Frequently Asked Questions

Certification

What is the Certification via the Grandfathering Provision?

Many professional certification organizations build an experienced membership by recruiting highly experienced candidates who meet the education and expertise needed for certification. it should be noted that organizations including the IIA (CIA) ISACA (CISA), AICPA (CGMA), among others have offered certification as described above. With this, TheIIC has build a highly experienced professional group of internal controls professionals. Our average member has more than 10 years experience in various areas of internal controls. Ninety-nine percent have undergraduate degrees and more than thirty percentage have graduate degrees. To accommodate candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements for certification under the grandfathering provision, TheIIC will begin the Certification via Curriculum program in and the Certification via Examination program in 2022-2023 under the Associate Member program.

How long does it take to process my application for Certification under the Grandfathering provision?

Details for processing applications and if approved, certificates, can be found in the instructions section of the application. Note that applications are reviewed by the Nominations Committee at the meeting subsequent to receipt of the application and payment. The Committee meets on the last day of each month. The Committee's decision is emailed from the Office of the Chairman within 30-60 days of the meeting. Certificates are mailed out approximately 30 to 60 days after approval. Delivery is dependent on the type of mail service used. Note for international mail that there is NO tracking once the package departs the USPS overseas facility and delivery can be delayed.  Courier service is highly recommended for tracking service and guaranteed delivery at the cost of $100, which is paid by the new member.

Do I have to renew my membership and certification?

Yes, as is customary for most professional certifications, you must renew your membership and certification annually, in the month of the anniversary of your grant. Note that the expiration date of your current membership is included on your membership card. Starting in 2019 notices for renewal will be emailed to your preferred email address on file. Payment can be made online by credit card.

Where is my certificate mailed to?

As part of our due diligence process all certificates are mailed directly to your workplace. It is highly advised that you include your department or mail code if available and advise your mail department personnel of expected delivery. Post Office boxes should be provided if applicable. In countries where mail service is unreliable, it is highly suggested that courier service be ordered.

Verification/Attestation Process for Certification

When an applicant is accepted for certification as a CICA or CCS, the member is provided two proofs of attestation of the member’s grant of the certification. The primary evidence is the Certificate of Certification that is dated with the grant date, the certification type, the official seal of TheIIC, and signed by the Chairman and one of the Directors and the Certificate Number which is the same as the Member Number. There is no expiration date noted on the certificate. The Certificate is valid as long as the Member is a member in good standing which requires annual renewal by the member via payment of the annual membership/certification fees and confirmation that the member is in compliance with TheIIC Code of Professional Standards, TheIIC Code of Ethics, and TheIIC CPE Policy.

The member is also provided with a laminated membership card annually which includes the member’s membership/certification number, the type of certification, and the expiration date of the member’s current membership period based on a 12-month membership period. A temporary card can also be download from TheIIC’s Membership Management System (MMS). The Membership Card should be presented by the member as proof that the member’s membership and certification are current.

Employers and recruiters may request verification of the member’s certification status. The procedure requires an email sent to the Office of the Chairman at chairman@theiic.org.  The reason for the request, (e.g., employer verification, new employment verification, background check), as well as a signed release by the member, must be attached to the email request. Verification will only be sent to a non-personal email address. Requests from senders from Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc., accounts will not be honored.

NOTE that members who are not current in their membership and certification, who hold themselves out as a certified member of TheIIC, are in violation of the Codes noted above and subject to disciplinary action.

Logging Into TheIIC Website and Accessing the System

Logging Into the System Using the Member Log-in button

The login button gadget is located on the upper left corner of the HOME page and the MEMBERS ONLY PORTAL of TheIIC website. Only Members-in-Good-Standing are granted access. Members who fail to renew will be removed from access after 90-120 days past due.

Although anyone can access TheIIC website, you have to log into TheIIC website account if you are:

     => a member-in-good-standing who wants to access member-only content or perform membership self-service functions

      => a non-member contact who wants to view their event registration or pay an invoice, among other self-service functions

New member profile data is automatically recorded in the MMS after supplying their email address when they apply for membership or register for an event. Profile information is obtained from the candidate's application or any Change Request submitted to TheIIC.

