global association of investment professionals. It is considered to be one of the most respected and sought-after credentials in the finance and investment industry. The CFA designation indicates that an individual has achieved a high level of expertise in financial analysis, portfolio management, and related areas.

The CFA program consists of three levels, each requiring about 300 hours of study. Level I focuses on ethics, accounting, economics, quantitative methods, and corporate finance. Level II covers investments such as stocks and bonds, derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management. Level III covers advanced topics such as financial statement analysis, equity valuation techniques, fixed income securities valuation techniques, portfolio management strategies, and wealth planning.

In order to become a CFA charterholder you must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least four years of professional experience in the investment decision-making process or have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university with at least three years of professional experience in the investment decision-making process. You must also pass all three levels of the CFA exam within four years.

The cost for taking each level of the CFA exam varies depending on when you register for it but typically ranges from $700-$1,000 per level plus additional fees for materials such as study guides and practice exams. Additionally there are annual membership fees associated with being a CFA charterholder which range from $300-$400 per year depending on your country/region.

9. Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA)

Certified in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA) is a certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills necessary to effectively assess and improve their organization’s internal control systems. The certification requires a comprehensive understanding of the COSO Internal Control Framework, as well as an understanding of how to apply it in practice.

The CCSA certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as the COSO framework, risk management, internal control design and implementation, assessing performance, and reporting results. It takes approximately 16 hours to complete the course.

Once you have completed the online course, you can take the exam at any Prometric Testing Center. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. To pass the exam, you must score at least 70%.

The cost for taking the CCSA certification exam is $450 USD.

10. Project Management Professional (PMP).

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and experience in managing projects. The PMP certification demonstrates that the individual has the necessary skills to effectively manage projects, from initiation to completion.

To become certified as a PMP, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. To be eligible for the exam, you must have either a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with at least four years of project management experience, including 7,500 hours leading and directing projects. You must also have 35 hours of project management education.

Once you are eligible for the exam, you can apply to take it online through PMI’s website. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes up to four hours to complete. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your PMP certification within four weeks.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether you are a member of PMI or not. For members, it costs $405 USD while non-members pay $555 USD. Additionally, there may be other fees associated with taking the exam such as application fees or proctoring fees if applicable.

Do You Really Need a Audit Manager Certificate?

When considering whether or not to pursue an Audit Manager Certificate, it is important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of doing so. On one hand, an Audit Manager Certificate can provide several advantages to those who are interested in advancing their careers in the field of auditing. For example, having a certificate may help open up new job opportunities within the industry and may also increase one’s earning potential. Additionally, obtaining a certificate can demonstrate one’s commitment to the profession and serve as a sign of expertise in the field.

On the other hand, it is important to remember that there are certain circumstances under which pursuing such a certificate may not be necessary. In some cases, individuals may already possess sufficient knowledge and experience in the field without needing additional credentials; for example, if one has worked as an auditor for many years or has held a leadership role within an audit team. Furthermore, there are some employers who do not place great emphasis on certification when hiring for certain positions; in these cases, it may be unnecessary for an individual to invest time and money into obtaining a certificate.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs an Audit Manager Certificate depends on their individual career goals and current qualifications. It is important for individuals to carefully weigh the pros and cons of obtaining such credentials before making any decisions.

Related: Audit Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Audit Manager Certifications

1. Q: What is an Audit Manager Certification?

A: An Audit Manager Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's expertise and experience in auditing, risk management and internal control systems. It is designed to demonstrate the holder's ability to effectively manage financial audits and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

2. Q: How do I become certified as an Audit Manager?

A: To become certified as an Audit Manager, you must complete a recognized certification program that includes coursework, examinations and practical experience in the field. The specific requirements vary by organization but typically include educational background in accounting or finance, work experience in auditing or related fields, and passing a series of certification exams.

3. Q: What are the benefits of having an Audit Manager Certification?

A: Having an Audit Manager Certification demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and excellence in the field of audit management. It can also give you a competitive edge when applying for positions within the industry as employers often look favorably upon certifications held by applicants. Additionally, it can open up opportunities for career advancement within your current organization or provide access to higher-level positions elsewhere.

4. Q: How long does it take to get certified as an Audit Manager?

A: The length of time required to become certified depends on the program you’re taking; however, most programs require between one and two years of study before completion of all required courses and exams necessary for certification.

5. Q: Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as an Audit Manager?

A: Yes, most organizations require applicants to have completed basic education courses in accounting or finance prior to enrolling in their certification program. In addition, some organizations may require candidates to have specific work experience within the field before being accepted into their program