1. Structure
The structure of the qualification is as follows:
- Complete all ACA Certificate and Professional exams with exception of ACA Business Planning Tax (BPT)
- Sit a CTA Advanced Technical paper in place of the ACA Business Planning Tax (BPT) paper - either Advanced Technical Taxation of Major Corporates (TOMC) or Advanced Technical Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses (OMB)
- Complete all ACA Advanced Level exams
- Pass one further CTA Advanced Technical paper or the CTA Application Paper
- Pass the Professional Responsibilities and Ethics CBE. The ethics and law CBEs must be passed before you have entered for your last CTA paper.
Entry requirements
Students can register to join the joint programme on day one of their ACA training agreement, or part way through, as long as they work in tax. You don’t need any prior tax knowledge, but must demonstrate ongoing tax work experience to complete the qualification.
The following circumstances also apply:
- ACA: You must not have completed the Professional Level Business Planning paper
- CTA: You must not have completed two CTA Advanced Technical papers
Do note that you must register with the CTA as a joint programme student at least four months in advance of taking your first CTA exam. The ethics and law CBE's must be passed before you have entered for your last CTA paper.
Syllabus
CTA
Advanced Technical Papers
Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 4 days (tuition), 4 days (revision)
Live Online daytime: 4 sessions (tuition), 4 sessions (revision)
Live Online evening: 8 sessions (tuition), 4 sessions (revision)
Distance Learning: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: written exam
You’ll learn how to identify and solve tax issues in owner-managed businesses. You’ll cover taxes applicable to both incorporated and unincorporated businesses, to include Income Tax, National Insurance, Capital Gains Tax, and Corporation tax, and use your judgement and technical knowledge to assess tax and answer tax problems.
Taxation of Major Corporates
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 5 days (tuition), 4 days (revision)
Live Online daytime: 5 sessions (tuition), 4 sessions (revision)
Distance Learning: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: written exam
You’ll gain an understanding of the legislation and technical knowledge needed to find and solve tax issues that are found in major corporates, primarily FTSE 100 and FTSE 350 companies; to encompass Corporation Tax, Capital Gains in relation to corporates and groups, and Stamp Duty.
Application Paper
Do note: from 2019, the Application-level exam will become compulsory. The Application exam itself will be revised with a pre-seen scenario released two weeks ahead of the exam. This will be assessed on a competency basis, with a stronger focus on advisory and writing skills.
Where the CTA Application Paper is selected as your second CTA paper the question selected must be the same tax specialism as the CTA Advanced Technical (formerly Advisory) paper sat as your first CTA paper, as follows:
- Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses
- Taxation of Major Corporates
Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days (tuition), 2 days (revision) + half day Live Online session (revision)
Live Online daytime: 3 sessions (tuition), 2.5 sessions (revision)
Distance Learning: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: written exam
You’ll learn the skills needed to apply the knowledge gained in sitting the Advanced Technical (formerly Advisory) Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses paper and the Awareness paper to a practical case study, and to demonstrate how the various taxes interact. You’ll learn how to interpret and explain complex tax matters and to provide relevant advice to a client. You’ll also gain an understanding of the presentation and writing skills needed to achieve the higher skills marks awarded in this paper.
Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days (tuition), 2 days (revision) + half day Live Online session (revision)
Live Online daytime: 3 sessions (tuition), 2.5 sessions (revision)
Distance Learning: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: written exam
You’ll learn the skills needed to apply the knowledge gained in sitting the Advanced Technical (formerly Advisory) Taxation of Major Corporates paper and the Awareness paper to a practical case study, and to demonstrate how the various taxes interact. You’ll learn how to interpret and explain complex tax matters and to provide relevant advice to a client. You’ll also gain an understanding of the presentation and writing skills needed to achieve the higher skills marks awarded in this paper.
Computer-based exams
Professional Responsibilities and Ethics
- Number of lessons: e-learning tutorials: 6
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
This CBE will test your understanding of the obligations of a Chartered Tax Adviser in the areas of Professional Responsibilities and Ethics.