Note that members-in-good-standing can change most information in their profile. For fields that are restricted, email membership@theiic.org

You will be prompted to log in using your primary email address and password. NOTE THAT YOUR PRIMARY EMAIL IS YOUR LOG-IN IDENTIFIER AND UNIQUE NOT ONLY TO YOU BUT ALSO TO THE CERTIFICATION HELD. MEMBERS WHO HOLD BOTH THE CICA AND CCS WILL NEED TO ENTER THE SPECIFIC EMAIL ASSIGNED TO THE SPECIFIC CERTIFICATION.

Password creation

The first time you log in you will be asked to create a PASSWORD. Note that password must adhere to the following requirements:

1. Minimum of 7 characters

 2. Maximum of 50 characters

 3. Any combination of letters, numbers and characters (except spaces)

 4. Note that passwords are case sensitive.

IF YOU FORGET YOUR PASSWORD, CLICK ON THE LINK TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD-SEE PASSWORD RETRIEVAL INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

Entering your log-in credentials

=>In the log-fields, you enter your member credentials--your primary email and password--then click the login button.

=>If you do not remember your password, click the Forgot password link next to the Log-in button. On the page that appears, you can enter your email address to receive a reset password link via email.

=>Members log in using the password automatically sent to them when they are registered as a member or event attendee. These buttons will also appear on the Authorization required system page that appears when someone clicks the Log-in button within a log-in button gadget, and at the bottom of each private member profile.

Password Retrieval

If someone forgets their password, they can click the Forgot password link that appears beside the Login button on the login form or login screen. On the screen that appears, the contact/member enters their email address and clicks the submit button. An email will be sent to the address they entered with a link they can click to change their password. For security reasons, the link will expire within 24 hours of the message being sent.

Accepting the terms of use

When you first log into TheIIC website, you will be required to accept TheIIC's and our host vendor Wild Apricot's terms of use before proceeding.

After you log in

After you log in, a message will appear in the bottom right corner if you have unpaid invoices or incomplete registrations, or are lapsed, overdue, or within a week of your renewal date. What you see and what you can do after logging in may depend on whether you're a member, and if so, your membership level and membership status.

Logging in Automatically

To avoid having to enter your email and password every time you log in, check the Remember Me option in the log in box before clicking the Login button. When you next restart your browser and access TheIIC website, you'll be automatically logged in. You'll be logged in automatically only on the computer you used when you checked the Remember Me option. TheIIC.org remembers you by depositing a cookie (a small text file) on your computer. For security reasons, you shouldn't ask TheIIC to remember you on shared or public computers. Some browsers may also offer to remember you login information. To stop your browser from remembering your login information, you need to clear (i.e. delete) your browser cookies. For instructions on clearing browser cookies from your computer, click here. When a member logs in automatically--because they previously clicked the Remember Me option--the date stored in the Last Login field is not updated.

Logging Out

To log out of TheIIC account, click the Log out link or icon.

Troubleshooting

Issue:  I submitted a password reset request but I did not receive any email from TheIIC.

Solution:  If you don't receive a password reset email, you should check your email spam folder and make sure you whitelist this email                           so that future emails will go to your inbox.

Issue: When I click on the link in the email, it does not work; it says that it is expired.

Solution:  For security reasons, the password reset link is only valid for 24 hours. After this, you will need to use the Forgot password                           link again.

Instructions - Printing and Downloading Membership Cards by Members In-Good-Standing

Members in Good-Standing are mailed, via USPS first class mail, laminated copies of their current membership cards, typically within 30 days of payment. Delivery after mailing will be dependent on mail service in your country. International Members should expect delays based on the reliability of mail service in your country.

Members can print or download temporary membership cards online from their member profile per instructions outlined below:

To access their member profile, members must log in to TheIIC website (www.theiic.org), then click the link (Log-in) to access their profile. Note that you MUST use your primary email address and your password assigned at registration in the MMS system. Terminated members will not have access to the MMS system. For additional information on your status, email membership@theiic.org or review your last issued membership card for the expiration date of the membership and certification.

Depending on your website theme (if log-in is successful), the link can appear as the members' name or as the words View profile.

Your membership card will appear under the Membership details heading on your profile with all their membership details filled in.

From here, you can download your membership card as an image optimized for display on smartphones, or as a printable PDF.

Downloading the card as a PDF allows members to print the design directly onto cardstock then cut out the card along the cropmarks that appear on the page. Members should make sure they set the scaling to 100% before printing.

