The Most Rewarding IT Auditing Certifications of 2022 Ranked

IT auditing certifications are in vogue. It’s normal to want a leg up on the competition if you wish to move to a new position in life, be it professionally or otherwise. IT auditors are one of the rising stars of the IT career field. Professional certifications can be a useful tool to distinguish yourself as an IT auditor and demonstrate to employers that you know your stuff.

We’ve gathered a list of the most popular certifications for IT auditors. Obtaining these IT auditor certifications will not only provide you with an advantage while looking for a job, but they will also enhance your overall value.

Read more: CISA Exam Questions – A set of questions that appeared in past exams, which reside in the CISA questions database, and which are most probably going to appear in your CISA exam too.

IT AUDITING CERTIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Certifications are technically not necessary for IT auditor roles unless the employer specifically requests them. Regardless, getting a certification for an IT auditor role will help you go a long way in your career. The field of IT auditors is competitive, and while certification is not needed, you should assume that your competitors have them. Going above and beyond by obtaining at least one certification will place you on an equal playing field with your competitors — and don’t we all desire an even playing field?

IT AUDITOR CERTIFICATIONS RANKED

There are various IT auditor certifications available, and you may want to obtain as many as possible to enhance your CV. Of course, you know what you know, but employers like as much verification as possible, and certifications are the best way to verify your talents.

The following are the most rewarding IT auditor certifications of 2022, rank-wise:

1. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification, hosted by  Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), is regarded as the gold standard in IT auditing by the Institute of Internal Auditors. CISA certification is the oldest and maybe the most well-known of all IT auditor certifications, and it can be valuable for your career as well. 

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification ensures that IT business systems are checked, regulated, and secured effectively. Accounting, auditing, and computer skills and knowledge are required for this position. The CISA designation utilizes auditors’ knowledge in the field of IT assessment of vulnerabilities when conducting technological controls in an enterprise environment.

The average salary range for an individual with the CISA certification is between $52,459 and $122,326. According to Payscale, the average salary for CISA certified professionals is $102,856.

What Does The CISA Exam Cover?

• The Process of Auditing Information Systems: This includes providing IT auditing services to help businesses secure and govern their information systems according to IT audit standards.
• IT Governance and Management:  Ensuring that the necessary organizational leadership structures and internal procedures are in place to achieve an organization’s objectives and support its initiatives.
• Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation: Ensuring that internal procedures for the acquisition, development and implementation of organizational information systems accomplish their objectives and satisfy their strategies.
• Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience: To ensure that the organization’s processes for the operation, maintenance, and support of its information systems fulfill its objectives and satisfy its strategy.
• Protection of Information Assets: To guarantee that the organization’s security policies, processes, standards, and controls secure the confidentiality, availability, and protection of its information assets.

CISA Certification Exam Requirements:

Before the CISA certification can be granted, the required experience must be accomplished. Many people, however, prefer to take the CISA exam before they have fulfilled this prerequisite. Before taking the CISA exam, professional information systems auditing, security, or control work experience of minimum five years is required.

Exam Details:

• No. of questions: 150 questions
• Duration: 4 hours
• Passing Score: 400

Explore further: ISACA Exam Dumps for Sure Success in Certification Exams.

2. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

The Certified Internal Auditor certification (CIA), hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors, is the only globally recognized internal audit certification in the marketplace today. Despite being a certification for internal auditors, it is also suitable for IT auditors.

CIAs are often employed by larger corporations. They carry out audit processes and assist independent auditors in their work. To become a Certified Internal Auditor, one must have a bachelor’s degree and sufficient experience in auditing and accounting.

The average income for a Certified Internal Auditor is $85,000, according to Payscale. Non-certified internal auditors earn an average of $57,700.

What Does CIA Exam Cover?

The CIA exam covers four major topics. These topics are:

• Internal Audit Activity’s role in governance, risk and control
• Conducting the internal audit engagement
• Business analysis and information technology
• Business management skills

CIA Exam Requirements:

To take the CIA certification test, various requirements must be met. They are as follows:

• Education: You must have a bachelor’s degree (or five years of experience as an internal auditor and two years of post-secondary school, or seven years of experience).
• Experience: You must have 24 months of professional experience as an internal auditor, or 12 months if you hold a master’s degree.
• Character reference: Signed by either a CGAP, CISA, CRMA, CFSA, or a supervisor.

Exam Details:

• No of Questions: Part 1 (125 questions) Part 2 (100 questions) Part 3 (100 questions)
• Duration: Part 1 (2.5 hours) Part 2 (2 hours) Part 3 (2 hours)
• Pass Score: 600

3. GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA)

The GSNA, or GIAC Systems and Network Auditor, is a GIAC certification. This certification confirms that the certification holder possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and technical ability to use risk analysis techniques and perform an audit of an organization’s important information systems. GSNAs are familiar with perimeter, network, and application audits, as well as reporting and risk assessment.

The average salaries of GSNA Certified Experts is:

• United State – 80,247 USD
• India – 15,42,327 INR
• Europe – 60,347 EURO
• England – 60,632 POUND

What Does The GSNA Exam Cover?

This exam covers the following five objectives:

• Auditing Concepts & Methodology
• Auditing Networking Devices & Services
• Auditing Unix Systems
• Auditing Windows Systems
• Web Application Security

GSNA Certification Exam Requirements:

This certification exam has no prerequisites or training requirements.

Exam Details:

• No. of Questions: 115 questions
• Duration: 3 hours
• Passing score: 73%

4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification program is designed primarily for professional information security managers and those with responsibility for information security management. The CISM certification is intended for those who manage, create, monitor, and/or analyze an organization’s information security (IS).

A well-rounded manager can handle protecting a business by utilizing the CISA’s capacity to detect important concerns and assess controls, while also utilizing the CISM’s ability to manage and create systems technology to mitigate the risk. Adding the CISM approach to the CISA skill set gives extra insight into what you’re auditing and how that data shapes your approach to identify possible problems.

A CISM certified professional’s average income varies from $52,402 to $243,610.

What Does the CISM Exam Cover?

Potential candidates must understand the following four domains:

• Information Security Governance
• Information Risk Management and Compliance
• Information Security Program Development and Management
• Information Security Incident Management

CISM Target Audience:

The training programme is designed for IT managers, information security professionals, senior executives, IT auditors, and IT software system and application developers.

CISM Exam Requirements:

To acquire the CISM certification, you must have five years of information security work experience, with at least three years of work experience in information security management.

Exam Details:

• Questions: 150 questions
• Duration: 4 hours
• Format: Multiple-choice questions
• Passing Score: 450/800

5. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA)

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is someone who has obtained the CPA certification. There are many work areas, such as consulting, forensic accounting, internal accounting, tax and financial modeling and planning, and much more.

The course offers the highest scope for auditors since you will be able to immediately demonstrate your ability in the largest market. CPAs evaluate and test the quality of financial disclosures and ensure that organizations/individuals adhere to generally accepted accounting rules.

A newly certified CPA may expect to earn a yearly salary of around $66,000, according to a poll conducted by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA). The average salary for a CPA is $119,000 in the US.

What Does CPA Exam Cover?

The computer-based exam is divided into four separate parts:

• Auditing and Attestation (AUD) – Among other things, the AUD part of the exam includes basic concepts, professional accountability, risk assessment, ethics, devising a plan of action, and making conclusions.
• Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) – The Business Environment and Concepts part of the exam covers topics such as Economic Concepts and Analysis, Corporate Governance, Financial Management, Operations Management, and Information Technology.
• Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) – The FAR section evaluates financial reporting, conceptual frameworks, financial statements, transactions, as well as state and local governments.
• Regulation (REG) – The exam’s REG portion includes ethics, professional and legal duties, federal taxation, and business law.

CPA Exam Requirements:

The requirements for taking the CPA exam differ by jurisdiction. Please check with your selected accounting board to learn more about their specific experience, education, and ethics requirements.

Exam Details:

Auditing and Attestation (AUD):

• Time: 4 Hours
• Questions: 72 MCQs and 8 task-based simulations
• Passing Score: 75

 Business Environment and Concepts (BEC):

• Time: 4 Hours
• Questions: 4 task-based simulations, 62 MCQs, and 3 written communications tasks
• Passing Score: 75

 Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR):

• Time: 4 Hours
• Questions:
• 66 MCQs and 8 task-based simulations

Regulation (REG):

• Time: 4 Hours
• Questions: 76 MCQs and 8 task-based simulations
• Passing Score: 75

6. Advanced CAMS-Audit

The Advanced CAMS-Audit certification is designed for senior and mid-level management professionals who are ready to advance in their anti-money laundering (AML) career. It is the ideal ACAMS audit certification for professionals who perform AFC audits as well as test and maintain AFC controls. The program provides applicants with the information they need to strengthen internal controls and assist their company fulfill regulatory requirements.

An ACAMS certified professional earns an average of $53,662 per year.

What Does The ACAMS Exam Cover?

The ACAMS- Audit exam covers the following domains:

• Section 1: Corporate Governance and the Audit Function
• Section 2: Planning and Scoping
• Section 3: Fieldwork and Evaluation
• Section 4: Reporting, Recommendations, and Follow-up

Target Audience:

This certification is designed for mid-to senior-level anti-financial-crime consultants/professionals, such as:

• Internal/External Auditors
• Compliance Officers/Chief Compliance Officers
• Supervisors of Audit Teams
• Remediation Officers
• Money Laundering Reporting Officers
• Heads of Financial Crimes
• Investigation Officers
• Financial Intelligence Officers

ACAMS Exam Requirements:

If you want to take the CAMS exam, you must be a member of ACAMS. You must also have a minimum of 40 credits. ACAMS awards these credits depending on your certifications and expertise in the field of anti-money laundering. You will gain 30 points if you hold a master’s degree. If you have at least one year of experience in the appropriate industry, you can earn an extra ten credits. If you don’t have enough credits, you can watch free webinars on the ACAMS website. Attending each webinar will get you one credit.

Exam Details:

• Duration: 175 minutes
• Format: Multiple-choice questions
• Number of questions: 100 questions

CONCLUSION

Certification is an excellent approach to boost your competitiveness in the information technology area, and the IT auditor position is no exception. These are the main IT auditor certifications, and whether you acquire one or all of them, you will discover that you are more competitive in this sector and that your skills and knowledge are more verifiable than any job description on a CV.