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HKICPA members - how to join ICAEW

HKICPA members can join ICAEW through our reciprocal membership agreement.

As a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA), you may be able to join ICAEW through our Reciprocal Membership Agreement. Alternatively, you may be eligible to join through our Pathways to Membership scheme, based on your professional work experience. You can also apply for a practising certificate and gain audit rights through our Audit Qualification.

Membership

Reciprocal membership

If you are an HKICPA member who has completed the HKICPA Qualification Programme (QP) and met the practical experience requirements, you are eligible to apply for ICAEW membership

Pathways to Membership

If you have been an HKICPA member for at least 5 years, you can apply for ICAEW membership based on your experience through the Pathways to Membership scheme. However, please note that Pathways does not provide a route towards the Audit Qualification and UK audit rights.

Practising certificate

If you intend to practise in the UK once you are an ICAEW member, you must apply for an ICAEW practising certificate. You can cite your membership time with HKICPA towards the 2-year membership requirement for a practising 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