New Technician scheme syllabus from June 2004 examinations

Certified Accounting Technician (CAT)

New Scheme explained

Credit for current scheme papers under new scheme

Key dates

Syllabus and Study guides for new CAT scheme

Registration

Student / Members queries

A new scheme of examinations with new rules and syllabuses begins at the June 2004 examination session. The new scheme will continue to be known as the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT).

Following publication of the December 2003 results any student who has not completed the CAT scheme will automatically be converted to the new syllabus. Details of the new scheme and proposed conversion rules can be accessed from the links below.

Building on the strength of the existing qualification, the new scheme introduces the following features:

• Ability for you to study separate streams for international or UK accounting and auditing standards.

• more flexibility in the number of papers you can take each session

• the opportunity to take examinations out of sequence

The new structure is similar to the current CAT qualification and it maintains the same number and hours of examinations. Students will be able to obtain the CAT qualification by passing or being exempt from all the examinations and completing one year's approved work experience. Students will be given completely free choice in the order and number of examinations to be taken at each session (subject to timetable restrictions for papers 1 and 6 plus 2 and 7 as these paper combinations are examined on the same days). The current examination entry closing dates will also apply under the new scheme.

Further details will be available in student accountant in the coming months and a finalised conversion statement will be sent to you in February 2004 together with an entry form for the new scheme of examinations. Procedures for selecting whether you wish to attempt the UK or International Stream will be issued later this year.