National professional body
Provides local oversight, candidate support and the professional connection to CPA Somaliland.
Professional qualification
Earn a joint CPA qualification with regional reach.
The ICPAS–ICPAR joint programme enables eligible candidates in Somaliland to pursue CPA Somaliland and CPA Rwanda through one coordinated professional pathway.
Joint programme
National oversight with an established examining partner.
The collaboration combines ICPAS’s national professional role with ICPAR’s qualification and examination infrastructure.
The joint CPA programme was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 28 February 2025. It supports professional education, institutional cooperation and the development of accountants able to serve Somaliland’s public and private sectors.
Candidates who satisfy the complete programme requirements are awarded both CPA Somaliland and CPA Rwanda.
Examining partner
Provides the established CPA curriculum, assessment and examination administration used by the joint programme.
Entry routes
Who may apply?
An applicant must hold at least one of the qualifications or statuses recognised under the joint programme.
Relevant bachelor’s degree
Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Banking or a related field.
Technician qualification
ICPAS CATT or another recognised technician qualification, such as ACCA CAT.
Diploma or certificate
A recognised diploma or certificate in Accounting.
Third-year university student
Enrolment in the third year of a recognised Accounting or Business programme.
Other approved qualification
Another certificate or diploma approved by ICPAR in collaboration with ICPAS.
Qualification structure
The pathway from foundation to professional level.
Candidates progress through four levels. At Strategic Level, all three core modules are required, followed by one chosen sector route.
01Foundation / Technical LevelFour modules
- FA1.1Financial Accounting
- MA1.2Management Accounting
- TA1.3Taxation
- AA1.4Audit & Assurance
02Operational LevelFive modules
- LG2.1Ethics, Law & Governance
- DF2.2Digital Finance
- FM2.3Financial Management
- FR2.4Financial Reporting
- AT2.5Advanced Taxation
03Strategic LevelThree core modules plus one route
Complete the core modules, then select either the Public Sector Route or the Private Sector Route.
Core strategic modules
Choose one route- AA3.1Advanced Audit & Assurance
- SM3.2Strategic Management
- FR3.3Advanced Financial Reporting
04Professional LevelFinal integrated assessment
- FinalIntegrated Case Study
Certification requirements
Complete the academic and practical requirements.
Admission to the programme is the beginning of the pathway; certification follows only after all applicable requirements are satisfied.
Pass the required papers
Complete and pass the applicable papers across all required levels, after taking account of any exemptions formally granted.
Complete local requirements
Complete any Somaliland-specific learning or professional requirements communicated by ICPAS for the joint qualification.
Demonstrate experience
Provide evidence of at least two years of practical experience that meets the programme requirements.
Candidate journey
Four stages from application to certification.
Individual paper requirements and exemptions depend on the applicant’s verified academic background.
Apply
Submit the joint CPA application and the requested academic documentation.
Assessment
Eligibility and any exemption request are reviewed under the joint programme rules.
Study and sit
Register for applicable papers, prepare through approved learning arrangements and sit the examinations.
Complete and certify
Satisfy all academic, local and practical-experience requirements before certification.
Professional services
Choose the service relevant to your status.
The joint qualification application, direct membership, verification and practice licensing are separate processes.
Existing professionals
Direct membership
For eligible members in good standing of an IFAC member organisation.
Open the application →Public trustVerify a CPA
Confirm eligible CPA Somaliland certificates or professional status through the verification service.
Open verification →Professional practicePractising certificate
Apply for the authorisation required to provide applicable professional services in practice.
Open the application →Frequently asked questions
Key points about the joint CPA route.
Open a question for a concise answer. Individual eligibility and exemption decisions are made only after formal review.
01Which CPA qualifications will I receive?
A candidate who completes all joint programme requirements is awarded CPA Somaliland and CPA Rwanda.
02Who administers the examinations?
The CPA papers and examinations used by the joint programme are administered through ICPAR.
03Can a third-year university student apply?
Yes, if enrolled in the third year of a recognised Accounting or Business programme and otherwise accepted under the joint programme criteria.
04Can CATT graduates apply?
Yes. The ICPAS CATT qualification is one of the stated entry routes.
05Will my degree give me exemptions?
It may. Exemptions depend on the recognised qualification and are granted only after a formal, paper-by-paper assessment.
06Is practical experience required?
Yes. The current programme information requires at least two years of practical experience.
07Is direct membership the same as joining the CPA programme?
No. Direct membership is a separate route for eligible members of IFAC member bodies. Other applicants should use the joint CPA qualification route.
08When may I use the CPA Somaliland designation?
Only after all applicable qualification or membership requirements have been completed and ICPAS has formally admitted or certified you.
Take the next step toward CPA.
Apply for the joint programme or contact ICPAS if you need guidance on eligibility, exemptions or the appropriate membership route.
