Becoming a qualified accountant in Ghana means choosing a path. The local route is ICAG, the Chartered Accountants designation that carries statutory recognition in Ghana. The international routes are ACCA and CIMA, both globally portable and recognised across borders. The choice affects your cost, your exam structure, your career mobility, and the letters you put after your name. Here is how the three compare, based on the official registration requirements and fees.
The Three Pathways at a Glance
| Feature | ICAG (Chartered Accountants Ghana) | ACCA | CIMA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Local statutory recognition | Global financial accounting and audit | Management accounting and business strategy |
| Currency of Fees | Ghana Cedis (GHS) | British Pounds (GBP) | British Pounds (GBP) |
| Entry Requirement | 6 WASSCE credits including English and Maths | 5 WASSCE credits including English and Maths | Varies by route |
| Exam Structure | 3 levels, 14 papers | 3 levels, 13 papers | Operational, Management, Strategic levels |
| Ghana Exam Centres | Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and others | Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi | Accra (through tuition partners) |
| Best For | Practising in Ghana, local statutory audits | International career mobility | Corporate finance, management roles |
ICAG: The Local Statutory Route
The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) is the statutory body for the accountancy profession in Ghana. It is established under the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana Act, 2020 (Act 1058).
Registration Requirements
To register as a student, you must be at least 16 years old and possess one of the following :
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WASSCE/SSSCE: Six credits including English and Mathematics
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Diploma, HND, Degree, or Masters: Any qualification acceptable to the Institute
You will need to upload a birth certificate or national ID, passport-sized photographs, and original educational certificates and transcripts.
Fees (Effective January 2026)
The ICAG has published its approved studentship fees for 2026 :
| Fee Type | Amount (GHS) |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | 400 |
| Annual Subscription | 400 |
| Reactivation Fee | 800 |
Exemption Fees (per paper):
| Level | Amount (GHS) |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 711 |
| Level 2 | 1,139 |
| Level 3 | 1,380 |
Examination Fees (CA):
| Level | 1 paper | 2 papers | 3 papers | 4 papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 511 | 952 | 1,297 | 1,581 |
| Level 2 | 911 | 1,670 | 2,305 | 2,788 |
| Level 3 | 1,104 | 1,904 | 2,636 | 2,926 |
Exemptions
ICAG grants exemptions based on prior qualifications :
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BSc Administration, B.Ed (Accounting), B.Com: Exemption from Level 1 and some Level 2 papers
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HND Accountancy: Exemption from Level 1 and Paper 2.3 (Audit & Assurance)
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ATSWA/GAT: Exemption from Level 1 and some Level 2 papers
Examination Structure
The ICAG qualification is in three levels :
Level 1: Financial Accounting, Business Management & Information Systems, Business & Corporate Law, Introduction to Management Accounting.
Level 2: Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, Audit & Assurance, Financial Management, Public Sector Accounting & Finance, Principles of Taxation.
Level 3: Corporate Reporting, Advanced Audit & Assurance, Strategic Case Study, Advanced Taxation.
Examinations are held in March, July, and November each year .
ACCA: The Global Financial Accounting Route
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is one of the largest global accountancy bodies, recognised in over 180 countries.
Registration Requirements
In Ghana, candidates must be at least 16 years old and have five WASSCE/GCE O-Level credits, including English and Mathematics . Graduates with relevant degrees (BCom, BBA, HND in Accounting) may receive exemptions from up to nine Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams .
Fees (2026, Ghana)
ACCA fees are charged in British Pounds :
| Fee Type | Amount (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Initial Registration | 89 |
| Annual Subscription (2026) | 140 |
| Reduced First Year Subscription | 63 |
| Applied Knowledge Exemption (per paper) | 86 |
| Applied Skills Exemption (per paper) | 114 |
| Applied Skills Exam (Dec 2026 standard) | 151 |
| Strategic Business Leader Exam | 268 |
| Strategic Business Reporting Exam | 191 |
| Ethics and Professional Skills Module | 83 |
Note: Late entry for exams costs significantly more (e.g., £387 for Applied Skills) .
Examination Structure
ACCA has three levels :
Applied Knowledge: Business and Technology, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting.
Applied Skills: Corporate and Business Law, Performance Management, Taxation, Financial Reporting, Audit and Assurance, Financial Management.
Strategic Professional: Strategic Business Leader, Strategic Business Reporting, plus two options from Advanced Financial Management, Advanced Performance Management, Advanced Taxation, and Advanced Audit and Assurance.
Practical Experience
To become an ACCA member, you must complete 36 months of relevant practical experience and the Ethics and Professional Skills Module .
CIMA: The Management Accounting Route
CIMA (the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) focuses on management accounting, business strategy, and corporate finance. It awards the ACMA, CGMA designation on completion.
