ICAN Syllabus for All Levels – Download Free PDF
You can download the official ICAN Syllabus for All Levels (for Foundation, Skills, and Professional levels) and related study materials directly from the ICAN website, with the latest version effective from November 2025, featuring updated content on sustainability, ethics, and technology, integrating IFAC standards. Key resources include PDF downloads for specific exams like Audit & Assurance or Professional Level Study Texts, offering detailed topic breakdowns and assessment guides.
The ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) syllabus structures its professional exams into three levels—Foundation, Skills, and Professional—with 15 subjects total, covering core accounting, financial reporting, auditing, taxation, management, and strategic areas, recently updated (effective November 2025) to incorporate sustainability reporting (ISSB standards), digital skills, and current Nigerian laws (like PIA 2021 and Finance Acts) for future-ready accountants.
The ICAN new syllabus 2025 was implemented starting with the November 2025 exams, introducing updates focusing on technology, sustainability (ISSB), and ethics, while retaining the three-level structure (Foundation, Skills, Professional) with 15 subjects, incorporating current legislation (PIA, Finance Acts), and moving towards full digital exams to prepare globally competitive accountants.
The ICAN syllabus for 2026 follows the new structure introduced in late 2025, maintaining 15 subjects across Foundation, Skills, and Professional levels, with updated content focusing on digital literacy, sustainability (ISSB standards), new finance acts (2020-2023), and enhanced ethics, preparing students for a digital age with revised subject names like “Business Environment” (formerly Business Management & Finance) and “Audit, Assurance & Forensics.”
READ ALSO:NABTEB Syllabus 2026/2027 For All Subjects
Key updates include integrating IT across subjects, incorporating sustainability reporting, and reflecting provisions from Nigeria’s Finance Acts and Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Syllabus Structure & Key Changes Foundation Level: 4 subjects (Business Environment, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, and Corporate & Business Law).
Skills Level: 6 subjects (Financial Reporting, Audit, Assurance & Forensics, Taxation, Performance Management, Financial Management, Public Sector Accounting & Finance). Professional Level: 5 subjects (Strategic Business Reporting, Advanced Audit, Assurance & Forensics, Strategic Financial Management, Advanced Taxation, and Case Study).
Content Updates Sustainability: Incorporation of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards and sustainability reporting.
Technology: Increased digital literacy and integration of technology (e.g., IT in all subjects). Legislation: Inclusion of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and Finance Acts (2020-2023). Ethics: Stronger emphasis on ethics, professional skepticism, and judgment. Exam Format Changes Computer-Based Exams (CBE): Foundation level may be paper or computer-based.
On-Screen Marking: Exams are scanned and marked on-screen. Compulsory Questions: Increased weight (40 marks) on core topics in Skills & Professional levels. Case Study: Preparation involves permutations on potential questions, requiring an executive summary. How to Access Syllabus Details Official study texts and detailed syllabus documents are available on the ICAN website.
Resources and preparatory materials (study plans, lectures) are on platforms like YouTube and tutor sites. overview of the new professional examinations syllabus … – ICAN A 15-Subjects structure is retained in the new syllabus and each subject contains the following content: ▪
Prior knowledge—where… ICAN | Home ican-professional-exam-syllabus.pdf – Lagos The requirements for ICAN-ACA qualification are set out in this syllabus in the form of learning outcomes and competencies.
The … ICAN | Home The New ICAN Professional Syllabus The new ICAN syllabus, effective from November 2025, maintains the same number of courses as the 2021 syllabus, with 15 subjects.
The ACA qualification of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is a globally recognized professional accountancy qualification. It integrates professional development, ethics, practical work experience, and professional examinations to equip candidates with the technical knowledge, competence, and practical skills required in today’s business environment.
The ICAN–ACA professional examination consists of 15 subjects, with ethics embedded in each. The syllabus is designed to ensure newly qualified ICAN–ACA professionals can analyze, evaluate, and solve complex business problems using sound professional judgment, even in unpredictable environments.
The qualification requirements are structured around learning outcomes and competencies, with the 15 subjects grouped into three levels: Foundation, Skills, and Professional. The syllabus aligns with the International Education Standards and Guidelines issued by the International Accounting Education Standards Board (IAESB).
ICAN Syllabus For Each Level
| S/N | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 | Business Environment |
| 2 | Financial Accounting |
| 3 | Management Accounting |
| 4 | Corporate & Business Law |
Passing your ICAN exams starts from knowing what’s expected of you.
