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Students
1. Why is the JES ending?
As Singapore is gearing up to become a global accountancy hub for the Asia-Pacific region, ACCA and ICPAS are entering into a new working relationship that offers different pathways and opportunities for all students who are embarking on the ACCA Qualification.
Hence, the current JES which will expire on 24 September 2012, will not be renewed.
2. Is ACCA committed to a future in Singapore?
Yes, ACCA is definitely committed to a future in Singapore as Singapore is a top ranking market for ACCA. We have been in Singapore for 75 years and have built a strong brand. We have also established a solid reputation for producing a robust qualification and well-prepared accountants for business. We have developed and continue to cultivate excellent relationships with notable employers and business partners who value our members and students for their skills and ability.
As Singapore works towards being a global accountancy hub for the Asia-Pacific region, ACCA will ensure that our members and students are equipped with the right knowledge and skills so that they can contribute effectively in the workplace.
3. With the ending of the JES, what do I do now?
ACCA and ICPAS are currently working on the transitional arrangements. You will receive communication from us on the options you have going forward. Please read your options carefully and make a decision. You can get assistance through this FAQ webpage, phone enquiries to ACCA and ICPAS Examination & Student Registry (ICPAS ESR) as well as your tuition provider.
ACCA and ICPAS want to assure students that there will be no changes to the ACCA qualification. All students will be able to continue with their studies without any interruptions and get the ACCA Qualification.
4. With the ending of the JES, as an ACCA student, what are my options?
As a student, you have two options:
- The ICPAS Plus route where you will be eligible for membership to ACCA and ICPAS (Associate) after completing the ACCA examinations and achieving the relevant admission criteria. Student subscription fees to ACCA and ICPAS apply.
- The ACCA Only route where you will be eligible for membership to ACCA after completing the ACCA examinations + Professional Ethics Module and relevant practical experience requirements. Student subscription fees to only ACCA apply.
You will receive a communication before the JES comes to an end, asking you to indicate - which of the options outlined above you wish to take so that the necessary arrangements can be put in place. You must make a decision by 24 September 2012.
5. As an ACCA JES student, when can I start making a choice on the route I intend to take?
All current ACCA JES students will remain on the ACCA register. However, if you want to opt for the ICPAS Plus route, you can do so starting from 1 January 2012 till 24 September 2012. The option page to make your choice for the ICPAS Plus route can be found on the following websites:
ACCA Singapore or
ICPAS Examination & Student Registry (ICPAS ESR) 
6. With the ending of the JES, as a CAT/FIA student, what are my options?
If you have completed and passed the FIA/CAT examinations and then are put on the ACCA register by 31 August 2012, you will be eligible to choose either the ICPAS Plus or ACCA Only route as below:
- The ICPAS Plus route where you will be eligible for membership to ACCA and ICPAS (Associate) after completing the ACCA examinations and achieving the relevant admission criteria. Student subscription fees to ACCA and ICPAS apply.
- The ACCA Only route where you will be eligible for membership to ACCA after completing the ACCA examinations + Professional Ethics Module and relevant practical experience requirements. Student subscription fees to only ACCA apply.
You must make a choice by 24 September 2012. You will have to complete your ACCA examinations in 10 years from the point of transfer to the ACCA register. The last examination session date will be reflected in your myACCA online account.
If you are not transferred to the ACCA register by 31 August 2012, you will remain as a FIA student and will only hold FIA student membership with ACCA. Here, you will be eligible for the FIA suite of qualifications awarded by ACCA (including CAT status). Student subscription fees to only ACCA apply.
7. I am a JES student. As the JES is ending, by when do I need to complete my ACCA examinations to still be eligible for ICPAS membership?
- If you opt for the ICPAS Plus route, you will be given 10 years from point of initial registration to complete your examinations and be eligible for ICPAS (Associate) membership. Membership to ICPAS will be determined by the criteria set at the time of application for ICPAS membership. At the moment, there are no changes to the criteria.
