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CTA

Chartered Tax Advisor

The CTA is the most prestigious chartered qualification in professional tax expertise – a mark of technical excellence and professional integrity.

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Choose your level

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CTA Accounting, Law & Ethics Computer Based Exams

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CTA Awareness

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CTA Advanced Technical

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CTA Application and Professional Skills

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Why choose Kaplan?

By choosing Kaplan, you can be confident that you will receive all the expert teaching, support and materials to unlock the door to a long and successful career.

Expertise that gets you exam ready

Our CTA tutors are subject specialists with years of real-world and teaching experience. Benefit from focused support, practical insights and tailored CTA exam techniques.

Study options that work around you

Whether you prefer structured classroom learning or the flexibility of online study, we offer options to suit your schedule and how you like to learn.

Unrivalled support for CTA learners

We’re proud of our track record of helping CTA learners succeed. With responsive academic support available 362 days a year, you’ll never feel like you’re studying alone.

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CTA qualification at a glance

Timetables pictogram

Average duration1

2 – 3 years

Tax pictogram

Average salary2

£59,000

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CTA members1

30,000 globally

What you’ll learn

Studying towards the CTA qualification, you'll develop an overall understanding of tax whilst being able to specialise in a particular tax area. Upon qualifying, you can apply to become a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and become a Chartered Tax Adviser.

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What you’ll do

As a Chartered Tax Adviser, you’ll become an expert in navigating complex tax legislation and providing strategic advice to individuals and businesses. Whether you're helping a multinational company structure its operations or guiding a local entrepreneur through their tax obligations, your work will be vital to financial decision-making. The CTA qualification is highly respected and opens up opportunities across a wide range of sectors, from law and finance to industry and government — both in the UK and internationally.

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1 Statistic is taken from Tax Org UK. Valid as of April 2025.

2 Statistic is taken from Tax Org UK. Based on the average tax advisor salary with 2-5 years of experience. Valid as of April 2025

CTA levels

The CTA qualification is structured to build your expertise step by step, starting with core principles and progressing to advanced, specialist knowledge. You must complete all four components to qualify.

Each level is designed to deepen your understanding of UK tax law and develop your ability to apply it in real-world scenarios. Whether you're just beginning your tax career or looking to advance further, the CTA pathway is open to anyone, as no prior qualifications are required, and it provides a clear route to becoming a trusted tax professional.

  1. Start anytime

    CTA Computer Based Exams

    The Accounting, Law and Ethics Computer Based Exams (CBEs) are flexible, on-demand assessments that you can complete at any point — but they’re ideal early in your journey. These exams cover the foundations of accounting, law, and professional ethics. Completing them sets you up with the core technical and ethical knowledge that supports every stage of the CTA qualification. You are exempt if you passed the CBEs at ATT.

    Go to CTA Computer Based Exams

  2. CTA Awareness

    This level is designed to broaden your understanding of the UK tax system beyond your chosen specialisms. You'll complete three Awareness modules and gain insight into a variety of tax areas — such as inheritance tax, VAT, or corporate tax — ensuring you can spot wider tax issues and advise clients more effectively. This level helps you develop a well-rounded perspective, equipping you to collaborate confidently with other tax professionals and support clients with diverse needs.

    Go to CTA Awareness

  3. CTA Advanced Technical

    At this stage, you'll deepen your specialist knowledge in key areas of tax. You'll choose two modules — such as owner-managed businesses, indirect tax, or corporation tax — allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests or career goals. This level challenges you to apply complex legislation in practical scenarios, preparing you for high-level advisory roles and real-world client work.

    Go to Advanced Technical

  4. CTA Application and Professional Skills

    This final stage brings together everything you’ve learned and puts it into practice. You’ll tackle realistic client scenarios that test your ability to analyse information, communicate clearly, and deliver sound tax advice. This final stage is designed to reflect the challenges of working as a professional tax adviser, sharpening your judgement and preparing you for the demands of the role.

    Go to CTA Application and Professional Skills

Example paper combinations

Our strategic approach ensures you build your knowledge progressively, empowering you to master the intricacies of tax legislation and practice with confidence. The paper combinations below are designed to provide an overview of the recommended pathway, tailored to the learner's job role.

Personal & Estate Tax Advisory

Ideal for advisers focused on individuals, inheritance, and personal wealth planning.

Awareness

Corporation Tax (CT)

VAT and other Indirect Taxes (VAT)

Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses (OMB)

Advanced Technical

Taxation of Individuals (IND)

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates (IHTTE)

Application and Professional Skills

Taxation of Individuals (IND)

Business Tax for SMEs

Ideal for roles working with owner-managed businesses and unincorporated entities.

Awareness

VAT and other Indirect Taxes (VAT)

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates (ITTE)

Corporation Tax (CT)

Advanced Technical

Taxation of Individuals (IND)

Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses (OMB)

Application and Professional Skills

Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses (OMB)

Corporate & Employment Tax

Ideal for advisers to larger companies (FTSE 350), groups, and employers.

Awareness

VAT and other Indirect Taxes (VAT)

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates (IHTTE)

Taxation of Individuals (IND)

Advanced Technical

Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses (OMB)

Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups (LCG)

Application and Professional Skills

Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups (LCG)

Not sure which paper combination is right for you and your tax journey? Contact our expert team who can help you choose.

Pathways

There are two pathways to achieving this qualification, depending on how quickly you’d like to sit papers.

Fast pathway

Complete in 18 months

CBEs: Law, Ethics, Accounting

Sitting 1: Awareness Paper

Sitting 2: Select first Advanced Technical Paper

Sitting 3: Select second Advanced Technical Paper and the matching Application and Professional Skills Paper

Standard pathway

Complete in 24 months

CBEs: Law, Ethics, Accounting

Sitting 1: Awareness Paper

Sitting 2: Select first Advanced Technical Paper

Sitting 3: Select second Advanced Technical Paper

Sitting 4: Select Application and Professional Skills Paper matching the second Advanced Technical selection.

Tip: If you are a qualified accountant (ACCA with ATX, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS) or qualified ATT, you may be exempt from the Awareness paper.

Other routes to becoming CTA qualified

Flexible option

ACA CTA Joint Programme

The ACA CTA joint programme lets you achieve two prestigious qualifications in a shorter amount of time - ACA and CTA. You can become a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser with the joint programme.

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Flexible option

ATT CTA Tax Pathway

The ATT CTA Tax Pathway lets you study for both Tax qualifications at an accelerated rate. The Tax Pathway is very flexible, affording you an earlier opportunity to specialise.

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Earn while you learn

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships provide a structured, applied learning route to enable you to gain relevant knowledge and learn new skills whilst working in the finance profession. You may be eligible for an apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances. Speak to your employer to find out more.

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