ATSWA or ACA: which ICAN path fits you

Welcome to your ICAN journey. When you begin your studies with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, you will choose between two main starting points. The Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa (ATSWA) is the technician path, which leads to the AAT qualification. The ACA path is the chartered professional route. Both paths are governed by ICAN and offer structured ways to build your accounting knowledge.

Your current educational background will guide which door you open first. The ATSWA route accepts students with five credits, which must include English and Mathematics. It also accepts qualifications like an OND, NCE, or diploma.

If you already hold a degree-equivalent qualification or have completed your ATSWA certificate, you can register directly for the ACA professional path. You can review the exact entry rules on our eligibility page to see where your current certificates place you.

The two paths have different structures and exam schedules. ATSWA consists of 12 papers. ICAN holds ATSWA exam diets in March and September. While the official ATSWA page provides duration estimates for completing these papers, please note that these estimates are not a guarantee of how long your studies will take.

The ACA professional path involves 15 papers under the current syllabus. ICAN schedules ACA exams in May and November. Because exam schedules can shift, always confirm these dates on the live ICAN portal before booking your exams.

Starting with ATSWA does not prevent you from becoming a chartered accountant later. In fact, completing ATSWA leads to the AAT qualification, which ICAN lists as a valid entry qualification for professional ACA registration.

ICAN provides a 2010 exemption example showing how ATSWA graduates can transition into the ACA path. You can confirm the current paper exemptions on our exemptions guide. Keep in mind that ATSWA does not, by itself, award the ACA qualification. To become chartered, ACA students must complete their professional exams, complete 36 months of practical experience, and attend an induction.

Take a moment to review your current certificates and decide which path aligns with your background. You can explore more details about the institute on our about page or dive deeper into the technician route on our ATSWA hub.

Once you have made your choice, you will proceed to the official ICAN registration. As you prepare for your first diet, you can test your knowledge and get comfortable with the format using our Learn practice environment.