Introducing our refreshed and future-fit CA syllabus
Our CA syllabus has been refreshed to keep pace with advances in technology, data and sustainability, empowering those who achieve it to lead the economies of tomorrow.
Keeping pace
Driven by a renewed vision and our ambitious strategy, we’re evolving and innovating to redefine learning at ICAS. As part of this work, we’ve refreshed our syllabus to ensure that it remains future fit and keeps pace with advances in technology, data and sustainability.
Our CA qualification fosters the ethical mindset, technical skills, professional knowledge and practical experience for a successful career.
The new syllabus will also deliver the non-technical skills needed for the workplace of the future, including complex problem solving, professional scepticism, communication, and agile thinking.
Those who achieve it will be empowered to make an impact in any workplace and to help create the sustainable economies of tomorrow.
Structured flexibility
The new syllabus allows employers to create personalised learning journeys for their students using new in-depth electives.
And our new, rolling three-year schedule of terms offers the ‘structured flexibility’ that enables employers to select a route through the syllabus to meet their specific business requirements and students’ individual learning needs.
Get to know the new syllabus
The new syllabus begins with an Ethics module, which will be part of our Fundamentals onboarding course.
The remainder of the syllabus is structured over three levels, starting with Knowledge, leading to Skills, and finishing with Integration.
As illustrated below, the core subjects at the Skills level are supported by four new in-depth electives: Advanced Tax: Data Analytics; Innovation for Growth and Transformation; and Sustainability for Accountants.
Students will also need to have worked and logged a minimum of 450 days of Relevant Practical Experience to complete their training.
Knowledge
An introduction to the foundations of accounting. We’ll build your core knowledge over five essential courses:
- Reporting and Performance 1
- Assurance
- Business Management and Finance
- Taxation
- Business Law
Knowledge-level courses
Reporting and Performance 1
SCQF Level: 9
Credit points: 15
Duration (nominal hours): 150
Assessment type: Summative, Objective Test Questions
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Get an introduction to key areas of financial and non-financial reporting and performance.
The financial reporting element of the course covers:
- Double-entry bookkeeping.
- The use of journals to record transactions in accounting systems.
- Adjusting financial records.
- Preparing non-complex financial statements.
The non-financial reporting element of the course introduces:
- Sustainability, including the main elements of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting.
- An exploration of the role of the accountant, including an outline of the evolving non-financial-reporting landscape.
- Linking the financial and non-financial elements of financial statements.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Explain the accounting requirements for financial statements.
- Prepare and present a set of financial statements in accordance with relevant accounting standards.
- Explain the requirements for non-financial reporting and performance in accordance with relevant standards.
- Explain ethical guidance in the context of reporting and performance.
Assurance
CQF Level: 9
Credit points: 10
Duration (nominal hours): 100
Assessment type: Summative, Objective Test Questions
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Get an introduction to the assurance process, professional scepticism, and the fundamental ethical principles that are relevant for assurance engagements.
The course concentrates on:
- Risk.
- Internal-control frameworks and business processes.
- The UK regulatory framework for accounting and auditing.
- The key stages in the external audit process.
- Assurance of sustainability audit engagements.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Define business risk and explain a range of strategies, including internal controls to manage financial and non-financial risk.
- Explain the role and responsibilities of the external auditor within the UK regulatory framework.
- Apply guidance, including the International Standards on Auditing (UK), to the external audit process.
- Apply ethical guidance, including the Financial Reporting Council Ethical Standard, to assurance engagements.
Business Management and Finance
SCQF Level: 9
Credit points: 15
Duration (nominal hours): 150
Assessment type: Summative, Objective Test Questions
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Get an introduction to how businesses operate, the financial and non-financial information required for the management of a business, and how the finance function helps businesses achieve their objectives.
The course concentrates on:
- The general objectives of businesses.
- How businesses identify and calculate relevant data for use in management decision-making to help achieve their objectives.
- How the finance function supports business operations.
- How to identify sources and methods of financing for businesses.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Describe the environment within which businesses function.
