Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA)

The Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification is seen as the gold standard for tax professionals. During the course, you'll develop a thorough knowledge of taxes and have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your specialist area.

Once qualified, you'll be eligible to become a member of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the UK's leading professional body concerned solely with taxation.

Key Information

  • Develop practical skills and knowledge on all aspects of taxation
  • Ongoing support whether you are taking a taught course or distance learning
  • Expert tutors dedicated to helping you pass your exams
  • Choose from nine state-of-the-art training centres across the UK
  • Flexible options allow you to study how, when and where you want
  • Pass rates consistently higher than the national average
Contact us to find out more:0845 075 1100
Request a callback >

Mark of excellence

The CTA is the highest level of tax qualification available in the UK – a mark of excellence in tax advice. At BPP, we're leaders in the field of accountancy and tax training, achieving pass rates which are consistently higher than the national average.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)

With over 15,000 members, the CIOT is the UK's leading professional body concerned solely with taxation. It's renowned around the world and is a UK member body on the Confédération Fiscale Européenne, the umbrella body for 150,000 tax advisers in Europe.

Fully flexible study

Our flexible study options mean you can fit the CTA course around your business and personal life. Choose from weekday, Saturday and evening courses, as well as online classroom, distance learning and fast track options. See the 'Ways to study' tab for more detail.

Tutors

Our knowledgeable tutors are experts in their field. They are dedicated to helping you pass your exams and will be there at every stage for progress updates, one-to-one sessions, phone and email support.

Assessment

CTA exams are divided into four modules. You're required to sit four three-hour papers and two one-hour online assessments. You can sit all four papers in one sitting, or one at a time.

The modules include:

  • E-assessment
  • Awareness
  • Advisory
  • Application and Interaction

CTA modules

The CTA course is broken down into a series of modules, which means you can pick and choose the papers you want to study – and spread them over a period of time. Alternatively, with our fast-track option you can take all four papers in one sitting.

The CTA exam has four levels – E-assessment, Awareness, Advisory and Application and Interaction – and six exams.

Our pathway document shows the three typical direct tax routes through the CTA exam.

CTA E-assessment modules

Law and Ethics are assessed via computer-based exams (one hour per module). Depending on your prior qualification, you may be exempt from either or both of these assessments. You’ll find guidance and more information on computer-based testing, including syllabus, exemptions and practical arrangements, on the CIOT website.

CTA Awareness module options

This module is examined via a three-hour, paper-based exam. You will need to answer questions on three out of the five modules. Modules answered at Awareness level cannot be the same as those answered at Advisory level (you should pick your advisory papers first, and take the other options as your Awareness papers).

The Awareness module options are: 
  • Corporation Tax 
  • VAT 
  • Taxation of Individuals 
  • Taxation of Unincorporated Businesses 
  • IHT, Trusts and Estates

CTA Advisory modules

You will take two papers at Advisory level. These will be examined via paper-based exams, which are three hours each.

The Advisory modules taught at BPP are:

  • Taxation of Individuals 
  • Advanced Corporation Tax 
  • Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses 
  • IHT, Trusts and Estates

CTA Application and Interaction modules

One paper is to be taken at this level. This will be examined via a three-hour, paper-based exam, in the form of a case study. Candidates will choose one module, which should be on the same areas that have been covered at the Advisory level.

Exemptions from this paper are available to ICAEW, ICAS and ACCA students who have passed paper P6 – Advanced Taxation. See the CIOT website for more details.

The Application and Interaction modules are:

  • Taxation of Individuals
  • IHT
  • Trusts and Estates 
  • Taxation of Owner Managed Businesses Taxation of Companies

Dates and prices

The links and brochures above will open as a PDF in a new window. To save directly to your computer, right-click the link and select 'Save Link As'. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to open it.

Free pass assurance scheme

Should you fail a CTA exam, you can choose any equivalent taught or revision course for that unit for the next sitting free of charge – subject to availability. Pass Assurance is available on all courses for Awareness, Advisory and Application and Interaction exams.

You must, though, meet the following criteria: 

  • Full and punctual attendance on all taught and revision courses in any BPP UK training centre
  • Submission of all course and mock exams on or before the date specified on the submission table
  • A score of at least 35% in each course exam and 40% in each mock exam 


If you are attending a revision course under Pass assurance you may have to purchase a new revision kit as this is not included in the course.

