Overview of programme
You will soon be undertaking the ACA/CTA joint programme qualification, administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England & Wales (ICAEW) and the Chartered Institute of Tax (CIOT). Becoming a qualified member of the ICAEW and CIOT typically takes four years and consists of 17 examinations, 450 days of practical work experience and compliance with ethical and professional scepticism requirements.
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This guide is designed to tell you everything you need to know about your ACA/CTA qualification.
Professional qualification
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The ACA / CTA Joint Programme Qualification is split into three Levels – Certificate, Professional and Advanced.
Certificate level
The Certificate Level consists of 6 papers to introduce the basic concepts around key topics
such as Accounting, Assurance and Tax. They are tested via computer based exams, predominantly multiple choice while some papers have longer questions. The pass mark is 55%.
Professional level
You will complete five out of the six ACA Professional Level papers which build on your
knowledge from Certificate Level, and start to test your ability to apply knowledge to client scenarios. The pass mark is 55%.
Instead of the ACA Business planning paper, you will complete a CTA specialist paper in one of three areas – Taxation of Major Corporates, Owner-Managed Businesses or Indirect Tax. These papers have a pass mark of 50%.
Advanced level
At the Advanced Level, there are three papers: Corporate Reporting, Strategic Business
Management and Advanced Case Study. The pass mark is 50%.
CTA specific papers
In order to secure your CTA qualification, you will be expected to sit two further CTA papers:
- A Professional Responsibilities and Ethics computer based assessment (60% pass mark)
- Your final CTA paper (50% pass mark).
Online resources
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MyKaplan
Your ACA-CTA learning materials are all accessed through the MyKaplan portal. You will receive access to this through an email invitation, once you have been enrolled on your first course. You can access this system from work or home via your desktop, tablet or handheld device.
There are numerous resources you can access on MyKaplan, including:
- Introduction to study guides
- Course Materials
- Recordings of your online lectures
- Online tutorials breaking down the syllabus
- E-Learning segments
- Mini mock and full mock assessments
- Exam and revision technique
Other considerations
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ICAEW/CIOT Requirements
As you are completing the ACA/CTA Joint Programme qualification, you will be required to also complete the following to comply with the ICAEW and CIOT’s requirements.
ICAEW:
- You must accumulate and show evidence of at least 450 days of Practical Work Experience (one working day is seven hours). Practical Work Experience (PWE) is work experience of a financial, business and/or commercial nature
- Complete the CTA online Ethics Learning programme including the Ethics assessment which can be accessed from your online training file.
CIOT:
- Complete the CTA Ethics computer based assessment
- The CIOT requires 3 years of relevant Practical Work Experience.
Support
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Tutor
Your Kaplan tutors are industry experts and will support you with any part of your
professional qualification.
Outside of the classroom we also have our dedicated Academic Support team to support with technical subject matter related queries. They can be contacted via Live Chat, Request a Call-back or email. Contact details for tutors and Academic Support will be provided through MyKaplan at the start of your course.
Exam Manager
Your Exam Manager will support you through your professional qualification. They will monitor your course attendance, review your performance in mock / real exams as well as oversee your progress throughout the qualification.
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)
If you require specific support due to a diagnosed condition Kaplan can support you with additional resources. If you need clarification on reasonable adjustments you may be eligible for, or require support in your reasonable adjustment applications to any professional bodies for your exams, please contact deloittestudentservices@kaplan.co.uk who will be able to refer you to our SENCo.
Next steps
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The next section outlines key tasks for you to complete ahead of joining the firm. Please read the following checklist carefully and ensure you complete these tasks before your start date:
- Register with ICAEW/CIOT once you have received your actual grades (degree or A-level). You will receive guidance from Deloitte on how to complete your ICAEW/CIOT student registration via email. A Q&A webinar will also take place at the end of July / early August allowing you to raise any questions which haven’t been addressed by the guidance. You will receive further information from Deloitte in due course.
- If applicable, apply for exemptions/credit for prior learning, and/or access arrangement with the ICAEW/CIOT.
If you wish to enquire about your Kaplan courses please email deloittestudentservices@kaplan.co.uk