CPAA Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accounting
Level 3 Certificate
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The Association’s Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accounting is the perfect introduction for accountancy for those looking to enter the profession in public practice.
The Level 3 Certificate was designed by accountancy practitioners to cover the skills and knowledge needed by those working in a small-medium sized accountancy practice. You do not need any prior qualifications or experience to start the Level 3 Certificate - no prior knowledge is assumed.
To start the Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accounting you'll need to purchase a certification pack from the CPAA. This includes everything you'll need to gain the qualification; access to textbooks covering 100% of the syllabus; the ability to sit all three exams; and, two resits for each exam should you have an unsuccessful attempt.
What does the Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accounting Cover?
The CPAA Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accounting is an introductory accountancy/bookkeeping qualification designed for those with no prior accountancy qualifications, or those currently studying an introductory accountancy/bookkeeping qualification.
The Certificate is pitched at Level 3, equivalent to an A-Level. It is designed to be an entry point to study in accountancy. There are no entry requirements.
We feel that the qualification is ideal for those who work in, or aspire to work in, a small-medium sized accountancy practice. It is an ideal first qualification in accountancy or a great way to supplement other bookkeeping qualifications.
To gain the qualification you'll need to pass three closed book, invigilated, objective based exams.
Why study the CPAA's Level 3 Certificate in Public Practice Accountancy:
Recognition
Gaining a qualification helps to demonstrate your knowledge. The CPAA has over four decades of experience working with, representing and training small to medium sized accountancy practices. Obtaining the Level 3 Certificate shows that you have what it takes to work in a practice.
Study Support
Once you start to study the Level 3 Certificate, you'll need to purchase a certification pack. This pack contains everything you need to gain the qualification, including comprehensive tuition support which covers 100% of the syllabus.
Remote On-Demand Exams
To gain the Level 3 Certificate you'll need to pass three exams. These can all be sat from any where (subject to meeting certain ICT requirements, which can be found on our remote invigilation partner's website here) and arranged for any time/date.
How many exams do I have to pass?
You will need to pass three exams to gain the qualification. These are; Bookkeeping for the Practice (BKFP); Supporting Tax Services in the Practice (STSP); and, Regulation and Ethics in an Accountancy Practice (REAP).
What is the format of the exams?
Each exam is an objective based test. You can expect to be asked questions with the following formats: multiple choice, drag and drop, single answer.
There are sixty marks available on each exam and you will need to gain at least 70% to pass the exam.
Our exams are all closed book.
All our exams are conducted remotely. During the exam you will log into the exam platform and connect with a remote invigilator. Exams can be taken on demand, subject to CPAA policies and availability.
Do I have to buy textbooks/tuition?
No. To undertake the qualification you will need to purchase a certification pack from the CPAA. These contain textbooks for each exam which cover 100% of the syllabus.
Some students prefer to gain additional support. We are happy to provide guidance on where you might be able to get additional help for your studies.
Is there a time limit?
Once you have purchased a certification pack you will have five years to complete the qualification. If you do not pass all three exams within five years, you will lose any passes you have gained and will have to purchase another certification pack and retake all exams.
Training Highly Competent and Ethical Accountants
What does the Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accounting Cover?
Each of the three exams has an associated unit specification which details the assessment criteria for the exam. These are broken down into Learning Objectives, which are high level areas of knowledge the exam assesses. Each Learning Objective is broken down into more specific Job Tasks. These are practical focused activities that the learner should be able to undertake in order to pass the exam.
The Learning Objectives each have weightings expressed as a percentage. These reflect the amount of marks on the exam that will be allocated to this Learning Objective. Students must obtain at least 70% of available marks on each of the three exams to gain the qualification.
Bookkeeping for the Practice (BKFP)
Unit Overview
Bookkeeping for the Practice (BKFP) is designed to cover all knowledge needed for a student to maintain accounting records for a client up to trial balance. The unit also introduces the different types of financial statements, both to enhance the student's understanding of bookkeeping functions and to give them a foundational understanding for further study.
Vocational Relevance
Bookkeeping services are offered by most small-medium sized accountancy practices and are considered a core service offered by practising accountants. Being able to take source documents and enter them into an accounting/bookkeeping system is essential to being able to offer this service.
Practitioners who do not offer bookkeeping services must still have a strong underlying knowledge of bookkeeping to enable them to competently produce financial statements and to evaluate the validity of records they are presented with.
Unit Specification
The complete unit specification for BKFP can be found here.
Supporting Tax Services in the Practice (STSP)
Unit Overview
Supporting Tax Services in the Practice (STSP) is designed to provide students with a robust overview of the UK's tax system. STSP focuses on common taxes affecting self-employed persons. Upon completing STSP students should be able to register a self-employed person for relevant taxes with HMRC. The unit also has a strong focus on VAT and prepares the student to be able to support a more experienced practitioner in being able to meet the VAT compliance needs of clients.
