CIPFA - Qualifications - Fast Track Routes to Membership - AAT

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Making the transition

The AAT is one of the most popular entry routes into CIPFA and the two bodies work closely together to ensure the transition from AAT to CIPFA is as smooth and straightforward as possible. To help you move from AAT qualified to CIPFA qualified, CIPFA has developed a defined pathway which incorporates the following:

An understanding of the learning and skills you will have developed during your AAT studies. This is reflected in the exemptions policy for AAT students.
An understanding of the guidance you will need to help you initially make the transition to CIPFA and then throughout the qualification to support you through to full membership. Most of the dedicated information you will need can be found on the CIPFA Student Learning Centre.

The table below shows more information on each of the stages from AAT qualified through to CIPFA qualified. This process can take as little as 2½ years or more if you prefer to take a flexible approach. All modules are assessed through an examination which can be sat in June or December.

Stage	Modules	Exemptions available	Duration	Achievement
AAT	See AAT website for details on the AAT qualification.			AAT Member
Certificate	Financial Accounting Management Accounting Financial Reporting Financial Management Systems & Techniques	Financial Accounting Management Accounting	Typically 6 months (1 exam sitting) if exemptions taken.	Affiliate membership
Diploma	Accounting for Decision Making Audit & Assurance Financial & Performance Reporting Governance & Public Policy Leadership & Management Public Finance Taxation	An exemption from the Taxation paper is available to AAT students who passed both AAT Tax papers.	Typically 18 months (3 exam sittings)	Associate membership
Final Test	Strategic Business Management Finance & Management Case Study	No exemptions available. Students must have passed Certificate and Diploma papers to proceed to the final test.	Typically 6 months (1 exam sitting)	Qualified status (eligible for full membership once IPDS submitted)
IPDS	The Initial Professional Development Scheme (IPDS) is a portfolio that demonstrates work-based experience and activities.	200 days from the required 400 are exempt	Portfolios can be submitted at four points during the year.	Full Member

Study methods:

As an AAT student you will have had some experience of examinations. CIPFA is totally examination based. With the exception of the IPDS portfolio, there are no continuous assessments for the modules.

All modules have study guides which students should study to prepare themselves for the examination. These can be found on the CIPFA Student Learning Centre. Studying can be supplemented with attendance on added-value courses which are run by a number of course providers across the UK.