1. ICPAR’s new CAT Qualification

ICPAR is launching a new Certified Accounting Technician qualification. The new ICPAR CAT goes further than other knowledge-based qualifications. Together with accountancy knowledge and understanding, students develop the professional skills, ethical thinking and essential ICT skills employers seek.

Tailored learning materials and a focus on skills development ensures successful CAT students are confident and ready for the workplace.

Combined with relevant work experience, successful CAT students can apply to become CAT members of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR).

The CAT qualification is based on an internationally accepted competency framework, fully tailored to suit Rwanda following detailed consultation with stakeholders. Once complete, students can then progress to CPA to continue their development.

A guidance has been prepared to give a clear picture on transitional arrangements for students who are doing the old CAT exams. This transition rules take into consideration all credits accumulated.

2. What is the Exam structure of new CAT Qualification?

The new CAT qualification has three stages – Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3.

CAT Qualifications

Stage 1 includes the exams:	Stage 2 includes the exams:	Stage 3 includes the exams:
S1.1 Recording Financial Transactions	S2.1 Preparation of Basic Accounts	S3.1 Financial Accounting
S1.2 Principles of Costing	S2.2 Managing Costs and Cash Flows	S3.2 Management Accounting
S1.3 Effective Working in Accountancy and Finance	S2.3 Professional Ethics in Accounting and Finance	S3.3 Taxation
		S3.4 Audit and Assurance

And one of the two Pathways - Options

Code	Examination Paper Title
S3.5	Credit Management
S3.6	Public Financial Management

In addition to the above exams you will also need to complete project work with your tuition provider to cover computerised accounting and spreadsheets software.

Once these qualification requirements are completed you will also need to complete the work experience requirement before you can apply for ICPAR CAT membership. This includes one year’s work experience in a relevant role which is obtained from the time of registration as a CAT student. One-year experience includes your industrial attachments, internships, formal employment (part time or full time)

3. When will the new exams be available?

The first Stage 1 exams will be available to sit in June 2019, the first Stage 2 exams in December 2019 and the first Stage 3 exams in June 2020.

4. For how long will the existing exams be available?

To allow you time to complete the existing CAT exams the old Level 1 CAT exams will be available to sit in June 2019 and the old Level 2 CAT exams will be available to sit in June 2019 and December 2019. From June 2020 you will only be able to sit exams on the new ICPAR CAT programme.

5. How can I move on to the new CAT exams?

You can move onto the new CAT exams once they have become available. To make sure you are starting at the right point the following rules are in place before the end of 31 December 2022:
• These transition rules will be fully implemented starting from June 2020 exams.
• If you are on the old Level 1 programme you will be able to start the new CAT programme at Stage 2 and you will need to take any exams at Stage 2 which you are not already exempt from. You will have the June and December 2019 exam sessions to sit any remaining old Level 1 exams which you would like to complete.
• If you are on the old Level 2 programme or completed all of the old Level 1 exams you will be able to start the new CAT programme at Stage 3 and you will need to take any exams at Stage 3 which you are not already exempt for. you will have the June and December 2019 exams sessions to complete any remaining old level 2 exams.
• If you have completed the old Level 2 programme you should apply for CAT membership. If you delay your application until after 1 January 2023 then you will need to complete any of the new requirements which you are not exempt for depending on how much you completed on the old CAT programme including exams and the work experience requirement.

If you have part-completed the old CAT programme after 1 January 2023 will be able to sign up to the new CAT programme however you will need to sit all exams except those that you are exempt from.

6. What exemptions do I have from the new programme?

	OLD CAT EXAMS	EXEMPTIONS TO NEW CAT
Level 1	Introduction to Financial Accounting	S1.1 Recording financial transactions S2.1 Preparation of basic accounts
	Business law	None
	Business Management, Ethics and entrepreneurship	S2.3 Professional ethics in accounting and finance
	Business Mathematics	None
	Economics and the Business Environment	None
Level 2	Financial Accounting	S3.1 Financial Accounting
	Information Systems	None
	Management Accounting	S1.2 Principles of costing S3.2 Management accounting
	Taxation	S3.3 Taxation
	Auditing	S3.4 Audit and assurance

7. Downloads

Download - ICPAR CAT Competency Framework Download - ICPAR CAT Syllabus Download - ICPAR CAT Transition Rules