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CTA Awareness

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Overview

The objective of the Awareness paper is to examine core areas of the various taxes which you may not deal with on a daily basis and which do not form part of your chosen Advanced Technical papers.

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Average duration

6 months

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Assessments

One Awareness paper

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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.

If you are a qualified accountant (ACCA with ATX, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS), or qualified ATT, you may be exempt from this paper. CTA exemption information

Learning outcomes from the course

During the CTA Awareness course you'll gain a broad understanding of a range of UK tax areas outside your chosen specialisms. You’ll develop the ability to identify potential tax issues across different contexts and understand when to refer or collaborate with other experts. This paper enhances your ability to provide well-rounded advice, ensuring you can take a holistic view of your clients’ circumstances and spot connections between different areas of tax law.

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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Really engaging tutor who had a great grasp of the material and broke it down into sensible sections with great examples.

Kaplan CTA Classroom learner

Course content - choose three

Your chosen modules should differ from your Advanced Technical choices.

Optional

Taxation of Unincorporated Businesses (TUB)

You’ll learn the skills needed to identify and resolve tax issues that are found in unincorporated businesses, including the calculation of the assessable trading profits and gains of an unincorporated business.

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  • Overview of how sole traders and partnerships are taxed
  • Basic income tax rules for unincorporated businesses
  • Introduction to allowable business expenses and capital allowances
  • Awareness of basis period rules and transition to tax year basis
  • Loss relief options in simple terms
  • General compliance requirements and deadlines
  • Interaction with personal tax for business owners

Optional

Taxation of Individuals (IND)

You’ll learn how to identify and solve the tax issues individuals may face. You’ll learn how to calculate the Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and National Insurance payable by an individual and how these liabilities are affected by an individual’s residence and domicile status.

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  • Overview of income tax, including main sources of income
  • Basic capital gains tax principles and reliefs
  • Introduction to inheritance tax and key exemptions
  • Tax treatment of pensions and savings
  • Residence and domicile – basic rules and implications
  • Personal tax compliance and deadlines
  • Awareness of key planning considerations for individuals

Optional

Inheritance Tax, Trusts, and Estates (ITTE)

You’ll learn the skills needed to identify and resolve tax issues that are found in individuals, trusts and estates; to include Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Inheritance Tax.

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  • Overview of inheritance tax (IHT) and when it applies
  • Basic rules on lifetime transfers and transfers on death
  • Key exemptions and reliefs, including spouse and charity exemptions
  • Introduction to different types of trusts and their purposes
  • Outline of tax treatment for trusts and estates
  • IHT compliance and key filing requirements
  • Awareness of estate planning considerations

Optional

Corporation Tax (CT)

You’ll learn the technical and professional skills needed to identify and resolve corporate tax issues; including learning how to calculate a company’s Corporation Tax liability and how this is affected by group and overseas issues.

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  • Overview of corporation tax and who it applies to
  • Calculation of taxable profits and allowable expenses
  • Capital allowances – basic principles
  • Introduction to loss reliefs and how they can be used
  • Deadlines and compliance requirements
  • Dividends and distributions – basic treatment
  • Awareness of group relief and associated companies

Optional

VAT including Stamp Taxes (VAT)

You’ll learn the technical and professional skills needed to identify and resolve VAT issues. You’ll learn how to calculate a trader’s VAT liability and gain an understanding of the VAT implications of supplying or purchasing land and buildings. You’ll also learn how to calculate stamp taxes.

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  • Overview of VAT principles and how the system works
  • VAT registration and deregistration rules
  • Standard-rated, reduced-rated, zero-rated, and exempt supplies
  • Input and output VAT – basic rules and recovery
  • VAT returns and key compliance requirements
  • Awareness of penalties and common errors
  • Introduction to Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
  • Basic understanding of when stamp taxes apply and who pays them

Exams

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

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

Time: 3 hours 15 minutes with no reading time.

Questions: The exam has five modules, but you only choose three. In every chosen module, you'll answer 12 short questions, worth five marks each.

Format: Mix of computational and written questions with no question choice.

Pass mark: 50% or more of the total marks available, and a minimum of 35% in each module.

Pathways

There are two recommended 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

Live Online from £2,252
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 Awareness. 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 BanksThe 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 bankContains more challenging questions for you to consolidate your knowledge of the full syllabus for each paper.
  • Course examA 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 mockDesigned 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 bankContains exam standard questions and recent past papers, all with answers updated to the relevant Finance Act, providing excellent final preparation for the exam.
  • Revision mockTo 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 joggersShort 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

Live Online
from £1,376

Distance Learning
from £379

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 course was detailed and easy to access.

Kaplan CTA Live Online Learner

I have studied AAT, ACCA and now CTA with Kaplan. I have found that the level of tuition and materials provided are extremely good quality.

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