In order to become a professional accountant in Hong Kong, one has to obtain full membership with the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) as specified in the
In May 2000, the HKSA signed MRAs with CPA Australia (formerly the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The agreements enable HKSA members who have completed the QP to apply for membership of the respective bodies.
Recognised Overseas Accountancy BodiesThe following are the overseas accountancy bodies recognised by the Hong Kong Society of Accountants:
The HKSA Qualification Programme (QP) has been launched since 1999. It reflects the most up-to-date stance on accounting education and training. Competency-based standards are applied to develop and nurture ¡§forward thinking accountants¡¨. The QP comprises a Professional Programme component and a Final Professional Examination.
Depending on the educational background, there are three paths to become a professional accountant through the HKSA QP:
* Note: The list of accredited degrees and programmes will be updated from time to time. Please contact the HKSA or visit their web site (http://www.hkicpa.org.hk) for the latest list.
What Does The QP Contain?
The QP comprises a Professional Programme (PP) component and a Final Professional Examination (FPE).
The Professional Programme comprises 4 modules:
After successful completion of the four PP modules, candidates will take a 6-hour open book Final Professional Examination (taken in two sessions of 3 hours each).
The FPE tests candidates¡¦ ability to integrate knowledge and skills from any part of the PP syllabus and apply these across all fields of competency, demonstrating a level of skills appropriate to a professional practitioner. The whole course will take at least one year to complete.
Other Professional BodiesThe Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Hong Kong Association of Accounting Technicians (HKAAT) also conduct examinations for candidates locally.
The HKAAT conducts professional examinations for accounting technicians whose employment wholly or partly comprises accounting work but who have not qualified to be registered under the
For other professional bodies, students have to go abroad to obtain their qualifications. For further information, interested parties may contact the relevant bodies direct.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)ACCA has statutory power over the auditing, taxation and liquidation matters in the United Kingdom and members of the European Union.
In Hong Kong, the ACCA organises three types of examinations:
I. ACCA Professional ExaminationsTo register as the student of ACCA and sit for the Professional Examinations, one can apply through the following routes:
(1) Business or accounting degree holders with comparable assessed study experience may qualify for exemptions for some or all of the Part 1 or Part 2 examinations; orACCA conducts examinations in June and December each year. The syllabus contains three parts:
* Candidates can choose the Hong Kong taxation and law papers.
# Candidates have to complete any two of the four papers.
Practical Experience RequirementTo acquire membership of ACCA, in addition to passing the professional examinations, you must:
(1) gain a minimum of three years¡¦ supervised, relevant practical experienceACCA is recognised by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) and ACCA members can apply for membership of HKSA to satisfy the statutory requirements to practise in Hong Kong.
In addition, ACCA has developed a partnership with the United Kingdom¡¦s Oxford Brookes University which enables students to obtain a BSc Honours degree in Applied Accounting upon successful completion of Part 2 of the ACCA examinations plus a research and analysis project of 5 000 words and key skills statement of 1 500 words.
* Candidates can choose Preparing Tax Computations and Returns in Hong Kong.
Practical Experience RequirementTo become a qualified Certified Accounting Technician, one has to demonstrate that, in addition to passing the examinations, one has:
There are two examination sessions each year, in June and December. The candidates have to complete a total of four papers:
1. Interpretation of Financial StatementsThe Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is the only recognised professional body specialising exclusively in cost and management accountancy in the United Kingdom.
Student RegistrationTo register as a student and to sit for the examinations of the Institute, a candidate is required to fulfil the following conditions:
(1) Possess a university degree; orTo qualify as an associate member of the Institute, a candidate is required to fulfil the following conditions:
(1) Be at least 21 years of ageThe examination is held twice a year, in May and November. The syllabus is consisted of three levels:
Foundation Level* Candidates can elect to sit this exam with either the UK Accounting Standards format or the International Accounting Standards format.