Registration Routes for Ghana
CIMA offers several routes through the AICPA & CIMA Ghana office. The fees below are the Ghana-specific rates arranged through the country office :
| Route | Fee (GBP) | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Partner University Graduate (within 5 years) | 720 | One year of full FLP access |
| Partner University Graduate (over 5 years) | 2,400 | One year of full FLP access |
| CA Accelerated Route (for Ghana Chartered Accountants) | 850 | Registration, all 15 exemptions, one Strategic Case Study attempt |
Annual Subscription: In the region of GBP 150 while studying .
Resit Fees: If you fail a case study, you pay an exam-only fee (approximately GBP 303 for the Strategic Case Study), not the full registration fee again .
The CA Accelerated Route
If you are already a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAG), CIMA offers an accelerated route. For GBP 850, you receive registration, all 15 exemptions, and one Strategic Case Study attempt. This is the fastest path to the ACMA, CGMA designation for existing CAs .
Practical Experience
Full membership requires three years of relevant finance experience in approved roles, verified through the Practical Experience Requirement (PER) .
Which Route Should You Choose?
The choice depends on your career goals and budget.
Choose ICAG if: You intend to practise in Ghana, particularly in statutory audit or public practice. It is the statutory body, and its fees are in cedis, making it significantly cheaper for Ghanaian students. One analysis estimates ICAG’s all-in cost at GHS 14,000–20,000, compared with GHS 41,000–70,000+ for ACCA .
Choose ACCA if: You want maximum international mobility. ACCA is recognised in 180+ countries and is often the preferred credential for Ghanaians seeking roles in the UK, UAE, or other international markets. The trade-off is higher cost due to GBP fees .
Choose CIMA if: Your career is in corporate finance, management accounting, or strategic business roles. CIMA’s focus on business strategy and management makes it well-suited to finance business partnering and CFO-track roles. The CA Accelerated Route is particularly attractive for existing ICAG members .
Consider combining ICAG and ACCA if you want local statutory recognition plus global portability. Several Ghanaian accountants hold both.
Quick Facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| ICAG Registration (2026) | GHS 400 |
| ICAG Annual Subscription | GHS 400 |
| ICAG Level 1 Exam (1 paper) | GHS 511 |
| ICAG Level 3 Exam (4 papers) | GHS 2,926 |
| ACCA Initial Registration | GBP 89 |
| ACCA Annual Subscription | GBP 140 |
| ACCA Applied Skills Exam | GBP 151 |
| CIMA CA Accelerated Route | GBP 850 |
| CIMA Annual Subscription | ~GBP 150 |
| ICAG Exam Sittings | March, July, November |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is ICAG?
The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana. It is the statutory body for the accountancy profession in Ghana, established under Act 1058. It awards the Chartered Accountant (CA) designation .
2. How do I register for ICAG?
Visit sms.icagh.org, create an account, upload your birth certificate, passport photo, and educational certificates, and pay the registration fee of GHS 400 and annual subscription of GHS 400 .
3. How much does ICAG cost in 2026?
Registration is GHS 400, annual subscription is GHS 400, and exam fees range from GHS 511 for one Level 1 paper to GHS 2,926 for four Level 3 papers .
4. What are the ICAG entry requirements?
You must be at least 16 years old and have six WASSCE/SSSCE credits including English and Mathematics, or an acceptable diploma, HND, degree, or masters .
5. How do I register for ACCA in Ghana?
Visit the ACCA registration site, create an account, complete the form, upload your ID and certificates, and pay the initial registration fee of £89 .
6. How much does ACCA cost in Ghana?
Registration is £89, annual subscription is £140, and exam fees range from £151 for Applied Skills to £268 for Strategic Business Leader .
7. What are the ACCA entry requirements in Ghana?
You must be at least 16 and have five WASSCE/GCE O-Level credits including English and Maths. Graduates may receive exemptions .
8. How does CIMA work in Ghana?
CIMA is administered through the AICPA & CIMA Ghana office. The CA Accelerated Route for qualified Chartered Accountants costs GBP 850 and includes all 15 exemptions and one Strategic Case Study attempt .
9. What is the CIMA CA Accelerated Route?
It is a pathway for existing Ghana Chartered Accountants to obtain the ACMA, CGMA designation. For GBP 850, you receive registration, all exemptions, and one case study attempt .
10. How many exams are in ICAG?
ICAG has 14 papers across three levels: Level 1 (4 papers), Level 2 (6 papers), and Level 3 (4 papers) .
11. How many exams are in ACCA?
ACCA has 13 papers across three levels: Applied Knowledge (3), Applied Skills (6), and Strategic Professional (4, including two options) .
12. Where are the exam centres in Ghana?
ICAG exams are held in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Koforidua, Ho, Sunyani, Wa, Bolgatanga, Tamale, and Cape Coast . ACCA exams are held in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi . CIMA case studies are typically written in Accra through tuition partners.
Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
