INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF NIGERIA – ICAN
INTRODUCTION
The Institute of Chartered
Accountants (ICAN) is a global professional accountancy organization and
Africa's largest and highly reputable association of chartered accountants. It
is a founding member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and
Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA).
The forerunner of the Institute - “The Association of
Accountants in Nigeria” was established in 1960. This Association was absorbed
by the Institute created by an Act of Parliament No. 15 which came into effect
on September 1, 1965. With more than
40,000 members, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is
dedicated to developing and promoting the highest educational, ethical and
professional standards.
2. OBJECTS AND DUTIES
The objects and duties of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
(ICAN) are:
(a) “determining what standards of
knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become members of
the accountancy profession and raising those standards from time to time as
circumstances may permit;
(b) securing in accordance with the
provisions of the Act, the establishment and maintenance of registers of
Fellows, Associates and Registered Accountants entitled to practise as
accountants and auditors and publishing same from time to time lists of those
persons; and
(c) performing through the Council
under this Act the functions conferred on it by the Act.”
VISION
To be a leading global professional
body
MISSION
To produce world-class chartered accountants,
regulate and continually enhance their ethical standards and technical
competence in the public interest.
MEMBERSHIP
There are two main classes of
membership of the Institute, namely;
·
Chartered Accountants and
·
Registered Accountants.
Chartered Accountants - A person
shall be enrolled as a Chartered Accountant if he/she passes the qualifying
examination for membership conducted by the Council of the Institute and
completes a prescribed practical training
DESIGNATORY LETTERS
Members of the Institute are
entitled to use the following designatory letters after their names:
FCA - In the case of a Fellow,
the letters “FCA” (Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants).
ACA - In the case of an Associate,
the letters “ACA” (Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants).
RA - In the case of a Registered
Accountant, the letters “RA” (Registered Accountant).
THE PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTANCY IN
NIGERIA
A member of the Institute is not
allowed to set up a public practice as an accountant until he/she has applied
for, and has been granted a licence to practise by the Council.
PUBLICATIONS
The Institute publishes the
following (in print and/or electronic) for the benefits of members, students
and the general public:
(i) Membership Year Book, containing
lists of members and other general information about the Institute
(www.ican-ngr.org).
(ii) The Nigerian Accountant, the
official journal of the Institute, containing authoritative articles on
accountancy and related fields is published quarterly (www.ican-ngr.org).
(iii) ICAN News, the official
journal for students of the Institute.
(iv) Pathfinder, published after
each examination contains the suggested solutions to the examination questions
(www.ican-ngr.org).
(v) Members’ Handbook, which is a
compendium of the Institute’s constitutional, ethical and legal provisions as
well as accounting, auditing and reporting standards.
(vi) ICAN Students Learning
materials in hard and soft copies (www.ican-ngr.org).
(vii) ICAN Journal of Accounting and
Finance. The foremost research journal covering accounting and finance related
issues.
(viii) ICAN Annual Diary.
STUDENTSHIP REGISTRATION AND
TRAINING
Approved Qualifications for
Registration
In order to register as a student
with the Institute, an applicant must hold an acceptable qualification. The
Council has accepted the following qualifications for the purpose of entry
requirements:
(a) Recognized degree of any University
or Higher National Diploma of any Polytechnic.
(b) Any other qualification for the
time being approved by the Council.
The approved other qualifications
meanwhile are:
(i) The final examination of
Accounting Technicians Scheme, West Africa (ATSWA)
(ii) The final examination of the
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
(iii) The final examination of the
Association of International Accountants
(iv) The final examination of the
Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria
(v) The final examination of the
Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers
(vi) The final examination of the
Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria
(vii) The final examination of the
Association of Accounting Technicians, U.K.
(viii) The final examination of the
Association of National Accountants of Nigeria
(ix) Executive Management
Accountancy (Federal Treasury Training School, Stage III)
APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION
Application for registration as a
student must be made online which requires an undertaking on the part of the
applicant to abide by the rules and regulations laid down by the Council from
time to time. Every applicant will be required to produce satisfactory evidence
of his/her name, age and character together with certified photocopies of educational
certificates and one certified passport size photograph. The Council reserves
the right to grant or refuse any application or to terminate the registration
of a student. Applicants must comply with the conditions set forth and must pay
the applicable registration fee. If the application to register is
unsuccessful, the registration fee is not refundable.
The annual subscription for
successful applicants becomes payable immediately upon registration for the
year of registration and thereafter on 1st January of each year of registered
studentship.
CONDITIONS TO BE SATISFIED
Every applicant for registration as
a student must satisfy the Council that:
(a) He/she possesses the basic
educational qualifications set out above and;
(b) He/she is a fit and proper
person to be registered.
THE PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS
Since its introduction in 1965, the ICAN ACA
qualification has become a mark of distinction. It is one of the most respected
and recognized professional accounting credentials; by employers in business,
government and a host of other organizations around the world.
To earn the ICAN ACA qualification, individuals
must study and demonstrate a mastery of accounting, analytical and decision
making skills needed in today's fast-evolving and competitive workplace by
passing the Institute's rigorous professional examinations which are conducted
twice annually in the months of May and November.
The building blocks of the ICAN ACA
qualification are firmly grounded in the Institute's Professional Examination
Syllabus which can be downloaded from the Institute's website www.icanig.org
A. STRUCTURE OF THE SYLLABUS
With effect from November 2014, the
qualifying professional examination of the Institute under the new syllabus
consists of the following three levels: Foundation, Skills and Professional.
NEW SYLLABUS
FOUNDATION LEVEL
A1. Quantitative Techniques in
Business
A2. Business and Finance
A3. Financial Accounting
A4. Management Information
A5. Business Law
SKILLS LEVEL
B1. Financial Reporting
B2. Audit and Assurance
B3. Taxation
B4. Performance Management
B5. Public Sector Accounting and
Finance
B6. Management, Governance and
Ethics
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL
C1. Corporate Reporting
C2. Advanced Audit and Assurance
C3. Strategic Financial Management
C4. Advanced Taxation
C5. Case Study
B. EDUCATIONAL RECOGNITION
ICAN is a founding member of the
IFAC and this syllabus complies with its Educational Standards &
Guidelines.
The Institute seeks to enhance the
educational recognition of its qualification at both national and international
levels. In doing so, ICAN aims to ensure that its qualifications are recognized
and valued by governments, regulatory authorities and employers across all
jurisdictions and sectors.
At the completion of the Foundation
and Skills levels of this Syllabus, the candidate would have completed a total
of 127 Credit Units equivalent to a first degree, while the completion of the
Professional level would have satisfied the requirements of a Masters Degree
coursework/taught module in any accredited institution globally. A credit unit
is equivalent to 13 contact hours.
C. DATES AND CENTRES OF EXAMINATIONS
The examinations are normally held
twice in a year in the months May and November and in the following centres at
present: Aba, Abakaliki, Abeokuta, Abuja, Ado-Ekiti, Akure, Asaba, Awka,
Benin-City, Calabar, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ilesa, Ilisan-Remo, Ilorin,
Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos-Amuwo, Lagos-Unilag, Lokoja, Maiduguri, Makurdi,
Minna, Ogbomoso, Onitsha, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Umuahia, Uyo, Warri,
Yenagoa, Yola, Zaria, Cameroun and London (U.K.).
Council reserves the right to
approve new examination centres and close existing ones as it deems fit.
D. CLOSING DATES OF ENTRIES
The closing dates of entries for May
and November examinations are April 30 and October 31, respectively.
E. EXAMINATION ENTRY
No person may be allowed to sit for
any of the Institute’s examinations unless he/she had been registered as a
student of the Institute and had paid the required annual subscription and
applicable examination fees.
F. EXAMINATION RESULTS
The results of the examination will
be communicated by post, sms, email or the Institute’s website, to candidates.
Further correspondence relating to individual results may not be entertained.