The Hong Kong Association of Accounting Technicians (HKAAT)Starting from 1995, the Hong Kong Association of Accounting Technicians (HKAAT) introduced its own local examination scheme ¡V Accounting Technician Examinations. Subsequently in June 1997, it launched the Bookkeeping and Accounts Examination, the Computerised Accounts Examination in December 2000 and later in December 2002, the Professional Bridging Examinations.
I. Accounting Technician ExaminationsThe Accounting Technician Examinations aim to provide an accounting education and examination system which matches the needs of the Hong Kong environment. In addition, the Examinations offer students the opportunities to progress to register for the HKSA's Qualification Programme after completing additional examinations or programmes accredited by HKSA.
Anyone who has attained the age of 16 may register as students of the Association. Only registered students may take the HKAT Examinations.
Paper 1 Financial Accounting
Paper 2 Business Communication
Paper 3 Cost Accounting
Paper 4 Statistics and Information Technology
Paper 5 Hong Kong Taxation
Paper 6 Hong Kong Business Law
Paper 7 Advanced Accounting
Paper 8 Auditing
Upon successful completion of the Accounting Technician Examinations, students will be awarded with a Certificate. Graduates may register as a student of the HKSA under the Qualification Programme after completion of the Professional Bridging Examinations, the Foundation Programme or an accounting degree accredited by the HKSA.
The route for Non-Degree holders wishing to qualify as a professional accountant under the new Professional Programme is as follows:
In 2002, the HKSA and HKAAT launch the Professional Bridging Examinations (PBE) for sub-degree holders who have completed the Accounting Technician Examinations.
The PBE is specially developed for HKAAT graduates, giving them a direct alternate route to meet the HKSA Qualification Programme (QP) admission requirements and to become a recognised professional accountant.
Upon successful completion of the PBE, the student's eligibility for QP admission will be certified.
The Bookkeeping and Accounts Examination has been operated by the Association since 1997 to give students or working adults a recognised qualification on Book-keeping and Accounts. While the examination is set in English, a Chinese paper has been available since June 1998. Secondary 5 students and above who have studied Principles of Accounts and working adults who wish to acquire a basic accounting qualification can apply to take the Examination which is organised in June and December each year. Candidates who have obtained a credit or above in the Book-keeping and Accounts Examination can be exempt from Paper 1 ¡V Financial Accounting in the Accounting Technician Examinations.
The Computerised Accounts Examination was introduced in 2000 to give working adults a recognised qualification on Information Technology (IT) skills in operating accounting software. Today, many companies and organisations in Hong Kong operate computerised accounting systems and there have been rapid developments in the application of IT in the business environment. This examination is particularly useful to accounting clerks who are interested in further career development and enhancement in this aspect.
The Certified Accounts Clerk certificate is another qualification established by the Association in 2000 to accredit accounts clerks who possess an adequate knowledge of accounting concepts and skills to operate computerised accounting systems. This is an entry level accounting qualification which is designed to facilitate career development and enhancement of junior accounting staff in Hong Kong.
Upon completion of both the Book-keeping and Accounts Examination and the Computerised Accounts Examination, candidates will be awarded the Certified Accounts Clerk qualification.
You may contact the following organizations for more details of the professional qualifications in the field:
![]() | 4/F, Tower Two, Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Hong Kong |
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![]() | http://www.hkicpa.org.hk |
![]() | hkicpa@hkicpa.org.hk |
![]() | Suites 1414-1415, 14/F., Jardine House, Hong Kong |
![]() | 2511 2003 |
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![]() | Room 1901, 19/F, World Wide House, 19 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong |
![]() | 2524 4988 |
![]() | http://hongkong.accaglobal.com |
![]() | 17/F, Fortis Bank Tower, 77-79 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong |
![]() | 2529 9474 Hotline: 2866 7066 |
![]() | http://www.hkaat.org.hk / |
![]() | hkaat@hkaat.org.hk |