CISA
14 articles on CISA.
CISA is a judgement test, not a knowledge test
Most CISA candidates don't fail because they studied too little. They fail because they studied the wrong way. Here's the examiner's logic, and a four-step way to beat it.
FIRST, BEST, MOST: the small words that decide your CISA score
Qualifier words change the right answer completely. A short guide to reading them like an examiner, with the patterns behind each one.
How I Aced My CISA Exam on the First Attempt in 2010
How I passed CISA first time in 2010 with no IT background, no coaching and no online courses: the study material, routine and mindset that worked.
CIA vs CISA: Let’s Stop This Outdated Argument Right Now
“CIA is real audit, CISA is just IT.” Why that view is out of date, what each certification really covers, and how they work together.
Why an IT System is exactly like an onion
New to IT? What a “system” really is, explained in layers like an onion: input, process, output and the controls around them.
The Biggest Myth About the CISA Exam
CISA is not a hacking exam, an accounting exam or an engineering test. What it really tests, and how that should change the way you study.
Why good IT people fail CISA (and how to fix it)
Why experienced IT professionals fail CISA: they answer like engineers, not auditors. The four traps and how to fix each one.
I Got the CISA Book… Now What?!
Bought the CISA Review Manual and don’t know where to start? Three practical ways to begin, even if you feel confused and unmotivated.
How to gain IS Audit experience for CISA
Passed CISA but told you lack IS audit experience? Practical ways to build real IT audit experience from the job you already have.
Certifications: Alphabet Soup or Real Value?
CISA, CIA, CISM, CRISC: do certifications matter, or is experience enough? A balanced look at when letters after your name add real value.
Is the CISA Review Manual (CRM) too technical?
Is the CISA Review Manual too technical if you’re not from IT? What’s really in it, domain by domain, and how much tech knowledge you need.
Why Accountants & Finance Professionals Should Consider CISA
From accounting or finance? Why CISA is a strong next step: IT is everywhere, and you become the link between finance, audit and IT.
How to Read the CISA Review Manual (CRM) as a Beginner
The CISA Review Manual is long and dense. A step-by-step way to read it as a beginner so the concepts actually stick.
Control Objectives and Control Activities
The difference between a control objective (what you want to achieve) and a control activity (how you achieve it), with practical steps for new auditors.