Any Prospect(s) For Cias (i.e. Certified Internal Auditors) In Nigeria?

The issue of whether the IIA exists in Naija is also of keen interest to me. I am also in the practise but not sure of the prospects in naija myself! Does anyone know? I have done some online searches and there seems to be more mention of ACCA!

@abbydot,

Thanks!

Of course there are CIAs in Nigeria. Quite many I believe. Not so many when compared to the number of ACAs though. I worked in a Big 4 in Nigeria which had a large specialist audit unit providing internal audit services. Every member of the unit were required to be CIA in addition to being ACCA or ACA. While you're working on your CIA, I'll want to believe you also have audit experience because it’s your level of professional experience that actually sets you apart. It might be difficult to pass audit interviews (unless it is for entry level auditors) without the right experience, your certification notwithstanding. You’ll do very well if you have other relevant qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CPA, CISA, etc) in addition to your CIA.





I believe you are implying that an Auditor that is also a CIA in addition to having those other qualifications you mentioned  has an edge over other auditors who are not CIA but who possess those other qualifications. I quite agree with you. For the avoidance of doubt, CIA is not superior to those qualifications you mentioned as each one of them have their unique objectives and are designed to be complementary and not to compete.

I'm sorry for not replying to this before now. I have just seen it. To answer your question, I'll do both exams concurrently if finance and time are not going to be problems. There is a great deal of overlap between the curriculums. It is like using one stone to kill two birds.

In terms of choosing between the two qualifications, I don't know what line of auditing you're into but the norm is that a financial auditor has to also be a chattered member of a professional accountancy organisation. ACCA requires more sacrifices and resources but it is more rewarding if you must choose between the two qualifications. You cannot escape ACCA or ACA if you want to be taken seriously as a financial auditor. CIA will give you added advantage but it is definitely not a substitute for ACCA or ACA.