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CTA Application and Professional Skills

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Overview

CTA Application and Professional Skills focuses on applying your tax knowledge to real-world scenarios. It develops your ability to analyse, communicate, and provide effective tax advice, ensuring you’re prepared for the challenges of a professional tax adviser role. This level sharpens your practical skills, helping you make informed decisions in client-facing situations.

You should choose the Application and Professional Skills subject that matches one of your chosen Advanced Technical specialisms.

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Average duration

6 months

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Assessments

One written exam

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Kaplan pass rate

13% higher than global average*

*Versus the global average pass rate of 53%, across all levels in 2024. Valid as of May 2025.

Timetables

Programmes are running regularly throughout the year. View our timetables for scheduled sessions (Classroom and Live Online) to see when the next one is running.

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Who it’s for

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements to commence the CTA qualification. However the CIOT strongly recommends those without an accounting or law qualification should first study ATT.

Learning outcomes from the course

Upon completing the Application and Professional Skills, you’ll be able to apply your technical tax knowledge to complex, real-world situations. You’ll develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, enhancing your ability to evaluate client scenarios and deliver clear, practical tax advice. This course also focuses on refining your communication and professional judgement, preparing you to handle client interactions confidently and make well-informed decisions in a dynamic tax environment.

Apprenticeships

You may be eligible to sit the exams and become CTA qualified as part of an apprenticeship, depending on your circumstances.

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The course was very helpful, and the tutor was great at explaining the content and applying it to exam questions.

Kaplan CTA Classroom learner

Course content - choose one

Optional

Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses (OMB)

You’ll learn the skills needed to apply the knowledge gained in sitting the Advanced Technical 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.

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  • Advising on the most tax-efficient business structure
  • Tax planning for profit extraction (salary, dividends, benefits, loans)
  • Incorporation and disincorporation – tax implications and advice
  • Succession planning and business exit strategies
  • Impact of recent tax legislation and case law on owner-managed businesses
  • Identifying and resolving tax risks or compliance issues
  • Communicating complex tax advice clearly to clients

Optional

Taxation of Individuals (IND)

You’ll learn the skills needed to apply the knowledge gained in sitting the Advanced Technical Taxation of Individuals 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.

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  • Providing tailored tax advice for high-net-worth individuals
  • Planning around income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax
  • Advising on residency, domicile, and international tax implications
  • Structuring investments and pensions tax-efficiently
  • Tax implications of life events (e.g. marriage, divorce, retirement, death)
  • Identifying compliance issues and risk areas
  • Communicating personal tax strategies clearly to clients

Optional

Inheritance Tax, Trusts, and Estates (IHTTE)

You’ll learn the skills needed to apply the knowledge gained in sitting the Advanced Technical Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates 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.

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  • Advising on inheritance tax planning and mitigation strategies
  • Structuring and using trusts effectively in estate planning
  • Analysing the tax implications of lifetime gifts and transfers on death
  • Advising on the administration of estates and related tax issues
  • Identifying and addressing complex IHT and trust scenarios
  • Communicating sensitive and technical advice clearly to clients
  • Applying current legislation and case law to client circumstances

Optional

Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups (LCG)

You’ll learn the skills needed to apply the knowledge gained in sitting the Advanced Technical Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups 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.

from £397.00Inc. VAT

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  • Advising on tax-efficient group structures and reorganisations
  • Applying group relief rules and managing losses within groups
  • Addressing transfer pricing issues and international tax risks
  • Structuring acquisitions, disposals, and corporate financing tax-efficiently
  • Analysing the impact of recent legislation and case law on large companies
  • Identifying compliance risks and tax planning opportunities
  • Presenting complex corporate tax advice clearly and professionally

Exams

You must register with CIOT as a student at least four months in advance of taking your first exam. CTA Application and Professional Skills exam details include:

Sittings: Every six months, with exams in May and November.

Time: 3 hours 30 minutes with no reading time.

Questions: Paper is worth 100 marks and the question (i.e. subject) is selected when you register for the exam.

Format: Case study.

