Technical capability
Build accounting, finance, taxation and business knowledge appropriate to each qualification level.
Education & qualifications
Choose the pathway that fits your ambition.
From first accounting principles to professional accountant status, ICPAS qualifications develop technical competence, ethical judgement and public-interest responsibility.
CAF · CATT · CPA Somaliland · Continuing Professional Development
Qualifications designed for competence, integrity and progression.
ICPAS provides connected routes for beginners, technicians, graduates and aspiring professional accountants.
Professional conduct
Embed ethics, responsibility and the standards expected from trusted accountancy professionals.
Career progression
Create a visible route from foundations through technician competence to professional accountant status.
Progress one stage at a time, or enter at the level suited to your background.
The pathway is flexible. Beginners can build from CAF, while candidates who meet higher entry requirements may begin with CATT or apply to the CPA Joint Programme. Qualified members of an IFAC member body may instead be eligible for the separate CPA Membership Route.
Build the foundation
Learn bookkeeping, basic accounting and the core ideas needed for further professional study.
Develop technician competence
Gain practical accounting and taxation capability for technician-level roles and progression.
Advance professionally
Pursue professional accountant status through the CPA Joint Programme, or through the separate CPA Membership Route where eligible.
CPD continues throughout the journey. Short courses, webinars, workshops and conferences help students, members and finance professionals keep their knowledge relevant.
Explore the route that matches your current stage.
Open a qualification for a concise overview, then visit its dedicated page for full requirements, modules and application information.
CAFFoundation qualificationProfessional Certificate in Accountancy FoundationsFor beginners and candidates building their first accounting foundation.View overview
An entry-level programme for individuals with little or no prior accounting knowledge, including candidates preparing to progress to CATT.
- Foundational financial accounting
- Foundational management accounting
- No prior accounting qualification required
- A pathway toward CATT and entry-level opportunities
CATTTechnician qualificationCertified Accounting and Tax TechnicianFor candidates seeking practical technician-level accounting and taxation competence.View overview
A technician-level qualification designed to develop practical capability for accounting, bookkeeping, finance, audit and taxation roles.
- Applied accounting and taxation knowledge
- Technician-level professional competence
- Relevant practical-experience requirement
- Progression toward professional-level study
CPAProfessional qualificationJoint Certified Public Accountant QualificationICPAS’s professional pathway delivered in collaboration with ICPAR Rwanda.View overview
CPA applicants may enter through the ICPAS–ICPAR CPA Joint Programme. Eligible members in good standing of an IFAC member body may use the separate CPA Membership Route.
- CPA Joint Programme for eligible students and candidates
- CPA Membership Route for eligible IFAC member-body members
- Joint programme assessment and examinations administered with ICPAR
- Professional and practical requirements apply according to the relevant route
CPDProfessional developmentOther Learning Programmes and CPDFor professionals keeping technical knowledge and practical capability current.View overview
Short courses, webinars, workshops, conferences and masterclasses addressing current professional and sector needs.
- Accounting and financial reporting
- Audit, ethics, taxation and governance
- Public financial management and IPSAS
- Digital systems and emerging professional issues
Start from your present level, not from a fixed assumption.
Choose the description closest to your situation for a suggested route. Final admission remains subject to the requirements of the relevant qualification.
01I have little or no accounting background
Suggested starting point: CAF. It develops the basic accounting knowledge needed for further study and entry-level accounting work.
View CAF →02I want practical technician-level competence
Suggested route: CATT. Review the entry requirements and programme structure to confirm your eligibility.
View CATT →03I am a graduate, CATT holder or eligible advanced entrant
Suggested route: the CPA Joint Programme. Eligibility includes specified academic, technician and other approved entry routes.
View CPA →04I am already a member of an IFAC member body
Suggested route: CPA Membership Route. This route is for eligible professional-body members in good standing who meet the applicable Somaliland local requirements.
Apply through the Membership Route →05I am already working in accounting or finance
Suggested route: CPD and professional learning. Choose current technical and practical programmes relevant to your role.
View CPD events →A simple view of how the routes differ.
Use this comparison as an orientation guide, then consult the relevant programme page for current detailed requirements.
| Route | Best suited to | Primary purpose | Natural progression |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAF | Beginners, school leavers and non-accounting entrants | Build a sound foundation in accounting and finance | CATT or entry-level work |
| CATT | Candidates seeking technician-level competence | Develop applied accounting and taxation capability | Technician roles or CPA pathway |
| CPA | Eligible graduates, CATT holders and other approved entrants through the Joint Programme; eligible IFAC member-body members through the Membership Route | Qualify or be admitted to professional accountant status under the applicable route | Membership, senior roles and, where separately authorised, professional practice |
| CPD | Students, members and working professionals | Maintain and extend current professional competence | Continuous development throughout a career |
Move from interest to a clear qualification decision.
Requirements and schedules can vary by programme and sitting. Confirm the current details before submitting an application.
Choose a route
Use your education, experience and career objective to identify the most suitable level.
Review requirements
Read the dedicated qualification page, including entry, modules and practical experience.
Prepare documents
Gather the academic, identity and supporting information required for your application.
Apply
Use the official ICPAS Qualification Applications service, then follow the instructions issued for your approved qualification route.
Ready to apply?
Review the relevant qualification first, then use the official ICPAS online application service when you are ready to submit.