However, a candidate may ask for a review of his/her script, subject to meeting
the condition set out by the Institute. Individual scores will be indicated on
the candidate’s result slip.
G. CREDIT SYSTEM
1. Candidates writing the
examinations may register for any number of papers at a level and shall be
credited with each paper passed. However, they are expected to complete the
examination at a level before attempting papers at a higher level.
2. Candidates are not allowed to
combine two levels of the examinations.
3. Candidates are mandatorily
required to complete all parts of the Institute’s qualifying examination within
a period of ten years from the date of sitting the examination for the first
time. In the event of a student not completing the examinations within the
period of ten years, he/she is deemed to have forfeited all the papers passed
and credited to him/her.
H. PASS MARK
The pass mark for each paper of the
Institute’s examination is 50%.
I. CONVERSION ARRANGEMENTS
Examinations on the basis of this
new syllabus commenced in November 2014. All candidates stand converted as
stated below. No candidate may proceed to the next level of the examination
without successful completion of all the subjects in the preceding level.
Conversion from the old to the new
syllabus is as stated hereunder:
OLD SYLLABUS
|
NEW SYLLABUS
|
FOUNDATION
1. Fundamentals of Financial
Accounting
2. Corporate and Business Law
3. Economics and Business
Environment
|
FOUNDATION
LEVEL
A1. Quantitative Techniques in
Business
A2. Business and Finance
A3. Financial Accounting
A4. Management Information
A5. Business Law
|
INTERMEDIATE
4. Costing and Quantitative
Techniques
5. Taxation
6. Audit and Assurance
7. Business Communication and
Research Methodology
|
SKILLS
LEVEL
B1. Financial Reporting
B2. Audit and Assurance
B3. Taxation
B4. Performance Management
B5. Public Sector Accounting and
Finance
B6. Management, Governance and
Ethics
|
PROFESSIONAL
EXAMINATION 1
8. Information Technology
9. Management Accounting
10. Financial Accounting
11. Advanced Audit and Assurance
PROFESSIONAL
EXAMINATION II
12. Public Sector Accounting and
Finance
13. Financial Reporting and Ethics
14. Strategic Financial Management
15. Advanced Taxation
|
PROFESSIONAL
LEVEL
C1. Corporate Reporting
C2. Advanced Audit and Assurance
C3. Strategic Financial Management
C4. Advanced Taxation
C5. Case Study
|
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATIONS TIME-TABLE
Day
|
Time
|
Foundation
Level
|
Skills
Level
|
Professional
Level
|
Tuesday
|
9.00 a.m
– 12 noon
|
Financial
Accounting
|
Financial
Reporting
|
Corporate
Reporting
|
|
2.00 p.m
– 5.00 p.m
|
Management
Information
|
Taxation
|
Advanced
Taxation
|
Wednesday
|
9.00 a.m
– 12 noon
|
Quantitative
Techniques in Business
|
Performance
Management
|
Strategic
Financial Management
|
|
2.00 p.m
– 5.00 p.m
|
Business
and Finance
|
Audit
and Assurance
|
Advanced
Audit and Assurance
|
Thursday
|
9.00 a.m
– 12 noon
|
Business
Law
|
Management,
Governance and Ethics
|
Case
Study
|
|
2.00 p.m
– 5.00 p.m
|
|
Public
Sector Accounting and Finance
|
|
Note: Case study is on Thursday 9.00
a.m – 1.00 p.m
EXAMINATION QUESTION FORMAT
1. Each paper in Foundation level
shall consist of two sections A and B
Section A: Shall comprise twenty (20) compulsory multiple-choice
questions which shall cover the entire contents of the syllabus. This section
shall make up 20% of the total marks.
Section B: Shall comprise six open-ended questions (essay,
computational or scenario-based) carrying 20 marks each of which candidates
will be required to answer any 4.
2. Skills and Professional levels
shall comprise open-ended questions (essay, scenario-based or computational)
only as follows:
Section A: One (1) compulsory question of 30 marks.
Section B: Three (3) questions of 20 marks each out of which a
candidate is expected to attempt any two (2).
