CAT

Certified Accounting Technician

CAT(Certified Accounting Technician) is the best way when you about to choose the Accountancy as your Career Perspective.The CAT qualification is the first step into a career in accountancy. It is design to equip the students with all the necessary technical skills and basic knowledge required to fulfill a support role in accountancy.

The Accounting Technician certificate allows students to continue further for ACCA qualification. At the time of registration with CAT, students can opt for automatic transfer to ACCA on completion of all 9 papers of CAT. The Knowledge module of the Fundamental level of ACCA will be exempted to CAT qualifiers.

ACCA has introduced a new Route called Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) to achieve its initial Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification.
The number of examinations in the FIA scheme remain (9 to attain CAT). Additionally you will be eligible for certificates for 2 sets of 2 papers. A new diploma for 3 papers as well as which could be used as a shortcut to get into main stream ACCA.
The FIA route allows you to take control of how and where you study. With a range of internationally relevant syllabus options and the choice of distance learning, face-to-face or self study, the qualification is ideally suited to those who are keen to progress their careers while maintaining a manageable work-life balance. The CAT qualification is internationally recognized and highly regarded. It can lead to a challenging and rewarding career. Upon completion of the exams and required practical experience you will be able to apply to use the letters CAT after your name. Should you wish to pursue your career further, completion of the CAT allows you to move directly to the Skills module of the ACCA qualification. In addition, ACCA’s unique partnership with Oxford Brookes University, allows you to obtain a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Accounting upon completion of Skills module of the ACCA Exams.

CAT Syllabus

The CAT syllabi is designed in such a way that on completion of all CAT exams students are expected to know basic knowledge of not only Accounting but also Information Technology and Management. The exams are divided into 3 levels Introductory, Intermediate and Advance.

Introductory Level

Paper 1 Recording Financial Transactions
Paper 2 Information for Management Control

Intermediate Level

Paper 3 Managing Financial Records
Paper 4 Accounting for Costs

Advanced Level

Compulsory papers
Paper 5 Managing People and Systems Paper
6 Drafting Financial Statements Paper
7 Planning, Control and Performance Management

Optional papers (any 2 out of 3)
Paper 8 Implementing Audit Procedure Paper
9 Preparing Taxation Computations Paper
10 Managing Finances

CAT Eligibility

• Preferably O levels / Intermediate or Matriculation (With at least 60% marks)
• Holders of certain qualifications may receive exemptions from some of the papers.

CAT Entry Requirements
There are no formal academic qualifications necessary to register for the CAT qualification. However your previous qualification may entitle you to exemptions from some of the CAT exam.
You may also be able to claim exemption from the introductory papers of the CAT qualification, if you already have one year’s relevant practical experience.

Examination Rules For CAT

• No time constraints for the completion of examinations.
• Examinations can be attempted twice a year in June and December Sessions respectively (See computer based examinations).
• The passing marks is 55% at Introductory Level, 50% at Intermediate Level and 40% at Advanced Level No limit to the number of papers that can be take, recommended number is four papers at any session Papers can be taken in any order though numerical order is recommended.

Computer Based Examinations
Students have the option to sit in Computer Based Examinations (CBE) for Introductory and Intermediate levels of CAT which are held every month. The computer based examinations allow flexibility to the students in terms of taking examinations at sessions other than the stipulated paper based sessions of June and December. Secondly, students get the results on the spot which also updates their status on ACCA students’ database.

CAT Jobs

• Accountant
• Accounting Manager/Supervisor
• Assistant Controller
• Auditor
• Bookkeeper
• Chief Financial Officer
• Financial Analyst
• Tax Specialist