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ICAG Exemptions Calculator
Find the ICAG papers you may be exempted from, the papers you are likely to write and indicative 2026 exemption fees in under a minute.
Developed by MSL Business School
Guidance only. Final exemption decisions rest with ICAG.
How it works
How the ICAG Exemptions Calculator Works
No registration or email is required. Select your qualification, answer only the follow-up questions relevant to that route and receive a clear planning result based on the published ICAG information cited on this page.
Choose your qualification
Start with the qualification you intend to use for your ICAG exemptions application.
Confirm the route details
The calculator asks about only the details that can change the likely exemption outcome.
Review your study path
See likely exempt papers, papers remaining, indicative fees and an MSL study recommendation.
Complete qualification matrix
Likely ICAG exemptions by qualification
These are likely outcomes based on the cited ICAG sources. Every exemption must still be applied for, assessed and approved by ICAG.
| Qualification | Level 1 | Level 2 | Likely papers left |
|---|---|---|---|
| WASSCE, SSSCE or GBCE Entry route | No exemption | No exemption | 14 |
| Diploma in Accounting Specified route | All four papers | No exemption | 10 |
| HND Accountancy Specified route | All four papers | Audit and Assurance | 9 |
| ATSWA Specified route | All four papers | Audit and Assurance; Principles of Taxation | 8 |
| BCom Accounting; BSc Administration (Accounting); BBA Accounting; BEd Accounting; BSc Accounting & Finance 2026 communiqué | All four papers | Audit and Assurance; Principles of Taxation | 8 |
| Level 300 Accounting at an ICAG MOU institution Separate MOU route | All four papers | Audit and Assurance; Principles of Taxation | 8 |
| Level 300 Finance at an ICAG MOU institution Course dependent | All four papers | Audit and Assurance and/or Principles of Taxation only if read | 8 to 10 |
| Other bachelor’s degree ICAG assessment | Subject-by-subject assessment from the academic transcript | ICAG confirms | |
| MBA Accounting & Finance; MSc Accounting & Finance; MBA Accounting; MBA Accounting & Taxation; MCom Accounting 2026 communiqué | All four papers | Financial Reporting; Management Accounting; Audit and Assurance; Financial Management; Principles of Taxation | 5 |
| MBA Finance; MSc Development Finance; MSc Industrial Finance & Investment; MBA Financial Management 2026 communiqué | All four papers | Financial Management | 9 |
| Other master’s degree, irrespective of educational background 2026 communiqué | All four papers | No exemption | 10 |
| Qualifying full member of another PAO Separate PAO process | Separate ICAG PAO procedure applies. ICAG also determines the Level 3 treatment and current fees. | Normally 2 or 3, subject to approval | |
| Other professional qualification ICAG assessment | Subject-by-subject assessment from the result slip | ICAG confirms | |
Conditions and fees
What you need before relying on an exemption result
For the 21 August 2026 routes
- ICAG must successfully verify your academic transcript and certificate with your tertiary institution.
- You must submit a certified true copy of your certificate of completion.
The communiqué does not state whether earlier assessments can be reopened. Ask ICAG if that applies to you.
Indicative 2026 exemption fees
- Level 1: GH¢711 per exempt paper
- Level 2: GH¢1,139 per exempt paper
- Registration: GH¢400
- Annual subscription: GH¢400
Calculator totals cover standard Level 1 and Level 2 exemption fees only. Confirm the amount in the ICAG student portal before paying.
Current ICAG structure
The 14 papers the calculator uses
Level 1: Knowledge
1.1 Financial Accounting; 1.2 Business Management and Information Systems; 1.3 Business and Corporate Law; 1.4 Introduction to Cost and Management Accounting.
Level 2: Application
2.1 Financial Reporting; 2.2 Management Accounting; 2.3 Audit and Assurance; 2.4 Financial Management; 2.5 Public Sector Accounting and Finance; 2.6 Principles of Taxation.
Level 3: Professional
3.1 Corporate Reporting; 3.2 Advanced Audit and Assurance; 3.3 Advanced Taxation; 3.4 Strategic Case Study.
Questions students ask
ICAG exemption FAQs
Are the calculator results an official ICAG exemption decision?
