Assessments at FAE 

This examination completes the qualification process and marks the start of a career as a Chartered Accountant; a career of life-long learning. The final examination elements are:

FAE Core: the core syllabus is examined on day one and comprises of a single case study. Candidates will be expected to integrate knowledge, experience and skills across all technical areas when answering these cases. In addition, candidates will be expected to complete an interim assessment assignment in the area of Advanced Application of Financial Reporting Principles. 

The Advanced Financial Reporting interim assessment (AFR) will be held on 2 December 2023. This is a 90-minute assessment in which candidates will be required to calculate financial statement values and to complete journal entries. Further details are outlined in the Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) toolkit

FAE Elective: six electives are currently on offer: one each in the areas of Advanced Auditing & Assurance, Advanced Taxation (ROI), Advanced Taxation (NI) Advisory, Financial Services and Public Sector.

Students should also note that completion of the Advanced Auditing & Assurance elective will be a pre-requisite for obtaining an audit certificate.

Students of the Advanced Taxation elective may wish to pursue their studies in tax beyond FAE and may be interested in our professional tax qualification Chartered Tax Consultant (CTC) which can be completed in just six months with this elective. Students who successfully complete the Advanced Taxation elective will be eligible to avail of an exemption to join CTC at the final stage of the programme.

Number of attempts

Students may make a maximum of three attempts over three consecutive academic cycles.  It is mandatory for students to make the main exam sitting their first attempt.  Students may sit their remaining examinations over the main and/or resit sittings.

Should a student not present for either the main or resit sitting in an academic cycle, they are deemed to have forfeited one attempt.

Adjudication of results

1. Candidates are required to pass each subject independently.
2. In order to pass each subject, the candidate must achieve a minimum of 50% or better (based on amalgamation of any applicable Interim Assessment (AFR) component and the examination paper)
3. Independent passes in each subject are referred to as credits. Where a candidate obtains a credit in every subject in the combination of subjects sat, his result will be adjudicated as Pass.

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