• Current students
      • Student centre
        Enrol on a course/exam
        My enrolments
        Exam results
        Mock exams
        Learning Hub data privacy policy
      • Course information
        Students FAQs
        Student induction
        Course enrolment information
        Key dates
        Book distribution
        Timetables
        FAE elective information
      • Exams
        Exam Info: CAP1
        E-assessment information
        Exam info: CAP2
        Exam info: FAE
        Access support/reasonable accommodation
        Extenuating circumstances
        Timetables for exams & interim assessments
        Interim assessments past papers & E-Assessment mock solutions
        Committee reports & sample papers
        Information and appeals scheme
        JIEB: NI Insolvency Qualification
      • CA Diary resources
        Mentors: Getting started on the CA Diary
        CA Diary for Flexible Route FAQs
      • Admission to membership
        Joining as a reciprocal member
        Conferring dates
        Admissions FAQs
      • Support & services
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        CASSI
        Student supports and wellbeing
        Audit qualification
        Diversity and Inclusion Committee
    • Students

      View all the services available for students of the Institute

      Read More
  • Becoming a student
      • About Chartered Accountancy
        The Chartered difference
        What do Chartered Accountants do?
        5 Reasons to become a Chartered Accountant
        Student benefits
        School Bootcamp
        Third Level Hub
        Study in Northern Ireland
        Events
        Blogs
        Member testimonials 2022
        Become a Chartered Accountant podcast series
      • Entry routes
        College
        Working
        Accounting Technicians
        School leavers
        Member of another body
        International student
        Flexible Route
        Training Contract
      • Course description
        CAP1
        CAP2
        FAE
        Our education offering
      • Apply
        How to apply
        Exemptions guide
        Fees & payment options
        External students
      • Training vacancies
        Training vacancies search
        Training firms list
        Large training firms
        Milkround
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contract
        Interview preparation and advice
        The rewards on qualification
        Tailoring your CV for each application
        Securing a trainee Chartered Accountant role
      • Support & services
        Becoming a student FAQs
        Who to contact for employers
        Register for a school visit
    • Becoming a
      student

      Study with us

      Read More

      Becoming a
      student

      Study with us

      Read More
  • Members
      • Members Hub
        My account
        Member subscriptions
        Annual returns
        Application forms
        CPD/events
        Member services A-Z
        District societies
        Professional Standards
        Young Professionals
        Careers development
        Diversity and Inclusion Committee
      • Members in practice
        Going into practice
        Managing your practice FAQs
        Practice compliance FAQs
        Toolkits and resources
        Audit FAQs
        Other client services
        Practice Consulting services
        What's new
      • In business
        Networking and special interest groups
        Articles
      • Overseas members
        Home
        Key supports
        Tax for returning Irish members
        Networks and people
      • Public sector
        Public sector news
        Public sector presentations
      • Support & services
        Letters of good standing form
        Member FAQs
        AML confidential disclosure form
        Institute Technical content
        TaxSource Total
        The Educational Requirements for the Audit Qualification
        Pocket diaries
        Thrive Hub
      • Member benefits
        Member benefits
    • Members

      View member services

      Read More
  • Employers
      • Training organisations
        Authorise to train
        Training in business
        Manage my students
        Incentive Scheme
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        Securing and retaining the best talent
        Tips on writing a job specification
      • Training
        In-house training
        Training tickets
      • Recruitment services
        Hire a qualified Chartered Accountant
        Hire a trainee student
      • Non executive directors recruitment service
      • Support & services
        Hire members: log a job vacancy
        Firm/employers FAQs
        Training ticket FAQs
        Authorisations
        Hire a room
        Who to contact for employers
    • Employers

      Services to support your business

      Read More
☰
  • Find a firm
  • Jobs
  • Login
☰
  • Home
  • Knowledge centre
  • Professional development
  • About us
  • Shop
  • News
Search
View Cart 0 Item

Becoming a student

☰
  • About Chartered Accountancy
  • Entry routes
  • Course description
  • Apply
  • Training vacancies
  • Support & services
  • Home/
  • Becoming a student/
  • Support & services/
  • Becoming a student FAQs

Becoming a student FAQs

Have a question about becoming a Chartered Accountant? Please see the list of questions below and if you can't find the answer you're looking for you can Contact us and we'll try our best to help you.

