“As we operate in a global marketplace which is highly interconnected, the Certification for Bank Auditors is a clear need for internal bank auditors to keep abreast of these developments.”

TAN SRI AZMAN HASHIM, Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) has introduced the new Certification for Bank Auditors (CBA), which will include an emphasis on information technology audits.

Chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim said it has become important and relevant for internal auditors to adapt to the changing world of cybersecurity, especially when cyberattacks were one of the top risks to banks today.

“As we operate in a highly connected global marketplace, there is a clear need for internal bank auditors to keep abreast of these developments,” he told reporters after the launch of the certification here yesterday.

“The inclusion of an IT audit is very much opportune and needed with the industry going deeper into the banking 4.0 environment,” he added.

Azman said the CBA would replace the Certificate in Internal Auditing for Financial Institutions (CIAFIN), which was first introduced in 1998.

“As the complexity and intricacy of the internal auditing contents broaden and deepen, particularly with greater deployment of technology in the banking industry, AICB was compelled to revisit the CIAFIN,” he said.

Azman said the qualification would provide internal auditors the necessary knowledge and skills to help them discharge their duties more effectively and maintain the credibility of the audit process.

AICB chief executive Prasad Padmanaban said as the only professional body for banking professionals in the country, it would ensure the qualifications offered by the Institute reflected the high standards required by the industry.

“The CBA will raise the competencies of internal auditors to better understand business processes and align better with the broader organisational goals.”

Bank professionals who hold a degree, diploma or certificate with three years of audit experience can apply for the CBA qualification.

An accelerated route is also available for those with Certified Internal Auditor or professional accounting qualifications which are recognised by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) with three years banking audit experience.

The inclusion of an IT audit is very much opportune and needed with the industry going deeper into the banking 4.0 environment. TAN SRI AZMAN HASHIM Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers chairman