[tableleg]

I was wondering about the CISA certificate (Certified Information Systems Auditor, https://www.isaca.org, from their website, CISA is world-renowned as the standard of achievement for those who audit, control, monitor and assess an organization’s information technology and business systems.)

Once a person gets a CPA certificate, would a CISA certificate be a waste of time? Or are these two different jobs completely? (BTW, all my time is spent with Tim from Becker lately. I am sure he is a nice guy, but I am tired of hearing his voice for hours every day!! )

I am currently unemployed (courtesy of outsourcing) and a Becker student taking my first exam, auditing, next week.

Most of my work history has been with computers. (I am finding Becker a challenge).

I have seen several job advertisements asking for this certificate.

Are there any other CPA job specialities that a person with a background and interest in computers might want to explore?

thanks

[limey]

During year-end certified audits conducted by public accountants/CPAs and staff, a portion of the budget is set aside for “IT audit,” where different systems are checked for information transmission, security, access, backup, etc. That type of auditing is mostly conducted by people who like computers; it usually pays a little bit more than CPAs.

It is also the same in internal audit or SOX auditing – sometimes with in-house people or people from consulting groups – there is a portion of the budget set aside for IT audits, usually conducted by people who like computers. I've seen CPAs who are CISA-holders conduct those types of audits, some of it related to segregation of duties, but mostly to check for security access, detective and preventive controls, etc.

It's definitely handy to understand segregation of duties, b/c a lot of IT people don't deal with it, and don't really understand how certain user access can make financial statement reportin data look really bad or questionable (the way accountants do).

I really can't pass again!

[Author]

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