Entry Criteria: The Elevation Programme is available to graduates (including graduates from our partner body, Accounting Technicians Ireland), non-graduates and School Leavers. Candidates joining the Elevation programme with at least four years’ work experience prior to joining the Institute as a student may sit all exams up to and including the Final Admitting Exam (FAE) before getting relevant accountancy experience. If you come to Chartered Accountancy studies with less than four years’ work experience in any field, the only stipulation is that you must evidence one year’s relevant experience prior to sitting your final (FAE) exams.

You will not be required to enter into a training contract. However when you wish to have experience recognised for Chartered Accountants Ireland membership, you should identify a Chartered Accountant or IFAC member in your workplace to act as a mentor, who will verify your recognised experience.

Flexibility: The route will allow you to sit two subjects at a time up to and including the Chartered Accountant Proficiency 2 (CAP 2) examination.

Experience Requirements: Having started the Elevation Programme as a student, you are required to obtain the same amount of recognised experience that applies to all those pursuing Chartered Accountancy studies: three years for recognised Masters in Accountancy; three and a half years for graduates and four years for Accounting Technicians Ireland qualified and non-graduates.

This experience needs to be recorded on a periodic basis in the Chartered Accountants’ Diary of Professional Development and be verified by a Chartered Accountant of three years standing.

It will be possible to claim credit for prior relevant experience, up to a maximum reduction in training period of 18 months.

The Institute now recognises exemptions for ten years from graduation date.

Time Limit: Upon entering the Elevation programme you will have a period of eight years from date of registration to complete your studies and to gain the requisite recognised experience to enable you to apply to become a member of the Institute.

Exemptions: The Institute offers attractive exemptions based on prior examinations. If you have a relevant business degree, you may be exempt from all, or part, of CAP 1. Those holding a recognised Masters in Accounting can claim exemption from all of CAP 2. There are no exemptions from the FAE.

Flexibility is especially important for those returning to education after a number of years. You can study CAP 1 and CAP 2 on a modular basis, choosing to study all subjects in an academic year, or to study two subjects at a time over different years. Exams can also be split between summer and autumn sittings.

To claim exemptions, graduates must have a 2.2 honours degree or better.

Exemptions are subject to a time limit of ten years from undergraduate qualification.

So read on and learn how Chartered Accountancy could be for you after all!