AIA
Updated 13 March 2021
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AIA (Association of International Accountants)
Based in the UK, the Association of International Accountants (AIA) is an international accountancy examining and membership body who provide an international organisation for professional Accountants. Whilst supporting international accounting and auditing standards the AIA seeks to ensure that its examinations and membership requirements support the development of the accountancy profession in the countries in which it examines.
The AIA qualification is recognised throughout the European Union. It is also recognised by a number of universities and higher education institutions for entry onto their MBA programmes.
On successful completion of the AIA accountancy qualification you become an 'International Accountant' and are entitled to use the designatory letters AAIA as an Associate and FAIA as a Fellow Member.
To qualify for the AIA study course, you must be 18 years or over and hold a minimum of two A level passes and three GCSE passes including English and Mathematics, or an equivalent UK or overseas qualification accepted for university entrance. Graduates with any degree discipline are welcome to apply. If the educational entry requirements have not been attained, individuals can still be admitted as a student upon assessment of general education and accountancy experience. Applicants under the AIA Mature Student Scheme must be over 21 years and have a minimum of three years' accountancy experience.
The AIA qualification is achieved upon successful completion of the sixteen examinations and three years' relevant working experience in Accountancy. The examinations are of a comprehensive nature ensuring coverage of essential knowledge and skills. The syllabus takes into account the attainment of theoretical knowledge and progressively tests the application of this knowledge in practical situations.
The Association operates a policy of exemptions designed to reduce repetition for students who have already attained a qualification of an acceptable standard. Many overseas qualifications attract AIA exemptions and exemptions are available for professional qualifications on a paper for paper basis.