Vocational Relevance
Accountancy practitioners are often engaged by self-employed clients looking for support in meeting their tax compliance needs. All practising CPAA members are registered as tax agents and provide services in relation to tax, with over 95% of practising members providing tax compliance services for self-employed clients and over 80% providing services to support VAT registered clients. Being able to support more experienced practitioners in providing tax compliance services to these clients is an extremely valuable skill for someone working in a technical role within an accountancy practice.
Unit Specification
The complete unit specification for STSP can be found here.
Regulation and Ethics in an Accountancy Practice (REAP)
Unit Overview
Regulation and Ethics in an Accountancy Practice (REAP) is a broad unit which covers key compliance and ethical issues as they apply to accountancy practitioners. These topics are introduced for the prospective of an employee working within a small-medium sized accountancy practice. The unit covers; different business structures; introduces GDPR and data protection principles; and covers UK AML/CTF regulations, fraud and bribery. Upon completing this unit students will have a strong awareness of a variety of different legal, ethical and compliance issues affecting practitioners and be able to apply this awareness within the context of working within a small-medium sized accountancy practice.
Vocational Relevance
Practitioners face a wide range of legal, ethical and compliance obligations. Small accountancy practice need employees who have strong awareness of these obligations and are able to effectively support the practice’s efforts to be compliant. Students who pass this unit will be able to help an accountancy practice remain compliant and support experienced practitioners in delivering an ethical service to their clients.
Unit Specification
The complete unit specification for REAP can be found here.
CPAA
Certification Pack
What are CPAA Certification Packs?
In order to undertake a CPAA qualification you must purchase a CPAA Certification Pack. Each qualification has its own Certification Pack. We recommend only pursuing one qualification at a time, and therefore only purchasing one Certification Pack at a time.
The Certification Pack for the Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accounting contains:
- Three comprehensive textbooks covering 100% of the syllabus for each of the three units
- An initial exam attempt for each unit
- Two resits for each unit, if your exam attempt is unsuccessful
Once you purchase a Certification Pack you will have five years to complete the qualification. If you do not complete the qualification within this timeframe we may be able to offer an extension as part of our reasonable adjustments policy, though if we are unable to do this you will lose any passes you have gained and will have to purchase a new Certification Pack and start over.
The Certification Pack allows you to take each exam a total of three times (one initial attempt and two resits). If you are unsuccessful on your third attempt you will need to purchase another Certification Pack and will lose all progress you have made towards the qualification.
You can find the Terms and Conditions for the Certification Packs, which includes important details about policies relating to students, here.
Have questions or
comments?
If you have any questions regarding our qualifications, please take a moment to view our FAQ's section. Here, you will find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. This will help you quickly get the information you need and save you time.
Who is the Level 3 Certificate for?
The CPAA Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accounting is an introductory accountancy/bookkeeping qualification designed for those with no prior accountancy qualifications, or those currently studying an introductory accountancy/bookkeeping qualification.
Job titles within a practice associated with the Level 3 Certificate include: accounts assistant, bookkeeper, trainee accountant.
How do I start the Level 3 Certificate?
If you’ve decided that you want to gain the CPAA Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accountancy then you’ll need to purchase the relevant Certification Pack here.
What do I need to do to get the Level 3 Certificate?
You will need to pass three exams as detailed above.
How much does the qualification cost?
You will need to purchase a Certification Pack which cost £550. This provides everything you need to gain the qualification.
If you do not complete the qualification within five years from purchasing the Certification Pack you will need to purchase another Pack, unless a reasonable adjustment is made by CPAA.
Within the Certification Pack you will be able to take each exam three times. If you fail all three times, you will need to purchase another Certification Pack.
While not required you may wish to purchase third-party tuition, textbooks, or other resources. These may have additional costs associated with them.
Are there any prerequisites?
No. The CPAA Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Public Practice Accountancy is open to anyone. Though the exam and tuition support are all delivered in English. We assume students have a basic understanding of maths equivalent to a grade B/5 GCSE.
Do you offer exemptions?
No we do not offer any exemptions. If you are interested in Membership of the CPAA you may qualify if you already have relevant qualifications.
Can I take the qualification outside of the UK?
No our qualifications are only available to UK residents.
Will this qualification get me a job?
Our qualifications are designed for those working or aspiring to work in small-medium sized accountancy practices. The market for UK accountancy/bookkeeping/tax qualifications is diverse. We encourage prospective students to fully research jobs they are interested in and to check the required qualifications. We are always able to offer independent advice on qualifications and careers in accountancy – email admin@cpaa.co.uk.
There are also plenty of independent online resources to help you research accountancy careers including Prospects and National Careers Service.
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