How to become a chartered accountant in Singapore

Chartered accountancy programmes taught in Singapore are popular across the world. This is because of the diverse student base, a curriculum structure that has a strong international outlook, and educational infrastructure that provides deep cross-border knowledge.

Singapore CA courses are tailored for business leaders who aspire to possess a Singaporean chartered accountant qualification and wish to develop relevant industry skills for future business leaders.

If you are looking to become a chartered accountant in Singapore, it is critical that you transform into a trusted advisor and become the financial backbone of a company to provide holistic business strategies.

Before you start your accounting journey, it is important to obtain a basic overview of the wide range of resources and decision-making processes that you need to understand to secure a lucrative career in this sector.

Singapore CA: eligibility

To fulfil your dreams of becoming a public accountant in Singapore, you must fit the practical and academic requirements below before you enrol into an accounting course in Singapore:

• As a chartered accountant Singapore applicant, you must have completed the Singapore CA foundation qualification programme, or
• Possess a degree that is recognised by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) or any other accredited degree from the list of institutions recognised by the SAC.
• You must be employed in an accredited training organisation (ATO), to assign yourself an approved mentor and issue a training agreement before enrolment.

 Singapore CA: modules to study

The Singapore CA qualification’s module structure imparts cutting-edge technical skills, to enable you to meet the needs of the global finance market.

Here are the academic topics that will help you navigate your way through the Singapore CA qualification pathway:

•   Principles of financial reporting
•   Advanced financial reporting
•   Accounting for decision making
•   Assurance
•   Financial management
•   Singapore taxation

For more information on the module structure of both the professional and foundation level CA course, click here.

Singapore CA: how to apply

From November 2020, final-year Bachelor of Accountancy undergraduates from Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Social Sciences and Singapore Institute of Technology do not need to undergo a graduate degree before signing up for the professional programme and can enter directly. 

This also applies to undergraduate students from any other discipline who have completed the chartered accountancy foundation programme.

In addition to this, final-year undergraduates from all the above-mentioned universities will not have to pay the one-time application fee.

Applicants who have earned a direct entry degree five years before enrolling into a professional chartered accountancy programme and possess substantial work experience may be considered for direct admission on a case-to-case basis.

What are the career opportunities after the Singapore CA qualification?

The Singaporean chartered accountancy qualification multiplies the number of employment options available to students, including the following roles:

•       Corporate financial
•       Company liquidator
•       Cost accountant
•       Management accountant
•       Tax advisor

London School of Business and Finance Singapore (LSBF SG) has a wide range of professional CA programmes available to choose from.

Apply to a professional or foundational level CA qualification preparatory programme at LSBF SG to enhance your career prospects and gain lifelong benefits.

FAQs

Can an ACCA member become a CA in Singapore?

Studying an ACCA preparatory course from Singaporean approved learning partners will help you become a qualified chartered accountant professional with industry experience in the field because of the close similarity of the curriculum structure of both the programmes.

How much can an ACCA qualified personnel earn in Singapore?

Starting an ACCA accountancy career is one of the most successful professional choices than any other job profile within the accounting and finance industry that can significantly increase your earning potential, allowing you to draw an average annual salary of S$59,000.

Is ACCA an expensive course?

The fees you need to pursue an ACCA certification depend on the type of delivery mode you choose (live online or on-campus) and the duration of learning that matches your personal or professional commitments.

This is why choosing an online mode of learning is the best route to save on other costs, as well as allowing you to keep working while you study.