A Chartered Accountant is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ). A Chartered Accountant is not someone who has completed a professional accounting examination.

Under the Public Accountancy Act of 1968, the ICAJ is the body responsible for regulating the designations ‘Chartered Accountant’ (CA) and ‘Fellow Chartered Accountant’ (FCA) in Jamaica. The designations indicate that Chartered Accountants are by training and experience, qualified to provide services in the areas of accounting, auditing, taxation, finance and various aspects of business management.

Chartered Accountants may be sole practitioners or in partnership in firms (public practice), offering professional services to a wide range of clients. Alternatively, they may occupy senior positions in industry, commerce or the public sector. For those, whose interests and skills are suited to teaching and research, there are many opportunities available for providing Accountancy training.

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT?

In order to qualify for membership of the Institute, a candidate must:

• Pass any of the qualifying examinations of the Institute – Association of Chartered Certified

Accountants (ACCA) Professional Examination; Certified Management Accountant (CMA); Certified

General Accountants (CGA); a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of the West Indies,

Mona, or final examinations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

• Have obtained practical experience of not less than three years, by working in a professional firm or

being engaged in accounting work in sufficiently responsible positions.

• Be at least 21 years old.

• Be recommended by two members of the Institute.

• Be admitted to membership by the Council of the Institute.

• Complete the membership application form online at www.icaj.org.

Practising Chartered Accountants

This category describes ICAJ members who are holders of practising licences issued by the Public

Accountancy Board (PAB). The ICAJ works very closely with the Public Accountancy Board to ensure adherence to ethical and professional accountants among its members in particular.

The Public Accountancy Act

The Public Accountancy Act, 1968, regulates the practice of Accountancy in Jamaica, and the use of Accountancy designations. The Act also provides for the establishment of a regulatory body called the Public Accountancy Board which requires all persons wishing to practise as Accountants to be registered with the Board, hence, the designated title Registered Public Accountant. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica was incorporated under Section 16 of the Act.

Benefits of Membership

The benefits of ICAJ membership are numerous including exposure to continued professional development, preferential rates for seminars, benefit of accessing research and technical expertise for the solution of work-related problems and the opportunity to serve on governing boards and to contribute to national accounting development.

ICAJ prides itself on constantly monitoring the practice of its members through practice monitoring programmes. The Institute ensures that its members remain current in their educational requirements, and all members are expected to meet certain levels of continuing professional development requirements on a consistent basis. This is a way of guaranteeing that our members are kept abreast of the latest developments in accounting and related subjects.

ICAJ welcomes enquiries and invites the public to visit its website at www.icaj.org for a listing of members (Chartered Accountants).