CTA Application and Professional Skills

The objective of this written examination is for you to demonstrate that you have the higher skills expected of a Chartered Tax Adviser by way of a tax based case study.

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

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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 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
Isle of Man - £35 (£29.17 + VAT) per transaction
EU - £35 for the first package, £30 for subsequent packages
Rest of the World - £50 for the first package, £50 for subsequent packages

Delivery fees for ACA are as follows:

UK and NI - £7.20 (£6 + VAT) for the first package, £7.20 for subsequent packages
Isle of Man - £35 (£29.17 + VAT) per transaction
EU - £35 (£29.17 + VAT) for the first package, £30 for subsequent packages
Rest of the World - £50 (£41.67 + VAT) for the first package, £50 for subsequent packages

Please note that due to varying interpretations of the post-Brexit EU/UK trading agreement, some EU countries are imposing import duty on the value of the goods received from the UK. It is payable by the end consumer via the delivery company and your delivery may be withheld until paid. This may vary from country to country and be up to a value of 20% of the value of the study material.

A package relates to all the materials for a specific subject, for example ATT Personal Taxation (PTX), 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. For ACA if you buy 5 courses for UK delivery in a single order, it will be £7.20 x 3, rather than £7.20 x 5.

Our standard delivery times for Live Online, OnDemand, Online and Distance Learning are:

UK – 3 to 5 working days, subject to publication dates.
EU – 5 to 7 working days, subject to publication dates.
Rest of the World – 7 to 10 working days subject to availability and publication dates.

Our standard delivery deadline for UK classroom courses is one week prior to the first course date.

Delivery charges apply to all Classroom, Distance Learning, OnDemand, Online and Live Online courses which include printed materials. If delivery charges are applicable for your course they will be shown during the online checkout process, before you complete your payment details.

For ACA Live Online students purchasing a separate tuition and revision course for the same subject, the relevant cost above will be split across the two packages e.g. £3.60 for tuition and £3.60 for revision for UK delivery.

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.

Save 10% off Tuition and Revision offer

Full qualification (excluding exams):

£3,024 - £11,138 (inc. VAT)

Select your subject(s)

Spread the cost over 12 months:

Apply for payment plan

Delivery information

Help / Contact info

Contents

Desktop Computers

MyKaplan can be accessed on the following desktop platforms with the latest browser versions:

Platform	Apple^® Safari^®	Google^® Chrome^™	Microsoft^® Edge	Mozilla^® Firefox^®
Apple^® Mac OS^®	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Microsoft^® Windows^®	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Tablets and Mobile Devices

MyKaplan can be accessed on the following tablets and mobile devices with the latest browser versions:

Platform	Apple^® Safari^®	Google^® Chrome^™	Microsoft^® Edge	Mozilla^® Firefox^®
Apple^® iOS^® for iPhone^® and iPad^®	Yes	No	No	No
Android^™ OS for Android phones and tablets	No	Yes	No	No

Ensure that JavaScript and cookies are enabled in your browser.

In addition to accessing via a mobile browser there is a mobile application available for download.

Limitations of use

Some learning content may perform sub optimally on mobile devices and the Pulse app.

If you attempt to access MyKaplan with an unsupported or out of date browser you may see a retro/legacy browser warning message and be prevented from accessing the application in some instances.

1. Structure

Entry requirements

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

Pass Guarantee availableexpand_less

We want you to pass your exams and succeed in the next steps of your career. If you don’t get the results you were expecting and have enrolled on an eligible course, you can take advantage of our pass guarantee. Get extended course access, tutor support, a new mock exam, and guidance for FREE until you pass your exam.

For more information, view our dedicated Pass Guarantee page.

Syllabus

Application and Professional Skills paper

The Application and Skills paper is compulsory and must be completed to achieve the CTA qualification. Choose one specialism from:

Taxation of Owner-Managed Businesses
Taxation of Individuals
Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates
Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups

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.

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

from

£384 - £1,749

(inc. VAT)

Buy now

chevron_right Courses Available

The following course types are available for Classroom or Live Online:

Tuition: from £787 (inc. VAT)
Revision: from £787 (inc. VAT)

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.

Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days (tuition), 2 days (revision) + half day Live Online session (revision)
Classroom Live Streamed: 3 sessions (tuition), 2.5 sessions (revision)
Distance Learning: study at your own pace

Subject assessment: written exam

from

£384 - £1,749

(inc. VAT)

Buy now

chevron_right Courses Available

The following course types are available for Classroom or Live Online:

Tuition: from £874 (inc. VAT)
Revision: from £874 (inc. VAT)

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.

Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days (tuition), 2 days (revision) + half day Live Online session (revision)
Classroom Live Streamed: 3 sessions (tuition), 2.5 sessions (revision)
Distance Learning: study at your own pace

Subject assessment: written exam

from

£384 - £1,749

(inc. VAT)

Buy now

chevron_right Courses Available

The following course types are available for Classroom or Live Online:

Tuition: from £874 (inc. VAT)
Revision: from £874 (inc. VAT)

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.

Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days (tuition), 2 days (revision) + half day Live Online session (revision)
Classroom Live Streamed: 3 sessions (tuition), 2.5 sessions (revision)
Distance Learning: study at your own pace

Subject assessment: written exam

from

£384 - £1,749

(inc. VAT)

Buy now

chevron_right Courses Available

The following course types are available for Classroom or Live Online:

Tuition: from £874 (inc. VAT)
Revision: from £874 (inc. VAT)

Recommended pathways

There are two recommended pathways to achieving this qualification, depending if you’re exempt from the Awareness paper.

Do note: the CBEs must be passed before entering for your final written paper (n.b.there are transitional rules in place in relation to the new Accounting CBE). Also, as the Application paper technical knowledge is largely taken from the related Advanced Technical paper, it is advisable that, where possible, the related Advanced Technical paper is sat at the same sitting as the Application paper.

Exempt from the Awareness Paper:

	Sitting 1	Sitting 2	Sitting 3
Pathway	1st Advanced Technical paper	2nd Advanced Technical paper	Application paper

Not exempt from the Awareness Paper:

	Sitting 1	Sitting 2	Sitting 3	Sitting 4
Pathway	Awareness paper	1st Advanced Technical paper	2nd Advanced Technical paper	Application paper

2. Study methods

Do you prefer face-to-face learning? Online learning in your own time? Have family or work commitments? We have three 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, right up until your exam.

Study methods available for this qualification

You can be confident in your exams whatever study option you choose, as we offer numerous practice questions and marked course exams. We provide expert support during evenings and weekends, and we have flexible study options and course start dates.

We offer both tuition and revision courses for the CTA papers. 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.

Study method comparison table keyboard_arrow_down

What	Classroom	Live Online	Classroom Live Streamed	Distance Learning
Live, tutor-led classes at set times	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle
Re-watch your lessons		check_circle	check_circle
Learning materials available - including study text, pocket notes/revision cards and exam/revision packs	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle
Access to motivating, online learning resources	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle
Marked mock exams and lots of additional practice questions	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle
Access to Academic Support 7 days a week	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle
Interact with other students studying the same course	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle
Pass Guarantee available with full course	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle
Study at your own pace				check_circle
Classes capped at 40 students	check_circle	check_circle	check_circle

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Mix and Match available

If you would like to mix and match study methods for different CTA courses, you will need to select them individually, add them to your basket and build your bespoke course before you check out. We are working on an improved study method mix and match and it will be on the website shortly.

Classroom and Live Online are split into two different course types - Tuition and Revision. You can choose which study method and which course type you want. So, for example, you can choose Classroom Tuition, with Live Online Revision.

Distance Learning is a complete course so you do not need to choose the individual elements.

Pass Guarantee available

people

Classroom chevron_right

A traditional scheduled programme with face to face tutor led classes.

Classes with your peers at set times of the day
Centrally located in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London Islington, Manchester and Southampton.

date_rangeView timetables

chevron_right Classroom Course types explained

The following course types are available for Classroom:

Tuition

Work through key and difficult aspects of the CTA syllabus. Test your understanding as you progress through each topic.

Revision

Recap key topics and improve your exam technique with extensive question practice.

Buy both for a Pass Guarantee

Buy both Tuition and Revision courses to get the Complete Package which comes with a Pass Guarantee. If you're unsuccessful in an exam you can take unlimited courses until you pass.

Pass Guarantee available

live_tv

Classroom Live Streamedchevron_right

A brand new study method, offering students the full classroom experience with the flexibility to log into the live classroom session online via their own device.

Remotely log into live classroom sessions via zoom and interact with your tutor and other students in the class
Classes with your peers at set times of day

date_rangeView timetables

This study method is available for Taxation of Individuals, Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups and Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates only.

chevron_right Classroom Course types explained

The following course types are available for Classroom:

Tuition

Work through key and difficult aspects of the CTA syllabus. Test your understanding as you progress through each topic.

Revision

Recap key topics and improve your exam technique with extensive question practice.

Buy both for a Pass Guarantee

Buy both Tuition and Revision courses to get the Complete Package which comes with a Pass Guarantee. If you're unsuccessful in an exam you can take unlimited courses until you pass.