  1. What is a Chartered Accountant?
  2. What’s the difference between Chartered Accountancy and other accountancy qualifications?
  3. I’m not an accountancy, finance or business graduate – Is Chartered Accountancy an option for me?
  4. What is the Flexible Route and what is a Training Contract?
  5. Am I able to start the Chartered Accountancy programme?
  6. How do I apply for a place on the Chartered programme?
  7. What subjects are covered and what will I learn?
  8. How many examinations are there?
  9. Can I choose how many papers I sit and subjects I take?
  10. How many exam attempts am I allowed?
  11. Can I take any CAP 1 subjects with CAP 2?
  12. Where are the course locations?
  13. What are the exam fees? Are there any other fees?
  14. Do I have to pay my fees in full when I enrol?
  15. How long will it take me to qualify?
  16. What’s the closing date to register?
  17. Can I do all my exams before gaining my experience?
  18. My current role can’t provide me with any accounting experience of the kind I’ll need to generate in order to qualify – any ideas?
  19. Can I get credit for prior work experience?
  20. I’ve heard that studying Chartered Accountancy is all about audit but I don’t work in audit, and I don’t see my future career involving audit.
  21. I’ve heard that for Chartered Accountants Ireland, you need a training contract. Do I have to enter into one?
  22. I would like to secure a training contract. How do I go about securing one?
  23. Do I need study leave to pass my exams?
  24. Is the Chartered Accountants Ireland qualification recognised internationally?
  25. Can I study from outside Ireland?
  1. What is a Chartered Accountant?

    Chartered Accountants are Ireland’s leading business professionals who provide essential strategic guidance across all business sectors. They play a pivotal role in modern organisations; as a result, they are seen as the most respected members of the accountancy profession.

    Today’s Chartered Accountant typically works in a dynamic global environment, in roles as diverse as corporate leadership, management accountant, business analyst or sales management.

    Chartered Accountants (ACAs) are members of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

    Back to Top
  2. What’s the difference between Chartered Accountancy and other accountancy qualifications?

    Chartered Accountants Ireland is the largest and most influential accountancy body in Ireland, with 30,622 members working in Ireland and across the globe. The differences between Chartered and other bodies are detailed on this page.

    Back to Top
  3. I’m not an accountancy, finance or business graduate – Is Chartered Accountancy an option for me?

    Yes, you don’t need any previous accountancy knowledge as we’ll start from the beginning with the basics. Each year a significant number of new students join us from a wide range of disciplines (arts, science, IT, law etc.) and consistently do very well in exams.

    Training firms in practice and industry are always keen to interview such candidates as they bring diverse skills and knowledge to their training firms and studies. The starting point for non-business graduates is CAP 1 which provides the essential building blocks for more advanced study levels.

    Back to Top
  4. What is the Flexible Route and what is a Training Contract?

    We have two entry routes into our programme. The Training Contract features a 3.5 contract with a firm or company who will provide you with all the experience you need and pay your exam fees, and in practice you’ll receive study leave. You’ll start your studies and your training at the same time and finish everything within the timeframe of the contract.

    The Flexible Route does not involve a Training Contract, and while you’ll be taking the same exams and will be required to complete the same amount of work experience, you have more flexibility on the timeframe and amount of subjects / exams you take per year. There’s a time limit of 8 years to get everything finished. You can find out more on the entry routes page.

    Back to Top
  5. Am I able to start the Chartered Accountancy programme?

    If you’re a graduate, post-graduate, Accounting Technician, or member of another accountancy body, you can start the Chartered programme. Graduates and members of bodies from outside Ireland are also welcome to join – once you fulfil the entry requirements. You must be based on the island of Ireland for the duration of the programme.

    Back to Top
  6. How do I apply for a place on the Chartered programme?

    To apply for your place on the programme, we’ll ask you to set up an account on our website, where you’ll gain access to the online application process. To support your application, all you have to do is submit original documents that confirm you are a degree / Accounting Technicians graduate. All degree holders are eligible to enrol and you don’t need a business or accounting background.

    If you want to check exemptions, you can do this by applying online. You will receive an email with next steps once you submit the online application. If you do not receive the email please contact studentqueries@charteredaccountants.ie. Find out more about exemptions.

    Back to Top
  7. What subjects are covered and what will I learn?

    As well as your practical work experience, you’ll be studying to achieve your CAP 1, CAP 2 and FAE exams. The current syllabus is listed on the About Our Course page. Remember, you may already have covered some of this material in your prior studies, and may be entitled to some exemptions. This means you may not need to study all of these subjects.

    Back to Top
  8. How many examinations are there?

    This will depend on your exemptions. There is one exam paper per subject taken:

    CAP 1
    • Four full papers (Management Accounting, Finance, Financial Accounting, Taxation)
    • One half paper (Law)
    CAP 2
    • Four full papers (Auditing & Assurance, Taxation II, SFMA, Financial Reporting)
    FAE
    • FAE Core (one paper) and FAE Elective (one paper)
    Back to Top
  9. Can I choose how many papers I sit and subjects I take?

