Ghana's Premier Tax Qualification

CITG
Professional Qualification

Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana — The gold standard for tax professionals in Ghana. 12 papers, 3 levels, and a pathway to becoming a fully-fledged Chartered Tax Practitioner.

Recognised across Ghana's public and private sectors. Examinations held twice yearly in February and August, with up to 10 years to complete the full qualification.

12
Examination Papers
3
Qualification Levels
50%
Pass Mark Per Paper
10 yrs
To Complete Qualification
About the Qualification

What is the CITG Professional Qualification?

The CITG Professional Qualification is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana (CITG) — the premier body for taxation professionals in Ghana. Its mission is to promote the advancement of taxation practice through excellence, integrity and transparency.

The qualification is designed to equip candidates with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to advise individuals, companies, government agencies and multinational businesses on all aspects of Ghanaian and international tax law.

Holders occupy senior roles in public practice, the Ghana Revenue Authority, multinational corporations, financial institutions and legal practice. The CITG designation signals mastery of income tax, indirect tax, international tax, oil & gas taxation and strategic tax planning.

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Taxation Law Specialists

Deep expertise in Ghanaian income tax, indirect tax, customs & excise, and the full legislative framework governing revenue.

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International Tax Focus

Dedicated paper on international taxation — transfer pricing, tax treaties, residence rules, and cross-border compliance.

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Oil & Gas Taxation

Unique in covering the fiscal regime for Ghana's extractive industry — petroleum agreements, production sharing and mineral royalties.

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Strategic & Advisory Skills

Final Level 2 develops the strategic and advisory competencies needed to counsel businesses and government at the highest level.

The 3-Level Pathway

Qualification Structure

Each level must be completed before the next. The Final Level 2 requires all three papers to be passed in a single sitting.

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Prof

Professional Level

6
Papers
Paper 1 · Public Sector Economics & Finance
Paper 2 · Income Taxation
Paper 3 · Accounting & Finance
Paper 4 · Indirect Taxation
Paper 5 · Revenue and Business Law
Paper 6 · Strategy and Governance
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F1

Final Level 1

3
Papers
Paper 7 · Tax Audit & Investigations
Paper 8 · Oil, Gas & Other Minerals Taxation
Paper 9 · International Taxation
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F2

Final Level 2

3
Papers
Paper 10 · Strategic Tax Planning
Paper 11 · Advanced Taxation Practice
Paper 12 · Tax Practice Administration & Ethics
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Final Level 2 — Special Rule

All three Final Level 2 papers (Papers 10, 11 and 12) must be sat and passed at the same examination session. A candidate may be referred in one paper if they score a minimum of 40% in that paper while passing the other two. No exemptions are available at Final Level 2 under any circumstances.

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Professional Level

All 6 Professional Level papers must be completed (or exempted) before sitting Final Level 1.

Paper 1Public Sector Economics & Finance

Understand the principles of government finance, sources of public revenue, public expenditure policy, and the application of fiscal policies in stabilising the national economy. Covers welfare economics, public goods, tax incidence, and public debt analysis.

Key Topics

Role and size of public sectorWelfare economics & Pareto optimalityPublic goods & externalitiesTax incidence analysisOptimal tax design (direct & indirect)Keynesian & supply-side fiscal policyPublic debt & inter-generational equityIntergovernmental fiscal relations
Paper 2Income Taxation

Develop practical skills in computing income taxes for individuals, partnerships, companies, and capital gains. Covers the Internal Revenue Act, employment income, PAYE, capital allowances, gift tax, and industry concessions under Ghanaian law.

Key Topics

Imposition of income tax in GhanaChargeable vs assessable incomeEmployment income & PAYETaxation of partnerships & partnersTaxation of companies & bodies of personsCapital gains tax computationGift taxCapital allowances & reliefs
Paper 3Accounting & Finance

Apply accounting principles to partnership, group and company financial statements. Covers business valuation, financial statement interpretation, specialised accounting transactions, and financial management including investment appraisal.

Key Topics

Partnership accounts & dissolutionGroup consolidated accountsFinancial statement interpretation & ratiosBusiness valuation methodsHire purchase, leases & branch accountsForeign currency transactionsWorking capital managementInvestment appraisal & capital budgeting
Paper 4Indirect Taxation

Understand the principles of indirect taxes — VAT, customs & excise duties, and communication service tax. Covers jurisdictional principles, taxable supply rules, VAT accounting, customs classification, and valuation under Ghanaian law.

Key Topics

Value Added Tax (VAT) principlesTaxable persons, supply & registrationVAT accounting: input & output taxExempt, zero-rated & relief suppliesCommunication Service TaxCustoms & excise dutiesWTO customs valuationFree zones & tariff classification
Paper 5Revenue and Business Law

Understand the legal framework governing companies, partnerships and joint ventures in Ghana. Covers corporate law, company formation, equity and loan capital, directors and shareholders, as well as revenue law principles and financial laws.