The size of the membership cards is 88.9 x 50.8 mm or 3.5 x 2 inches when printed at 300 dpi (1050 x 600 pixels). Remember, the card is temporary. TheIIC mails out the permanent, laminated card.

*NOTE: ANY ALTERATION OF MEMBERSHIP CARD INCLUDING MEMBER’S NAME, CERTIFICATION TYPE, MEMBER NUMBER OR EXPIRATION DATE IS A VIOLATION OF TheIIC RULES AND REGULATIONS AND CAN SUBJECT MEMBER TO IMMEDIATE TERMINATION AND REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION GRANTED.

How do I become an Associate Member?

*(Note: Not Implemented to date, rollout to start 2023)*

Associate membership is limited in individuals who do not qualify for CICA or CCS certification under the grandfathering clause and who are interested in completing the certification via examination or certification via curriculum programs. To join the institute as an Associate member you must complete the application and make payment online. Note that Associate Membership must be renewed annually until completion of one of the certification programs selected.

Can I use the  CICA or CCS designation while I am an Associate Member?

NO, you cannot hold yourself out as a CICA or CCS while you are an Associate Member.  

Where can I get an application for Associate Membership?

You can complete the application online at this website. Forms are available at the Membership/Certification tab or through the "How to Become a CICA/CCS" webpage.

Local Chapter Questions

How do I start a LOCAL chapter?

The Institute for Internal Controls does not have any formal procedures for starting a local chapter. The template for doing so usually is based on local members getting together and forming their own plan to do so. The institute will provide guidance to members who want to establish a local chapter. We recommend that as the first step you create an organization committee to develop your specific plan. Due to privacy issues, the Institute for Internal Controls does not provide any personal information on our members; however, we would forward emails to members in your area to inform them about the new local chapter and provide them with your contact information. All chapters must be approved by the Board of the Institute for Internal Controls. Details on starting a local chapter including guidelines and petition forms are available on the Members Only Portal of this website.

FAQ – GREECE LOCAL

Is there a local chapter in Greece or Cyprus?

Yes, there is a combined local chapter representing both Greece and Cyprus  headquartered in Athens. The petition to start a local chapter was presented by Dr. Andreas Koutoupis in 2021. In accordance with Greek laws and regulations, the chapter was created to do business under the name Hellenic Institute for Internal Controls (HIIC) using the acronym ELINESEE.

Do I have to join the local chapter (ELINESEE) to be a member of TheIIC (USA)?

No, you do not have to join the local chapter to apply for membership and certification with TheIIC (USA). However, we strongly recommend that you do so to get the benefits of social and professional exchange with other local members as well as training, etc.

What is the disadvantage of NOT JOINING the local chapter?

The CICA has been recognized by the Hellenic Chamber of Economics as acceptable professional certifications to practice internal auditing in Greece. ELINESEE will provide the Chamber confirmation of the certification status of all members as required. Note that the above does not apply to members in Cyprus.

Do I have to join TheIIC (USA) to be a member of the local chapter?

Yes, all members of the local chapter (ELINESEE) must be members in good standing of TheIIC (USA) and hold an Active certification (CICA or CCS) (as long as it meets the conditions of the certifications.

I am an accounting graduate practicing in Greece. What else should I know about practicing auditing in Greece?

One does not need to be enrolled in ELINESEE to earn the CICA or CCS professional certification. You can apply directly to TheIIC if you meet the criteria. However, the Hellenic Chamber of Economics will ask ELINESEE when you register in the chamber’s registry whether you are an active member or not of THEIIC/ELINESEE and if your membership is current and in Good-Standing and whether your certification is ACTIVE. If ELINESEE responds to this then you will be able to make your application for obtaining your license to practice the profession of Internal Audit in Greece. At this point you will also need to register with ELINESEE. 

How do I start a STUDENT chapter?

Student chapters can only be formed by faculty at their school. Educators interested in starting student chapters should contact the Office of the Chairman directly at chairman@theiic.org.

Continuing Education / CPE Credits

What are the continuing education requirements to maintain my CICA/CCS designation?

40 hours of CPE credits are required to maintain your CICA/CCS designation each biennial period (every two years), commencing the year following your award of the CICA or CCS designation. All of these hours must be in internal controls areas of study as outlined in the Body of Knowledge (see academic curriculum for certification). Details of the CPE requirements are available at the Training page on our website.  Click here to download policy

What if I get more than 40 hours in one biennial period? Can I roll them over to the next biennial period?