    Yes – our Flexible Route allows you to choose how many subjects you take and how many exams you sit per year. You can take subjects in pairs, or all together. For CAP 1 and CAP 2, there are two exam sittings per year, in early summer, and in autumn. You can either take all your papers in one sitting, or stagger them between the two sittings. Usually students in a Training Contract will take each required academic year in full.

    Back to Top
  10. How many exam attempts am I allowed?

    There are a generous number of exam attempts allowed within an eight year period (the eight years begins the year of your enrolment):

    CAP 1  (3 years) (6 attempts) (Exams twice annually)
    CAP 2 (3 years) (6 attempts) (Exams twice annually)
    FAE (3 years)  (3 attempts)   (One initial sitting and one repeat sitting annually) 
    Back to Top
  11. Can I take any CAP 1 subjects with CAP 2?

    Yes. Students have the option to take up to 1½ CAP 1 subjects with the first two subjects of CAP 2. This is available at the point of entry only, and is only applicable to students who are exempt from the other CAP 1 subjects.

    Back to Top
  12. Where are the course locations?

    Our course runs, thanks to its online only format, across the island of Ireland. We run regional variants of the course programme based on where you are based in the country.  Please register to the ROI or NI variant as appropriate. Timetables will be available on the student portal closer to the course commencement date. 

    Online learning is a good way for students to organise their studies around their work, social or family commitments in a structured, supported environment. Chartered Accountants Ireland is committed to ensuring students achieve success by providing comprehensive materials, online resources, and ensuring that individual support is available. Students who have proven themselves to be self-motivated, disciplined and committed enough to take responsibility for their own learning will benefit most from this course.

    Back to Top
  13. What are the exam fees? Are there any other fees?

    Chartered Accountants Ireland has a single fee structure that covers all costs associated with your education. The single fee provides for all text books, course notes, toolkits, course materials, and access to online education resources. Fees are paid by training firms as part of the Training Contract.

    When paying your fees, you simply pay for what subjects you are taking that year. Fees are priced per subject, and are detailed on the course description page.

    Back to Top
  14. Do I have to pay my fees in full when I enrol?

    Not necessarily. Flexible Route students can avail of our instalment payment plan, which takes your annual fee and divides it into three payments, spread over the year. These are interest free payments, and the plan is available to anyone funding the programme themselves. When you are enrolling, you’ll have the chance to choose the instalment payment programme, or to pay in full.

    Back to Top
  15. How long will it take me to qualify?

    This will vary from student to student. There are three academic years, but it is possible to complete exams in one to two years, depending on your exemptions.

    As well as passing the Institute's exams, you are required to complete a period of recognised experience for Qualification (REQ).  As a prerequisite for membership, all students joining the Institute are required to maintain evidence of their learning to ensure they have acquired the necessary breadth and range of competencies. Such periods of professional development is maintained on the on-line CA Diary of Professional Development and it is the Diary format that is used to assess an application for recognition of prior work experience.

    The REQ period is determined by your educational background. For example, the recognised experience requirement is three years for Masters in Accounting students, three-and-a-half years for graduates (of any discipline) and four years for Accounting Technicians Ireland graduates, but this can vary based on any prior work experience you may have. This period of recognised experience is comparable to other accountancy qualifications available.

    Back to Top
  16. What’s the closing date to register?

    Usually our deadline is mid September. Classes begin early October each year so you should aim to get enrolled before that date to ensure you receive all your course materials in time.

    Back to Top
  17. Can I do all my exams before gaining my experience?

    Yes, if you have spent at least four years in the workplace, in any kind of role. If you have less than four years’ work experience of any kind, then we’ll ask you to complete and record one year of recognised experience before sitting your FAE exams, meaning you can complete all of CAP 1 and CAP 2 before gaining any experience.

    Back to Top
  18. My current role can’t provide me with any accounting experience of the kind I’ll need to generate in order to qualify – any ideas?

    That’s not a problem. The Flexible Route allows you to start your professional education, and then gain your relevant accounting experience at a later date. You don’t have to be working in an accountancy environment to enrol with us and start your exams.

    In order to qualify, you’ll need to record the same amount of practical and relevant work experience as every other Chartered student. Chances are that once you start your Chartered studies you’re going to be an attractive prospect for employers and many students quickly migrate to accounting-related roles. These roles are not restricted to the finance industry either – there are Chartered trainees in IT, telecoms, manufacturing, retail, and engineering companies.

    Relevant work experience is any work activities/duties/responsibilities in a role that can be directly linked to the Institutes competency framework. The framework consists of core competency areas such as Financial Reporting, Professional Values, Personal and Interpersonal Skills and the Business Environment. Additionally, the competency framework allows trainees to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge in defined technical areas such as Auditing, Taxation, Finance or Information Technology.

     

    Back to Top
  19. Can I get credit for prior work experience?

    Yes, we will consider recognition of relevant prior work experience on a case by case basis, applications for recognition of prior work experience must be submitted within three months of first registering with the Institute.

    Naturally, certain conditions will apply and it will be necessary to detail your experience, and have it verified by your employer(s) / a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland (or a member of a Professional Body, recognised by IFAC).

    Students must be eligible to join the programme at the time of securing the experience documented (i.e. Graduate/Post-Graduate degree held or attained second year ATI exams).

    Students can seek to claim recognition of relevant experience completed within the preceding 5 years of registration with us. Currently the Institute recognises such experience on a “1 for 2” basis, with a maximum reduction in the length of the REQ  by 18 months on the basis of 3 years’ relevant and verified experience. 

    The experience has been certified by a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland (or a member of a Professional Body, recognised by IFAC), with at least 3 years post qualification experience.

    Back to Top
  20. I’ve heard that studying Chartered Accountancy is all about audit but I don’t work in audit, and I don’t see my future career involving audit.

    That’s no problem. While students will need to exhibit experience across financial reporting and regular exposure to books of accounts, there is no specific requirement to generate audit experience. Students outside of a practicing firm will not be working in audit, and they won’t be required to do so either.

    Many of our members often remark that an ability to understand audit and speak as an equal with external auditors sets them apart in the profession and has given them a real competitive edge. On that basis, you’ll have exposure to audit through your education, and you can choose the audit elective in your FAE.

    Back to Top
  21. I’ve heard that for Chartered Accountants Ireland, you need a training contract. Do I have to enter into one?

    You don’t have to enter into a training contract and there is no training contract for students under our Flexible Route. You need to get the same amount and type of experience as all Chartered Accountancy students, but you are free to choose your employer and job sector, and modify these as your circumstances change.

    Your experience does not have to be continuous, and you can gain your experience in more than one company.

    Back to Top
  22. I would like to secure a training contract. How do I go about securing one?

    If you’re a student, contact your college careers advisors for more information on the next ‘milkround’ dates or visit the firms’ websites. Many smaller practices in your area may offer training contract places and will provide an excellent, rounded training environment.

    Check out the full list of authorised training firms and make contact with training firms in your area. In addition, visit our Training Vacancies page to view current vacancies.

    Some companies in industry offer training contracts, though most prefer the Flexible Route. To gain a training contract in industry, contact companies directly or use jobs sites or recruitment agencies that specialise in placing accountancy trainees. 

    It is essential to be aware of our training contract regulations when accepting a training contract offer/transferring your training contract. For information on such regulations, please view our recruitment to and transferring of training contracts page.  

    Back to Top
  23. Do I need study leave to pass my exams?

    While students in a practicing firm who are in a Training Contract will receive block study leave, otherm students (in Industry or the Flexible Route) generally do not. Study leave is only given in blocks in Practice to suit the model of their training programmes.

    Students in other routes are usually able to study throughout the year, and perform very well in their exams – in fact, some of the top performing students each year are Industry students who wouldn’t have received block study leave.

    Back to Top
  24. Is the Chartered Accountants Ireland qualification recognised internationally?

    Yes – as a Chartered Accountant you’ll enjoy international career prospects in every financial global hub – 4,819 of our 29,596 members are working outside Ireland.

    The Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) we enjoy with other Chartered bodies around the world gives our members unparalleled global mobility upon qualification.

    Back to Top
  25. Can I study from outside Ireland?

    The programme is designed to allow students to qualify as members of Chartered Accountants Ireland.  In order to qualify students will be required to secure the Required Experience for Qualification and this must be secured on the island of Ireland.

    Back to Top

Contact us
Information for employers

Was this article helpful?

yes no

The latest news to your inbox

Useful links

  • Current students
  • Becoming a student
  • Knowledge centre
  • Shop
  • District societies

Get in touch

Dublin HQ

Chartered Accountants
House, 47-49 Pearse St,
Dublin 2, D02 YN40, Ireland

TEL: +353 1 637 7200
Belfast HQ

The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street, Belfast,
Antrim, BT2 8BG, United Kingdom

TEL: +44 28 9043 5840

Connect with us

Something wrong?

Is the website not looking right/working right for you?
Browser support
CAW Footer Logo-min
GAA Footer Logo-min
CCAB-I Footer Logo-min
ABN_Logo-min

© Copyright Chartered Accountants Ireland 2020. All Rights Reserved.

☰
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Event privacy notice
  • Sitemap
LOADING...

Please wait while the page loads.