Professional qualification
Earn a joint CPA qualification with regional reach.
The ICPAS–ICPAR joint programme enables eligible candidates in Somaliland to pursue CPA Somaliland and CPA Rwanda through one coordinated professional pathway.
Joint programme
National oversight with an established examining partner.
The collaboration combines ICPAS’s national professional role with ICPAR’s qualification and examination infrastructure.
The joint CPA programme was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 28 February 2025. It supports professional education, institutional cooperation and the development of accountants able to serve Somaliland’s public and private sectors.
Candidates who satisfy the complete programme requirements are awarded both CPA Somaliland and CPA Rwanda.
National professional body
Provides local oversight, candidate support and the professional connection to CPA Somaliland.
Examining partner
Provides the established CPA curriculum, assessment and examination administration used by the joint programme.
Entry routes
Who may apply?
An applicant must hold at least one of the qualifications or statuses recognised under the joint programme.
Relevant bachelor’s degree
Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Banking or a related field.
Technician qualification
ICPAS CATT or another recognised technician qualification, such as ACCA CAT.
Diploma or certificate
A recognised diploma or certificate in Accounting.
Third-year university student
Enrolment in the third year of a recognised Accounting or Business programme.
Other approved qualification
Another certificate or diploma approved by ICPAR in collaboration with ICPAS.
Qualification structure
The pathway from foundation to professional level.
Candidates progress through four levels. At Strategic Level, all three core modules are required, followed by one chosen sector route.
01Foundation / Technical LevelFour modules
- FA1.1Financial Accounting
- MA1.2Management Accounting
- TA1.3Taxation
- AA1.4Audit & Assurance
02Operational LevelFive modules
- LG2.1Ethics, Law & Governance
- DF2.2Digital Finance
- FM2.3Financial Management
- FR2.4Financial Reporting
- AT2.5Advanced Taxation
03Strategic LevelThree core modules plus one route
Complete the core modules, then select either the Public Sector Route or the Private Sector Route.
Core strategic modules
Choose one route- AA3.1Advanced Audit & Assurance
- SM3.2Strategic Management
- FR3.3Advanced Financial Reporting
04Professional LevelFinal integrated assessment
- FinalIntegrated Case Study
Certification requirements
Complete the academic and practical requirements.
Admission to the programme is the beginning of the pathway; certification follows only after all applicable requirements are satisfied.
Pass the required papers
Complete and pass the applicable papers across all required levels, after taking account of any exemptions formally granted.
Complete local requirements
Complete any Somaliland-specific learning or professional requirements communicated by ICPAS for the joint qualification.
Demonstrate experience
Provide evidence of at least two years of practical experience that meets the programme requirements.
Candidate journey
Four stages from application to certification.
Individual paper requirements and exemptions depend on the applicant’s verified academic background.
Apply
Submit the joint CPA application and the requested academic documentation.
Assessment
Eligibility and any exemption request are reviewed under the joint programme rules.
Study and sit
Register for applicable papers, prepare through approved learning arrangements and sit the examinations.
Complete and certify
Satisfy all academic, local and practical-experience requirements before certification.
Professional services
Choose the service relevant to your status.
The joint qualification application, direct membership, verification and practice licensing are separate processes.
Existing professionals
Direct membership
For eligible members in good standing of an IFAC member organisation.
Open the application →Public trustVerify a CPA
Confirm eligible CPA Somaliland certificates or professional status through the verification service.
Open verification →Professional practicePractising certificate
Apply for the authorisation required to provide applicable professional services in practice.
Open the application →Frequently asked questions
Key points about the joint CPA route.
Open a question for a concise answer. Individual eligibility and exemption decisions are made only after formal review.
01Which CPA qualifications will I receive?
A candidate who completes all joint programme requirements is awarded CPA Somaliland and CPA Rwanda.
02Who administers the examinations?
The CPA papers and examinations used by the joint programme are administered through ICPAR.
03Can a third-year university student apply?
Yes, if enrolled in the third year of a recognised Accounting or Business programme and otherwise accepted under the joint programme criteria.
04Can CATT graduates apply?
Yes. The ICPAS CATT qualification is one of the stated entry routes.
05Will my degree give me exemptions?
It may. Exemptions depend on the recognised qualification and are granted only after a formal, paper-by-paper assessment.
06Is practical experience required?
Yes. The current programme information requires at least two years of practical experience.
07Is direct membership the same as joining the CPA programme?
No. Direct membership is a separate route for eligible members of IFAC member bodies. Other applicants should use the joint CPA qualification route.
08When may I use the CPA Somaliland designation?
Only after all applicable qualification or membership requirements have been completed and ICPAS has formally admitted or certified you.
Take the next step toward CPA.
Apply for the joint programme or contact ICPAS if you need guidance on eligibility, exemptions or the appropriate membership route.