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I-MAC

About Certified Sharia Auditor (CSA)

CSA 

ASPECTS  DETAILS
Launch Year2023 
 Modules4
Practical Experience 1 year (PER) required
 Self-study Minimum 325 hours
Exam Centers 65+ Globally

Overview

Develops human resources for Shari’ah audit and compliance functions in Islamic finance, aligned with AAOIFI standards and global best practices.

 CategoryDetails 
 
Program Objective
Equip candidates to conduct Shari’ah audits and compliance reviews per AAOIFI standards and international best practices, emphasising practical applications.

 
Key Benefits
– Join 2800+ AAOIFI fellows across 74 countries
– Comprehensive learning covering audit, compliance, and governance
Learning Content
– AAOIFI standards (scholar-endorsed framework)
– Multidisciplinary coverage: Shari’ah audit, accounting, risk management
– Practical PER experience in Islamic financial institutions
Career Opportunities
– High demand for standards implementation experts
– Global recognition as benchmark qualification
– Backed by AAOIFI’s industry authority
 
Language
Arabic (currently).
Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree/professional qualification in accountancy and auditing

2025 Exam Deadlines
– April Exam: Register by 12 Mar 2025.
– September Exam: Register by 20 Aug 2025.
Curriculum
Exemption
Examinations
CSA Fellowship
Fee and Discount
Curriculum

Curriculum
CSA consists of four modules and a one-year practical experience requirement (PER).

ModuleDetails
Module 1
Shari’ah Standards (SS) – 25%
Module 2
Shari’ah Audit, Governance and Ethics (SAGE) – 35%

Module 3
Financial Accounting and Auditing (FAA) – 20%

Module 4Business and Regulatory Environment (BRE) – 20%

Practical Experience Requirement (PER)

Duration1 Year
Place of PER
Any pre-approved institution

Supervisor
Any pre-approved Shari’ah scholar

Deliverable
Submission of periodic and final reports to AAOIFI

Requirement 
Fulfilment of Shari’ah audit related work performed at IFIs

 Exemption
Provided on case-by-case basis. Alternative: Submit two 5,000-7,000 word research papers on pre-approved topics.
Exemption

Exemption
Module exemption(s) are generally offered as follows:

ModuleExemption
 Criteria
SS
CSAA or CSA fellowships

ISFDNo Exemption
ATS
CIPA or CSA fellowships

BRECIPA or CSA fellowships or any professional qualification by a body recognised by IFAC

PER Exemption

 
Partial (6-months exemption)
Full exemption
 3 years of experience in internal and/or external Shari’ah audits for an Islamic financial institution.
 
More than 3 years of experience in internal and/or external Shari’ah audit for an Islamic financial institution.
Examinations

Examination
The 2025 examination schedule is as follows:

Module
Window 1
 
Window 2
 
Duration (hrs)
Format
IFSD 14 April 2025 22 September 2025 3
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & scenario vignettes

ATS 15 April 2025 23 September 2025 2
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & scenario vignettes
BRE 
15 April 2025
 23 September 2025 2
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & scenario vignettes
SS 16 April 2025 24 September 20253 
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & scenario vignettes
CSA Fellowship

CSE Fellowship
To become a fellow of the CSA, the candidate must:

1  
Pass all four modules (or qualify for module exemption(s))
 2 
Earn a passing grade in PER
 3 
Meet the eligibility criteria
 4 
Pay any applicable dues

*For latest information, visit
www.aaoifi.com

Fee and Discount
 
Fees & Discounts
 
Details
 Program Fees USD 2,200 (includes registration fee, four study texts, four mock exams, four exam sittings, PER fee, and CSA certificate fee with postal expenses).
 
I-MAC Group Discount
Register with I-MAC
Or contact: info@i-mac.org
Discounted Fee 
Discounted fee does not include certificate postal charges
First Time Applicants: Apply Here
Applying For Remaining Modules: Apply Here
Re-appearing Applicant Apply here
First Time Applicants: Apply Here
Applying For Remaining Modules: Apply Here
Re-appearing Applicant Apply here