ACA
ACA Certificate
Accounting (AC)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 7 days
Live Online: 14 sessions (half days)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (7 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how to use double-entry accounting to record transactions, adjust financial records, and prepare non-complex financial statements.You’ll be able to spot and correct mistakes in accounting records and financial statements, and identify each component in statements.
Assurance (AS)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days
Live Online: 6 sessions (half days)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (3 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn about the assurance process and the principles of ethics. You’ll be able to explain the nature of internal controls, specify weaknesses, choose the appropriate methods of finding assurance evidence, and understand the importance of ethical and professional behavior.
Business, Technology and Finance (BTF)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: n/a
Live Online: n/a
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (3 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how businesses operate, and how finance helps businesses accomplish their targets. You’ll be able to identify business objectives, the purpose of financial information, the role of the accountant, governance management, the impact of business on the economic environment, and key features, benefits, and risks of technologies.
Law (LW)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: n/a
Live Online: n/a
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (3 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn the principles of English law, and explain contractual agreements, the consequences of negligence, the legal ramifications of incorporation, and insolvency law. You’ll learn how to identify criminal activities found by professional accountants, and find areas where the law affects the duties of an accountant.
Management Information (MI)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 4 days
Live Online: 8 sessions (half days)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (3 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how to prepare financial information related to the management of a business. You’ll be able to specify the costs associated with the production of products and provision of services to determine price, choose suitable budgeting approaches and methods, specify crucial aspects of effective performance management systems, and calculate appropriate data used in management decision making.
Principles of Taxation (PTX)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 4 days
Live Online: 8 sessions (half days)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (3 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn about taxation and how to work out income tax, National Insurance contributions, capital gains tax, corporate tax, and VAT. You’ll be able to identify ethical issues in performing tax work, and recognise how the UK tax system affects individuals and businesses.
ACA Professional
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 5 days including 2 personalised days (Knowledge), 3 days (Application), 4 days (Exam Preparation)
Live Online: 10 sessions, including 4 personalised (Knowledge), 6 sessions (Application), 8 sessions (Exam Preparation)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (12 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll have to choose between two different frameworks, IFRS and UK GAAP. This means you’ll study the financial reporting framework most relevant to your employer and clients.
Financial Accounting and Reporting: IFRS
You’ll learn how to prepare complete single entity and consolidated financial statements according to IFRS Standards. After completing this unit, you’ll also be able to explain the limitations of financial statements, the application of IFRS, and the differences between IFRS and UK GAAP.
Financial Accounting and Reporting: UK GAAP
You’ll learn how to prepare complete single entity and consolidated financial statements according to FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard, applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. After completing this unit, you’ll also be able to explain the limitations of financial statements, the application of UK GAAP, and the differences between UK GAAP and IFRS.
Audit and Assurance (AA)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 2 days, including 1 personalised day (Knowledge), 1 day (Application), 3 days (Exam Preparation)
Live Online: 4 sessions, including 2 personalised (Knowledge), 2 sessions (Application), 6 sessions (Exam Preparation)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (6 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn about the essentials of managing an assurance engagement: acceptance, planning, managing, concluding, and reporting. You’ll also learn to advise of regulatory, professional, and ethical issues in assurance engagements; understand the processes and planning involved; and report in agreement with the terms of the engagements.
Taxation Compliance (TC)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 4 days, including 2 personalised days (Knowledge), 4 days (Application), 3 days (Exam Preparation)
Live Online: 8 sessions, including 4 personalised (Knowledge), 8 sessions (Application), 6 sessions (Exam Preparation)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (11 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how to prepare tax computations for individuals and companies. In this unit, you’ll gain the understanding to recognise ethical issues in performing tax work, and calculate: VAT, stamp taxes, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporation tax liabilities, and National Insurance.
Financial Management (FM)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days, including 2 personalised days (Knowledge), 3 days (Application), 3 days (Exam Preparation) Live
Live Online: 6 sessions, including 2 personalised (Knowledge), 6 sessions (Application), 6 sessions (Exam Preparation)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (9 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how to suggest solutions to financing a business, and manage financial risks to make investment decisions. When you complete this unit, you’ll be able to identify capital requirements and risks facing a business, and use applicable appraisal techniques in investment decisions.
