Course Description
ACCA Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification is the first professional qualification offered by MAPS College (at that time known as the Modern Academy for Professional Studies).  MAPS introduced the ACCA’s CAT qualification in the Maldives in 1999 and today it has become the most popular accounting programme in the Maldives.  Students who have completed the ACCA CAT qualification now hold high positions both in the Civil Service and the private sector.

The ACCA CAT qualification is suitable for anyone looking to gain a solid foundation of knowledge in finance and accounting. It will provide students with all the technical skills and knowledge they need to perform an accounts-support role and work at a technical level. It is broadly equivalent to the first year of a degree programme.

After obtaining the CAT qualification you can work in a wide ranging and responsible accounting roles such as a financial reporting, financial decision-support, supervisory, management and accounting technician roles within small to medium size organizations.

ACCA CAT qualification is now part of the newly introduced ACCA Foundations in Accountancy suite of awards.

Awarding Body
Certificate for this course will be awarded by the the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

MNQF Level
Level 5 Diploma (view Approval)

Academic Requirements
ACCA does not require any previous academic qualifications to study for this certificate. However to get the Certificate recognized under MNQF one of the following entry requirements will be necessary:
» One Advanced Level pass in Accounting (E or above) – students meeting this requirement will receive exemptions.
» 3 O’ Level passes (C or above) including SSC or Equivalent
» MNQF Level 4 qualification

Applicants who fulfill one of the following alternative entry requirements can also gain entry on to the course:
» Completion of Lower Secondary Education and completion of Foundation Study at MNQF Level 4.
» 20 years old AND 1 pass in a Lower Secondary School Exam and 1 year work experience.

Course Structure
Compulsory Subjects:
» Foundation in Professionalism (Online module that needs to be completed once. More)
» Recording Financial Transactions (FA1)
» Management Information (MA1)
» Maintaining Financial Records (FA2)
» Managing Costs and Finances (MA2)
» Accountant in Business (FAB)
» Management Accounting (FMA)
» Financial Accounting (FFA)

Two from the following Optional Subjects.
» Foundations in Taxation (FTX)
» Foundations in Financial Management (FFM)
» Foundations in Audit (FAU)

Duration:
18 months (3 semesters) for students joining with O Level
12 months (2 semesters) for students joining with A Level
12 months for students joining with O Level on the MAPS Fast Track
10 months for students joining with A Level on the MAPS Fast Track

Intakes: January, April, June, and September

Course Assessments
Subjects FA1, MA1, FA2, MA2, FAB, FMA and FFA will be assessed by time constrained online computer based exams that are set and marked by ACCA, UK. The exams will be conducted and invigilated by MAPS College.

Subjects FTX, FFM and FAU will be assessed by time constrained paper based exams set and marked by ACCA, UK. These exams will be conducted and invigilated by the Department of Public Examinations (DPE).

Course Fee and Payment Plan
Payments can be made in installments. Please see Course Fees and Payment Plan for information.

Pathway
Students who achieve the ACCA Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification may use it as a standalone qualification which would allow them to work in a variety of roles such as:

  • a wide ranging and responsible accounting role in a small to medium size organization
  • a financial reporting and/or financial decision-support role, possibly in a supervisory role, within an accounting department of a larger organization
  • a financial  supervisory or management role in accounts payables and/or receivables, or a financial roles in fixed assets accounting or financial shared service centers
  • an accounting technician role in a commercial organization

Alternatively, students can continue to work through to the ACCA Qualification and on the way collect a BSc Honours degree in Applied Accounting from the Oxford Brookes University after achieving the following: