THE ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS SCHEME WEST AFRICA

1. INTRODUCTION
The Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA) in pursuance of regional cooperation and integration and its commitment to strengthening and consolidating Accounting Standards and Practice has put in place the Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa (ATSWA)


2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives on the Scheme are as follows:
i. To provide a recognized qualification for the accounting and auditing staff employed in the public sector, industry, commerce and in various offices of practicing accountants.

ii. To help meet the need for middle-level accounting personnel in the economy especially for the accounting and finance departments of various government agencies and parastatals.

iii. To give status to Accounting Technicians

iv. To provide an opportunity for the Accounting Technicians to progress towards “Professional Qualification” as Chartered Accountants


3. BENEFICIARIES OF THE SCHEME
The regional economies will benefit from the increased productivity of a well-trained and disciplined work force. The individual technician as well as the organization he works for will also benefit.

Specifically the following are some of the beneficiaries:
(a) Accounting Supervisors in Government, Commerce and Industry, as well as Finance and Revenue Departments.

(b) Accounts Clerks or Supervisors in Government-owned companies and parastatals including School Bursars.

(c) Audit Trainees in practicing firms

(d) Middle-level accounting personnel in private and Non-Governmental Organizations.


4. ATSWA STUDENT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
(a) Five (5) credits passes including English Language and Mathematics at the West African School Certificate Examination, General Certificate of Education or Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in not more than two sittings.

(b) General Business Certificate Examination formerly RSA Stage II

(c) National Business and Technical Examination Board Certificate (NABTEB).

(d) Ordinary National Diploma of any Polytechnic recognized by the ABWA Member Institutes.

(e) National Certificate of Education (NCE).

(f) Any other relevant qualification approved by the ABWA Council.


BENEFITS OF HOLDING ATSWA CERTIFICATE

ATSWA graduates stand to gain the following.
i) He /She will be formally admitted as Associate Member of Association of Accounting Technicians Scheme and use the title AATWA after his/her names.

ii) His /Her qualifications is recognized by employers.

iii) He/She may enroll for the HND or B.Sc, programme in Accoutancy in higher institutions of learning.

iv) He/She may proceed to enroll for the Professional examinations (ICAN) and will be granted some exemptions.

http://www.abwa-online.org/ats.htm

Check ICAN website for detailed info or join the ATSWA group here https://www.nairaland.com/3763899/atswa-ican-professional-exam-lectures#55935444