- Prepare data used in financial analysis.
- Apply appropriate techniques to support investment decision making.
- Explain how non-financial information supports sustainable business decisions.
- Illustrate the use of ethics in business management and finance decisions.
Taxation
SCQF Level: 9
Credit points: 15
Duration (nominal hours): 150
Assessment type: Summative, Objective Test Questions
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Gain an understanding of the UK tax system and the tax-compliance duties and roles of taxpayers, accountants and HMRC. The course is split into two equal parts covering personal tax and business tax.
The course will enable you to:
- Prepare tax computations for individuals and companies.
- Understand the tax implications of a course of action.
- Explain the potential tax treatments of several straightforward transactions.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Calculate a personal tax liability.
- Calculate a direct tax liability for a business.
- Calculate an indirect tax liability for a business.
- Explain the key principles and administration of UK tax.
- Describe best practice when dealing with clients, other professionals and HMRC.
Business Law
SCQF Level: 9
Credit points: 5
Duration (nominal hours): 50
Assessment type: Summative, Objective Test Questions
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Get an introduction to the UK legal system and explanation of elements of criminal and civil law that are relevant to the work of finance professionals.
The course concentrates on:
- Contract law.
- The agency relationship and the consequences of negligence.
- Elements of company, insolvency, information and employment law.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Identify the key features of UK law as it applies to business.
- Identify the essential features of UK Company law.
- Describe the main elements of law which are relevant to finance professionals.
- Apply ethical guidance in the context of business law.
Skills
Applying technical knowledge to real-world situations. We’ll help you take the next step, turn theory into practice and build your professional understanding with:
- Reporting and Performance 2
- Advanced Reporting and Performance
- Advanced Assurance
- Corporate Finance and Modelling
- Data, Risk and Technology
Employers can also create a personalised learning journey for their students by selecting one of four in-depth electives:
- Advanced Tax
- Data Analytics
- Innovation for Growth and Transformation
- Sustainability for Accountants
Skills-level core courses
Reporting and Performance 2
SCQF Level: 10
Credit points: 10
Duration (nominal hours): 100
Core/Elective: Core
Assessment type: Invigilated written assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Develop the technical knowledge and skills required to process a range of accounting transactions.
In this course you’ll:
- Prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS Standards.
- Advise on selection and application of accounting policies.
- Build your knowledge of non-financial reporting and the reporting requirements.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Apply technical knowledge to account for complex transactions and events.
- Prepare financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
- Prepare non-financial reporting and performance disclosures in accordance with relevant standards.
- Apply ethical guidance in the context of reporting and performance.
Advanced Reporting and Performance
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 10
Duration (nominal hours): 100
Core/Elective: Core
Assessment type: Invigilated written assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Build on everything learned in Reporting and Performance 2 and develop your ability to advise businesses on their reporting and performance requirements.
In this course you’ll:
- Develop reporting knowledge
- Construct financial statements
- Process more complex accounting transactions
- Prepare disclosures.
- Build the ability to review and advise on financial and non-financial reporting requirements.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Advise on the requirements for financial reporting and performance in accordance with relevant standards.
- Advise on the requirements for non-financial reporting and performance in accordance with relevant standards.
- Evaluate and respond appropriately to ethical issues in the context of reporting and performance.
Advanced Assurance
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 15
Duration (nominal hours): 150
Core/Elective: Core
Assessment type: Invigilated written assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Advance your understanding of managing each of the stages of a statutory and non-statutory assurance engagement.
This course will develop your ability to:
- Advise businesses on the effectiveness of their control environment
- Help businesses to effectively complete each stage of the assurance process.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Apply practical skills and technical knowledge in providing assurance services.
- Apply professional judgement and professional scepticism in conducting an assurance engagement.
- Evaluate and respond appropriately to ethical issues arising in assurance engagements.
Corporate Finance and Modelling
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 15
Duration (nominal hours): 150
Core/Elective: Core
Assessment type: Coursework based assessment / Invigilated written assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Develop the quantitative and qualitative skills that allow you to advise businesses across a range of scenarios.
