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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION: 
Principal Certified Internal Auditor (PCIA) 
DESIGNATION ID DESIGNATION TITLE
1195  Principal Certified Internal Auditor (PCIA) 
PROFESSIONAL BODY DESIGNATION STATUS
IIASA - Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa  Reregistered 
SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
SAQA 147/22  2022-08-18  2027-08-17 


DESCRIPTION:
The Principal Certified Internal Auditor (PCIA) is a designation that supervisory and management level internal auditors in the internal audit profession should strive to obtain. It is a South African designation recognised by SAQA and the Global IIA as unique to the South African legislative framework underpinned by either the:
  • Certificate: General Internal Auditing qualification (expired 2022); OR
  • Occupational Certificate: Internal Audit Manager qualification
    AND
  • the CIA, a Global IIA certification and a registered designation in South Africa.

    To use this designation a designation holder must be a member of the IIA SA in good standing. 
    		•
    AWARDING CRITERIA
    For the Professional Designation to be awarded, professionals must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
    Underlying Registered Qualification or Part Qualification:
  • Certificate: General Internal Auditing NQF Level 8 with the SAQA ID 20359
    Or
  • Occupational Certificate: Internal Audit Manager NQF Level 8 with the SAQA ID 101520. 
    		•
    Experiential Learning or Experience
    Must have a minimum of three years internal audit experience and must be a practicing internal auditor. 
    Competency Assessment
  • Must have successfully completed all three Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam parts i.e., must hold a CIA designation;
    Or
  • Must successfully complete the External Integrated Summative Assessment for the Occupational Certificate: Internal Audit Manager qualification. 
    		•
    Designation RPL Statement
    This Designation may be awarded through Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    RETAINING CRITERIA
    In order to ensure the currency of professional knowledge and to retain the Professional Designation, the professional must comply with the following minimum requirements: 
    Code of Conduct
    Members must adhere to the Professional Body Codes of Conduct and Ethics. 
    Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
  • Members are required to report CPD activities annually.
  • A practicing Professional Certified Internal Auditor must complete 40 CPD hours annually.
  • A non-practicing Professional Certified Internal Auditor must complete 20 CPD hours annually. 
    		•
    Fees
    Ensure that the annual membership fee is paid. 


    PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION PROGRESSION PATHWAY
    (The Designation being reported on here is shown in italics.)

    Sequence Designation ID Designation Title
    1423IAT - Internal Audit Technician
    2773CIA - Certified Internal Auditor
    3424GIA - General Internal Auditor
    4567PIA - Professional Internal Auditor
    51195Principal Certified Internal Auditor (PCIA)


    PROFESSIONAL BODY WEB ADDRESS:
    For more information on this Professional Designation, please visit www.iiasa.org.za