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. 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)
3. Complete the Examination of Experience*.
4. Make your Pathways submission and pay the fee of £345 on our website when the Pathways window is open**.
5. Get your answers marked by our experienced examiners and have your Sponsor form and Letters of Good Standing verified.
6. If your Pathways submission is successful, be invited to make your ICAEW application for membership and pay the ICAEW admission fee***.

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

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

***Fees based on 2025 prices.

Fees

Below is a breakdown of the fees involved in this dual membership route:

• Pathways submission fee: £345
• UK admission fee: £600
• International admission fee: £300
• Membership fee: pay your home body membership fees

*Fees based on 2025 prices.

Submission dates

You can register as a candidate during the Pathways submission windows:

2025 dates

2026 dates

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.