Student, Graduate Accounting Technician, Advanced Accounting Technician

Students

The Examinations of the Institute are available to Registered Students who must be at least 16 years of age before the date of registration. Applicants must in all aspects be regarded as a fit and proper person before registration can be confirmed. Applicants must supply the details of two persons willing to give a reference, who may be contacted in support of the Applicants Registration. Upon successfull registration the Applicant will be notified by E-Mail and upon the payment of the appropriate fees can then commence studying for the Association qualifications. Students can describe themselves as "A Registered Student of ACPA", but can't use any other titles or designatory letters after their name.

Graduate Accounting Technician (GAT)

The Membership Grade of Graduate Accounting Technician (GAT) may be awarded to any applicant who satisfies the basic Membership Requirements for Students detailed in the Students section above, and;

1. Has gained a total credit value of 40 or above at the QCF Level 4, which covers the following units;
   • Financial Accounting
   • Management Accounting
   • Business Maths & Quantitive Methods
   • Economics
2. Or can demonstrate a combination of qualification equivalency which equates to item 1 above.

Advanced Accounting Technician (AAT)

The Membership Grade of Advanced Accounting Technician (AAT) may be awarded to any applicant who satisfies the Membership Requirements for Graduate Accounting Technicians (GAT) detailed in the section above, and;

1. Has gained an additional total credit value of 38 or above at the QCF Level 5, which covers the following units;
   • Information Technology
   • Business Law
   • Audit
   • Taxation
2. Or can demonstrate a combination of qualification equivalency which equates to item 1 above.

Project Accountants (ACPA & FCPA)

Associate Certified Project Accountant (ACPA - Professional Level)

The Membership Grade of Associate Certified Project Accountant (ACPA) may be awarded to any applicant who satisfies the Membership Requirements for Advanced Accounting Technicians (AAT) detailed in the section above, and;

1. Has gained an additional total credit value of 57 or above at the QCF Level 6, which covers the following units;
   • Advanced Accountancy
   • Project Management
   • Project Management Body of Knowledge (ANSI Standard)
   • Project Accounting
2. Or can demonstrate a combination of qualification equivalency which equates to item 1 above.

Fellow Certified Project Accountant (FCPA - Strategic Level)

The Membership Grade of Fellow Certified Project Accountant (FCPA) may be awarded to any applicant who satisfies the Membership Requirements for Associate Certified Project Accountants (ACPA) detailed above, and;

1. Has gained an additional total credit value of 37 or above at the QCF Level 7, which covers the following units;
   • Strategic Business Planning
   • Strategic Financial Planning
   • Strategic ICT Planning
2. Or can demonstrate a combination of qualification equivalency which equates to item 1 above.

Corporate Executive Accountants (ACCEA & FCCEA)

Associate Certified Corporate Executive Accountant (ACCEA - Professional Level)

The Membership Grade of Associate Certified Corporate Accountant (ACCEA) may be awarded to any applicant who satisfies the Membership Requirements for Advanced Accounting Technicians (AAT) detailed in the section above, and;

1. Has gained an additional total credit value of 50 or above at the QCF Level 6, which covers the following units;
   • Advanced Accountancy
   • Performance Management
   • Decision making Management
   • Risk and Control Management
2. Or can demonstrate a combination of qualification equivalency which equates to item 1 above.

Fellow Certified Corporate Executive Accountant (FCCEA - Strategic Level)

The Membership Grade of Fellow Certified Corporate Accountant (FCCEA) may be awarded to any applicant who satisfies the Membership Requirements for Associate Certified Corporate Executive Accountant (ACCEA) detailed in the section above, and;

1. Has gained an additional total credit value of 37 or above at the QCF Level 7, which covers the following units;
   • Strategic Business Planning
   • Strategic Financial Planning
   • Strategic ICT Planning
2. Or can demonstrate a combination of qualification equivalency which equates to item 1 above.

Dual Major Membership Grade – ACPA, ACCEA or FCPA, FCCEA.

Members who pass all seven exam Units at Level 6 will be able to gain the “Dual Major” membership grade of ACPA, ACCEA or FCPA, FCCEA. The Dual Major can be obtained as part of your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme. Members can “Bridge” between the two Syllabus Pathways – Project Accounting and Corporate Accounting - by gaining both Level 6 Diplomas. The schematic diagram below will help to explain how the Diplomas provide a bridge between the two Pathways, and how a Certified Accountant in one Pathway can gain additional Certification in the other via the appropriate Diploma;

Project Accountant “Bridging” to Corporate Accounting (Example)

