CIA vs CPA
Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Public Accountant compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
CPA leads on market demand (6,533 vs 5,106 US job postings) and CPAalso leads on average salary ($115,000). CIA is the more accessible starting point at 4/5 difficulty versus 5/5 for CPA.
Side-by-Side Data
| CIA | CPA | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 5,106 | 6,533leads |
| Market Share | 0.09% | 0.11% |
| Demand Trend | Rising | Stable |
| Avg Salary | $110,000 | $115,000leads |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 4 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $395-$585 per part | $1,000-$1,500 (4 sections) |
| Study Time | 400-600 hours | 400-600 hours total |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
CIA
Certified Internal Auditor
IIA's globally recognized internal audit certification with 3-part exam covering essentials, practice, and business knowledge. Part 1 has 125 questions in 2.5 hours. Requires bachelor's degree and 2 years of internal audit experience. Must complete within 4 years.
CPA
Certified Public Accountant
The US accounting profession's premier license, now featuring CPA Evolution with 3 Core sections plus 1 Discipline. Requires 150 credit hours and 1-2 years of supervised experience. Overall pass rate is ~50% per section. State-regulated with varying requirements.
CIA vs CPA: FAQ
Which pays more, CIA or CPA?+
CPA is associated with the higher average salary: about $115,000 vs $110,000 for CIA, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, CIA or CPA?+
CPA currently appears in 6,533 US job postings versus 5,106 for CIA. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is CPA harder than CIA?+
Generally yes: we rate CPA 5/5 difficulty versus 4/5 for CIA, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both CIA and CPA?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with CIA (4/5 difficulty) and progressing to CPA. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.