Business Strategy and Technology (BST)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 2 days, including 1 personalised days (Knowledge), 2 days (Application), 3 days (Exam Preparation)(Knowledge), 3 days (Application), 4 days (Exam Preparation)
Live Online: 4 sessions, including 2 personalised (Knowledge), 4 sessions (Application), 6 sessions (Exam Preparation)
Flexible Online: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how companies establish and carry out strategy, considering ethical ramifications. Upon completing this unit, you’ll be able to: analyse the aftermath of a company’s objectives, use of technology, and market position; use data to judge strategic decisions and recommend strategies; and recommend suitable ways to carry out strategy and measure performance.
ACA Advanced
Corporate Reporting (CR)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days (Knowledge), 4 days (Application), 4 days (Exam Preparation).(Knowledge), 3 days (Application), 4 days (Exam Preparation)
Live Online: 22 sessions
Flexible Online: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: paper-based exam
You’ll learn how to employ your technical knowledge, analytical techniques and professional aptitude to resolve compliance and business ideas in corporate reports and auditing. You’ll learn how to analyse financial statements across a range of industries over time, explain the control and planning used in auditing, create and evaluate corporate reporting policies, and identify and explain ethical issues.
Strategic Business Management (SBM)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 2 days (Knowledge), 2 days (Application), 3 days (Exam Preparation)
Live Online: 14 sessions
Flexible Online: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: paper-based exam
You’ll demonstrate your quantitative and qualitative skills to make business recommendations in complex scenarios. You’ll apply professional judgement to examine quantitative and qualitative data from many sources, to evaluate different solutions. When you complete this unit, you’ll be able to evaluate the implications of strategic choices and recommend strategies to achieve stakeholder objectives; advise appropriate finance requirements and evaluate financial risks; use ethics to determine safeguards against threat; explain and implement assurance; and interpret and apply corporate reporting.
Case Study (CS)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days (Knowledge), 2 days (Application), 5 days (Exam Preparation).(Knowledge), 3 days (Application), 4 days (Exam Preparation)
Live Online: 20 sessions
Flexible Online: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: paper-based exam
The Case Study assess your knowledge of complex business issues, using everything you’ve learned across all three levels. You’ll use your ability to analyse financial and non-financial data, and use professional and ethical reasoning to provide insight and solutions. Ahead of the exam, you’ll be given background details (known at ‘Advance Information’) on the organisation and its business environment. The exam is 4 hours long. All areas of the syllabus may be tested over time.
2. Study methods
Do you prefer face-to-face learning? Online learning in your own time? Have family or work commitments? We have study methods that suit different learning styles, to fit around your life. You’ll benefit from award-winning tutors, practical learning methods, and ongoing support, even after your exams.
Study methods available for this qualification
You can be confident in your exams whatever study method you choose, as we offer hundreds of practice questions and marked mock exams. We provide expert support during evenings and weekends, and we have flexible study methods and course start dates.
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Study method comparison table
A traditional scheduled programme with face to face tutor-led classes.
The same as classroom, but live interactive online classes at a set time.
- Live lectures delivered online by a tutor
- Re-watch and replay lessons through recordings
Self study online modules for you to work through at your own pace.
- Study remotely with printed and online materials
- Includes a variety of online resources and course exams
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Flexible Online (ACA only) ›
With online study materials you can study from anywhere, with internet, at your own pace.
- Tutors available by MyKaplan
3. Exams and sittings
Timings and working towards a sitting
In years one and two, you’ll take your ACA Certificate and Professional papers, replacing ACA Business Tax (BPT) with a CTA Advanced Technical paper. In year three, you’ll sit your ACA Advanced Level papers and then in year four, you’ll sit your final CTA paper.
How long does it take to pass?
The joint programme is designed to be completed in three to four years, including work experience, but this can vary depending on how you study and the study pathways chosen. You can apply for ICAEW membership when you’ve passed the necessary ACA papers, and then apply for CIOT membership when you’ve passed completed the necessary CTA papers.
Find out more about ACA
Find out more about CTA
4. Study materials and delivery costs
ACA study materials
Classroom and Live Online students will receive printed and online study materials.