Pass Guarantee available

live_tv

Live Onlinechevron_right

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
Full weekday classes available

chevron_right Live Online Course types explained

The following course types are available for Live Online:

Tuition

Work through key and difficult aspects of the ATT syllabus. Test your understanding as you progress through each topic.

Revision

Recap key topics and improve your exam technique with extensive question practice.

Buy both for a Pass Guarantee

Buy both Tuition and Revision courses to get the Complete Package which comes with a Pass Guarantee. If you're unsuccessful in an exam you can take unlimited courses until you pass.

local_library

Distance Learning chevron_right

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

Timetables - Classroom and Live Online

date_rangeView timetables

3. Exams and sittings

Timings and working towards a sitting

Sittings take place every six months, with exams in May and November.

Application Paper

The Application and Skills Paper is in the format of a case study, and is three and a half hours long with no reading time. The Application exam paper will contain all the Application questions available, each worth 100 marks, and you must ensure that you select and answer the question you have entered. The pass mark is a weighted grade of 2.5 and above.

How long does it take to pass?

Students tend to take up to three years to complete the CTA qualification, but this depends entirely on your preferred way of learning and study pathways chosen. You must register with CIOT as a student at least four months in advance of taking your first exam.

4. Study materials and delivery costs

Study materials

All study methods include online and printed materials. These differ depending on which study method you choose.

Materials included in every course:

The following materials are included in every tuition course:

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.
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.

For Ethics, Law and Accounting the Study Manuals must be purchased directly from the CIOT website.
Course Workbooks and 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.

The following materials are included in every revision course:

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.

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.

Delivery fees are as follows:

UK and NI - £7 for the first package, £7 for subsequent packages
EU - £35 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. 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 for Live Online, OnDemand, Online and Distance Learning are:

UK – 3 to 5 working days, subject to publication dates.
EU – 5 to 7 working days, subject to publication dates.
Rest of the World – 7 to 10 working days subject to availability and publication dates.

Our standard delivery deadline for UK classroom courses is one week prior to the first course date.

Delivery charges apply to Classroom, Distance Learning, OnDemand, Online and Live Online courses which include printed materials. If delivery charges are applicable for your course they will be shown during the online checkout process, before you complete your payment details.

For 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 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

MyKaplan explained (1m:18s)

MyKaplan is an online learning portal with additional resources to help you prepare for your exams. Your MyKaplan account forms the core of your study experience with Kaplan and includes the following:

Electronic versions of your study manuals and question banks
Electronic versions of your Course Workbooks (Classroom and Live Online only)
Links to recordings of the Video Tutorials and the Live Online recordings (Classroom and Live Online only)
Your course exam question papers and returned marked scripts (unless you are required by your employer to sit these in centre/under pre-agreed arrangements) and the course exam model answers
Study calendar and reminders
Other additional learning resources

Online Features

View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
You can email a tutor or request a callback
See instantly when your assessments have been marked

Access duration

Your chosen study method determines how long you can access your content for.

Classroom
Seven months after exam sitting

Live Online
Seven months after exam sitting

Distance Learning
Seven months after exam sitting

computer Minimum system requirements for MyKaplan

6. Tutor support

We'll support you every step of the way throughout your CTA learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need quickly and easily.

Provided by Tutor Support team (our dedicated team of expert tutors):

Email and request a callback (we'll get back to you within 48 hrs)

Please note request a callback is only available to UK based students and is available between 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday only.

Academic Support opening times

Monday - Thursday: 8am - 8pm
Friday: 8am - 5:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 9am - 1pm

Ways to get support

If you think you'd benefit from additional tutor support while studying, we recommend the structured study methods provided through our Classroom and Live Online courses.

7. Testing and mocks

Pass Guarantee

If you don't get the results you were expecting and have enrolled on an eligible course, you can take advantage of our Pass Guarantee. Get extended course access, tutor support, a new mock exam, and guidance for FREE until you pass your exam.

Learn more about our Pass Guarantee

We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams.

For 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 is 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 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 revision, you’ll get:

Revision mock
The revision mock should be attempted after you’ve worked through the revision question bank. This is an exam standard exam designed to prepare you for sitting the real exam.

8. Pricing structure

Subject prices can differ depending on your study option and subject you choose to study.

Go to our study methods 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 on. Where 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	Classroom Live Streamed	Distance Learning
from £1,810.68 (inc. VAT)	from £1,629.62 (inc. VAT)	from £1,810.68 (inc. VAT)	from £397.20 (inc. VAT)

Funding options

Employer sponsoredchevron_right

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.

Payment planschevron_right

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.

Apprenticeshipschevron_right

You may be eligible for an Apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances. For more information, speak to our Student Services team.

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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Pass rates

Pass rates across the board for ATT examinations consistently exceed the national average.

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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.