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Becoming a CPA

Training Outside Public Practice

Stream II Training

The Institute's Stream 11 training scheme essentially involves training outside public practice.

When the CPA programme was first introduced, the only way to become a CPA was through the articleship system whereby a student worked in the office of a practicing CPA and at the same time, studied for the MICPA examination. However, in recognition that some of the students may wish to seek a career in commerce, industry or the public sector and the importance of training accountants in the environment in which they are going to build their career, the Institute implemented the Stream 11 training scheme in 1975.

This scheme offers students aspiring to become a CPA to be trained in an approved training organisation (ATO) in commerce, industry or the public sector under the supervision of a member of MICPA or a professional body approved by MICPA. Students trained under this scheme will have the advantage of gaining a better insight and greater understanding of the financial and accounting systems and practices of the corporate world and public sector organisations. This will enable them to provide more effective services to their employers.

Responsibilities of Training Supervisors

The training supervisor is responsible for the supervision of the practical exposure and education of his students. In particular, the training supervisor is obliged to:

• Assign students to such work and afford them such opportunities and work experience for the purpose of enabling the students to acquire the practical knowledge of a CPA in commerce, industry or the public sector;
• Provide the students reasonable leave for attendance at tutorial courses and afford them facilities for the study of the MICPA examinations;
• Allow students who are presenting themselves for the MIPCA examination a reasonable period of study leave to prepare for the examination;
• Monitor the progress of the students in their work as well as their study for the MICPA examination; and
• Report to the Council of the Institute on the progress of students whenever called upon.

If a training supervisor leaves the employ of the approved training organisation, it is his responsibility to seek a replacement within the organisation. The Institute must be informed of any change of training supervisors.

Commitment of the Organisation

The success of the Stream 11 Training Scheme will obviously depend on the commitment of the approved training organisation in terms of providing the necessary opportunities for work exposure and studies for the MICPA examination. The organisation must also ensure that it has in its employ CPAs or other professional accountants who can supervise the training of the students.