After you have become a Project Accountant and gained membership as an ACPA you can choose how you wish to advance your career. You may decide that the next step is to work towards the Strategic Level of your career by studying for the Level 7 Diploma for Certified Project Accountants (or equivalency), which will enable you to secure the membership status of Fellow Certified Project Accountant and gain the designation FCPA. However; you may decide to broaden your qualification base before moving on to the Strategic Level by studying for the Level 6 Diploma for Certified Corporate Accountants. This will enable you to secure the “Dual Major” membership status of Associate Certified Project and Corporate Accountant and gain the designation ACPA, ACCEA. If you chose to move directly to the Strategic Level you will still be able to gain the Dual Major designation after you become a Fellow by then completing the Level 6 Diploma for Certified Corporate Accountants. Your membership status will then be Fellow Certified Project and Corporate Accountant and your designation will be FCPA, FCCEA. As an ACPA or FCPA you will already have gained exemption from one of the four Units within the Level 6 Diploma for Certified Corporate Accountants, which will leave the following three Units to complete:

• 3.5 Performance Management
• 3.6 Decision Making Management
• 3.7 Risk & Control Management

Corporate Accountant “Bridging” to Project Accounting (Example)

Corporate Accountants have the same opportunity to Bridge to Project Accounting as above for Project Accountants Bridging to Corporate Accounting. To do so Corporate Accountants will need to complete the remaining Units in the Level 6 Diploma for Certified Project Accountants, which are:

• 3.2 Project Management
• 3.3 PM Body of Knowledge
• 3.4 Project Accounting

Affiliate Members Programme

The Affiliate Members Programme is designed to offer a non-certification membership to persons interested in the development of Project Accounting. The Affiliate Programme is open to all classes of applicant, be they trained in accountancy or not. Affiliate Members are subject to the same ACPA regulations as other classes of membership and are expected to comply with the ACPA Code of Ethics, and are subject to the same Disciplinary Mechanism. Affiliate Members gain similar benefits as to those of Student Members. Additionally, Affiliate Members are allowed to use the designation AM-ACPA after their name in recognition of their affiliation. At any time after successful registration an Affiliate may choose to sit Certification Exams. If this is the case, he/she is not required to register as a Student. He/she can simply select the exams they wish to sit from within their Members Account. They still retain their status as an Affiliate Member yet are able to pursue a route to Professional Qualification. Affiliate Members are not expected to take up Professional Qualifications, however the choice is there at all times. Typically, Affiliate Members are Project Managers, Programme Managers, Programme Directors, and Qualified Accountants from within other branches of Accountancy and others who have an interest in Project Accounting, such as specialist recruitment consultants.

Corporate Members Programme

The Corporate Members Programme is open to any organization that is interested in the development of Project and Corporate Accountancy. Corporate Membership is appropriate to Commercial, Public, and Academic organizations.

Trainer Licensing Programme

As a Professional Membership Organization ACPA operates a Trainer Licencing Programme, which is designed to ensure that ACPA licensed Trainers offer a consistently high quality of service and ethical behaviour to all ACPA Students. Further details concerning the Trainer Licensing Programme are available from the ACPA Membership Officer.

Practicing Certificates

Associate and Fellow Members of ACPA may, under certain circumstances, apply for Practicing Certificates when working in public practice. Further details concerning the issue of Practicing Certificates are available to Members upon request.

Benefits and Advantages of ACPA Professional Membership

Below are a few advantages of becoming a Certified Corporate Executive Accountant or Certified Project Accountant;

• Being recognised as a highly qualified and skilled Professional Accountant
• Being positioned to gain the maximum financial rewards that you deserve
• Gaining the respect and admiration of your peers, family and friends
• Securing the financial future for you and your family
• Guaranteeing your foot in the door leading to success and independence
• Global recognition that you have achieved the most prestigious qualification dedicated to Project Accountancy or Corporate Accountancy
• Being part of a growing and global organisation
• The Association does not operate a time-bar rule. Members can qualify at their own pace and in their own time.
• You can sit exams via the internet by using our unique eAssessment Exam-Engine™.
• Our Members and Students enjoy the lowest cost to qualify within the Profession.
• Our Student Members enjoy the benefit of full recognition of their achievements at each step of their career. Qualifications are not dependent upon membership but at the completion of each level our Members will gain recognition and qualifications as follows;

  Qualification Gained	Membership Entitlement	Designation
  Level 4 Diploma for Accounting Technicians	Graduate Accounting Technician	GAT
  Level 5 Diploma for Accounting Technicians	Advanced Accounting Technician	AAT
  Level 6 Diploma for Certified Corporate Accountants	Associate Certified Corporate Accountant	ACCEA
  Level 7 Diploma for Certified Corporate Accountants	Fellow Certified Corporate Accountant	FCCEA
  Level 6 Diploma for Certified Project Accountants	Associate Certified Project Accountant	ACPA
  Level 7 Diploma for Certified Project Accountants	Fellow Certified Project Accountant	FCPA
  Level 6 Certificate for Certified Project Managers	Certified Project Manager	CPM

