Pathways route to becoming an ICAS Chartered Accountant

Pathways route to becoming a CA

The pathways route allows members of an approved accounting body the opportunity to become a member of ICAS and use the exclusive ‘CA’ designation. As a CA you will join a network of leading, global business professionals and have access to a range of ICAS services.

There are two pathway routes available to CIPFA members:

• CIPFA Test of Relevant Expertise (TRE) route – provides highly-skilled professional CIPFA members with seven years post-qualification experience with a competency-based route to become a CA.
• CIPFA Test of Practical Competence (TPC) route – provides highly-skilled professional CIPFA members with less than seven years post-qualification experience with an assessment based route to become a CA.

There is one pathway route available to ACCA members:

• ACCA Test of Relevant Expertise (TRE) route – provides highly-skilled professional ACCA with seven years post-qualification experience with a competency-based route to become a CA.

CIPFA Test of Relevant Expertise (TRE) route

CIPFA members who have at least seven years of continuous membership post-qualification of CIPFA can become a CA through completion of a competency-based self-assessment consisting of five questions that use a holistic, attribute-based model set as outcomes. In addition to this, you must also present evidence from work experience which demonstrates the professional skills that are essential to the profession. Applicants must have professional sponsors who can substantiate the evidence of work experience provided.

CIPFA Test of Practical Competence (TPC) route

CIPFA members who have less than seven years post-qualification experience of CIPFA can become a CA through the completion of a combination of class-based learning and relevant work experience. This route requires you to attend Test of Professional Expertise (TPE) classes and complete a two-year training contract with a minimum of 300 days practical experience and competency requirements which will be recorded in the ICAS logbook.

ACCA Test of Relevant Expertise (TRE) route

ACCA members who have at least seven years of continuous membership post-qualification of ACCA and meet the required eligibility criteria can become a CA through completion of a competency-based self-assessment consisting of five questions that use a holistic, attribute-based model set as outcomes. In addition to this, you must also present evidence from work experience which demonstrates the professional skills that are essential to the profession. Applicants must have professional sponsors who can substantiate the evidence of work experience provided.