Eligibility Requirements Registration & Application Examination Content & Format Examination Administration Examination Dates Examination Fees

By applying to become a CFSA candidate, an individual agrees to accept all conditions of the programme including eligibility, examination confidentiality, ethics, and continuing professional education requirements, along with other conditions enacted by the Board of Regents or Certification Department.

Eligibility Requirements
A CFSA candidate must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Education
A CFSA candidate must have a bachelor's (four-year) degree or educational equivalent. Two years of post-secondary schooling with an accredited organisation plus three years of financial services experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree. A copy of the degree or transcripts must accompany the application.

Character Reference
A CFSA candidate must exhibit high moral and professional character and must submit a Character Reference form signed by a CFSA, a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), a CCSA (Certification in Control Self-Assessment), a CGAP (Certified Government Auditing Professional) or the candidate's supervisor. The completed character reference form must accompany the application.

Work Experience
A CFSA candidate must obtain two years of auditing experience in a financial services environment. Work experience must be verified by a CFSA, a CIA, a CCSA, a CGAP or the candidate's supervisor. Experience Verification form may accompany the application or be submitted before or after taking the examination.  However, the form must be completed and received by The IIA before a candidate can become certified and use the CFSA designation.

Special Consideration for CIAs, CCSAs, and CGAPs Who Wish to Take the CFSA Examination: Based on previously met requirements, individuals who hold the CIA, CCSA or CGAP designations are assumed to have met the education and character requirements of the CFSA program. These individuals will only be required to submit proof of auditing experience in a financial services environment in order to meet the eligibility requirements.

IIA Membership
Candidate must be individual members of The Institute of Internal Auditors Malaysia.

Code of Ethics
CFSA candidates agree to abide by the Code of Ethics established by The IIA.

Eligibility Period
Once a candidate's application to the CFSA programme has been approved, the candidate has an eligibility period of four years. The candidate must complete all examinations and fulfil all certification requirements within the four year period. If a candidate fails to complete the certification process within four years, all fees and examination parts passed will be forfeited. If a candidate's programme eligibility expires, the candidate loses credit for any examination parts previously passed. In order to re-enter the CFSA programme, the candidate must submit a new CFSA application and pay the appropriate fees.

Confidentiality
The CFSA examination is a nondisclosed examination. Candidates in the CFSA programme agree to keep the contents of the examination confidential and therefore may not discuss the specific examination content with anyone except The IIA's Certification Department. Unauthorised disclosure of examination material will be considered a breach of the Code of Ethics and may result in disqualification of the candidate or other appropriate censure.