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The following is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the CITP credential:
How does the CITP credential differ from other information technology credentials, such as the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)?
How is this credential different from the Information Systems Audit and Control Associations (ISACA) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)?
What is the relationship between the AICPA IT Section membership and the CITP Credential?
Do I have to be a CPA and member of the AICPA to apply?
Do I need an active license to practice public accounting to become a CITP?
Is there a way I can quickly assess whether I qualify?
I have assessed that I may qualify, what is the next step?
The material I've read discusses a point system. How many points do I need to qualify?
I am a member in industry, does my experience in industry count towards the business experience requirement?
How long will it take to get the results of my application?
How long do I have to meet the 100 point requirement once I am notified?
I was notified that I met the requirements, what happens next?
What is the correct use of the CITP credential?
May a firm include the credential "Certified Information Technology Professionals" or "CITP" on its letterhead and in marketing materials?
If I am no longer a member of the AICPA, can I still use the CITP credential?
I am reinstating my AICPA Membership, can I reinstate my CITP Credential?
When does the initial three-year period for recertification begin?
My question or issue hasn't been addressed in this FAQ. Now what?
Q. How does the CITP credential differ from other information technology credentials, such as the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)?
A. The CITP, unlike other credentialing programs, is awarded only to CPAs who are members of the AICPA. Accordingly, this credential mandates the highest professional standards of any information technology credential. The CITP combines information assurance and information management expertise that makes a CPA among the most trusted business advisor. The CITP serves as the "bridge" between business and technology leveraging the CPA's strategic and general business skills.
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Q. How is this credential different from the Information Systems Audit and Control Associations (ISACA) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)?
A. The CITP credential is a focused credential that focuses on information assurance and business insight required to bridge the gap between company management and the technology. The CISA credential strictly focuses on the skills and knowledge required to perform information systems audits.
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Q. What is the relationship between the AICPA IT Section membership and the CITP Credential?
A. The CITP Credential is a specialty credential that is open to AICPA members who have satisfied the necessary requirements to become a CITP. All CITPs are automatically enrolled in the IT Membership Section. The automatic enrollment into the IT Membership Section does not require you to pay the annual IT Membership Section dues of $200. IT Membership Section benefits are part of your CITP benefits. The IT Section is a voluntary membership section that is open to all members of the AICPA. There are no special qualifications to join the IT Membership Section, other than paying annual AICPA dues and annual section fees. Section membership is not a prerequisite or a guarantee to attaining the CITP Credential, however, the information and educational opportunities provided to members of the IT Section may be helpful to applicants who are looking to increase their IT competency.
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Q. Do I have to be a CPA and member of the AICPA to apply?
A. Yes. The CITP credential is granted only by the AICPA. To qualify for the CITP credential, you must be a full member in good standing of the AICPA and hold a valid and unrevoked CPA certificate issued by a legally constituted state authority.
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Q. Do I need an active license to practice public accounting to become a CITP?
A. No. To qualify for the CITP credential, you must hold a valid and unrevoked certified public accountant certificate issued by a legally constituted state, and an active member of the AICPA. You need not have an active CPA license.
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Q. Is there a way I can quickly assess whether I qualify?
A. If you answer yes to the following four questions, then you’re well on your way…..
1. Are you a member in good standing at the AICPA?
2. Do you hold an unrevoked CPA certificate issued by a state authority?
3. Did you practice in the field of accounting for 5 years or more?
4. Have you averaged 2,000 or more business experience hours (associated with the body of knowledge) in the past five years?
5. Have you averaged 200 hours continuing education hours (associated with the body of knowledge) in the past five years?
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Q. I have assessed that I may qualify, what is the next
step?
A. Go to www.aicpa.org/citp, complete a CITP Application form and submit it along with your Enrollment fee to the mailing address indicated on the form. Alternatively, you may fax a copy of the form indicating your credit card information to the fax number indicated on the form.
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Q. The material I've read discusses a point system. How many points do I need to qualify?
A. To be awarded the CITP credential, a CPA must earn 100 total points, which will be awarded based on business experience and life long learning relevant to the CITP Body of Knowledge. Please see the CITP Credential Application Kit for a more detailed description of the point system.
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Q. I am a member in industry, does my experience in industry count towards the business experience requirement?
A. Yes. The CITP is a broad-based credential available to CPAs with a wide range of Information Management skills and experience. It is open to all members in public practice, consulting, industry, government and education. Members may earn points for business experience in a variety of ways – by performing technology or technology-enabled services for clients or within their own firms or organizations, or by teaching technology-related courses at accredited universities.
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Q. How long will it take to get the results of my application?
A. You will receive an email from us with the status of your application within three weeks of submission.
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Q. How long do I have to meet the 100 point requirement once I am notified?
A. We will hold your application open for 120 days. If we have not heard from you within that time, your application will be considered closed and you will need to reapply.
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Q. I was notified that I met the requirements, what happens next?
A. Shortly after receiving notification that you have satisfied the experience and life-long learning requirements, you will received a CITP Welcome Kit in the mail. You may begin using the CITP credential at this time.
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Q. What is the correct use of the CITP credential?
A. The use of “CITP” on letterheads, business cards, and other marketing materials is governed by the rules of the board of accountancy in the state(s) in which you practice. The AICPA does not currently have a prescribed format for the credential.
Most state accountancy laws are currently silent on whether CPAs can use the specialty credential. In 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Ibanez case, which held that states cannot prohibit a CPA from using a specialty credential, such as the CITP credential, unless there is factual proof of real or potential harm. If you check with your state board and run into a problem in using the credential, contact us at citp@aicpa.org.
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Q. May a firm include the credential "Certified Information Technology Professionals" or "CITP" on its letterhead and in marketing materials?
A. The CITP is an individual credential and not a firm credential. However, it is permissible under AICPA Ethics Rule 502 for a firm to hold itself out as Certified Information Technology Professionals and to use the CITP credential on its letterhead and in marketing materials if all partners or shareholders of the firm currently have the CITP credential. State accountancy rules may impose other restrictions.
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Q. If I am no longer a member of the AICPA, can I still use the CITP credential?
A. No. Only AICPA members in good standing can use the CITP credential. If your AICPA membership is terminated, you will no longer be able to use the CITP credential and your CITP certificate must be returned to the AICPA.
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Q. I am reinstating my AICPA Membership, can I reinstate my CITP Credential?
A. If you wish to reinstate your CITP Credential, please email us at citp@aicpa.org once your AICPA Membership is in good standing and we will be happy to assist you.
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Q. When does the initial three-year period for recertification begin?
A. The period begins the month after you attain CITP status and ends on December 31st of your third year as a credential-holder. For example, if you received the CITP credential on June 30, 2006, you would need to complete your recertification requirements by December 31, 2009. Your next recertification period would then begin January 1, 2010 and end December 31, 2012. At the end of your recertification period, you will be asked to certify to the AICPA that you have met these requirements.
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Q. My question or issue hasn't been addressed in this FAQ. Now what?
A. For more information, please send an e-mail to
citp@aicpa.org.
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