Guidance to employers on the proposed amalgamation between Chartered Accountants Ireland and CPA Ireland.

Examinations

The approach for students at the Foundation and Professional Levels is different than that for students with only Strategic Level examinations to pass. 

In summary, it is envisaged that Strategic Level students will be able to continue their CPA Ireland studies and will have up to a maximum of 3 years to complete their CPA Ireland studies and examinations from the date on which they first registered for such examinations with CPA Ireland. 

Foundation and Professional Level students will switch to the Chartered Accountants Ireland education programme upon registering with Chartered Accountants Ireland

Training

Chartered Accountants Ireland operates two routes for students to gain the required competencies.These are:

• a ‘traditional’ training contract route; and
• an alternative flexible (non-contract) route. 

The training contract typically ties a student to a particular employer for the contract’s duration and the employer commits to sponsoring  studies and giving the required experience and training to enable styudents to be admitted as a chartered accountant under the remit of Chartered Accountants Ireland.  Students are required to document their experience in an online CA Diary and to have this signed off (approved) by their training partner. 

Under the flexible (non-contract) route, students are not tied to a particular employer but are required to gain the same quantum and range of experience. An employer is not required to sponsor this education, and study leave is a matter of negotiation between student and employer.The required work experience, however, needs to be gained by the student under the approval of an approved mentor (qualified accountant) and this needs to be documented in the same way as the CA Diary.Chartered Accountants Ireland approves mentors from all IFAC member bodies.

It is presently envisaged that CPA Ireland students will convert to being ‘flexible’ students under the Chartered Accountants Ireland framework.As with current Chartered Accountants Ireland students, they will have the option to switch to a ‘traditional’ training contract at any stage, subject to agreement with their employer.

Fees

The different fee structures can make comparison of costs difficult.However, over the full training period, the costs of education and training and examinations are, and will continue to be, broadly similar.

Further Information

A number of online briefing sessions will be organised to outline the arrangements and provide an opportunity for questions and any concerns to be addressed.  We would encourage all employers to engage with this process.  The Chartered Accountants Ireland Training Support Unit will be available to brief individual employers and to clarify any changes to requirements (which we anticipate will be limited).