In this course you’ll use technical knowledge and professional judgement to:
- Prepare and review models
- Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate options and recommend courses of action.
The course also looks at:
- Evaluating a business’ financial position
- Identifying the financial risks
- Methods of measuring and managing financial risks.
- Corporate-restructuring situations, including valuations and advice on investment and distribution decisions.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Advise on investment and funding options to support business decision-making.
- Advise on corporate restructuring situations.
- Construct and appraise a range of financial and operational models.
- Evaluate and respond appropriately to ethical issues in the context of corporate finance and modelling.
Data, Risk and Technology
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 15
Duration (nominal hours): 150
Core/Elective: Core
Assessment type: Summative, 2x Coursework Submissions/Continual assessment with 7 day window for each coursework
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Develop the concept of risk and consider approaches to risk management.
This course will allow you to:
- Evaluate the risks facing a business.
- Advise on appropriate risk-management strategies.
In addition, the course provides an understanding of:
- The concepts, methods and ideas affecting existing and emerging digital technologies.
- How emerging digital technologies add value to existing control frameworks.
- How to evaluate the benefits, risks and challenges for a business arising from emerging technologies.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Recommend risk-management strategies to address financial and non-financial risks affecting an organisation.
- Evaluate and communicate the results of data analyses, presented in a range of formats, to provide relevant information for decision making.
- Identify and evaluate existing and emerging technology solutions and contribute to an IT strategy to meet business objectives and strategy.
- Evaluate and respond appropriately to ethical issues arising in the context of data, risk and technology.
Skills-level elective courses
Advanced Taxation
CQF Level: 11
Credit points: 10
Duration (nominal hours): 100
Core/Elective: Elective
Assessment type: Invigilated written assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Learn to apply technical knowledge and professional judgement by following the business lifecycle. You’ll use this to identify and resolve tax issues that arise when preparing tax computations, and to provide advice on tax-efficient strategies for businesses and individuals.
You will be able to advise on alternative tax treatments to defer or minimise tax liabilities. And you’ll be asked to consider the commercial context, professional conduct, the needs of clients and the interaction between the taxes.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Advise on the tax consequences of a range of transactions and events.
- Consider the interaction of different taxes when advising on the tax consequences of a range of transactions and events.
- Construct a report to effectively communicate your advice.
- Evaluate and respond appropriately to any ethical issues arising when providing tax advice.
Data Analytics and Insights
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 10
Duration (nominal hours): 100
Core/Elective: Elective
Assessment type: Coursework-based assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Understand the role of the data scientist in business.
The value of Chartered Accountants is derived from their creative thinking, strategic insight and communication skills. CAs are a point of collaboration between different functions, enabling better decision-making and generating improved outcomes.
In this course you’ll:
- Develop a range of analytical, problem solving and critical-thinking skills.
- Learn how to identify, analyse, solve and communicate business problems using data-analysis techniques and modern business-intelligence tools.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Critically analyse business problems to identify how data analytics can contribute to solutions.
- Critically evaluate the suitability of data and prepare it for further analysis.
- Use judgment to select and apply data analytic strategies and techniques to generate insights.
- Communicate results of data analyses to stakeholders to provide actionable insights that address business problems.
Sustainability for Accountants
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 10
Duration (nominal hours): 100
Core/Elective: Elective
Assessment type: Coursework-based assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Develop an awareness of environmental, social and governance impacts on organisations, and the role Chartered Accountants play in linking these issues to broader business agendas.
This course will support you to contribute to, and influence, an organisation’s values, culture, strategy, and practices to ensure they align to sustainability principles, practices, frameworks and standards.
You’ll develop:
- The knowledge and skills needed to identify and evaluate changes in sustainability practices and reporting.
- The ability to communicate about sustainability to inform and influence various stakeholder groups.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Critically evaluate sustainability principles in the context of an entity’s values, culture, and strategy.