Section C: Three (3) questions of 15 marks each out of which a
candidate is expected to attempt any two (2).
ABSENCE FROM AN EXAMINATION
Examination entries cannot be withdrawn after
the closing date in any circumstances. The fees paid for an examination will
not be refunded or transferred to subsequent examination, if a candidate is
unable to attend the examination.
MISCONDUCT IN AN EXAMINATION
The examinations regulations prohibit a student
from:
(a) taking into the examination room or
possessing, while in that room, any book, note, programmable calculators, GSM
handsets or other materials except those which have been authorized in the
Examination Attendance Docket;
(b) aiding or attempting to aid another
candidate, or obtaining or attempting to obtain aid from another candidate;
(c) refusing to obey any instruction from the
Examination Supervisor or Invigilators;
(d) giving false or misleading information to
the Examination Supervisor.
(e) writing anything on the question paper
except the candidate’s examination number; and
(f) writing anything on the candidate’s
examination docket.
The Supervisor is
empowered to stop any candidate suspected of misconduct and to require him/her
to leave the examination hall. Any student who fails to comply with the above
regulations may be liable to such penalties as the Council of the Institute may
determine.
EXEMPTION GUIDELINES
A. ACADEMIC
QUALIFICATIONS
|
Academic Qualification
|
Exemptions
|
A.
|
B.Sc/HND (Accounting) obtained
under the Mutual Co-Operation Agreement with Tertiary Institutions
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
A5. Business Law
·
B1. Financial Reporting
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
·
B3. Taxation
·
B4. Performance Management
|
B.
|
ATS II (Old Syllabus)
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
|
C.
|
ATSWA (New Syllabus)
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
A5. Business Law
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
·
B3. Taxation
|
D.
|
B.Sc./HND (Accounting) obtained
from ICAN accredited Institutions in Nigeria.
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
A5. Business Law
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
·
B3. Taxation
|
E.
|
B.Sc./HND (Accounting)
obtained from recognized Institutions in Nigeria but not yet accredited by
ICAN.
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A5. Business Law
|
F.
|
B.Sc./HND (Accounting)
obtained from foreign recognized Institutions.
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
|
G.
|
M.Sc. (Accounting) obtained from
ICAN accredited Institutions in addition to B.Sc. in Accounting.
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
A5. Business Law
·
B1. Financial Reporting
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
·
B3. Taxation
|
H.
|
M.Sc. (Accounting)
obtained from ICAN accredited Institutions but without B.Sc. in accounting
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
|
I.
|
M.Sc. (Accounting)
obtained from recognized Institutions in addition to B.Sc. in any accounting
related discipline.
|
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A5. Business Law
|
J.
|
Ph.D (Accounting)
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
A5. Business Law
·
B1. Financial Reporting
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
·
B3. Taxation
·
B4. Performance Management
·
B6. Management, Governance and Ethics
|
K.
|
B.Sc. Economics
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
|
L.
|
B.Sc. Actuarial Science
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
|
M.
|
B.Sc./HND Insurance
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
|
N.
|
B.Sc./HND/B.A Business
Admin/Management
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
|
O.
|
B.Sc./HND Banking and Finance
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
|
P.
|
B.Sc./HND Marketing
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
|
Q.
|
MBA in addition to B.Sc./HND in
non-accounting discipline
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A5. Business Law
|
R.
|
B.Sc. (Ed.) Accounting or B.Ed.
Business Education (Accounting option)
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A5. Business Law
|
S.
|
B.Ed. Education Management
(Accounting Option
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
|
T.
|
B.Sc./B.A Commerce
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
|
U.
|
B.Sc./HND Cooperative and Rural
Development
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
|
V.