- If you opt for the ACCA Only route, you will be given 10 years from point of initial registration to complete your examinations. Membership to ICPAS will be through the MRA between ACCA and ICPAS.
| Registration Date | Last Examination Session |
|---|---|
| Registration On/Before 31 December 2006 |
June 2017 |
| Registration From 1 January 2007 |
10 years from the point of initial registration |
8. I plan to register to study ACCA in Singapore in 2012. How will the end of the JES affect me?
Registration to be under the JES no longer applies after 31 December 2011.Therefore, when you enroll for the ACCA or Foundations in Accountancy Qualification from 1 January 2012, you will be an ACCA Only student and are eligible to be a member of ACCA upon completion of the ACCA examinations + Professional Ethics Module and relevant practical experience requirements. Subscription fees to only ACCA apply.
Membership to ICPAS will be through the MRA between ACCA and ICPAS.
9. What is the MRA between ACCA and ICPAS?
The MRA or Mutual Recognition Agreement is a special arrangement that enables ICPAS members to become ACCA members and vice versa upon achieving the relevant admission criteria. Members will be able to enjoy the benefits that both organisations offer. However, accountants working in public practice will still have to satisfy additional national requirements.
10. If I am an ACCA Only student, how can I apply for membership to ICPAS through the MRA?
Currently, ACCA Only students must become members of ACCA by completing the ACCA examinations and satisfying the ACCA requirements on relevant practical experience, as well as the Professional Ethics Module. They will also need to complete the ICPAS pre-admission course and achieve proficiency in Singapore laws as prescribed by ICPAS. Only then, will they be eligible for admission into membership of ICPAS.11. I am a JES student. If I choose the ICPAS Plus route by 24 September 2012, do I need to pay any additional subscription fees?
No, you do not pay additional subscription fees for 2012 to either ACCA or ICPAS. You will just have to pay your annual student subscription fees to both bodies.
If you choose the ACCA Only route, there is no refund for the ICPAS subscription fee for 2012.
12. If I choose the ICPAS Plus route and then decide to not continue with this route, can I re-join later on?
No, you will not be able to re-join. You will then be on the ACCA Only route.
13. I was previously a student and under the JES scheme. Now I want to re-register as a student. How will the changes impact me?
If you re-register for the ACCA qualification by 31 December 2011, you will still be under the JES and for 2012, will be required to pay student subscriptions fees to both bodies. Re-registration fee (including outstanding fees) owed to ACCA and/or ICPAS will still apply.
If you re-register from 1 January 2012, you will have to submit a re-registration form directly to ACCA as an ACCA Only student. From this point, you will only pay ACCA fees. Re-registration fees (including outstanding fees) owed to ACCA will still apply. Membership for ICPAS will be through the MRA between ACCA and ICPAS.
14. I am an ACCA JES student who registered before the syllabus change in 2007. When must I complete my examinations?
You must pass all your examinations by 2017. The last examination session date is reflected in your myACCA online account.
15. I am an ACCA JES student who registered in 2007. When must I complete my examinations?
You will have 10 years to complete your examinations from point of initial registration.
The last examination session date is reflected in your myACCA online account.
For illustration of the above two questions, please refer to the following diagram:
| Registration Date | Last Examination Session |
|---|---|
| Registration On/Before 31 December 2006 |
June 2017 |
| Registration From 1 January 2007 |
10 years from the point of initial registration |
16. As the JES is ending, what is ACCA and ICPAS' stand on exemptions awarded?
There is no impact on the current exemptions policy. You can refer to the ACCA website for further information. From 1 January 2012, ACCA will be responsible for deciding on exemptions for Singapore qualifications for new students registering with ACCA. More information will be given on this FAQ page and you are encouraged to visit this site frequently for all updates
17. I am currently studying with a tuition provider. Will the changes affect my studies with them?
There will be no impact on your studies or the tuition provider you have chosen to do your studies with.
18. Now that the JES has ended, will the Singapore variant and adapted papers continue to be offered?
Yes, ACCA will continue to offer these.
19. Does the ending of the JES have an impact on the Practical Experience Requirement (PER)?
The ACCA PER will not be affected with the end of the JES. ACCA students must continue to fulfill all requirements for ACCA membership which includes completing the PER.
20. I am studying part-time as I am in full-time employment. Will the ACCA Qualification still be recognized by my employer?
Yes. ACCA has been preparing students for rewarding careers in accounting and business for more than 100 years. Our qualifications continue to be well-sought after and respected by employers in Singapore and all other countries we operate in. ACCA members and students are known to be technically sound, well-rounded and fit to work in any organisation. ACCA continuously develops and strengthens relationships with employers so that they recognise and value the knowledge and skills members and students bring to organisations.
21. Does the ending of the JES have an impact on my examinations?
No, there is no impact. All students will still continue to take the ACCA examinations as per normal. However, the last co-branding of examinations with the ACCA and ICPAS logos will for the June 2012 examination session.
With effect from the December 2012 examination session, only the ACCA logo will be featured on the cover page of the examinations.
22. I am involved in the ACCA/ICPAS Student Society (AISS). What will happen to AISS once the JES ends?
Once the JES ends, a new student society will be formed. We will have more information on this in the next few months.
23. If I still have questions to ask, where do I go for further information on ACCA/ICPAS student matters?
You can contact the following for more information:
Website: ACCA Singapore or
ICPAS Examination & Student Registry (ICPAS ESR)
Tel: ACCA at + 65 6734 8110
ICPAS ESR at +65 6744 9865
Email: ACCA at SingaporeJES@accaglobal.com or
ICPAS ESR at studentadmin@icpas.org.sg
24. I am a JES student who will need to pay subscription fees for 2012. If I decide on the ACCA Only route, will I still be required to pay student subscription fees to both ACCA and ICPAS in 2012?
Yes, you will need to pay student subscription fees in full for both bodies in 2012 as the JES officially ends on 24 September 2012. Starting from January 2013, you will pay subscription fees to just ACCA if you have opted to be an ACCA Only student.
If you have opted for the ICPAS Plus route, you will continue to pay student subscription fees to both bodies annually.
25. I am currently a JES student with an overseas qualification. Under the JES, I am unable to claim exemptions for the Singapore variant papers F4 (Corporate and Business Law) and F6 (Taxation). I have not yet sat for papers F4 and F6. With the ending of the JES, I intend to choose the ACCA Only route so can I claim exemptions for F4 and F6?
No, you are unable to, as all exemptions assessment under the JES are not retrospective. When you registered for the ACCA Qualification, you are also registered under the JES. Even if you decide to opt for the ACCA Only route, the number of exemptions awarded would remain unchanged and hence you will still need to sit and pass the F4 and F6 examinations.
If you want to be a CPA Singapore, currently one of the regulatory requirements is that you must demonstrate competence in Singapore Law and Tax. Hence completion of the Singapore F4 and F6 variant papers will meet one of these requirements.
26. I am a new student who signs up for the ACCA Qualification from 1 January 2012 and I have an overseas qualification. Can I claim exemptions for Singapore variant papers F4 (Corporate and Business Law) and F6 (Taxation)?
As a new student who signs up for the ACCA Qualification from 1 January 2012, you will be able to claim exemptions for F4 and F6.
However, if you want to be a CPA Singapore, one of the current regulatory requirements, is that you must demonstrate competence in Singapore Law and Tax. As such, it is recommended that you complete the Singapore F4 and F6 variant papers.
If you have no intention to be a CPA Singapore, you may choose to claim exemptions for the Singapore F4 and F6 variant papers.
27. I am a new student who signs up for the ACCA Qualification from 1 January 2012 and will be an ACCA Only student. Can I sit for the Singapore variant papers F4 (Corporate and Business Law) and F6 (Taxation)?
Yes, you will be able to sit for the F4 and F6 variant papers. You are strongly encouraged to take these papers as completion of the Singapore F4 and F6 variant papers will meet one of the current regulatory requirements, i.e., if you want to be a CPA Singapore, you must demonstrate competence in Singapore Law and Tax.