Find proven auditors with a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certificate in Germany, matched in minutes from 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.
Hire professionals who know internal audit planning, risk-based testing, control assessment, and reporting for finance, operations, and compliance work. Get fast, precise matching with vetted freelancers holding the CIA.
About the certification
What CIA means
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is the best-known qualification from The Institute of Internal Auditors. It shows that a professional understands the internal audit role end to end: planning an audit, testing controls, assessing risk, and reporting findings that management can act on. Many companies also search for it as CIA or simply Certified Internal Auditor.
Core audit skills
A CIA holder is expected to work with structured methods and clear judgment.
- Risk-based audit planning and scoping
- Control evaluation and process testing
- Evidence review and audit documentation
- Clear reporting and issue follow-up
- Professional ethics and independence
Knowledge areas
The certification covers the principles behind internal audit work, not just checklists. That includes governance, risk management, internal control, fraud awareness, business processes, and how audit teams communicate with stakeholders. It also signals that the person can connect findings to business impact, not only compliance language.
Typical holder profile
Freelancers with the CIA often come from internal audit, internal control, risk, compliance, or assurance roles. Some work as auditors for a specific function, while others support larger review cycles, special investigations, or remediation programs. In Germany, this profile is especially useful when companies need clear documentation, structured reviews, and professional communication in English or German.
Where it helps
The CIA is relevant in finance, manufacturing, shared service centers, regulated industries, and international groups. It is useful when a company needs support for audit fieldwork, control design reviews, advisory work on process improvements, or preparation for an internal or external review. For freelance engagements, it is a strong signal that the person can join quickly and work with limited supervision.
What it tells a company
If a freelancer holds the CIA, you can expect a solid grasp of audit discipline and the ability to handle sensitive topics with care. It does not replace industry knowledge, but it does show a professional foundation in internal audit practice. That makes it a useful filter when you need someone to assess controls, challenge processes, and write findings that stand up to review.
Meet FRATCH Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Steffen Eschinger
Stream Lead, Consultant FI, CO, MM, SD
Last position:
Domain Lead FI, CO, HR, Investor Relations at Douglas Group
- Process Owner SAP ERP 8 FI, CO & Investor Relations
- Process Owner SAP Success Factors
- Responsible for 4 teams, 39 FTE
- Full responsibility for end-to-end processes in SAP for Finance, Controlling, HR, Investor Relations
- Interface to certified public accountants for Finance IT (KPMG)
- ITIL-4 implementation for service request change request and project management with Service Now (Project Manager)
Nina Dill
Interim Finance & Governance Expert for Exit-Ready Scale-Ups
Last position:
Head of ESG, Internal Audit and Risk Management at BIKE24
(parallel to freelance work)
- Setup and leadership of ESG, Internal Audit, and Risk Management for a listed company
- Setup and leadership of a CSRD / EU Taxonomy project including sustainability reporting
- Analysis and implementation of all relevant ESG product compliance regulations, including the introduction of ESG software
- Introduction of enterprise risk management and an internal audit system
Julia Tuche
Integrity Warrior
Last position:
ESG Risk Manager at EnBW AG
- Design and implementation of a concept for assessing physical climate risks and mapping risks under the Supply Chain Act (LkSG)
- Effective communication
Arnd Furken
Senior Manager
Last position:
Senior Manager at Gehrke Maas Consulting
Marc Theuerkauf
Founder & Internal Auditor
Last position:
Founder & Internal Auditor at Internal Audit Services
- Full-service internal audit provider offering co-sourcing, outsourcing, external quality assessments (DIIR No. 3), sparring partner (CPE) and e-learnings
- Governance, risk and compliance solutions
- Experienced network of independent auditors and consultants (>20 years experience) and global audit service providers
- Certifications: Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Control Self Assessor, recognized auditor for audit systems DIIR e.V.
