What is CIPA?

“CIPA” stands for Certified Islamic Professional Accountant and it is one of the two flagship qualifications which are offered by the AAOIFI. It was launched in 2006 and relaunched in 2017 after a three-year long overhauling process.

CIPA is the only internationally recognized qualification in accounting for Islamic financial institutions, catering to all banking, investments, and Takaful segments. The CIPA program is intended towards development of, and enhancing of, industry’s human resource capabilities by developing experts for Islamic finance accounting and financial reporting, audits, and Shari’ah audits.

Objectives of CIPA

The CIPA qualification aims at achieving the following objectives:

1. To develop in-depth understanding and application abilities of the requirements of the AAOFI Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) in respect of presentation of financial statements and financial reporting of Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs);
2. To ensure that candidates understand the process and techniques of carrying out the audit in accordance with the principles of accountancy as well as with the International Standards on Auditing;
3. To equip candidates with the understanding of the fundamentals of business and business management and the role of an accountant in relation to governance, tax, compliance and risk management in an organization;
4. To provide the understanding of the basic foundations for Shari’ah compliance underpinning in Islamic banking and finance, and to develop strong application abilities of the requirements of the AAOFI Shari’ah standards; and
5. To equip candidates with comprehensive understanding of the requirements of Governance in an organization from Shari’ah perspective.

Who is CIPA for?

CIPA is for professionals, executives, as well as for students who are currently involved, are studying for, or have interest, in accounting, auditing, and finance, especially for the Islamic banking and finance industry, such as:

• Accountants and Auditors</li
• Shari’ah Auditors
• Islamic finance practitioners, bankers, and professionals
• Undergraduate or graduate students aspiring for an accounting career in Islamic banks

Three Reasons for Getting the CIPA Qualification:

After successfully passing all CIPA module exams and fulfilling practical experience requirement (PER), you will become a CIPA Fellow. You stand to gain the following benefits by joining the 1000+ strong group of CIPA Fellows worldwide:

1. Prestige of using the letters “CIPA” after your name’
2. Getting officially recognized by AAOIFI and the Islamic finance Industry – AAOIFI is a global standard-setting organization for the Islamic finance industry and supported by around 200 institutions, including 20+ central banks, from over 45+ countries; and

Finding more career opportunities for both personal and professional growth – There is a huge and ever-growing demand for experts of AAOIFI Shari’ah, accounting, auditing, governance, and ethics standards. CIPA Fellows are recognized for their knowledge and expertise and are always preferred over non-CIPA candidates

Items	Old CIPA	New CIPA
Gap Analysis & Benchmarking	No	Yes
Structure	Single course	Four modules
Language	English and Arabic	English and Arabic
Average Study Duration	4 months	1+ years
Study Textbooks	AAOIFI Standards	(1) FAR = Financial Accounting & Reporting (2) AAE = Auditing, Assurance, & Ethics (3) BRE = Business & Regulatory Environment (4) SS&SG = Shari’ah Standards & Shari’ah Governance
Certification	Examination	Examination + Practical Experience Requirement (PER) Report
Examination	1 Exam	4 Exams
Practical Experience	No	Yes (1 year unless exempted)

Minimum eligibility requirement:

1. Undergraduate or postgraduate in discipline of accounting, economics, business, or commerce with 55% marks; or relevant professional qualification (exemptions available for academically strong Candidates having A levels / High School qualifications); or
2. a member of accounting professional bodies which are IFAC members or any other accounting and finance related professional membership / affiliation recognized by AAOIFI from time to time
3. Must fulfil eligibility criteria within 3 years of CIPA Program Registration in order to earn the CIPA certification, otherwise Candidate shall stand disqualified and will have to re-register for the CIPA program anew.

(1) Full payment

(2) By instalment

 

Payment comprised of-
(1) Program registration fee
(2) 4 study texts
(3) Shipment costs
(4) 4 mock exams
(5) 4 exam sittings
(6) PER fee
(7) CIPA certificate fee

 

Basic CIPA fee USD 2,200

Additional and separate fees include:

Exemption processing fee/module USD100

PER exemption processing fee USD100

Exam Resit fee USD100

Late registration fee USD100

Exam re-checking fee USD50

Annual fellowship fee USD200

Register with ISRA now!

 

10% Discount

Applicable to AAOIFI Institutional Members: CIPA Candidates employed at AAOIFI members or partners’ institutions.

Full payment	4x instalments				2x instalments
USD1980	USD540	USD648	USD648	USD648	USD1080	USD1080
	USD2,520				USD2,160

 

20% Discount

Applicable to developing markets or non AAOIFI Institutional Members

Full payment	4x instalments				2x instalments
USD1760	USD480	USD576	USD576	USD608	USD 960	USD 960
	USD2,240				USD1,920

Eligibility Criteria for Exemptions

 

Exemption from Exams

Exemption from Practical Experience Requirement (PER)

Through relevant undergraduate / graduate degree; or Through other professional qualification; or Through CSAA Fellowship; or Where AAOIFI has a collaboration with a University; and Candidate has secured 60% marks AND 70% syllabus of Candidate’s qualification match with that of CIPA module from which exemption is sought.

Partial Exemption (6 months) 3 years Islamic industry experience; or 5 years banking & finance industry experience; or Member of professional bodies which are IFAC members or as approved by AAOIFI   Full Exemption (12 months) Fulfil eligibility criteria for CIPA Program registration; and Fulfil partial exemption criteria; and 6 months of experience in approved organization; or 1 year banking & finance industry experience

 

Exemptions may be provided to those not meeting the criteria on case to case basis determined by AAOIFI.

Exemption from Exams/PER

 

FAR = Financial Accounting & Reporting	Exemptions are generally not offered
	Exceptions can be made for candidates having a relevant base qualification, 5+ years in practice, research, and/or training, including publications
AAE = Auditing, Assurance, & Ethics	Full exemption for holders of professional qualifications in which they passed Advanced Auditing course
	Full exemption for those have 3+ years of experience in Auditing in recognized institution(s)
BRE = Business & Regulatory Environment	Full exemption for University students under Collaborative Agreement Program
	Full exemption for those specializing in Risk Management for IFIs w/ 2+ years’ experience
	Partial exemption to holders of other professional qualifications (Candidate required to write a 5000+ words research paper, within 1 year of exemption offer, on topic of Risk Management)
SS&SG = Shari’ah Standards & Shari’ah Governance	Full exemption for all existing & future CSAA Fellows
	Full Exemption for university students or religious centres under Collaboration Agreement Program
PER = Practical Experience Requirement	PER is an Internship Program for 1 year at an approved organization under a Supervisor. Alternative to PER is thesis submission on pre-approved topic. Submit a Final Report with a ‘Pass Grade.

 

If Exemption is offered, the Fee shall be reimbursed through reduction in total payable CIPA program fees

Total No. of Exams 4

Passing Percentage 70% for each Module

Exam Composition MCQs covering theoretical and scenario-based questions

Exam Duration 2 hours / Module

Max. No. of Attempts There is no limitation on the number of attempts; Exam Resit Fee $100

Type of Exam Physical

 

Module	Weightage	Total Marks	Total Exam questions	Passing Marks
FAR	33%	132	100	92
AAE	17%	68	50	47
BRE	17%	68	50	47
SS&SG
-SS	20%	80	60	56
-SG	13%	52	40	36
		400	300	278

 

Exams

 

Registration deadline	Exam date	FAR	AAE	BRE	SS&SG
1 May 2018	June 2018	4 June 2018	5 June 2018	6 June 2018	7 June 2018
1 Nov 2018	Dec 2018	3 Dec 2018	4 Dec 2018	5 Dec 2018	6 Dec 2018

Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4
(1) Submit 3 forms & required documents (2) Payment slip for processing fee of USD 100/- per Module & for PER = 4 modules & PER (USD500)	Verification on status of exemption	Made full payment/ instalment	Sit for exam

 

Forms

 

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