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Types of membership
We offer three membership pathways or designations to choose from: Chartered Accountant, Associate Chartered Accountant and Accounting Technician. Once you're a Chartered Accountant you also have the option of becoming a Public Practitioner.
Our programme for tertiary and high school students will prepare you for a career in business with exclusive events and resources.
Chartered Accountant membership
CA is our top designation and allows you to become a Public Practitioner.
Associate Chartered Accountant membership
ACAs are well placed to work in public practice, as financial analysts and in management roles.
Accounting Technician membership
ATs work in a wide range of accounting, finance and management roles, and in many sectors.
Requirements at a glance
Each designation has a set of qualifying requirements, summarised in the table below.
|
Chartered Accountant
|
Associate Chartered Accountant
|
Accounting Technician
|
| Programme length |
Six years |
Five years |
Four or five years
Three pathways to membership
|
| Academic study programme |
Three year degree-level recognised programme |
Three year degree-level recognised programme |
Two year diploma or degree level recognised programme
or
Three level vocational AAT Diploma in Accounting (part-time or full-time)
|
| Practical Experience Programme |
Three years of approved employment in an ATE** with a mentor
|
One year approved employment and one year relevant employment |
2 years of relevant employment
or
At least 5 years of relevant experience for Assessment of Competence
|
| Professional Competence Programme |
Chartered Accountants Program |
Foundations Programme |
Professional Ethics
or
Foundations Programme
|
| Continuing Professional Development (CPD) |
20 hours verifiable per year, 20 hours non-verifiable |
15 hours verifiable per year, 15 hours non-verifiable |
10 hours verifiable per year, 10 hours non-verifiable |
|
Reciprocal membership
|
Yes, with a number of overseas accounting bodies |
No
|
Yes, with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) (UK)
|
|
Roles requiring a particular designation
|
Certificate of Public Practice |
|
|
**ATE = Approved Training Employer
^ PAS/PCE must be completed by the end of 2015.
If you are an Accounting Technician or Associate Chartered Accountant, you can build on the requirements you have completed and transfer them to another designation.
Read more about transferring to another designation
Read more about overseas accounting body membership