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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.

About CTA

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. Access to the qualification is open to anyone and there is no requirement to have a prior qualification.

Stay on track, study online

Structured study method with live lectures from our expert tutors.

What's needed to complete CTA?

CTA is made up of four components and you must complete all of them to qualify.

In order to gain your CTA qualification you must:

  • Select and complete two Advanced Technical papers. The Advanced Technical papers require the most detailed knowledge and ideally reflect your chosen specialism.
  • Select and complete three Awareness modules. The Awareness modules selected must not be the same subject as the Advanced Technical Papers you select. Exemptions are available for certain qualifications.
  • Complete the Application and Professional Skills paper in your chosen specialism.
  • Complete Accounting, Law and Ethics Computer Based Exams. You are exempt from Accounting, Law and Ethics at CTA if you passed the CBE at ATT.

Recommended Paper Combinations

Pathways suited to students whose role involves: Advanced Technical Selections Awareness Selections Application and Professional Skills Selection
Working on tax of Individuals and their unincorporated businesses with an emphasis on advising for the unincorporated business owners. Taxation of Individuals

Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses
Corporation Tax
Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates

VAT and other Indirect Taxes
Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses
Working on tax of an individual and their estate for IHT purposes with the emphasis on advising the individual on their personal tax Taxation of Individuals

Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses
Corporation Tax

VAT and other Indirect Taxes

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates
Taxation of Individuals
Working on tax of an individual and their estate for IHT purposes with the emphasis on advising the individual on their personal tax Taxation of Individuals

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates
Corporation Tax

VAT and other Indirect Taxes

Taxation of Unincorporated Businesses
Taxation of Individuals
Working on tax of an individual and their estate for IHT purposes with the emphasis on advising the individual on their IHT position Taxation of Individuals

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates
Corporation Tax

VAT and other Indirect Taxes

Taxation of Unincorporated Businesses
Taxation of Inheritance Tax Trusts and Estates
Working on tax of the unincorporated business and large companies/groups (FTSE 350) with an emphasis on advising the unincorporated business owners Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses

Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups             
VAT and other Indirect Taxes

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates

Taxation of Individuals
Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses
Working on tax of the unincorporated business and large companies/groups (FTSE 350) with an emphasis on advising the FTSE 350 companies Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses

Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups             
VAT and other Indirect Taxes

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates

Taxation of Individuals
Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups
Working on the tax of the individual and the employment of individuals with an emphasis on advising the employer Taxation of Individuals

Human Capital Taxes
Corporation Tax

Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates

VAT and other Indirect Taxes
Human Capital Taxes

Recommended pathways

Depending upon whether you’re ATT, ACA or ACCA qualified you can take different pathways to complete your CTA qualification. Sittings take place every six months with exams in May and November. Choose a course that suits your learning style and check the timetable for course availability at your chosen centre.

ATT, ACA or ACCA* Qualified Pathways


Sitting 1 Sitting 2 Sitting 3
Pathway 1 Select 2 Advanced Technical Papers Select Application and Professional Skills Paper matching the Advanced Technical selection above remove
Take this pathway if you want to complete the qualification as quickly as possible.
Pathway 2 Select 1st Advanced Technical Paper Select 2nd Advanced Technical Paper Select Application and Professional Skills Paper matching the Advanced Technical selection above.
Alternatively, spread your studies more evenly over three sittings.

*ACCA students must have passed the Advanced Taxation (P6) Paper.

You must pass the Computer Based Exams by the closing date for exam entries for the sitting at which you will sit your final written tax paper.

Why study CTA with Kaplan?

  • Flexible

    We have designed our courses to empower our clients and students, providing the opportunity to manage the journey to qualification flexibly within our supportive and responsive environment.
  • Broad course offering

    We offer classroom courses around the UK, and offer Live Online daytime and evening courses.
  • Support

    All of our students are given access to expert tutors through our dedicated Academic Support team who are available 362 days a year, including Sundays and Bank Holidays.

CTA courses

SAVE 10%
CTA Advanced Technical
CTA Advanced Technical

Full level (all subjects):

£3,024 - £11,138 (Inc. VAT)

SAVE 10%
CTA Awareness
CTA Awareness

Full level (all subjects):

£3,024 - £11,138 (Inc. VAT)

SAVE 10%
CTA Application and Professional Skills
CTA Application and Professional Skills

Full level (all subjects):

£3,024 - £11,138 (Inc. VAT)

CTA Computer Based Exams

Full level (all subjects):

£1,128 - £1,896 (Inc. VAT)

SAVE 10%
ATT Association of Taxation Technicians
ATT Association of Taxation Technicians

Full level (all subjects):

£2,226 - £7,135 (Inc. VAT)

SAVE 10%
ATT CTA Tax Pathway
ATT CTA Tax Pathway

Full level (all subjects):

£3,738 - £14,900 (inc. VAT)

ACA CTA Joint Programme

Full level (all subjects):

From £14,954.40 (inc. VAT)