AAOIFI
Certified Sharia Auditor (CSA)
CSA at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2023 |
| Modules | 4 |
| Practical Experience | 1 year (PER) required |
| Self-Study | Minimum 325 hours |
| Exam Centers | 65+ globally |
Program Overview
| Certified Shari’ah Auditor (CSA) | |
|---|---|
| Develops human resources for Shari’ah audit and compliance functions in Islamic finance, aligned with AAOIFI standards and global best practices. | |
| Category | Details |
| Program Objective | Equip candidates to conduct Shari’ah audits and compliance reviews per AAOIFI standards and international best practices, emphasizing 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 |
Key Notes
- Focus: Combines Shari’ah principles with practical finance applications.
- Recognition: Backed by AAOIFI, a leading Islamic finance standards body.
Curriculum
Exemption
Examinations
CSE Fellowship
Fee and Discount
Curriculum
| Curriculum | |
|---|---|
| CSA consists of four modules and a one-year practical experience requirement (PER). | |
| Module | Details |
| 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 4 | Business and Regulatory Environment (BRE) – 20% |
| Practical Experience Requirement (PER) | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year |
| Place of PER | Any pre-approved institution |
| Supervisor | Any pre-approved Shari’ah auditor |
| 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: | |
| Module | Exemption Criteria |
| SS | CSAA or CSE fellowships |
| SAGE | No exemption |
| FAA | CIPA fellowships |
| BRE | CIPA or CSE 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 audit 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
| Examinations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The 2025 examination schedule is as follows: | ||||
| Module | Window 1 | Window 2 | Duration (hrs) | Format |
| SAGE | 14 April 2025 | 22 September 2025 | 3 | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & scenario vignettes |
| FAA | 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 2025 | 3 | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & scenario vignettes |
CSE Fellowship
| CSA 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). |
| TAIF Group Discount | Register with TAIF Learning to avail discount. Or contact us at contact@taiflearning.com. |
| TAIF Discount for Non-GCC | USD 770 |
| TAIF Discount for GCC | USD 1,430 |
| 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
Training and Awareness of Islamic Finance.
contact@taiflearning.com
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