ACA CTA Joint Programme FAQs

Where do ICAEW and CIOT work together? 
ICAEW and CIOT work together to review the syllabus and consult with stakeholders to ensure that this paper continues to meet the need of major corporate practices. 

How is the Joint Programme different from studying the CTA, once qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant? 
Under the sequential route to qualification of both ICAEW and CIOT, you undertake the ACA by successfully completing professional development, ethics and professional scepticism, 3-5 years practical work experience and 15 accountancy, finance and business modules. Once you become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant you then register as a CIOT student, complete the CTA qualification and apply for membership of the CIOT. The Joint Programme enables you to study the ACA and CTA qualifications simultaneously and to sit two less examinations. 

Why would anyone train as an ACA first and then do the CTA now the Joint Programme is available? 
The traditional, individual route to both qualifications will be more appropriate for students who do not work with Owner-Managed Businesses/Corporates or Indirect Tax, or did not make the decision to specialise in tax at the beginning of their training. 

How long does it take to complete the Joint Programme? 
It is anticipated that it will take three to four years to complete the Programme. This does depend on workload, scheduling of courses, study and exam results. 

What fees are involved? 
You must pay the appropriate ICAEW and CIOT fees for student registration and exams. Click below for a Summary of fees.  

How do I sign up to the Joint Programme? 
Students must be registered as an ACA student before they can apply for the Joint Programme. A copy of their ACA student registration communication confirming their ACA student number must be submitted to the CIOT to register onto the Joint Programme.  

Can current ACA or CTA students join the Joint Programme? 
ACA students can join the Joint Programme if they have not yet completed the Business Planning: Taxation module. CTA students can join the Joint Programme provided they have not yet passed two CTA Advisory Papers or the CTA Taxation of Larger Companies and Groups Advisory Paper.  

Can an employer offer both the Joint Programme and the more traditional, individual route to the ACA and CTA qualifications? 
Yes, there is complete flexibility to all employers. 

Do students have to work in a tax role? 
The Joint Programme and the TOMC Paper assumes that candidates will be in a tax role, gaining practical experience of the taxation of major corporates. The Indirect Taxation route assumes that candidates will be in an indirect taxation role. 

Is there a time limit for students on the Joint Programme? 
To gain membership of the CIOT via the Joint Programme, you must complete the exam requirements of both the CIOT and the ICAEW. You can attempt ACA exams until you reach the maximum of four attempts. You have no limit on the number of attempts on the CTA examinations. A CTA examination credit for passing remains valid for the next seven sittings following the sitting at which the credit was obtained. Professional Responsibilities & Ethics passes will remain valid for the next nine sittings. 

Your CTA exam passes must be valid at the point you complete your ACA exams in order to apply for CIOT membership.

If I choose an ADIT Paper as my second CTA paper will I gain the ADIT qualification? 
No. To gain the ADIT qualification students are required to register as an ADIT student and complete the requirements of this qualification. If a Joint Programme student chooses and passes an ADIT paper, it will count towards the ADIT qualification and will be valid for five years from the date of passing. If the ADIT qualification is not completed within this five year period, the student will have to sit the same paper again or another ADIT paper.