Key Topics

Company formation & incorporationCorporate personality & ultra vires doctrineEquity & loan capitalDirectors, secretaries & auditorsShareholders rights & minority protectionsLiquidation & capital reorganisationPartnership law & joint venturesBanking, insurance & securities law
Paper 6Strategy and Governance

Explore the managerial and strategic directions of organisations, and current corporate governance developments. Covers strategic analysis tools, operations and HR management, board composition, internal controls and ethical responsibilities.

Key Topics

Strategic analysis (SWOT, PEST, Porter's forces)BCG Matrix, Value Chain, Product Life CycleStrategic development & evaluationTotal Quality ManagementHR planning, recruitment & compensationBoard composition & corporate governanceInternal controls & auditEthics & social responsibility of directors
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Final Level 1

All Final Level 1 papers must be completed (or exempted) before sitting Final Level 2.

Paper 7Tax Audit & Investigations

Apply auditing and investigation principles to obtain information for taxation purposes. Covers the full audit cycle from planning to reporting, tax compliance risk management, desk and comprehensive audits, and investigative techniques under Ghana Revenue Authority legislation.

Key Topics

Auditing principles & independenceAuditor duties & liabilityAudit planning & risk assessmentAudit evidence collection methodsCompliance & substantive testingTax compliance risk managementGRA tax audit & investigation proceduresInvestigation techniques & financial analysis
Paper 8Oil, Gas & Other Minerals Taxation

Understand the economics, regulatory framework, and fiscal regime of Ghana's extractive industry. Covers petroleum agreements, cost oil and profit oil, production sharing systems, the Ghana Petroleum Fund, mineral royalties, and mining corporate tax computations.

Key Topics

Petroleum micro & macro economicsRegulatory framework of oil & gas in GhanaPetroleum Exploration & Production regulationsFiscal systems: concessionary vs production sharingRevenue streams: royalty, petroleum income tax, AOEGhana Petroleum Fund & Stabilization FundMining lease terms & mineral rightsCorporate tax computation for mining entities
Paper 9International Taxation

Understand the principles of international taxation and the interaction of Ghana's tax system with other jurisdictions. Covers residence rules, transfer pricing methods, double taxation treaties, thin capitalisation, tax havens, and anti-avoidance measures.

Key Topics

Residence & source jurisdiction rulesPermanent establishment conceptsTransfer pricing: arm's length principleTransfer pricing methods (CUP, Resale, Cost Plus, TNMM)Double taxation: exemption & credit systemsOECD & UN Model Tax ConventionsTax havens & preferential regimesThin capitalisation & anti-avoidance
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Final Level 2

ALL 3 Final Level 2 papers must be sat and passed at the SAME sitting. No exemptions — ever.

Paper 10Strategic Tax Planning

Apply tax law strategically to real-world business problems. Covers the decision-making process, entity selection strategies, employee compensation planning, profit reporting, tax incentive provisions, corporate distributions, anti-avoidance schemes, and international business expansion.

Key Topics

Basic principles of strategic tax planningEntity variable, time period & character variablesOrganisational forms & tax consequencesEmployee & proprietor compensation strategiesDeferred compensation & equity-based plansCorporate acquisitions, mergers & divisionsInternational expansion & double tax treatiesAnti-avoidance schemes & profit stripping
Paper 11Advanced Taxation Practice

Demonstrate mastery of all major taxes and their interaction across individuals, partnerships, companies and trusts. Covers advanced computation, oil & minerals taxation, capital gains, VAT & customs, gift tax, insurance taxation, and application of case law to unstructured practical problems.

Key Topics

Advanced income tax computations (all entity types)Petroleum, minerals & mining entity taxationCapital gains tax & gift tax valuationImport duties, VAT, excise & special taxesTaxation of insurance businessTax accounting: cash basis, accrual, long-term contractsCessation of trade: liquidation & reconstructionHedging, rollover relief & dividend stripping
Paper 12Tax Practice Administration & Ethics

Acquire in-depth knowledge of tax administration procedures, compliance processes, and the ethical obligations of the Chartered Tax Practitioner. Covers the Ghana Revenue Authority structure, assessment procedures, collection, objections, appeals, and the tax consultancy process.

Key Topics

GRA structure & Commissioner General's powersIncome tax, VAT & customs assessment proceduresCustoms entry forms & duty drawbackTax collection by attachment & garnishmentObjections, appeals & dispute resolutionTax offences, penalties & interestTax clearance certificates & TINTax consultancy process & professional ethics
Exams & Assessment

How Are You Assessed?

