CIPFA members seeking ICAEW dual membership

Benefits of dual membership

• CPFA accountants will be able to gain the ACA designation and become a member of ICAEW and use both sets of designation.
• Dual membership will open wider career possibilities for members and provide greater flexibility to work across the private and public sectors.
• Gain access to both CIPFA and ICAEW member benefits.

Application process

1. Register as a candidate for the Pathways programme.
2. Make your Pathways submission on our website*.
3. Sit and pass the Examination of Experience**.
4. Complete all necessary paperwork including:
   -  Your Letter(s) of Good Standing from your professional body
   -  A signed Sponsor Form
   -  Your Sponsor's Letter of Good Standing (if they are not an ICAEW member).
5. Pay the fee via our website. See 2024 rates.
6. Have your supporting documentation and Letters of Good Standing verified.
7. Once checks are complete, be invited to make your ICAEW application for membership***.

*The submission windows are open three times a year in January, May and September.

**You can attempt the Exam of Experience a maximum of four times.

***There will be no additional cost providing you have renewed your membership with CIPFA.

Access arrangements

If you feel that your exam performance may be affected by a health condition, specific learning difficulty or disability you can apply for access arrangements to be put in place to support you. You can apply for access arrangements as soon as you are registered but you must submit your application by the closing date of the exam booking window.

Before you submit your access arrangements application, please read the webpage on application guidance. There are also two further guidance documents to consider:

• SpLD guidance (for conditions such as dyslexia)
• General guidance (for medical conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding and prayer time during exams)

• Submit your application via My.icaew.com/examsonline 

Letters of Good Standing

CIPFA will confirm your status of Good Standing upon your registration. Good Standing includes the following:

• You are a full CIPFA member
• Date and year you were admitted to membership
• Route taken into membership
• Good disciplinary record
• Full compliance with CIPFA’s CPD requirements
• No known ethical reasons why you should not be admitted to ICAEW.

This criteria will be checked again after you have passed the Exam of Experience and are ready to come into membership.