[Michael]

so i dont know anyone has some insight on them. but i’m done with my CPA (yahooooooooooo) and I told myself I would never sit for another exam, but here I am. I find myself still with to much free time so i’m thinking about studying for somethign else. My criteria on trying to figure out whats the best for my career is

1. Which one holds more weight
2. Which one won’t destroy my life like the CPA

I understand those two kinda contrdict themselves. I have some people that say the CIA is worthless once you get a CPA. The CISA is good but I dont think i’m going to ever go down the IT road. and the CFA i understand will be the hardest but could eb the best for my career.

I’m in internal audit now for an insurance company working in their investments department.

Thanks for the help.

REG - 63,74,70,81!!!
FAR - 44,73, 81!!!!
AUD - 51,81!
BEC - 73,77!!

3 years later and I'm officially done. Never give up no matter what!

[Monkey Wrench]

I think the CISA would be more beneficial in the long run, info systems get bigger and bigger, and someone with better knowledge, or certifcates may be held to a higher weight.

[CPA2B_NJ]

On the same topics, does CFE also helps or do people view it with less weight?

FAR - 50, 78
BEC - 67, 72, 75
AUD - 72, 80
REG - 70, 85

To God be the glory! Forever, amen!

NJ License

[Anonymous]

If you want to be an internal auditor- do the CIA
If you want to be an IS auditor- do the CISA
If you want to be a portfolio manager- do the CFA

Otherwise, get a hobby or read a book or something.

[Michael]

and what if your 26 and have no idea what the hell you want to do for the rest of your life but still want to study while youre young?

REG - 63,74,70,81!!!
FAR - 44,73, 81!!!!
AUD - 51,81!
BEC - 73,77!!

3 years later and I'm officially done. Never give up no matter what!

[ti807910]

I got my CPA, worked for Big 4 for a little over 2 years but always wanted my CIA. I recently got a job as an internal auditor and one of their expectations was that I get my CIA. It's nice because it is free and I can add more certification to my name. It's about $800 for the exams and another $500 or so for the testing materials, plus membership to the IIA. I don't know if I would have paid for that. It's not too hard. I took Part 1 so far and passed it on the first try. We'll see how the other two sections go.

I think I still want the CISA too because the IT auditors seem to make more than any of the internal auditors. They are extremely valuable and the CISA I think would help get yourself experience with that.

I don't know if anyone here has a CFA or how that would be useful. Some have the CFE though, especially the fraud team.

Like the other poster said, I think it depends on what you want to do. CIA is general, CFE for fraud, CISA for IT.

FAR: 72, 68, 73, 78 (passed)
REG: 61, 70, 73, 63, 78 (passed)
AUD: 65, 84 (passed)
BEC: 89 (passed)

NASBA gave Doby a passing score, Doby is freeee!!

[Anonymous]

michael-

I don't know what type of employer you're with, but you'd be better off working harder and getting into new experiences than getting a few extra letters after your name.

You got the big one.

[overapplied]

The other thing about the CISA is that they make up a good portion of the certification in years of experience working in IT audit. There is a flat base 5 years of experience in IT audit required. This is reduced by … bachelor's degree – 2 years, other audit based certification (as approved on an individual basis) – 1 year. I have heard CPA counts but have yet to apply for my certification. So you would at least be looking at performing in an IT audit role for a minimum 2 years, maximum 3; and you need someone to sign off on your experience (I have heard this can be a CPA/CISA).

AUD - 75 - 07/06/2012
FAR - 72, 74, 82 - 05/30/2013
BEC - 84 - 01/16/2013
REG - 60ish, 84 - 08/16/2013

CISA - Passed

[cpame]

@ti807910 how difficult was part 1 of the CIA? i.e., how many hours did you study?

FWIW, there's a requirement of several years doing IT work to qualify for the CISA

B: 88 2/25/14
A: 81 5/12/14
R: 71, 84
F: 78 10/14/14

[CPA2B_NJ]

Have you also considered going for your MBA part time?

FAR - 50, 78
BEC - 67, 72, 75
AUD - 72, 80
REG - 70, 85

To God be the glory! Forever, amen!

NJ License

[overapplied]

The CISA exam itself is not that hard. I studied about 2-3 hours 5 days a week for about two months to pass it. It is work related for me… but the basic thing about the test is you need to know how to break down and analyze information and that is what the CPA exam teaches.

AUD - 75 - 07/06/2012
FAR - 72, 74, 82 - 05/30/2013
BEC - 84 - 01/16/2013
REG - 60ish, 84 - 08/16/2013

CISA - Passed

[Michael]

Thanks guys. I think i've narrowed it down to CISA. CIA is great for internal audit but i dont know if i want to stay in internal audit my entire life. CFA might be to much of a commitment right now (i'm still in celebration mode). CISA seems to be the easiest but can let me market myself as having an overall knowledge on things.

I wouldnt go for my MBA my school program let me get my bachelors and a MS all in one shot for my CPA Exam.

REG - 63,74,70,81!!!
FAR - 44,73, 81!!!!
AUD - 51,81!
BEC - 73,77!!

3 years later and I'm officially done. Never give up no matter what!

[fsugirl2005]

@ Michael

If you have that kind of time on your hands, why not go into public accounting? Depending on how busy your firm is, you probably won't have time nor energy to study for anything. At least you'll probably make more money and get more experience.

REG - 78
FAR - 79
AUD - 76
BEC - 75

I have been on this journey off and on for over 10 years. I think it's about time that I wrap this up.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[mw798]

FYI – It takes the average CFA holder 4 years to complete all three levels of the exams. It's not only time consuming but also ridiculously difficult. Also, the payoff isn't immediate, but it is something that will separate you from the rest of the pack when coupled with relevant experience.

Of the three designations you listed, the CFA is the most valuable and most prestigious, but like I said, it's time consuming, very difficult, and the payoff isn't as immediate. But if you want to stay in investments, a CPA coupled with a CFA will open doors for you.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with the CIA after you have your CPA and would only get the CISA if you want to be an IT auditor.

However, have you thought about the CMA? That's pretty relevant if you want a career in financial accounting or corporate finance.

[rp 12]

@Michael are you working for MetLife?

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 67, 62, 77 (lost credit), TBA

FAR - 53, 48, 58, 62, XX

BEC - 53, XX

 

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[rbcpa]

I'm in the same dilemma. I want to do my CFA and the CISA, and I also want to go to law school or do I get a masters in tax? I had a job at the big four firm but the environment was so bad that I left after seven months. So now I don't know if I should spend time studying or getting a new job. I just feel so old at 26 right now lol and still don't know what I want to do in life…any advice?

 
CFA Review Test Bank

BEC - PASSED
AUD - PASSED
REG - PASSED
FAR - PASSED

[Author]

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