Don’t be left behind. Download the ICAN syllabus for all levels now
ICAN Syllabus for All Levels – Download Free PDF
Academic Exemption for Some Courses
| Exemption Guidelines | ||
| SN | Academic Qualification | Exemptions |
| A | PhD (Accounting) with M.Sc. (Accounting) and B.Sc.(Accounting) | All subjects in Foundation and Skills levels |
| B | M.Sc. (Accounting) obtained from ICAN accredited institutions in addition to B.Sc. in Accounting. | All subjects in Foundation level B1.Financial Reporting B2. Audit and Assurance |
| C | M.Sc. (Accounting) obtained from ICAN accredited institutions but without B.Sc. in Accounting. | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A4. Management Information |
| D | M.Sc. (Accounting) obtained from non-accredited institutions in addition to B.Sc. in any accounting related discipline. | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A5. Business Law |
| E | B.Sc/HND (Accounting) obtained under the Mutual Co-operation Agreement with Tertiary Institutions (MCATI) | All subjects in Foundation and Skills Levels |
| F | ATSWA ( from year 2010) | All subjects in Foundation Level B2. Audit and Assurance |
| G | ATS II (pre-2010) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A4. Management Information |
| H | B.Sc./HND (Accounting) obtained from ICAN accredited Institutions in Nigeria. | All subjects in Foundation Level B2. Audit and Assurance |
| I | B.Sc./HND (Accounting) obtained from recognised institutions in Nigeria but not accredited by ICAN. | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A5. Business Law |
| J | B.Sc./HND (Accounting)/ Masters in Accounting & Finance (MAF) obtained from foreign recognised institutions. | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A4. Management Information |
| K | B.Sc. Economics | A2. Business, Management and Finance |
| L | B.Sc. Actuarial Science | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| M | B.Sc./HND Insurance | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| N | B.Sc./HND/B.A Business Admin/Management/Public Administration | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| O | B.Sc./HND Banking and Finance | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| P | B.Sc./HND Marketing | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| Q | MBA/MBF in addition to B.Sc./HND in non- accounting discipline | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| R | B.Sc. (Ed.) Accounting or B.Ed. Business Education (Accounting option) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A5. Business Law |
| S | B.Ed. Education Management (Accounting Option) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| T | B.Ed. Business Education | A2. Business, Management and Finance |
| U | B.Sc./B.A Commerce | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| V | B.Sc./HND Cooperative and Rural Development | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| W | LL.B/LL.M/LL.D | A5. Business Law |
ICAN Professional Exemption for Some Courses
| Professional qualifications | ||
| SN | Qualifications | Exemptions |
| A | Associate Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIBN) | All subjects in Foundation level except Taxation |
| B | Associate Institute of Financial Services, UK (Formerly Chartered Institute of Bankers, London) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting |
| C | Associate Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria (ACIS) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A5. Business Law |
| D | Associate Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (AICSA) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A5. Business Law |
| E | Associate Chartered Institute of Insurance of Nigeria (ACIIN) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A5. Business Law |
| F | Associate Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACITN) | All subjects in Foundation level except Management Information |
| G | Certified National Accountant of Nigeria (CNA) | All subjects in Foundation and Skills levels |
| H | Federal Treasury Academy with effect from 1987 (Formerly Federal Treasury Training School) (EMA) | All subjects in Foundation Level B2. Audit and Assurance |
| I | ICAEW | All subjects at all levels |
| J* | CIPFA, UK | All levels except the following subjects in each of the levels: A5. Business Law C4. Advanced Taxation |
| K* | CIMA, UK | All levels except the following subjects in each of the level: A5. Business Law B5. Public Sector Accounting & Finance C2. Advanced Audit and Assurance C4. Advanced Taxation |
| L* | ACCA, UK CPA, USA ICAS, UK ICAI, UK | All levels except the following subjects in each of the levels: A5. Business Law B5. Public Sector Accounting & Finance C4. Advanced Taxation |
| M | AIA (Final) with effect from 1994 AAT (UK) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A4. Management Information B2. Audit and Assurance |
| N | AIA (Pre-1994) | A2. Business, Management and Finance A3. Financial Accounting A4. Management Information |
Frequently Asked Question
The professional examination comprises fifteen subjects with ethics embedded in each subject.
Know the Structure of the Exams.
Register for the Examination.
Make a Study Plan.
Gather the Right Resources.
Join Study Groups.
Download Past Questions.
Focus on Weak Areas.
Join Tutorials.
Students will be required to write and pass a computer-based test (CBT) on professional values, ethics and attitudes which can be written at any time during their studentship. A student studying to obtain ICAN–ACA needs to complete at least thirty-six (36) months of practical work experience
How many times is ICAN written in a year?
To earn the ICAN CA qualification, individuals must study and demonstrate a mastery of accounting, analytical and decision-making skills needed in today’s fast-evolving and competitive workplace by passing the Institute’s rigorous three-level professional examinations which are now conducted twice annually in the
Jonathan Adewale Ojo Jonathan Adewale Ojo, AAT, ACA. – Youngest ever qualified Chartered Accountant in Nigeria ICAN Ambassado
For ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) exams, the standard pass mark for each paper is 50%, but aiming higher (like 80%) is recommended for better understanding and success, as scoring exactly 50% can be risky, and you need to pass all papers across the levels (Foundation, Skills, Professional) to qualify
Yes, you can take ICAN exams without an accounting degree by registering as a student and starting at the Foundation level, though it requires dedicated study to learn the fundamentals, with options like the ATSWA program or relevant degree/HND holders getting exemptions at higher levels.
While having a related degree (like Banking & Finance) offers exemptions, any graduate can enroll, but non-accounting grads will need extra effort to master core accounting principles to pass exams.
CA Final is the last and the most difficult CA Course in which you have to study hard to score good marks. CA Final is believed to be the toughest in CA Course because of its vast syllabus. Yes, the CA Final syllabus is vast, and to clear the CA Final exams, students have to start preparation from Day 1.
As a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), you may be eligible to join ICAEW based on your experience through our Pathways to Membership route. You can also apply for a practising certificate and gain audit rights in the UK with our Audit Qualification
Neither ACCA nor ICAN is inherently “better”; the best choice depends on your career goals: ICAN (Nigeria) is ideal for a strong career in Nigeria’s local market (especially public sector/indigenous firms), while ACCA (Global) offers superior global mobility, multinational corporation opportunities, and international recognition, though it’s often more expensive.
ICAN provides a solid foundation and pathways to ACCA, while ACCA offers broader international flexibility, with some finding its curriculum more comprehensive and easier to pass, though both are respected
About Author
