In my neck of the woods CQA and CQE/T does add to the esteem/salary/opportunities. But then our ASQ is very well recognized and active around here.
The difference? CQA has been around longer. In the beginning RAB recognized it...then RAB got $$$$$$ hungry and wanted its own courses out there "control".
The CQA prep classes are geared for refreshing/preparing for the exam. The content isn't typically taught to you. Its a body of knowledge that is acquired and tested. A peer recognition. The tests are similiar to the CQE, but more subjective. You cannot typically look up the answer in your reference material. I found it harder than The CQE...but then when I took it, there were no prep courses offered, we were totally on our own (way back at exam #2).
I now teach a CQA refresher, as well as an IRCA Lead auditor course.
The RAB stuff is taught as they like it, and if you are quick, decisive and fairly smart, and can follow directions to a T ... you'll pass. I know of 4 people with ZERO Quality experience and Zero auditing experience scoring better than 95% in different classes/instructors. The more you know, the more you need to forget to answer stuff their way. Once you bring in a preconcieved notion, you get in trouble evaluating your evidence.
In my opinion, CQA is plenty for a companies internal audit training. A great base for the skill. The RAB/IRCA courses cover lots more standard specific information as well as regiment for stress control while auditing for a living....lots of stuff not required for process auditors.
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