CERTIFIED ACCOUNTING AND TAX TECHNICIAN (CATT)

The Certified Accounting and Tax Technician (CATT) qualification helps candidates develop the relevant technical knowledge and practical skills that are needed by an accounting and tax technician in Somaliland. 

In order to qualify as a Certified Accounting and Tax Technician, candidates need to complete (a) exams, (b) a professional ethics module and (c) relevant experience. 

(a) Exams: candidates shall pass all of the following three exams: 

1. Financial Reporting (FR) paper: is an intermediate-level assessment of candidates’ knowledge of financial accounting and reporting. 
2. Somaliland Taxation (TX) paper: this paper tests the candidates’ understanding of the Somaliland taxation system. 
3. Somaliland Legal System (LAW) paper: assesses candidates’ ability to explain and analyze the legal issues that surround businesses and corporations in Somaliland. 

(b) Ethics and professionalism module: the ethics component is central to all ICPAS activities. The module is meant to develop candidates’ understanding of the importance of ethics for professional accountants. There is no exam required for the module but the candidates should at least pass a quiz assessment upon the completion of a three-hours workshop on professionalism and ethics.  

(c) Relevant experience: CATT candidates are required to complete a one-year verifiable experience in accounting, bookkeeping, finance, audit or any other relevant field as assessed by the ICPAS. The candidate shall write a 250-words statement showing that she/he has completed at least five of the following activities/objectives: 

1. Verify source documents and record purchases and payments 
2. Verify source documents and record receipts 
3. Prepare ledger accounts and a trial balance 
4. Provide, record and analyze basic information on costs and revenues 
5. Correct errors and make accounting adjustments 
6. Maintain records of fixed assets 
7. Prepare the periodic financial statements of unincorporated entities 
8. Manage and control cash receipts, payments and balances 
9. Interpret financial statements of unincorporated entities 
10. Plan and control financial performance, including measurement and evaluation 
11. Grant credit and monitor and control the collection of debt 
12. Prepare and compute business income tax, and prepare tax returns 

The statement is subject to the approval of the ICPAS examination and certification team. The experience is verified from the employer and the statement is directly submitted to ICPAS. 

To register for the CATT qualification, candidates should have at least: 

1. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (accounting, finance, etc.) from a recognised university; or
2. Completed a professional qualification from a body recognised by ICPAS. The following potential candidates are eligible to register for the CATT qualification:

• Candidates who hold the ACCA CAT qualification 
• Candidates who have completed the first four papers of the ACCA qualification 
• Candidates who are members of the ACCA, CPA Canada, CPA US, CPA Australia, ICAEW and CIPFA.

 Candidates who hold certain professional qualifications (ACCA CAT, AAT, CIPFA Diploma, etc.) may be eligible for exemption from the Financial Reporting (FR) exam. 

1. Apply: you can apply at any time of the year for the CATT qualification. There is no fee payable on applications. 
2. Register: candidates will be assessed for eligibility after the application. Only those who are eligible shall register at any time during the year and pay an initial registration fee of $15.
3. Book the exam: exams can be booked at any time during the year. However, there are only four exam windows per year (March, June, September & December). Candidates need to buy each exam package for $115, which includes exam booking fees, training and preparation course fee and the study textbook. 

Prepare for the exam: training for the CATT is exclusively provided by ICPAS. The preparation sessions and exam windows will be communicated to approved applicants in due course.