Materials included in the price of every course:
Kaplan workbook
Kaplan produced workbook that brings out key areas of the syllabus, integrates with online content and provides question practice.
ICAEW materials
Purchased in addition to course price but needed for every paper.
ICAEW study manual
Examining body (ICAEW) manual of all technical content that could be examined.
ICAEW question bank
Examining body past exam questions that are set in class.
ACA Certificate
£32.50
ACA Professional
£45.00
ACA Advanced
£87.50
Open books
These materials are specific to the paper you're studying and are purchased in addition to the course price.
IFRS book
ACA Professional - You will need this book if you have selected the Financial Accounting and Reporting IFRS framework option.
ACA Advanced - Compulsory for Corporate Reporting (CR) as this book is required to assist you in your studies for the Corporate Reporting paper.
UK Accounting Standards and Company Law
You will need this book if you have selected the Financial Accounting and Reporting (UK GAAP) framework option.
Hardman's Tax Rates and Tables
This book is needed for when you study the Taxation Compliance paper and if you select the Business Planning: Taxation unit.
Practice Notes (19 and 20)
You will need this book if you have selected either the Business Planning: Insurance or Business Planning: Banking units.
Audit Standards book
ACA Professional - This book is required to assist you in your studies for the Audit & Assurance paper.
ACA Advanced - This book is required to assist you in your studies for the Corporate Reporting paper.
CTA study materials
The following materials are included in each CTA tuition course:
All study methods include online and printed materials. These differ depending what study method you choose to study with.
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Study Programme
The Study Programme provides you with detailed guidance on all the key aspects of your CTA course. It recommends how you should organise your studies to ensure you cover all of the content, and to use the resources in the best way to achieve exam success.
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Study Manuals & accompanying Question Banks
The Study Manuals cover the syllabus for each course and are the key source of your learning material. The Question Banks are designed to test your understanding of the fundamental principles covered in each chapter in the corresponding Study Manual.
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Course Workbooks & Workbook Q&A
The Course Workbooks are available if you’re a Classroom or Live Online student. These detail the core areas of the syllabus which will be covered during the Classroom and Live Online courses, incorporating worked examples. Additional questions to attempt in class are provided in the workbook Q&A section.
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Pre-revision question bank
The pre-revision question bank contains more challenging questions for you to consolidate your knowledge of the full syllabus for each paper.
The following materials are included in each CTA revision course:
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Revision question bank
The revision question bank contains exam standard questions and recent past papers (all with answers updated to the relevant Finance Act), providing excellent final preparation for the exam.
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Memory joggers
The memory joggers contain short summaries of the key rules covered in each chapter of the study manuals and also include any useful proformas. They are designed to refresh your knowledge on any areas you’re stuck on as you work your way through the revision question bank.
Please note:Pre-revision QB and Memory Joggers are not applicable for application papers.
Ethics and Law CBE study manual must be purchased from CIOT. There is no workbook, pre-revision QB or Memory Joggers
Delivery costs
subscriptions
How much it costs to deliver your study materials and how long it takes depends on where in the world you live.
If you’re completing a Classroom course, your course workbook will be provided on the first day of your course. If you're completing a Live Online course, you will need to download and/or print off a copy of the course workbook ahead of the first day of your course.
Delivery fees are as follows:
UK and NI - £7 for the first package, £7 for subsequent packages
EU - £30 for the first package, £30 for subsequent packages
Rest of the World - £50 for the first package, £50 for subsequent packages
A package relates to all the materials for a specific subject, for example CTA Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses or ACA Management Information (MI). If purchasing a course for more than one subject, the additional package charges will apply.
Delivery fees are capped at 3 x the cost, per single order. So, if you buy 5 courses for UK delivery in a single order, it will be £7 x 3, rather than £7 x 5.
Our standard delivery times are:
UK – 3 to 5 working days
EU – 5 to 7 working days
Rest of the World – 7 to 10 working days*
*Subject to availability.
Delivery charges apply to all Distance Learning, OnDemand and Live Online courses which include printed materials, and selected Classroom courses. If delivery charges are applicable for your course they will be shown during the online checkout process, before you complete your payment details.
