Membership
Reciprocal membership
If you have completed the HKICPA Qualification Programme (QP) and met the relevant practical experience requirements, you are eligible to join ICAEW under the RMA. This route allows you to gain membership without further examinations or additional practical experience.
Please note that if you intend to apply for the Audit Qualification (AQ), you will be required to pass additional exams and complete further experience.
Pathways to Membership
The Pathways to Membership route is available to HKICPA members based on their professional experience. You are eligible to apply through this route if:
- You have held HKICPA membership for at least five years; or
- You qualified through the pre-QP programme.
Pathways does not provide a route towards the Audit Qualification or UK audit rights.
Practising certificate
If you intend to practise in the UK as an ICAEW member, you must hold an ICAEW practising certificate. You can count your membership time with HKICPA towards the two-year membership requirement for this certificate.
Audit Qualification (AQ)
If you wish to obtain audit signing rights in the UK, you will need to hold the Audit Qualification (AQ) once you have become an ICAEW member. You will also need to hold an ICAEW practising certificate and be nominated for responsible individual (RI) status by a firm of registered auditors.
The HKICPA qualification is not recognised by the Financial Reporting Council for the award of AQ in the UK. You will therefore be required to pass additional examinations and complete an additional period of practical experience to obtain the AQ.
Further information
ICAEW has an office in Hong Kong whose staff can help you with any queries about joining the ICAEW:
Unit 2515, Level 25, The Executive Centre, Prosperity Tower, 39 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong