CIOT have partnered with ICAEW and ICAS to offer specialised tax and accounting Joint Programmes.  Both the ACA CTA and the CA CTA are training paths that allow individuals to study for two qualifications through one single route. Our CTA Joint Programmes allow candidates to accelerate their studies and become fully qualified Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers in around four years depending on how quickly they pace their studies (and once they have undertaken relevant professional work experience).  

The Joint Programmes benefit employers by reducing the time and overall cost for their employees to complete two prestigious qualifications. They fast track professional development and provide accountancy students with both broad tax knowledge and a tax specialism early on in their career. 

Joint CTA Programmes update 

The Joint Programmes that we run with ICAEW and ICAS are changing. The revised Joint Programmes will ensure consistency for all candidates in terms of the CTA elements of the programmes, irrespective of whether you are studying with the ICAEW or ICAS.  

All students will be required to undertake the following CTA-specific assessments as part of the Joint Programmes: 

• CTA: Professional Responsibilities and Ethics  
• CTA: Tax Knowledge and Skills – Direct tax or Indirect tax 
• CTA: one Advanced level paper, being either an Advanced Technical or Application and Professional Skills paper (details of the choices available are given in our detailed guidance – see links below). 

The first sitting of the new Tax Knowledge and Skills paper will be in November 2026. Those who have embarked upon Joint Programme studies already may be subject to transitional rules. Please follow the links to our detailed guidance below to find out more.

Key changes to the Joint Programmes include: 

• Greater academic level progression through the introduction of the CTA Tax Knowledge and Skills paper at the academic equivalent of Level 6  
• This paper also reflects developments in the workplace and the profession (such as tax technology) 
• Streamlined structure ensures candidates can apply their tax knowledge in an integrated way  
• The revised structure ensures those qualifying for the CTA have both breadth of knowledge (assessed via the Tax Knowledge and Skills paper) and an opportunity to specialise via the Advanced stage assessment. 

For more information about the existing Joint Programmes: 

ACA CTA Joint Programme 

CA CTA Joint Programme