- Apply sustainable business practices that contribute to the achievement of desired stakeholder outcomes.
- Critically evaluate changes that affect sustainability practices and reporting.
- Effectively apply sustainability principles and practices to inform and influence stakeholders.
Innovation for Growth and Transformation
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 10
Duration (nominal hours): 100
Core/Elective: Elective
Assessment type: Coursework-based assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Develop the practical skills and leadership mindset needed to help organisations continuously innovate, transform and grow.
This course is designed for the new generation of Chartered Accountant who wants to play a meaningful role in creating and sustaining organisational value.
Powered by the world’s only proven, total system for effective innovation and proactive problem-solving, you’ll be equipped to:
- Produce powerful ideas on demand.
- Engage and persuade stakeholders and investors with clear value propositions.
- Validate and develop concepts into feasible, commercially attractive business improvements or market innovations.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Analyse a market need and recommend a viable intrapreneurial venture for an identified audience.
- Develop and justify an appropriate and substantial business plan.
- Effectively construct and communicate the plan to a professional audience
- Critically consider and evaluate on the process of working to develop an immersive intrapreneurial venture
- Consider and respond appropriately to any ethical issues arising when developing a business plan.
Integration
Bringing everything together. Calling on what you’ve learned so far, you’ll demonstrate professional and ethical judgement and develop conclusions and recommendations through two courses:
- Case Study
- Professional Ethics
Integration-level courses
Integrated Case Study
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 35 (in combination with Professional Ethics)
Duration (nominal hours): 350
Assessment type: Open book, invigilated written assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Reproduce a work scenario in which you, as a Chartered Accountant, could find yourself.
The Integrated Case Study involves using information from a range of business and professional advisors and stakeholders. The scenario will pose a series of complex business issues and require you to offer advice in the form of a written report.
You’ll be provided with background details on the organisation and its business environment ahead of the assessment (but this won’t detail the requirements of the Case Study). You’ll then be expected to critically analyse the information provided and undertake any additional analysis and research considered necessary.
The objectives of the Case Study are to:
- Assess your understanding of complex business issues and your ability to analyse financial and non-financial data.
- Exercise professional and ethical judgement and develop conclusions and recommendations.
(You’re permitted to take your analysis and research into the assessment.)
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Integrate technical accounting knowledge, critical thinking and professional skills to provide commercial insights and recommend solutions to complex business problems.
- Communicate effectively across a range of business contexts.
- Act with integrity and set an example by 'doing the right thing'.
Professional Ethics
SCQF Level: 11
Credit points: 35 (in combination with Integrated Case Study)
Duration (nominal hours): 350
Assessment type: Open book, invigilated written assessment
Assessment pass mark: 50%
Course description:
Go beyond the ICAS Code of Ethics and consider the impact of ethical issues in business, on the individual, the profession, and society.
With their influence and behaviour, Chartered Accountants can help reinforce the importance of ethics at the heart of business practices and encourage a more responsible and holistic approach to business. In this way, they’re a key component of building public trust in business, to the benefit of broader society.
Placed at the end of the qualification, this course bookends and builds upon the Ethics module you sat at the start of the qualification and reasserts the importance of ethics as you complete your studies.
Through a series of real-life case studies, you’ll:
- Consider a range of ethical dilemmas.
- Recommend appropriate actions to address the issues.
Syllabus learning outcomes:
- Evaluate the impact of ethical issues in business on the individual, the profession, and society, including the effect on public trust.
- Consider the perspective of others when reviewing ethical issues and making recommendations.
- Consider the ICAS Code of Ethics and relevant legislation when making informed judgements and recommendations on appropriate course(s) of action taken to address ethical issues.
Discover more
Discover our in-depth guide to the CA syllabus, including more information on the programme, syllabus and module learning outcomes.
A summary of what’s changing
Browse our summary of the main changes in comparison to the current syllabus.
Register your interest to get started
To begin the process of training an ICAS CA, please register your interest and we’ll be in touch to guide you through the next steps:
