Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana — The gold standard qualification for accountants in Ghana. 14 papers, 3 levels, and a pathway recognised by IFAC worldwide.
Syllabus effective November 2024 (2024–2029). Preparing well-rounded professionals capable of contributing real value to any organisation — in Ghana and across the world.
The ICAG Professional Qualification is the premier accounting designation in Ghana, awarded by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG). It is designed to develop competent professional accountants capable of accepting the accounting responsibilities that businesses, government and regulatory authorities demand.
The qualification is comparable to modern standards employed by leading institutes across the world — including its coverage of sustainability, technology, ethics and professional scepticism — and is specifically tailored to the business and government needs of Ghana.
ICAG facilitates advanced standing for candidates from recognised universities and aligns with requirements of international bodies including the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
Benchmarked with international qualifications; members benefit from mutual recognition agreements globally.
Ethics and professional scepticism are embedded in all 14 papers — not just as theory, but in practical scenarios.
Covers AI, machine learning, robotic process automation, data analytics and cybersecurity for the modern accountant.
ESG, climate change and sustainable finance are woven throughout the syllabus to prepare future-ready professionals.
You must complete each level before advancing to the next. Every level builds on the knowledge and skills from the previous one.
Pass all Level 1 papers before proceeding to Level 2.
Develop knowledge of double-entry accounting techniques and preparation of basic financial statements for sole traders, partnerships, companies and not-for-profit entities. Includes financial statement interpretation and key accounting ratios.
Key Topics
Introduction to business structures, organisational processes, and the business environment in Ghana. Covers how information systems support business objectives, and the impact of technology on the accountant.
Key Topics
Introduction to the Ghanaian legal system and specific areas of business law — contracts, employment, company law, governance structures, ethics and criminal law. Essential for every finance professional.
Key Topics
Core management accounting concepts in costing, budgeting, performance management and decision-making. Also covers the role of management accounting in the public sector.
Key Topics
Pass all Level 2 papers before proceeding to Level 3.
Builds on Level 1 Financial Accounting with complex events and transactions. Greater emphasis on compliance with local and international accounting standards (IFRS/GAAP) and financial statement analysis.
Builds on: 1.1 Financial Accounting
Key Topics
Advanced budgeting, cost accounting principles and management reporting techniques for planning, decision-making and control. Includes public sector management accounting processes.
Builds on: 1.4 Cost & Management Accounting
Key Topics
Risk-based audit methodology for private and public sector engagements. From appointment through planning, performance and reporting in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs).
Builds on: New topic
Key Topics
Critical understanding of financial management — funding requirements, cost of capital, optimal financing structure, investment decisions, mergers & acquisitions, working capital, business valuation and financial risk management.
Builds on: 1.4 Cost & Management Accounting
Key Topics
Solid knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and technical skills for financial reporting in the public sector. Advisable to complete 2.1 Financial Reporting first.
Builds on: New topic (attempt after 2.1)
Key Topics
The Ghanaian system of taxation — basic principles for individuals and corporations, capital gains tax, VAT, customs duties, and tax administration.
Builds on: New topic
Key Topics
Exemptions are NOT granted for any Level 3 paper — all four must be sat.
Professional judgement and technical competence in preparing and interpreting financial statements for complex business entities. Evaluating and communicating the impact of current developments in corporate reporting.
Builds on: 2.1 Financial Reporting
Key Topics
Higher-level skills to perform registered auditor responsibilities under Ghana legislation and ISAs. Includes public sector audits and International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI).
Builds on: 2.3 Audit and Assurance
Key Topics
Advanced application of Ghanaian tax law — complex corporate and personal tax issues, international taxation principles, tax planning, and advising clients on tax-efficient structures.
Builds on: 2.6 Principles of Taxation
Key Topics
Capstone paper integrating knowledge from across the qualification. Strategic analysis, choice and implementation, governance, management information, and stakeholder recommendations — all set in complex, realistic business scenarios.
Builds on: 1.2 Business Management, 2.2 Management Accounting, 2.4 Financial Management
Key Topics
All papers are marked out of 100. A minimum score of 50% is required to pass each paper. You do not need to pass all papers in a level in the same sitting.
From 2025, ICAG is implementing Computer Based Exams (CBE) in phases. Level 1 begins with MCQ objective testing. Levels 2 and 3 are phased in progressively. Students must develop skills in CBE environments.
Level 1: Identify, explain, calculate.
Level 2: Apply, prepare, analyse in realistic scenarios.
Level 3: Evaluate, advise, make professional judgements on complex situations.
Degree and diploma holders may be eligible for paper exemptions — see the exemptions section below.
Exemptions are granted to accredited institutions recognised by ICAG and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). No exemptions are available at Level 3 — all four papers must be sat.
To qualify as a member of ICAG, candidates must complete 450 days of practical work experience (typically 3–5 years) under a training agreement with an authorised employer or principal.
Experience must be recorded throughout training, involve increasing responsibility as you progress, and expose you to diverse clients and sectors.
Acceptable Experience Categories
ICAG members are committed to lifelong professional development across seven key competency areas:
Follow these steps to begin your ICAG journey.
Confirm you meet the minimum entry requirements — WASSCE/SSSCE with 6 credits (including English & Maths), or a diploma/degree qualification. Check what exemptions you may be entitled to.
Go to icagh.com to access the official student registration portal. Create your student account and complete the online registration form.
Upload certified copies of your academic certificates and transcripts. If applying for exemptions, your institution must be accredited by GTEC and have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICAG.
Pay the applicable registration and exemption fees. Fees vary based on the number of papers and your entry route. Check the ICAG website for the current fee schedule.
Register for ICAG-approved learning materials (published by Emile Woolf International) and enrol in tuition courses to support your exam preparation.
Register for the papers you intend to sit in the upcoming exam sitting. ICAG holds examinations in May/June and November/December each year.
Study with expert tutors, AI-powered learning, HD video lectures and live classes — all designed specifically for the ICAG syllabus.
No credit card required · Study at your own pace
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