Requirements for Award of CICA/CCS via Grandfathering Provision 

It is highly recommended that you read the requirements below before filling out the application.

CERTIFIED INTERNAL CONTROLS AUDITOR (CICA)

CICA certification is typically limited to accounting/auditing/consulting professionals whose primary experience is in the field of auditing and evaluating internal controls. These include external auditors, internal auditors, compliance auditors, operational/performance auditors, QA examiners/inspectors, bank examiners, forensic accountants, inspector generals, audit committee members, etc.

The CICA is also extended to:

• IT personnel involved in the audit/review/monitoring of Information Security including networks, access and data controls.
• Physical Security personnel involved in the design or review of the security of physical locations as well as assets of the organization.
• Investigative professionals, including forensic accountants, IG staff, investigators, private investigators, outside consultants, etc.
• Internal controls professionals in operational areas, where the audit or review of non-accounting internal controls is a major function of their duties. Examples include Computer/Network security professionals, non-audit professionals who review for compliance or best practices, etc.
• Non-auditors, including attorneys, should apply for certification as a CCS, unless they have prior experience in accounting/auditing/consulting or are directly involved in the audit/review of internal controls and meet the requirements for the CICA.

The CICA is awarded based on the award of a minimum of 70 points based on EDUCATION, other CERTIFICATIONS held, and EXPERIENCE.

EDUCATION (Maximum claimed=40 points):

• Bachelor or Masters Degree with Accounting Major (40 pts)
  
• Bachelor or Masters Degree with major in Computer Science (IT Auditors) (40 pts)
• Completion of at least 24 credits in accounting in undergraduate, graduate or post graduate programs (40 pts)
• Bachelor Degree in any major other than above (20 pts)
• APA Completed or Equivalent (International Applicants Only) (40 pts)

Additional Education not listed above:

• MBA, MPA,MS/MA, in Business subjects or Computer Science (10 pts.)
• Ph.D, DBA, DPA, Ed. D, JD (10 pts.)

CERTIFICATIONS HELD (Maximum claimed=10 points):

Note on certifications: For professional certifications other than those listed, see link on website for accepted certifications.

Note that credit will be given only in those cases where certification represents expertise in the areas of internal controls.

Certifications MUST BE active and must represent a Member in Good Standing. Non-active certifications SHOULD NOT be included.

• Certifications (10 pts.):  CPA,  CA,  CIA,  CISA
  
• Certifications (5 pts.): CGAP,  CBA,  CQA,  CFE,  CMA,  CFM,  CGFM,  CITP,  CISM,   Other - (see list on website)
  

EXPERIENCE

10 points for each full year of auditing/review experience where internal controls work accounts for more than 50% of your duties.

Minimum experience in audit/review required for the CICA is three (3) years.

CERTIFIED CONTROLS SPECIALIST (CCS)

CCS certification is typically available to internal controls professionals who are not in accounting, auditing, or consulting positions, whose primary experience is in a field other than auditing or reviewing internal controls, including non-audit evaluation, design or implementation, non-audit monitoring, etc. This includes consultants, attorneys, educators, and individuals involved in non-audit management, financial, and operations areas.

The CCS is also extended to:

• Programmers and Systems Analysts who design or maintain systems or applications that involve internal controls within the design or maintenance of the software.
• Quality Assurance (QA) personnel who are involved in the design, implementation, or monitoring of compliance with best practices, regulations, guidelines, etc. to ensure that products/service is in accordance with company, government, etc. policy or laws.

The CCS is awarded based on the award of a minimum of 70 points based on EDUCATION, other CERTIFICATIONS held, and EXPERIENCE.

EDUCATION (Maximum claimed=40 points):

• Bachelor's Degree with major in Accounting, Business, Computer Science, Management, Loss Prevention, or area of internal controls specialty (40 pts.)
• Juris Doctorate (40 pts)
• Ph.D, DBA, DPA, Ed.D in areas noted above (40 pts.)
• Bachelor Degree in any major other than above (20 pts.)
• APA Completed or Equivalent (International Applicants Only) (40 pts.)

Additional Education not included above: (10 pts.)

• MBA, MPA, MS/MA in Business, Computer Science, Loss Prevention or area of specialty in Internal Controls (10 pts.)
• Ph.D, DBA, DPA, Ed.D- for non-educators (10 pts.)

CERTIFICATIONS

Note on certifications: For professional certifications other than those listed, see link on website for accepted certifications.

Note that credit will be given only in those cases where certification represents expertise in the areas of internal controls.

Certifications MUST BE active and must represent a Member in Good Standing. Non-active certifications SHOULD NOT be included.

EXPERIENCE

10 points for each full year of non-audit experience where internal controls work accounts for more than 50% of your duties.