For ATT and CTA May Tuition courses: Your hard copy tuition materials will be delivered via two separate deliveries as the content is produced by the ATT Approved publisher. If you have booked onto a Tuition and Revision course for May, your Tuition and Revision materials course materials will be delivered via three separate deliveries.
For ATT and CTA November Tuition courses: Your hard copy materials will be delivered in a single delivery per the standard delivery times above. If you have booked onto a full Tuition and Revision course your Tuition and Revision material will be included within this single delivery.
5. MyKaplan: online learning environment
Watch our video explaining MyKaplan (1:30)
MyKaplan is an online learning portal with practical resources to help you prepare for your exams.
Online features
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View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
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Contact a tutor directly using live chat (ACA Only). You can also email or request a callback
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Complete practice tests and get instant feedback (ACA only)
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Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions (ACA only)
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See instantly when your assessments have been marked
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Access to VideoBank - hundreds of tutor-led videos to help you get the most out of your course.
Note: For any CTA paper, there will only be the option to email tutors or request a callback.
Access duration
Your chosen study method determines how long you can access your content for.
Classroom
Six months from last course date.
Live Online
Six months from last course date.
Distance Learning
Six months from enrolment date.
computerMinimum system requirements for MyKaplan
6. Tutor support
We'll support you every step of the way throughout your learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need quickly and easily.
Provided by our Academic Support team (our dedicated team of expert tutors):
- Email (we'll get back to you within the following times: ACA = 4 hrs, CTA = 48 hours)
- Request a callback so you can speak to a tutor (we’ll arrange a call with you within 24 hours). Please note request a callback is only available to UK based students.
Academic Support opening times
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 9pm
Friday: 8am - 5:30pm
Weekends: 9am - 1pm
7. Testing and mocks
We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams.
For ACA, you’ll get the following on MyKaplan:
Online learning modules
MyKaplan interactive syllabus areas that guide you through key technical concepts.
Knowledge checks
10 multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after an online learning module/classroom day during the Technical Knowledge phase.
Consolidation tests
20 multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after a number of online learning modules/classroom days during the Technical Knowledge phase.
Progress tests
These are short tests based on key topics to get you ready for sitting the mock exams.
Mock exams
Exam style multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after the completion of a level.
Tricky topic tutorials
10-15 minute tutor debrief on challenging areas of the syllabus.
For CTA tuition, you’ll get the following:
Course exam
The course exam has been designed to test your understanding of the material covered during your studies. It's at a simpler level designed to test your knowledge as you work through the content.
Pre-revision mock
The pre-revision mock has been designed to be attempted after you’ve worked through the the pre-revision question bank. The pre-revision mock is harder than the course exam, designed to prepare you for the revision phase of your studies.
For CTA revision, you’ll get:
Revision mock
The revision mock should be attempted after you’ve have worked through the revision question bank. This is a standard exam designed to prepare you for sitting the real exam.
8. Pricing structure
Subject prices can differ depending on your study method and subject you choose to study. Go to our study methods page to learn more about each option.
For CTA, subjects are priced individually, with full courses broken down into Tuition and Revision courses which you can book individually. When a full Classroom and/or Live Online course (i.e. tuition and revision) is selected, there is a 10% discount available.
| Scheduled |
Flexible |
| Classroom |
Live Online |
Distance Learning
(CTA only) |
Flexible Online
(ACA only) |
| from £167 |
from £151 |
from £109 |
from £342 |
Funding options
You may be eligible for a Level 7 Apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances. This covers the ACA CTA Joint Programme, with the exception of the final CTA exam paper to be sat. For more information, contact our Student Services team.
Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning. You'll need to speak to them to see if you're eligible.
Available for any course as long as the total cost is a minimum of £500 (before any discounts). Any available discounts can be applied, provided the terms and conditions of that discount have been met.
Classroom and Live Online course fees must be repaid over the duration of the course(s) purchased, up to a maximum of 12 months. The final payment must be made one month prior to the final date of the last course. Distance Learning course fees must be repaid over three months per subject purchased, up to a maximum of 12 months.