CISA Salary: A Detailed Guide for 2024

Our society’s reliance on technology is increasing, which means there is a greater demand for experts who can deal with and solve technical problems. This, in turn, has led to CISA Certification Salary is at an all-time high. So, if you are searching for a high-paying and promising job, then look no further than Certified Information System Auditor (CISA).

According to Payscale, CISA-certified professionals get an average compensation of £66,000 annually. With such a high pay scale, the opportunities for CISAs is promise to grow. So, it’s time to explore the CISA Certification Salary insights and discover career prospects and strategies to maximise earning potential in the competitive field

Table of Content

1) Who is Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)?

2) CISA certification cost

3) Roles and responsibilities of CISA

4) CISA Salary based on location

5) CISA Salary based on experience

6) CISA Salary based on job roles

7) Qualifications required to be CISA

8) Conclusion

Who is Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)?

A Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a professional who has passed the CISA exam and met the work experience requirements of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). A CISA is qualified to audit, control, monitor, and assess an organisation’s IT and business systems. A CISA certification demonstrates the skills and knowledge needed to ensure the security, reliability, and efficiency of Information Systems. 



 

CISA certification cost

The total cost of obtaining the CISA certification can vary depending on the path you choose, but it can be around £789 or more. The cost consists of five components:

a) ISACA membership fee: You can join ISACA as a professional, a recent graduate, or a student. The fees for new members are up to £244.90, £110.60, or £43.45 respectively.

b) CISA exam fee: You have to pay a fee to take the CISA exam, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. It covers the costs of exam administration, scoring, and testing facilities. The fee is £454.25 for ISACA members and £600.40 for non-members.

c) CISA certification fee: Once you pass the exam and meet the eligibility criteria, you have to pay a fee of £39.50 to apply for the CISA certification. 

d) Annual maintenance fee: You have to pay a fee every year to keep your CISA certification active. The fee is £35.55 for ISACA members and £67.15 for non-members.

e) Additional CISA certification costs: You may also need to pay for the study materials or courses that you use to prepare for the exam. The price of study materials can range from £31.60 for a study guide to £237 for the official CISA review manual and question database.

Roles and responsibilities of CISA

A CISA is a certified professional who can audit and assess an organisation's information Systems and business processes. A CISA has the following job and responsibilities in detail:

a) Planning the audit strategy according to the organisational requirements and standards. A CISA needs to understand the objectives, scope, and criteria of the audit, as well as the risks and controls of the Information Systems. 

b) Implementing the audit strategy and monitoring the audit controls to ensure Information Systems' security, reliability, and efficiency. A CISA must collect and analyse the audit evidence, perform tests and procedures, evaluate the results, and document the findings and recommendations.

c) Sharing the audit results with the management and providing recommendations for improvement and compliance. A CISA needs to communicate the audit results clearly, concisely, and timely, using appropriate formats and tools. A CISA also needs to provide realistic, feasible, and cost-effective recommendations that address the root causes of the issues and risks.

d) Aligning the security infrastructure of the organisation and overseeing the IT portfolio. A CISA must ensure that the organisation’s Information Systems are aligned with its business goals and strategies and comply with the relevant laws, regulations, and standards.

e) Assessing compliance and regulatory protocols of various governing bodies and nations. A CISA needs to understand the compliance and regulatory requirements of different jurisdictions and sectors and how they affect the organisation’s Information Systems. A 

f) Developing and maintaining audit software and tools to facilitate the audit process. A CISA must use and develop audit software and tools that can help collect, analyse, and report the audit data and evidence.

g) Consulting with administrators, faculty, and staff on computer Information Systems operational issues and best practices. A CISA needs to provide guidance and support to the organisation’s personnel on various aspects of Information Systems, such as security, performance, usability, and functionality. 

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CISA Salary based on location

The pay for CISA experts can vary based on geographical location. It is due to the varied need for Cybersecurity experts and the employment opportunities in that country. Due to the greater demand for CISA experts, metropolitan areas with strong concentrations of companies and financial institutions often offer higher salaries.

When weighing a job offer, you should carefully analyse the location to ensure their pay aligns with regional norms and can support their demand. Here's how CISA Salary varies across region worldwide:

                                                                                                                                   Source: Glassdoor 

CISA Salary based on experience

The starting pay is less than the average salary for CISA specialists wanting to break into this field. However, with patience and project performance, IT Auditors can have a better opportunity of moving up the corporate ladder.  

