Built for Audit Leaders.
Designed for Strategic Leadership.
The Certified Chief Audit Executive® (cCAE®) is designed for professionals who want:
- To become a more strategic and influential audit leader
- Practical leadership skills they can apply immediately
- A recognized credential that demonstrates executive audit leadership
Complete your certification in as little as 30–60 days.
The Certified Chief Audit Executive® (cCAE®) is designed for current and aspiring Chief Audit Executives, Heads of Internal Audit, and senior audit leaders who want to elevate their leadership, strategic influence, and organizational impact.
While technical audit skills are essential, today's CAEs are expected to be trusted advisors who influence executive management, build strong board relationships, develop high-performing teams, and position internal audit as a strategic partner to the organization.
The cCAE certification goes beyond audit methodology to focus on the leadership competencies required to successfully lead a modern internal audit function. Participants develop practical skills in audit strategy, stakeholder management, executive communication, governance, risk oversight, talent development, change leadership, and demonstrating the value of internal audit.
Unlike certifications that primarily emphasize technical knowledge or exam preparation, the cCAE is built around real-world application. You'll gain actionable frameworks, proven practices, and practical tools that can be implemented immediately within your audit function.
Whether you are preparing for your first CAE role or looking to increase your effectiveness as an experienced audit executive, the Certified Chief Audit Executive® certification will help you become a more strategic, influential, and impactful leader.
Who Should Enroll?
- Current Chief Audit Executives (CAEs)
- Heads and Directors of Internal Audit
- Senior Audit Managers preparing for executive leadership
- Internal audit leaders responsible for strategy, governance, and stakeholder relationships
- Experienced auditors seeking to expand their executive leadership capabilities
What You'll Gain
- A strategic framework for leading a high-performing internal audit function
- Practical approaches for building credibility with executive management and the board
- Leadership techniques for developing and motivating audit teams
- Methods for aligning audit activities with organizational objectives and emerging risks
- Tools to increase internal audit's influence, insight, and organizational impact
- A respected professional credential demonstrating your commitment to audit leadership excellence
What You'll Gain
The Certified Chief Audit Executive® (cCAE™) is the only professional certification created specifically for Chief Audit Executives, Heads of Internal Audit, and senior audit leaders.
This isn't another technical audit course. It's a practical leadership program designed to help you successfully lead an internal audit function, strengthen your influence with executive management and the board, and maximize the value internal audit delivers to the organization.
Inside the Program, You'll Learn How To:
- Build and lead a high-performing internal audit function
- Develop an audit strategy aligned with organizational objectives
- Build credibility with executive management and the Audit Committee
- Navigate the dual reporting relationship with confidence
- Strengthen relationships with the CEO, CFO, General Counsel, and other executive leaders
- Effectively engage and communicate with the Audit Committee
- Conduct dynamic risk assessments that keep audit plans relevant
- Maximize the value of co-sourcing and external service providers
- Lead, coach, and develop high-performing audit teams
- Navigate organizational politics while maintaining trust and objectivity
- Communicate difficult messages with confidence and executive presence
- Position internal audit as a trusted strategic advisor—not just an assurance function
Why the cCAE Is Different
Most leadership skills required of a Chief Audit Executive are never taught in traditional audit certifications.
The cCAE focuses on the practical realities of leading an internal audit function—topics that experienced audit leaders deal with every day but rarely learn through technical training.
The program draws on decades of real-world experience from Chief Audit Executives who have led audit functions across multiple organizations and have coached hundreds of audit leaders around the world.
Whether you're preparing for your first CAE role or looking to become a more effective executive leader, the cCAE provides practical frameworks, proven strategies, downloadable tools, and immediately applicable resources you can use throughout your career.
Program Details
- 40 hours of on-demand video instruction
- Self-paced learning—complete the program on your schedule
- Downloadable tools, templates, and reference materials
- Final certification examination
- 40 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
- Earn the Certified Chief Audit Executive® (cCAE™) professional credential
After successfully completing the program, you'll have the confidence, knowledge, and executive leadership skills to lead a modern internal audit function while demonstrating your expertise through a respected professional certification that enhances your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and professional credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
How do I receive the cCAE™ designation?
Complete the course, study and take the exam that is included for free with the course. Once you pass the exam, you will submit an application (step-by-step details are included in the course) and 3-4 weeks later you will receive your cCAE™ designation via e-mail.
Do I need to get other materials or pay anything additional to get the cCAE designation?
No. Everything you need to get certified is included in the course. There is also no requirement to pay for renewal of the cCAE designation. Once you obtain it, you can use the designation for life.
What if I don't pass the cCAE™ exam?
You need to get a 70% or better score to pass the cCAE™ exam. The exam is 50 multiple choice questions, based on the material from the course. You take the exam as part of the course from your computer or device. There is no testing center requirement. If you don't pass the exam, you can take it again as many times as you need until you pass.
What is the format of the course?
This is a video lecture format course, so you can listen to the lectures as if you were in an in-person course. There is a participant workbook for taking notes and preparing for the exam.
Your instructor
Jason Mefford is an acclaimed authority in internal audit, risk management, and compliance with a career distinguished by leadership roles such as Chief Audit Executive, Chief Risk Officer, and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer. His extensive experience extends to his service as an influential Board Member and a seasoned mentor guiding professionals through the intricacies of corporate governance. Having trained and consulted for organizations around the globe, Jason's expertise lies not only in imparting the technical know-how but in developing the essential soft skills that empower audit executives and committee members to skilfully navigate the complex terrain of today's business landscape. His approach to teaching is rooted in transformation and simplification, turning the multifaceted challenges of organizations into manageable, proactive solutions.
Recognized for his innovative contributions to the field, Jason's work has earned him prestigious accolades such as the Rising Star in Corporate Governance from Yale University and nominations for both Thought Leader of the Year and Rising Star in Corporate Governance Award. As a Fellow with the Open Compliance & Ethics Group (OCEG) Think Tank, he continually shapes the conversation around governance, risk, and compliance (GRC). His passion for education and transformation in audit leadership is infused in his teaching, providing a rich, engaging experience for all students in the Certified Chief Audit Executive® (cCAE™) course.
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Angelique Knight-Jackson—Head of Internal Audit for Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas—shares her unconventional rise into internal audit, the challenges that shaped her, and the pivotal decision to enroll in the Certified Chief Audit Executive® (cCAE) course.
Earn Confidence, Respect and Executive Presence
Learn how the Certified Chief Audit Executive® will help you feel more confident, get the respect of others and increase your executive presence as a leader.
Curious About What's Included in the Course?
Here's a sneak peek of just a few minutes of the actual content videos on this 40 hour learning opportunity.
Curriculum
- Thinking and Talking Strategically Instead of Tactically (17:03)
- New Roles You Have as a Leader (34:04)
- Thinking Like and Talking to the CEO (24:58)
- Managing the Expectations of Others (18:50)
- Getting What You Need by Giving Others What They Need (15:02)
- Developing Your Leadership Style (7:16)
- 7 Habits of Highly Successful CAEs (41:28)
- BONUS: Being Present as a Mindful Leader (51:23)
- Risk Management Introduction (3:38)
- Nature of Risk (30:50)
- Steps to Risk Management (28:58)
- Risk Language (12:56)
- Risk Models (15:05)
- Categories Levels and Functions (15:58)
- Calculating Performance Risk and Compliance (47:54)
- Internal Controls (38:44)
- Risk Management Frameworks (30:47)
- Calculating Exposure Example (17:30)
- Calculating Exposure Example - Correction (7:32)
- Risk-Based Planning and Centric Approaches (8:18)
- Continuous Risk Assessment, Annual Plan vs. Forecast (8:33)
- Risk Based + Stakeholder Expectations (5:45)
- Types of Projects (8:28)
- Combined Assurance Plan and Integrated Teams (8:35)
- Assurance vs Advisory - Finding the Right Mix (31:23)
- BONUS: Tactics and Courage to Appraise Corporate Culture (49:32)
- Agile Auditing and Data Analytics (4:07)
- BONUS: Making the Mindset Shift to Agile (51:47)
- BONUS: Agile Auditing: Best Practices for an EASY Implementation (55:53)
- BONUS: Agile Auditing: Lessons Learned for Successful Implementation (67:24)
- BONUS: Data Analytics Anyone Can Do (49:01)
- BONUS: Data Analytics for Internal Audit 101 (60:55)
- BONUS: Data Analytics: Choose Your Own Adventure (50:54)
- Resourcing Models (7:35)
- Rotational and Feeder Talent Approach (7:20)
- Recruiting and Hiring (25:24)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (36:27)
- IT Skills vs. IT Auditors (4:44)
- BONUS: What Every Auditor Needs To Know About IT Audit (46:46)
- Motivating Your Staff (25:15)
- Progressive Discipline (13:10)
- Delegation and Empowerment (8:44)
- Learning and Development (12:57)