The CAT qualification is internationally recognised and highly regarded. It can lead to a challenging and rewarding career. Upon completion of the exams and required practical experience you will be able to apply to use the letters "CAT" after your name. In addition, you will have the opportunity to join the CAT alumni.

Entry requirements & exemptions

There are no formal academic qualifications necessary to register. If you have no academic qualifications, you will be expected to complete all three Levels of the Certified Accounting Technician examinations.

Holders of certain qualifications may receive exemptions from some of the papers. These can be verified on the ACCA website. You may claim exemption from the Introductory Level exams if you satisfy the one year's practical work experience requirement and can verify this by completing your Technician Training Record (TTR), which will be sent to you when you have registered as a CAT student.

Exams

There are nine papers in total to complete including two out of three option papers at Advanced Level. You can choose to change your optional papers if you wish. There is no restriction to the number of exams you may attempt, allowing you to choose to sit as many or as few papers as you like at each exam session. You are, however, recommended to attempt a maximum of four papers in each six-month period.

You can sit the papers in any order to suit your own career or study needs. You are advised, however, to attempt the papers in numerical order. There is no time limit to completing the exams and individual subject passes are allowed for all papers. Exams can be attempted twice a year in June and December.

At Introductory and Intermediate Levels of the CAT exams, you can choose to sit some or all of these papers as computer-based exams (CBEs). CBEs offer you the flexibility to sit papers outside the set June and December exam sessions, providing immediate access to your results upon completion. CBEs are held at ACCA CBE Licensed Centres - Johannesburg Polytechnic will help you find a centre nearby.

Although you do not need to register by the usual registration deadlines, you will still need to ensure that you are registered as a CAT student and in possession of your student registration number. Please allow at least six weeks for your form to be processed and for your student number to be issued.
CAT Modules Include:

For the CAT qualification you will complete nine exams, split into three Levels. These are all designed to test the knowledge, skills and understanding you will need to work in accounting support roles. The exams cover the key areas of accounting, finance, IT and management.

Advanced Level exams are of equivalent standard to the first year of a university degree and offer a choice of options to suit your career needs. At Advanced Level, the element of choice is introduced so that you can tailor your learning to suit work experience and career aspirations.

External Examination Fees

Tuition Fees and Books

Johannesburg Polytechnic offers tuition for the above subjects on a modular basis. There are 3 semesters which enables students to do their course outside the two official examination periods since they can book for Computer Based Examinations anytime. Please ensure that you also get a full catalogue of the required books before you resume classes.

For more information contact the head of department.