• Members can gain the “Dual Major” Membership Grade by completing an additional Diploma at Level 6. See above for further details.
• You can sit exams when and where you choose. When you are ready to be tested you simply select the exam, pay for it, and sit it. Sitting an exam immediately after you have studied for it ensures that your knowledge is fresh and significantly increases your chances of obtaining a successful result.
• ACPA is Certified as fully Compliant with ISO17024 (“Bodies Operating Certification of Persons”).
• Our syllabus reading list is very closely aligned with that of CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), and PMI (Project Management Institute) which provides our Students with the comfort that they are studying for a very worthwhile set of qualifications.
• The ACPA qualifications are approved by the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC) in the United Kingdom.
• We are continually pursuing dialogue with many Institutions around the world concerning mutual recognition and with government agencies, concerning harmonization of standards.
• We are the only Professional Accountancy Body to offer examination and formal recognition to Project Accountants.
• We are the only Professional Accountancy Body to include Project Management within the Professional Accountancy syllabus.
• We offer recognition to University Graduates and MBA’s who hold degrees in Accountancy or Finance.
• We are actively working with “Training Partners” around the globe to provide full and part-time training courses to all our Students and Members.
• We actively promote “Accessibility for All” and strive to remove barriers to Professional Qualification.
• ACPA operates a “No-Penalty” CPD system available to all our Members.
• All our Students and Members have their own Personal Members Account, which can be accessed directly via the internet. Your Personal Members Account enables you to;
  • Update your personal details, and view the details of your fees paid or outstanding
  • Obtain copy invoices and receipts for invoices paid
  • Pay your exam fees directly via one of our Payment Partners
  • View your exam Scorecard (Learner Record), which records your qualification achievements.
  • Select exams you wish to take, and enter the “Exam Hall” ready to sit an on-line exam
  • Obtain copy exam Transcripts for exams already taken
  • Update your CPD Record Card
• All our Members have access to free and on-going study and career advice whenever they request it
• All our Members have the right to one-to-one Mentoring, and assistance with any professionally related matters upon request.

New Designations

In addition to the change of qualification titles, some Membership designations have also changed. The table below compares the former and current Membership Designations:

Exemptions based upon Qualifications & or Experience

Exemptions are offered to people who can demonstrate a combination of existing qualifications and experience depending upon the level of ACPA grade applied for. Students and Members of the following professional bodies can apply for direct exemptions at the discretion of the ACPA Board;

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Institute of Management Accountants

(Defunct) Institute of Cost & Executive Accountants

Association of Financial Controllers & Administrators

Association of Accounting Technicians

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

Institute of Financial Accountants

Association of International Accountants

Association of Certified Book-Keepers

Not sure if you qualify for exemption?

The above list of peer Accountancy Bodies gaining exemptions is not exhaustive so If you're not sure whether or not your current qualifications and experience will gain you exemptions then please contact the Membership Officer directly for advice, giving as much information about your experience and qualifictions as you possibly can. Please include your CV and scanned copies of any certificates and / or transcripts which you think may help.

How to Apply for Membership

Membership is open to any person who can satisfy the membership requirements as follows;

• You must be a fit and proper person
• You agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of membership as detailed in the agreement section of the registration page, and to abide by the IFAC Code of Ethics as adopted by ACPA

The minimum qualification entry requirements required to join ACPA as a student are detailed in the "Student" Section above. Anyone satisfying the basic entry requirements can apply for student membership and commence almost immediately to study to become either a Certified Project Accountant or a Certified Corporate Executive Accountant.
You are strongly advised to decide on which route (Project Accountancy or Corporate Accountancy) you wish to take BEFORE you register as a student. Ordinarily students decide on a qualification path and stick with it throughout their studies. In some cases students decide later on that they wish to change route. This is not impossible but it is not advised. Students in such a predicament must first contact the Membership Officer for guidance.

These are the steps required to register as a Member:

• Step One: Decide on exactly which route you wish to take (Project Accountancy or Corporate Accountancy )
• Step Two: Navigate to the "Register as a Member" Page
• Step Three: Follow the instructions on the Registration Page and complete the Student registration process.

For further details contact the Membership Officer directly.

Standards - Professional Membership: IFAC

ACPA Supports the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) ethos and is committed to its broad objective of developing and enhancing a coordinated worldwide accountancy profession with harmonised standards.
ACPA has defined standards of professional conduct and competence for all Members and registered Students. We have adopted IFAC’s Code of Ethics in its entirety in order to provide our Members and Students with a clear set of guiding principles to abide by.
The Code of Ethics provides a set of objectives and fundamental principles that Members and registered Students can work by and should adhere to. Members and Students can apply them to their own situations and circumstances to ensure that they maintain their competence as a Professional Student, Certified Project Accountant or Certified Corporate Executive Accountant.