Education & qualifications
Choose the pathway that fits your ambition.
From first accounting principles to professional accountant status, ICPAS qualifications develop technical competence, ethical judgement and public-interest responsibility.
CAF · CATT · CPA Somaliland · Continuing Professional Development
Qualifications designed for competence, integrity and progression.
ICPAS provides connected routes for beginners, technicians, graduates and aspiring professional accountants.
Technical capability
Build accounting, finance, taxation and business knowledge appropriate to each qualification level.
Professional conduct
Embed ethics, responsibility and the standards expected from trusted accountancy professionals.
Career progression
Create a visible route from foundations through technician competence to professional accountant status.
Progress one stage at a time, or enter at the level suited to your background.
The pathway is flexible. Beginners can build from CAF, while candidates who meet higher entry requirements may begin with CATT or apply to the CPA Joint Programme. Qualified members of an IFAC member body may instead be eligible for the separate CPA Membership Route.
Build the foundation
Learn bookkeeping, basic accounting and the core ideas needed for further professional study.
Develop technician competence
Gain practical accounting and taxation capability for technician-level roles and progression.
Advance professionally
Pursue professional accountant status through the CPA Joint Programme, or through the separate CPA Membership Route where eligible.
CPD continues throughout the journey. Short courses, webinars, workshops and conferences help students, members and finance professionals keep their knowledge relevant.
Explore the route that matches your current stage.
Open a qualification for a concise overview, then visit its dedicated page for full requirements, modules and application information.
CAFFoundation qualificationProfessional Certificate in Accountancy FoundationsFor beginners and candidates building their first accounting foundation.View overview
An entry-level programme for individuals with little or no prior accounting knowledge, including candidates preparing to progress to CATT.
- Foundational financial accounting
- Foundational management accounting
- No prior accounting qualification required
- A pathway toward CATT and entry-level opportunities
CATTTechnician qualificationCertified Accounting and Tax TechnicianFor candidates seeking practical technician-level accounting and taxation competence.View overview
A technician-level qualification designed to develop practical capability for accounting, bookkeeping, finance, audit and taxation roles.
- Applied accounting and taxation knowledge
- Technician-level professional competence
- Relevant practical-experience requirement
- Progression toward professional-level study
CPAProfessional qualificationJoint Certified Public Accountant QualificationICPAS’s professional pathway delivered in collaboration with ICPAR Rwanda.View overview
CPA applicants may enter through the ICPAS–ICPAR CPA Joint Programme. Eligible members in good standing of an IFAC member body may use the separate CPA Membership Route.
- CPA Joint Programme for eligible students and candidates
- CPA Membership Route for eligible IFAC member-body members
- Joint programme assessment and examinations administered with ICPAR
- Professional and practical requirements apply according to the relevant route
CPDProfessional developmentOther Learning Programmes and CPDFor professionals keeping technical knowledge and practical capability current.View overview
Short courses, webinars, workshops, conferences and masterclasses addressing current professional and sector needs.
- Accounting and financial reporting
- Audit, ethics, taxation and governance
- Public financial management and IPSAS
- Digital systems and emerging professional issues
Start from your present level, not from a fixed assumption.
Choose the description closest to your situation for a suggested route. Final admission remains subject to the requirements of the relevant qualification.
01I have little or no accounting background
Suggested starting point: CAF. It develops the basic accounting knowledge needed for further study and entry-level accounting work.
View CAF →02I want practical technician-level competence
Suggested route: CATT. Review the entry requirements and programme structure to confirm your eligibility.
View CATT →03I am a graduate, CATT holder or eligible advanced entrant
Suggested route: the CPA Joint Programme. Eligibility includes specified academic, technician and other approved entry routes.
View CPA →04I am already a member of an IFAC member body
Suggested route: CPA Membership Route. This route is for eligible professional-body members in good standing who meet the applicable Somaliland local requirements.
Apply through the Membership Route →05I am already working in accounting or finance
Suggested route: CPD and professional learning. Choose current technical and practical programmes relevant to your role.
View CPD events →A simple view of how the routes differ.
Use this comparison as an orientation guide, then consult the relevant programme page for current detailed requirements.
| Route | Best suited to | Primary purpose | Natural progression |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAF | Beginners, school leavers and non-accounting entrants | Build a sound foundation in accounting and finance | CATT or entry-level work |
| CATT | Candidates seeking technician-level competence | Develop applied accounting and taxation capability | Technician roles or CPA pathway |
| CPA | Eligible graduates, CATT holders and other approved entrants through the Joint Programme; eligible IFAC member-body members through the Membership Route | Qualify or be admitted to professional accountant status under the applicable route | Membership, senior roles and, where separately authorised, professional practice |
| CPD | Students, members and working professionals | Maintain and extend current professional competence | Continuous development throughout a career |
Move from interest to a clear qualification decision.
Requirements and schedules can vary by programme and sitting. Confirm the current details before submitting an application.
Choose a route
Use your education, experience and career objective to identify the most suitable level.
Review requirements
Read the dedicated qualification page, including entry, modules and practical experience.
Prepare documents
Gather the academic, identity and supporting information required for your application.
Apply
Use the official ICPAS Qualification Applications service, then follow the instructions issued for your approved qualification route.
Ready to apply?
Review the relevant qualification first, then use the official ICPAS online application service when you are ready to submit.