- Memberships: Deutsches Institut für Interne Revision e.V., CIA working group Rhein/Main, DIIR working group “Interne Revision im Mittelstand”
- Services:
- Setup and implementation of internal audit and taking over the audit function
- Audit support, coaching junior auditors, sparring partner
- External quality assessments according to DIIR Standard No. 3, support for self-assessment and QAIP
- Consulting and training: further development and modernization, e-learnings
- Internal control systems: setup and introduction of ICS, control self-assessments, support with control testing
- Setup and development of internal audit functions: charter and manual, audit universe and risk assessment, processes and templates
- Quality management: external quality assessments DIIR No. 3, self-assessments, consulting QSVP/QAIP
- Process audits: procure-to-pay, order-to-cash, hire-to-retire, record-to-report
- Department audits: HR and payroll, purchasing, sales and after sales, financial accounting, logistics and warehousing, facility management and maintenance
- Equity investment audits: audit leadership, audit planning, execution and reporting, quality assurance and coordination of local projects
- Internal control systems: setup of internal control system, process descriptions and flowcharts, control self-assessments, control tests (design and effectiveness)
- Consulting: further development of audit processes (audit universe, risk assessment, follow-up, QSVP/QAIP), standard audit programs, knowledge management, introduction of audit management systems, special process investigations
- Compliance audits: compliance management systems, anti-bribery and anti-corruption audits, forensic special investigations
Thomas Mitterwachauer-Grigo
Interim Head of Data Protection, Compliance and Internal Audit
Last position:
Interim Head of Data Protection, Compliance and Internal Audit at BIG direkt gesund
- Functional realignment according to IIR standards
- Managing a team of 10 employees
- Serving on the KRITIS steering committee
Alexander Grass
Sales, Marketing and Logistics
Last position:
Business Coach
for person-centered leadership coaching
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Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) statistics
Typical experience
25 years
Average project duration
6 years
Certifications per freelancer
4
Top business areas
Audit, Finance, Project Management
Top industries
Professional Services, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical
Most common languages
German, English, French
Bachelor's degree or higher
100%
Master's degree or higher
100%
Daily Rate Distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers holding this certification are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) & Seniority distribution
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for clear information? Everything important about FRATCH is here
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) shows that the person has formal training in internal audit practice and understands how to assess risk, test controls, and report findings. It is a strong signal of audit discipline, independence, and structured thinking. For companies, that means less guesswork when reviewing a profile.
The CIA focuses on internal audit work inside the organization, not on signing off external financial statements. A CIA holder is trained to review governance, risk, controls, and processes from an internal perspective. That makes the certification more about continuous assurance and improvement than statutory audit opinions.
The CIA is a good fit for internal auditors, risk professionals, compliance specialists, and control experts. It also suits consultants who support audit functions, remediation work, or governance reviews. Companies usually look for it when they need someone who can work with limited guidance and deliver clear audit output.
Certified Internal Auditor training covers audit planning, evidence gathering, control evaluation, reporting, and follow-up. It also touches governance, fraud awareness, and risk management, which are central to modern internal audit work. The certification is broad enough to support work across many business functions.
Candidates usually need a solid background in auditing, accounting, finance, business, or controls work. The preparation is technical and methodical, with a strong focus on internal audit standards, judgment, and practical application. It is not an entry-level badge for generalists who have never worked with controls or risk.
Like many professional audit credentials, the CIA must be kept current through ongoing professional development and compliance with the issuing body’s rules. Holders are expected to stay up to date with audit standards, ethics, and practice changes. Companies can treat that as a sign that the professional is maintaining their expertise.
The CIA is especially valuable in regulated sectors, international groups, manufacturing, financial services, and organizations with mature control environments. In Germany, it is also helpful when teams work across locations and need clear documentation in English or German. It is a strong fit for internal audit support, control reviews, and remediation projects.
Yes. A CIA freelancer can be a practical choice for audit backlogs, special reviews, control testing, and temporary support during peak periods or staff changes. The certification helps you identify professionals who can enter a process quickly and work in a structured way.
The average hourly rate for freelancers with Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) in Germany is 124 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 990 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers with Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) in Germany, 100% hold at least a Bachelor's degree and 100% hold at least a Master's degree.
On average, freelancers with Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) in Germany have 25 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 6 years.
The most common languages among freelancers with Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) in Germany are German (100%), English (86%), and French (29%).
The most common industries among freelancers with Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) in Germany are Professional Services (100%), Manufacturing (57%), and Pharmaceutical (57%).
The most common business areas among freelancers with Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) in Germany are Audit (71%), Finance (71%), and Project Management (71%).
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
