CIRA (Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor)
The only US-specific bankruptcy/restructuring credential; deeply embedded in Chapter 11 advisory practice and the restructuring specialist community.
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Visit Official Site →Founded
1992
HQ
Medford, OR, USA
Target Audience
Bankruptcy and restructuring professionals — financial advisors, accountants, lawyers, turnaround managers — practicing in Chapter 11, distressed M&A, and corporate workouts.
Key Features
- Three parts: Part 1 (Managing Turnaround/Bankruptcy Cases), Part 2 (Plan Development), Part 3 (Financial Reporting, Taxes & Ethics)
- Each part: 40-50 MCQ + multi-part essay, 4 hours
- AIRA-required coursework prerequisite: 60 hours of CIRA-related courses before sitting for exams (~$3500-$5000)
- Required: 5 years of professional experience in insolvency/restructuring + 4 cases experience
- 30 hours of CPE every 3 years for renewal
- ~1,000 active CIRAs in the US (highly specialized credential)
How to Get This Certification
Prerequisites
Active CPA, CFA, CTP, JD, or MBA OR 5+ years experience in business turnaround/insolvency advisory + 4 documented cases. AIRA membership required.
Why Get Certified — ROI
Salary Impact
CIRAs in advisory roles earn $150,000-$300,000+ total compensation at restructuring boutiques and Big-4 turnaround practices; CIRA premium difficult to isolate from base restructuring-advisor pay.
Career Benefits
- What makes this stand out
- The only US-specific bankruptcy/restructuring credential; deeply embedded in Chapter 11 advisory practice and the restructuring specialist community.
- Industry recognition
- AIRA proprietary; recognized in US bankruptcy court appointments and creditor-committee advisory roles.
Who Should Get This Certification
Ideal for:
- Bankruptcy and restructuring professionals — financial advisors
- accountants
- lawyers
- turnaround managers — practicing in Chapter 11
- distressed M&A
- and corporate workouts.
Consider alternatives if:
- Extremely niche — relevant only to bankruptcy/restructuring/turnaround practice
- Small community (~1,000 holders) limits broader visibility
How to Maintain This Certification
- Renewal cycle:
- 3 years
Pricing
Pricing varies.
Weaknesses
- Extremely niche — relevant only to bankruptcy/restructuring/turnaround practice
- Small community (~1,000 holders) limits broader visibility
- High total cost ($5,500-$7,500) for narrow scope
- Active cyclicality — credential demand correlates with recession/distressed-cycle timing
Markets Served
US
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links.
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