Chartered Tax Adviser | CTA

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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.

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:

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Select and complete two Advanced Technical papers. The Advanced Technical papers require the most detailed knowledge and ideally reflect your chosen specialism.
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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.
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Complete the Application and Professional Skills paper in your chosen specialism.
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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. Passing the old BTAP paper does not give an exemption from the new accounting CBE at CTA.

Recommended Paper Combinations

Pathways suited to students whose role involves:	Advanced Technical Selections	Awareness Selections	Application and Professional Skills Selection	Centre Availability
Working on tax of Individuals and their unicorporated 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	Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester, Southampton, Live Online
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	Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Live Online
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	Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Live Online
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	London, Live Online
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 Major Corporates	VAT and other Indirect Taxes Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates Taxation of Individuals	Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses	Bristol, Manchester, London, Live Online
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 Major Corporates	VAT and other Indirect Taxes Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates Taxation of Individuals	Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups	Manchester, London
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	Birmingham, London, Manchester

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	-
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.

CTA Booster course

Try a Booster course designed to keep you engaged with your studies until you are able to sit an exam. It will include a modular study programme, recorded tutor led question walkthroughs, mock exams and so much more. You’ll be able to talk to tutors about any areas you’re struggling with, and cement any previous learning, ready for your exam.

Find out more about the CTA Booster course >

Why study CTA with Kaplan?

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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.

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Broad course offering

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

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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.