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ACA training in Singapore

If you are based in Singapore you can qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant as a university graduate. Many students start their journey by studying the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (ICAEW CFAB), before going on to complete the ACA qualification.

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Who are we?

ICAEW is the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Founded in 1880, we support more than 150,000 ICAEW Chartered Accountants in 155 countries. Our members have successfully completed our qualification, the ACA.

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The ACA qualification

The ACA equips you with in-depth knowledge across finance, accountancy and business and is recognised by employers around the world. Our members hold influential positions  across the globe.

Find out more about ACA  

ICAEW Certificate in Finance Accounting and Business progression to the ACA qualification

ICAEW CFAB

ICAEW CFAB is a globally-recognised qualification in finance, accounting and business. It is open to everyone and can be studied independently or via a tuition provider.

It is formed of six exam modules covering topics including assurance, law and tax. The exams can be completed in any order and are assessed via computer-based assessment at a local exam-centres. As you pass each module, ICAEW will send you a certificate of achievement.

ICAEW CFAB can be achieved in 12 months. Upon completion, you will receive your ICAEW CFAB qualification certificate.

Read more about ICAEW CFAB

First steps to qualifying as a chartered accountant

The six exam modules which form ICAEW CFAB are also the Certificate Level exams of the ACA qualification.

After completing ICAEW CFAB you can register to study the ACA and complete the remaining nine ACA exams and additional ACA requirements to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

There are a number of entry routes to the ACA programme, ICAEW CFAB being a popular choice, and while the minimum academic entry requirement is two A-levels, or the international equivalent, you don’t need a background in business or finance.

Tuition providers

A number of providers offer ACA tuition in a variety of delivery methods around the world and online.

Read a full list of ACA tuition providers

Costs of studying the ACA

There are a number of fees associated with completing the ACA and qualifying as a ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Read a breakdown of the costs 

£182,700

average annual earnings of ICAEW members in the Asia Pacific region*

* Source: ICAEW salary survey 2015

The ACA qualification

University graduates are able to study for the ACA in Singapore. Students need to have achieved at least a 2:1 in their bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an internationally recognised university. Excellent spoken and written English is also essential for applicants.

How is the ACA structured?

Full ACA training is available in Singapore, combining four essential elements:

  1. exams,
  2. practical work experience,
  3. professional development and
  4. ethics and professional scepticism.

Together, these four elements give you the expertise and added-value skills that help define a chartered accountant. You must successfully complete all four elements to complete the ACA qualification and become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Exams

Exams are held in Singapore. You can sit the Certificate level exam modules computer-based assessments at any time of the year. These are available via Pearson VUE.

Credit for prior learning

Some accounting graduates from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University and Singapore Polytechnic may be eligible for up to eight credits from the ACA’s Certificate and Professional Level exams.

Check our credit directory to see your eligibility and how many credits you may be eligible to gain.

Read more about applying for credits

Employers in Singapore

ICAEW’s Singapore office works with a number of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and 47 authorised training employers to provide training for the ACA qualification.

Singaporean employers who you could be training with include:

  • BDO
  • Deloitte
  • EY 
  • Grant Thornton
  • KPMG 
  • Mazars 
  • Nexia
  • PwC 
  • RSM 
  • TS

Key recruitment periods:

  • February-April recruitment for employment starting in September; and
  • October/November recruitment for employment starting in January.

ICAEW also works with Higher Education Institutes to offer leadership and soft skills training. These include:

More information

For more information on studying the ACA in Singapore contact:

ICAEW South East Asia
+65 8198 7617
southeastasia@icaew.com

Alternatively, If you have any questions regarding your application, ICAEW’s student support helpline will be able to help you:

Student Support Team
+44 (0)1908 248 250
Contact us

Join us from another professional body

As a student there are exemptions available for up to 12 of the 15 ACA exams and these can be claimed by applying for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL).

As a member of another professional accountancy body, you may be eligible to join us through one of our reciprocal agreements.

Training internationally

If you want to train for the ACA in another country, you must ensure you are entitled to work in that country. It is your responsibility to understand what work visa you need and how to secure one. ICAEW cannot support you in this process, but your potential employer might be able to offer advice.