No. The calculator explains the likely result under published ICAG rules. ICAG must assess and approve your application before any paper is credited.
What changed for master’s degree holders in August 2026?
In its official communiqué issued Friday, 21 August 2026, ICAG introduced express routes for listed Accounting and Accounting & Finance master’s degrees, listed finance-focused master’s degrees and other master’s programmes irrespective of educational background. The calculator applies those categories.
Does every master’s degree now receive all Level 1 exemptions?
Under communiqué ICAG/EXMPTNS/1/26, other master’s degree programmes receive all four Level 1 exemptions and no Level 2 exemption, subject to certificate and transcript verification and a certified true copy of the completion certificate.
Does an Accounting master’s holder still need an Accounting first degree?
The 2024-2029 syllabus included an Accounting first-degree condition. The official 21 August 2026 communiqué lists the specified Accounting master’s awards without repeating that condition, but it does not expressly state whether it supersedes the syllabus. If your first degree is not in Accounting, ask ICAG to confirm your eligibility before relying on the nine-paper result.
Did ICAG remove Diploma, HND, ATSWA, Level 300 MOU or PAO routes?
The 21 August 2026 communiqué does not say that those routes were removed. This page retains them under the separate ICAG syllabus and PAO provisions that address them.
How much does an ICAG exemption cost in 2026?
ICAG's approved 2026 studentship fee notice lists GH¢711 per Level 1 exemption and GH¢1,139 per Level 2 exemption for the standard CA route. Registration, annual subscription, tuition and exam fees are separate.
Can an applicant receive a Level 3 exemption?
The general ICAG 2024-2029 syllabus says exemptions are not extended to Level 3. Members of qualifying PAOs follow a separate procedure, so they should obtain an individual ICAG decision on their paper pattern and current fees.
What should a Level 300 MOU student submit?
The ICAG syllabus says Level 300 applicants must be at an institution with an ICAG MOU and have the transcript endorsed by the Dean of the Business School, Head of the Accounting or Finance Department, or an ICAG Ambassador.
Can a listed Accounting master’s holder take the five remaining papers in one sitting?
If ICAG confirms the nine likely exemptions, only Public Sector Accounting and Finance remains at Level 2. ICAG's November 2024 examination notice permits a Level 2 candidate with only one paper outstanding to write it together with any number of Level 3 papers. The candidate may therefore attempt that Level 2 paper and all four Level 3 papers in one sitting, or split the Level 3 papers across sittings.
Should I take every exemption offered?
Usually, taking a confirmed exemption saves time and avoids repeating material already assessed. MSL recommends checking how long ago you studied the subject, how confident you are in the foundation and which paper you will face next before deciding.
Official source update
ICAG communiqué issued 21 August 2026
ICAG communiqué ICAG/EXMPTNS/1/26 sets out three express master’s routes:
- Listed Accounting and Accounting & Finance master’s degrees receive all Level 1 papers and five Level 2 papers, leaving Public Sector Accounting and Finance plus all four Level 3 papers.
- Listed finance-focused master’s degrees receive all Level 1 papers plus Financial Management.
- Other master’s degrees, irrespective of educational background, receive all Level 1 papers and no Level 2 exemption.
The notice does not remove the separate Diploma, HND, ATSWA, Level 300 MOU, bachelor’s or PAO provisions. MSL has therefore retained those pathways.
Sources and review method: Official ICAG communiqué ICAG/EXMPTNS/1/26 issued Friday, 21 August 2026; ICAG Professional Qualification Syllabus 2024-2029; ICAG's November 2024 examination notice on writing papers across levels; ICAG 2026 Studentship Fees, ref. F&A/MSD/AF/2026; and ICAG's separate procedure for members of other PAOs.
Official fact, derived fee totals and MSL study guidance are kept separate. Last reviewed by MSL on 21 August 2026. For a correction or withdrawal request, contact MSL through the main ICAG programme page.
Apply for studentship and exemptions through the official ICAG student portal. MSL does not approve exemptions or collect ICAG exemption fees.
Plan your remaining ICAG papers with MSL
Once ICAG confirms your exemptions, use the papers you still need to choose the right tuition level and study sequence.