|
LL.B
|
·
A5. Business Law
|
B. SUBJECT BY SUBJECT EXEMPTION
The following Courses/Subjects will
be granted exemption in A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business:
·
B.Tech. Project Management
·
B.Sc. Engineering Management
·
B.Sc./HND Statistics/Economics
·
B.A. Library/Economics
·
HND Agric/Economics
·
B.Sc./HND Estate Management
·
B.Sc./HND Biology
·
B.Sc./HND Chemistry
·
B.Sc./HND Bio-Chemistry
·
B.Sc. Archaeology/Geology
·
B.Sc./HND Statistics
·
B.Sc./HND Engineering
·
B.Sc./HND Chemistry Engineering
·
B.Sc./HND Town and Regional Planning
·
B.Sc./HND /B.Ed. Chemistry
·
B.Sc./HND Tech. Computer
·
B.Sc./HND Mathematics
·
B.Sc./HND Industrial Mathematics
·
B.Sc./HND Industrial Chemistry
·
B.Sc./HND Agriculture
C. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
EXEMPTIONS
|
Qualifications
|
|
||
A.
|
Associate Chartered Institute of
Bankers of Nigeria
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A5. Business Law
|
||
B.
|
Associate Chartered Institute of
Bankers, London (Now Institute of Financial Services)
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
· A3. Financial
Accounting
|
||
C.
|
Associate Chartered Institute of
Stock Brokers of Nigeria
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
· A5. Business Law
|
||
D.
|
Associate Chartered Secretaries
and Administrators
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A5. Business Law
|
||
E.
|
Associate Chartered Institute of
Insurance of Nigeria
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A5. Business Law
|
||
F.
|
Associate Chartered Institute of
Taxation of Nigeria
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A5. Business Law
·
B3. Taxation
|
||
G.
|
Certified National Accountant of
Nigeria
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
A5. Business Law
·
B3. Taxation
·
B5.
Public Sector Accounting and Finance
|
||
H.
|
Federal Treasury Training School
(Now Federal Treasury Academy) starting from 1987
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
A5. Business Law
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
·
B3. Taxation
|
||
I.
|
CIMA, UK
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in
Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
B1. Financial Reporting
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
·
B3. Taxation
·
B4. Performance Management
·
B6. Management, Governance &
Ethics
·
C1. Corporate Reporting
·
C3. Strategic Financial Management
·
C5. Case Study
|
||
J.
|
ACCA, UK
CPA, USA
CIPFA, UK
ICAS, UK
ICAI, UK
ICAEW
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in
Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
B1. Financial Reporting
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
·
B3. Taxation
·
B4. Performance Management
·
B6. Management, Governance &
Ethics
·
C1. Corporate Reporting
·
C2. Advanced Audit and Assurance
·
C3. Strategic Financial Management
·
C5. Case Study
|
||
K.
|
AIA (Final) 1994 to date
AAT (UK)
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in
Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
·
B2. Audit and Assurance
|
||
L.
|
AIA (Pre-1994)
|
·
A1. Quantitative Techniques in
Business
·
A2. Business and Finance
·
A3. Financial Accounting
·
A4. Management Information
|
D. LECTURERS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS
Lecturers in Accounting Departments
with B.Sc./HND (Accounting) in all accredited Institutions shall be given the
same level of exemptions/ concession granted to graduates of Recognized
Training Institutions (RTIs) regardless of date of qualification.
SECRETARIAT
The Institute’s Secretariat is
located at:
Plot 16, Idowu Taylor Street
Victoria Island
P O Box 1580 Marina, Lagos Nigeria
Tel: +234 –1–764 2294-5
e-mail: info.ican@ican.org.ng;
Website: www.ican-ngr.org
For enquiries, please call our
Secretariat Annexe:
(a) Students’ Affairs Directorate
82, Murtala Mohammed Way Ebute Metta
Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: +234–1–7642297, +234-1-7642298,
+234-1-2120688 (DL)
e-mail: studentsaffairs@ican.org.ng
www.linkedin.com
www.facebook/ICAN1965.com
(b) Liaison offices or
(c) District Societies
All enquiries should be directed to
the Registrar/Chief Executive.
Disclaimer:
This is not the official website of the Institute. While we strive to keep the
information up to date and correct, information may change at any time without
notice. For complete and updated information, please always refer to the
official website of the Institute. Any
reliance you place on the information from this site is strictly at your own
risk.