No, you will not be permitted to roll-over CPE credit hours.

How do I report my CPE credits?

The Institute for Internal Controls does not require formal reporting of specific CPE credit hours at this time. However, you will be required to certify that you are in compliance with CPE requirements upon the annual renewal of your CICA/CCS membership with the institute as noted on the annual renewal invoice.  In addition, you may be asked to provide proof of CPE if you are selected for a random audit or if you are involved in a disciplinary proceeding.

Can I use CPE credits earned from other designations for my CICA/CCA designation?

Yes. We will accept CPE credit from other organizations as long as the courses meet the following requirements: class must meet in a formal setting, have an instructor, a written course outline, attendance that is required and recorded, and finally a certificate of completion must be issued. The Institute readily accepts credit earned from formal classes, postgraduate college courses not being applied towards an undergraduate degree, correspondence and self-study courses, authoring an article or instructing a class, and attending local chapter meetings. Note that there may be maximum credits allowed for these categories. For additional information, see the CPE Policy located on the Training page of our website.

What happens if I do not satisfy TheIIC CPE requirements?

If you do not meet the biennial requirements for completion of the CPE requirements you must notify the Office of the Chairman. Upon approval by the Chairman or VP of Membership you will be given six months to meet the requirements. If you do not, then your certification will be suspended until you meet the requirements. Note that any addition CPEs earned under this authorization cannot be carried forward to the subsequent biennial period.

Recognition of the TheIIC, CICA and CCS

Are  TheIIC and the CICA and CCA designations recognized?

There is no formal recognition process in the U.S. for recognizing professional certifications in accounting/auditing other the CPA, which is actually a license to practice accounting, administered by the various states in the U.S.

Are TheIIC and the CICA and CCA designations recognized for exemption in taking Part IV of the CIA exam?

No, the IIA does not recognize any certification from any organization that is earned via the Grandfathering provision. They will consider applications for recognition only from organizations that grant certification based on passage of an examination. It should be noted that the CFE designation was not recognized by the IIA for almost 15 years due to this limitation.

I live in the Middle East and have found delays in receiving mail from the U.S. Can I have my certificate shipped to me via courier service?

Yes, we can ship certificates via courier service to most locations in the world, but the cost must be paid by the member. The exception is  countries where embargos are in place. Certificate mailings in the U.S. are via US Postal Service Priority Mail which typically is 2-3 days and is tracked. For mailings outside of the U.S. we utilize first class mail. Note that typically there is no tracking one the package departs the USPS overseas facility. We have found that the promised 10- day delivery is subject to country conditions and that service in certain areas such as the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia may take as much as 60 days. Also, we have experienced a high rate of non delivery of certificates in these areas. Alternatively, we can provide courier service to any country outside of the US. Courier service provides tracking and guaranteed delivery within one week; however, this service is expensive and the cost prohibitive for general purposes by TheIIC. Members can ask for courier service on an individual basis by paying the cost of the courier service. Members should email info@theiic.org for an estimate of the cost of using courier service.

REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT

Members who have been terminated due to non-renewal and were or are not subject to disciplinary action may apply for REINSTATEMENT for a limited time after termination of membership and suspension or revocation of their certification. To apply for Reinstatement, follow the instructions below. NOTE THAT NOT ALL TERMINATED MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REINSTATEMENT. TERMINATED MEMBERS FROM PAKISTAN, NIGERIA AND JORDAN ARE NOT OPEN TO REINSTATEMENT WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE CHAIRMAN.

PROCESS FOR REINSTATEMENT

1. GO TO THE HOME PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE

2. SELECT THE MEMBERSHIP/CERTIFICATION TAB

3. SELECT THE LINK - MEMBERSHIP REINSTATEMENT

4. READ THE PAGE

5. SELECT LINK - REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT ONLINE

6. COMPLETE THE FORM

7. SELECT METHOD OF PAYMENT

8. SELECT CREDIT CARD

9. PRINT FOR YOUR RECORD

10. CLICK SUBMIT AND PAY

11. COMPLETE THE PAYPAL CHECKOUT PAGE

NOTE - IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 48 HOURS TO COMMENCE PROCESSING OF REQUESTS. OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN WILL CONTACT APPLICANT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS.

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All further general inquiries should be directed to: info@theiic.org

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