By Jackline Nabirye
Communications Officer – Publications
The December 2024 examinations for the Public Accountants Examinations Board (PAEB) of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) have commenced today Monday, 2 December 2024, and will continue until Friday, 6 December 2024. The exams are being held at seven centres across Uganda: Arua, Fort Portal, Gulu, Kampala, Mbale, Mbarara, and Nkozi.
A total of 7,750 candidates are sitting for examinations for the Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Accountant Technicians Diploma (ATD), and Certified Tax Advisers (CTA) courses. This marks a notable increase in the number of candidates compared to the May/June 2024 diet, which saw 6,977 candidates.
In a statement, CPA Derick Nkajja, the Chief Executive Officer of ICPAU, highlighted that the examinations serve as an opportunity to assess the students' knowledge and provide a pathway for their progression towards qualification in their respective courses.
Ahead of the exams, several candidates shared their expectations. Lydia Nakakawa, a candidate for CPA Paper 14; Strategy, Governance, and Leadership, expressed confidence in her preparation, noting that she and her peers have thoroughly reviewed past papers and discussed potential topics such as human resource management.
“We expect to perform well this time around,” she said.
Lillian Nanyonga, a candidate for Paper 8; Financial Management, shared a similar optimism. She attributed her confidence to personal tutoring, attending classes, and engaging in study discussions.
“I’m believing God for the best,” she added.
Of the candidates, 4,252 are female, 3,498 are male, and 1,702 have previously sat exams in June and/or August 2024, now returning to complete the December exams.
A key component of this diet includes practical computer-based examinations. CPA Paper 4; Management & Information Systems and ATD Paper 7; Information & Communications Technology will be held on Wednesday, 4 December 2024 at Mengo Senior School. Additionally, CPA Paper 18, the Integration of Knowledge exam, will take place on Friday, 6 December 2024 at Kampala International University, Kansanga.
CPA Charles Bahakwonka Byaruhanga, ICPAU’s Director of Education, acknowledged the positive trend of rising candidate numbers. He attributed this growth to the increasing relevance of the accountancy profession across various sectors. “It is exciting to see the number of candidates grow compared to the May/June diet,” he said.
ICPAU secretary CPA Derick Nkajja further emphasised the importance of the PAEB examinations, stating that they are designed to assess candidates’ abilities to offer advisory services, apply technical knowledge, and navigate real-world business situations.
“These examinations are critical in evaluating candidates’ capacity to apply professional skills, knowledge, and ethics in the workplace,” he remarked.
The courses offered by ICPAU are structured to develop highly competent professional accountants and tax advisors, who can create meaningful impact to the profession and the national economy. Graduates can pursue careers as financial and management accountants, auditors, tax consultants, finance managers, top executives and many more.
Established in 1992 through an Act of Parliament, now known as the Accountants Act 2013, ICPAU plays a vital role in regulating and maintaining accounting standards in Uganda. Its activities are overseen by a Council, with support from committees such as the Public Accountants Examinations Board (PAEB), which is responsible for conducting the examinations.
Prospective students can register for courses at any time of the year through the ICPAU website: www.icpau.co.ug.
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