Flexible learning

We understand that it can be difficult juggling work and home life with studying. So we offer a flexible range of CTA course options to fit around your business and personal life. Choose to study on weekdays, weekends or evenings – with online classroom, distance learning and fast-track options available.

Syllabus level one

The first level of the syllabus is two online assessments. To prepare for these you'll need to attend two one-day integrated courses, which combine tuition and revision. Each course covers the key syllabus areas, as well as exam preparation.

After completing the course, we recommend that you book your online assessments with the CIOT within two to three weeks.

Students who intend to sit the online assessments after February 2012 will be able to book on one of our new online classes covering the key areas of the syllabus, as well as exam preparation.

Syllabus level two

Taught courses are available for the next level of the syllabus – the Awareness, Advisory and Application and Interaction levels – and will help you gain knowledge of the key areas of the syllabus.

Classroom tuition is more focused towards the exam and allows students to progress more quickly and easily than a distance learning course. Our student success rates show that those who attend taught courses are more successful in exams than those who study alone.

In addition, if you attend our taught course you will have access to our enhanced classroom, which includes online lectures, course exam debriefs, real exam reviews, hints and tips on approaching real exam questions and debriefs of revision course questions.

Key benefits:

  • Delivered by experts with extensive knowledge and experience of the UK tax system
  • Interesting and engaging lessons – using a wide variety of media
  • Ask questions in the classroom and bounce ideas off fellow students
  • Immediate tutor feedback
  • Comprehensive syllabus coverage

Class schedule

You may take classes on consecutive days or split over two weeks:

  • Saturdays – classes are usually every week
  • Evenings – two per week

Course duration

  • Awareness – we offer a three-day tuition course, with additional support provided through the online enhanced classroom.
  • Advisory – you will take a range of different modules covering the areas of tax appropriate to your syllabus. Each module lasts between one and three days, and additional support is provided through the online enhanced classroom.
  • Application and Interaction – students taking Application and Interaction should already have covered all of the technical material in earlier courses – this remains available through the online enhanced classroom. The course lasts one day and will focus on developing case study skills.

Revision courses

Our revision courses last between three to five days and will help you apply your knowledge to exam standard questions and develop your exam technique.

These courses are available for Awareness, Advisory and Application and Interaction levels.

Key benefits:

  • Recap the core areas of the syllabus to reinforce and consolidate your knowledge
  • Develop exam technique with question practice
  • Tutor guidance on managing your time in the exam and using the correct types of forms
  • Exam tips on how to communicate your ideas and pick up valuable extra marks
  • Mock exam under timed conditions to help prepare you for the real exam

Distance learning courses

The paper-based Chartered Tax Adviser distance learning course gives you the opportunity to study in your own time, at your own pace. It covers the whole syllabus and provides you with revision for the exam.

To maximise your chance of success, we recommend that you also book on to a BPP revision course – which will teach you how to pick up those valuable extra marks on the exam. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns face-to-face with a tutor.

Key benefits:

  • Flexibility to fit study around your work and personal commitments
  • Study wherever and whenever you want
  • Tutor support and study guidance is only a phone call or an email away

Online classroom courses

A number of CTA papers are available to study through the online classroom. This includes the online assessments for Law and Ethics, as well as the Inheritance Tax and Trusts and Estates papers.

The online classroom gives you access to all of the features of the enhanced classroom, such as online lectures, exam debriefs and guidance on approaching exam questions – as well as a dedicated tutor who will help monitor your progress through regular weekly contact and will be available to answer queries.

Entry requirements

You will usually be eligible to sit the CTA exams if you have passed one of the following prior qualifications:

  • The Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)
  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
  • The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
  • The Institute of Indirect Taxation (IIT)


Students who have passed various Inland Revenue or HMRC internal training examinations will also be eligible. In addition, there are a number of other examinations or courses which provide eligibility. For further information, visit the CIOT website

Complete an application form or call 0845 075 1100.

Key dates

The following dates apply to students studying for Chartered Tax Adviser examinations. However, before you can take any exams, you must register as a CTA student member.

Study locations

You can study for your CTA face-to-face at any one of the following study centres:


Each centre offers state-of-the-art facilities and comfortable, high-quality classroom environments. But remember, if you prefer to study from home or overseas, we also offer distance learning and online classroom options.