They have a higher chance of earning a five-figure wage with at least 10 years of experience. Professionals can see how CISA Salary increases over time. What sort of compensation can you anticipate earning if you invest the time and money necessary to get a CISA certification  

A professional with a CISA certification may expect to earn between £28,000 and £92,000 annually on average. However, your experience also determines the compensation you can get.  Here is a table for CISA Salary based on experience in UK:
 

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CISA Salary based on job roles

 CISA certification is a globally recognised credential that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals who audit, control, monitor, and assess Information Systems and business systems. CISA certification can open up various career opportunities for IT professionals, as well as increase their earning potential. 

The salary associated with this certification can vary based on the specific job title held within an organisation, as well as the experience, location, and other factors. Here are some of the common job titles and salary ranges for CISA certified professionals:

                                                                                                                                 Source: Glassdoor 

1) Internal Auditor: Internal controls, procedures, and financial reporting systems of a business must be evaluated and assessed by Internal Auditors. To maintain regulatory compliance, Internal Auditors find operational waste, reduce risks, and provide unbiased reviews.  

2) IT Audit Manager: They are essential in identifying IT risks, suggesting enhancements, and guaranteeing the efficiency of IT controls.  

3) CyberSecurity Professional: Protecting digital assets and information inside an organisation against online threats and attacks is the responsibility of Cybersecurity specialists. They also monitor security systems, respond to incidents and strengthen the company’s Cybersecurity posture. 

4) Privacy Officer: The responsibility of ensuring that an organisation complies with privacy laws and regulations falls to privacy officers. They create and put into place privacy policies and processes, train staff on data security and oversee any risks related to confidentiality regulations. 

5) Chief Information Officer (CIO): CIO is a key executive who oversees an organisation’s IT strategy and day-to-day operations. They also oversee IT budgets, manage IT programs, and promote digital transformation. 

6) Network Operation Security Engineer: They are IT professionals assigned the task of monitoring the daily performance of a network system in an organisation. 

7) IT Risk and Assurance Manager:  An IT Risk Manager’s work is to create and monitor risk policies associated with an organisation. They also ensure that the system is not compromised. Other works include, develop, establish and administer policies to keep the IT framework safe and secure. 

8) IS Analyst: Monitoring computer networks for security breaches, investigating security issues, and other related Cybersecurity issues are some of the key roles of an IS analyst. They also ensure system analysis while providing project leadership to their organisation.

Qualifications required to be CISA

To become a CISA, you need to meet the following requirements:

a) Pass the CISA exam, which covers five domains of Information Systems auditing, control, and security.

b) Have at least five years of professional experience in IS/IT audit, control, assurance, or security. You can substitute some of this experience with relevant education or other certifications.

c) Submit an application for certification and pay a fee of US$50.

d) Adhere to the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics and the Information Systems Auditing Standards.

e) Earn and report at least 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours every three years, with a minimum of 20 hours per year.

Educational background

Some of the education background that can help you prepare for the CISA exam and career are:

a) A bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, computer science, accounting, finance, or a related field.

b) A master’s degree in Information Security, Cybersecurity, or a related field.

c) A professional certification such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT, or CSX-P.

Key skills and knowledge 

Some of the key skills and knowledge that you need to succeed as a CISA are:

a) Scripting and coding languages such as Python, PowerShell, SQL, and Java.

b) Controls and frameworks such as NIST, ISO, CIS, SOC 2, and COBIT.

c) Intrusion detection and prevention tools such as SIEM, IDS, and IPS.

d) Network and system administration, security, and architecture.

e) Risk assessment and management methodologies and tools.

f) Audit planning, execution, reporting, and quality assurance.

g) Information Systems acquisition, development, implementation, and maintenance.

h) Information Systems operations and business resilience.

i) Protection of information assets and data privacy.

j) Regulatory compliance and standards such as GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and SOX.

Soft skills

Some of the soft skills that you need to excel as a CISA are:

a) Problem-solving and analytical thinking.

b) Communication and presentation skills.

c) Collaboration and teamwork skills.

d) Adaptability and flexibility.

e) Attention to detail and accuracy.

Conclusion

We hope this blog has given you everything that you need to know about CISA  Salary. The pay for an IT audit varies widely based on your level and the employer. With CISA certification, salary rises significantly as the amount of supervision and responsibility in your work increases. Large organisations are also more ready to spend to recruit talent. You must take this into account when choosing your professional path.