Pass Mark: 50%

Every paper is marked out of 100. A minimum score of 50% is required to pass. At Final Level 2, a referral (40%+) in one paper is allowed if the other two are passed — but you must re-sit the referred paper at the next session.

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Twice-Yearly Sittings

Examinations are held in February and August each year. The examination window spans 6 days starting from the first Monday of the month. At Professional Level and Final Level 1, candidates may attempt any number of papers per sitting.

10-Year Completion Window

Students have 10 years from their registration date to complete all final examinations. The examinations are conducted at a high professional standard — Final Level 2 requires answers in the form of memoranda, reports, briefing papers and business communication formats.

Who Can Apply

Entry Requirements

📋 Minimum Requirements

You must be at least 18 years of age and hold one of the following:

  • First degree from a recognised tertiary institution
  • Taxation Technician Certificate of CITG
  • Higher National Diploma (HND) from a recognised institution
  • Basic Professional Certificate in Taxation of the Ghana Revenue Authority
  • Any other qualification deemed equivalent by Council

Taxation Technician Certificate holders receive automatic exemption from Papers 1, 2 and 4 at the Professional Level — giving them a strong head start into the qualification.

Save Time

Exemption Policy

Exemptions are at the discretion of the Council. Members of recognised professional bodies may be exempt from the entire Professional Level. No exemptions are available at Final Level 1 or Final Level 2.

Taxation Technician Certificate (CITG)
Exempt from: Paper 1 (Public Sector Economics), Paper 2 (Income Taxation), Paper 4 (Indirect Taxation)
Ghana Bar Association members
Exempt from: All Professional Level papers (Papers 1–6)
ICAG members (Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana)
Exempt from: All Professional Level papers (Papers 1–6)
ACCA members (Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, UK)
Exempt from: All Professional Level papers (Papers 1–6)
ICMA members (Institute of Chartered Management Accountants, UK)
Exempt from: All Professional Level papers (Papers 1–6)
CIPFA members (Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy, UK)
Exempt from: All Professional Level papers (Papers 1–6)
Other professional qualifications or academic degrees
Exempt from: Subject-by-subject basis (evidence of knowledge level required)

Note: Exemptions are not available for incomplete qualifications. A fee is charged per paper exempted. Other qualifications are assessed on a subject-to-subject basis with supporting evidence.

Where It Takes You

Career Paths for Chartered Tax Practitioners

CITG members occupy senior positions across every sector of Ghana's economy and increasingly in international markets.

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Government & Revenue Authorities

Tax policy analyst, revenue officer, or senior specialist at the Ghana Revenue Authority or Ministry of Finance.

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Public Practice

Tax partner or manager at a Big 4, mid-tier, or boutique tax advisory firm in Ghana or internationally.

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Oil, Gas & Mining

In-house tax counsel for E&P companies, mining firms, or petroleum holding entities operating in Ghana.

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Multinational Corporations

Transfer pricing specialist, international tax manager, or regional tax director across African markets.

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Legal Practice

Tax litigation specialist, dispute resolution adviser, or corporate counsel handling tax-related legal matters.

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Financial Institutions

Tax compliance officer, treasury tax manager, or financial planning adviser at banks and insurance companies.

Getting Started

How to Register for CITG

Follow these steps to begin your journey to becoming a Chartered Tax Practitioner.

01

Confirm Your Eligibility

Ensure you are at least 18 years old and hold a qualifying academic credential — a first degree, HND, Taxation Technician Certificate, or GRA Basic Professional Certificate. Check which exemptions you may be entitled to based on your prior qualifications or professional membership.

02

Visit the CITG Website

Go to the official Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana website to access the student registration portal. Create your student account and download or complete the registration form.

03

Submit Your Documents

Upload certified copies of your academic certificates and transcripts. If you are a member of a recognised professional body (e.g. ICAG, ACCA, GBA), provide your membership certificate to apply for Professional Level exemption.

04

Pay Registration & Exemption Fees

Pay the applicable student registration fee. If applying for paper exemptions, an additional fee is charged per paper exempted. Check the CITG website or secretariat for the current fee schedule.

05

Enrol in Study Courses

Register for structured tuition support to prepare for your papers. Expert tutor-led courses — covering income tax, indirect tax, oil & gas taxation, and international tax — are available through Profs Training Solutions.

06

Register for Your Exams

Examinations are held in February and August each year. Register for the papers you intend to sit before the exam closing date. At Professional Level and Final Level 1, you may attempt any number of papers per sitting.

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Ready to Start Your
CITG Journey?

Study with expert tutors who know the CITG syllabus inside-out — from income tax computation to oil & gas fiscal regimes and international transfer pricing.

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