Pass mark: Weighted grade of 2.5 and above.

Pathways

There are two pathways to achieving this qualification, depending on whether you're exempt from the Awareness paper.

You are exempt

Complete in 12 months

CBEs:

Law, Ethics, Accounting

Sitting 1:

Select first Advanced Technical Paper

Sitting 2:

Select second Advanced Technical Paper and the matching Application and Professional Skills Paper

Not exempt

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

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

Also, because the technical knowledge required for the Application and Professional Skills paper closely aligns with the related Advanced Technical paper, it’s recommended to take both at the same time.

Courses

Inc VAT, excludes exams

Classroom from £1,810
Classroom Live Streamed from £1,810
Live Online from £1,629
Distance Learning from £397
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Everything you need to succeed

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Expert material

Our courses include expert content, designed to help you pass your exams. You’ll get access to a range of study materials depending on which method you choose to study.

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Academic support

Our team of 50+ finance experts and advisors provide gold-standard personalised academic support 7 days a week. We offer exam strategies, study plans, and proactive resit advice.

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Pass Guarantee

If your results aren't as expected, we provide free access to extra content, extended tutor support, and guidance for resitting until you pass your exams.

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The science of learning

We offer dynamic courses based on insights from learning scientists and industry professionals. Our data-driven teaching methods ensure student success and progression.

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Well-being support

Access well-being support through our resource library or speak confidentially with Kaplan's Mental Health First Aiders, safeguarding team, or your tutor and talent coach.

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Accessibility

We're committed to an inclusive learning environment, ensuring accessibility and personalised support for all students to succeed.

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What’s included

For Classroom and Live Online, we offer both tuition and revision courses for CTA Application and Professional Skills. On tuition courses the focus is on learning the key areas of the syllabus covered in the course workbook, laying down a foundation of technical knowledge. Revision courses build upon this knowledge, focusing upon exam question practice and technique to prepare you for the real exam. Distance Learning is a complete course so you do not need to choose the individual elements.

Tuition courses

  • Study Manuals and 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.

  • Course Workbooks and Workbook Q&A*

    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.

  • Pre-revision question bank

    Contains more challenging questions for you to consolidate your knowledge of the full syllabus for each paper.

  • Course exam

    A marked assessment that has been designed to test your understanding of the material covered during your studies. It is taken during the tuition phase and is at a simpler level designed to test your knowledge as you work through the content.

  • Pre-revision mock

    Designed to be attempted after you’ve worked through 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.

* Available for Classroom or Live Online learners.

Revision courses

  • 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.

  • Revision mock

    To be attempted after you have worked through the revision question bank. This is an exam standard exam designed to prepare you for sitting the real exam.

  • Memory joggers

    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.

All courses include

Personalised online learning portal called MyKaplan. Access your additional online materials, contact your tutors, and take part in discussion forums.

Learn more about MyKaplan

Study methods

Get everything you need to succeed, along with tailored features depending on which study method you choose.

Feature

Classroom
from £1,810

Classroom Live Streamed
from £1,810

Live Online
from £1,629

Distance Learning
from £397

Live, tutor-led classes at set times
Interactive elearning modules
Speak face-to-face with tutors and other learners on the same course
Speak online with learners on the same course
Pass Guarantee available on full course
Study at your own pace

The material provided is very easy to understand and there's plenty of resources where required.

Kaplan CTA Distance Learning Learner

I have found the tuition to be useful and the revision course has been extremely useful in terms of exam technique and answering exam style questions.

Kaplan CTA Classroom Learner

Ways to pay

Pay for your course using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal. We also offer alternative payment methods to suit your needs.

Invoice your employer

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning.

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PayPal Pay in 3

A buy now, pay later service that splits your purchase into three equal interest-free payments. Offering a flexible way to spread the cost.

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Become a Kaplan client

If you're looking to train your staff and upskill your organisation, you can register as a Kaplan client.

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Alternatively, you can apply for one of our payment plans. Spread the cost by paying monthly, so you can focus on learning and passing exams.

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.

Find out more

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.

Find out more