Become an ATSWA Student

The acronym ATSWA means Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa. It was introduced in 1989 by the Institute to facilitate the production of middle level manpower needed by the nation in the development process. The certificate has been certified by the Federal Ministry of Establishment in Nigeria as equivalent of the National Diploma of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in the Federal Scheme of Service.
ATS Examinations are now being conducted under the aegis of Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA) as ATS West Africa (ATSWA) to enhance mobility of middle level manpower within the West African Sub-region. Currently, the ATSWA Examinations are conducted in 6 West Africa countries namely: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Cameroon.

The Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa (ATSWA) programme is designed to produce middle level Accounting Technicians within the West African sub-region.

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ATSWA Objectives:

Provide a recognised qualification for the accounting and auditing staff employed in the public sector, industry, commerce and in various offices or practicing accountants
Provide a recognised qualification for the accounting and auditing staff employed in the public sector, industry, commerce and in various offices or practicing accountants
Help meet the need for middle level accounting personnel in the economy especially for the accounting and finance departments of various government agencies and corporations.

The ATSWA syllabus is divided into 3 parts and each part consists of four (4) subjects.

AAT Certificate is awarded upon successfully completing the Accounting Technicians Scheme of West Africa (ATSWA) Examinations.

The duration for the completion of the 3 level examination is a minimum of 15 months for those with ordinary level certificate and 6 to 12 months for those with higher certificate but not a degree certificate. The examination takes place twice a year i.e. March and September.

  • Five (5) credit passes in any subject including English Language and Mathematics in the West Africa School Certificate Examination, General Certificate of Education or Senior School Certificate of Education, NECO equivalent not more than two sittings or NABTEB.
  • Ordinary National Diploma of any Polytechnic recognised by the Council of the Institute
  • National Certificate in Education (NCE) from any College of Education

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The Accounting Technicians Scheme, West Africa (ATSWA) examinations will hold in member countries on 23 & 24 September 2025 under the Council of The Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA). The examinations will be held in the following centres in Nigeria: Aba, Abakaliki, Abeokuta, Abuja I, Abuja II, Ado-Ekiti, Akure, Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Asaba, Auchi, Awka, Benin-City, Calabar, Enugu, Epe , Ibadan, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro, Ikeja, Ikere-Ekiti, Ikorodu, Ilesha, Ilisan, Ilorin, Jalingo, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, LASU-OJO, Lokoja, Makurdi, Malete, Minna, Mowe, Offa, Ogbomosho, Okija, Omu-Aran, Onitsha, Osogbo, Otta, Owerri, Oye-Ekiti, Oyo, Port-Harcourt, Umuahia, Uyo, Victoria-Island, Warri and Yenagoa.


Where registration for a centre is low, the Institute shall reserve the right to transfer candidates from the chosen centre to another nearest centre at no cost to the Institute.



EXAMINATION REGISTRATION

The registration PORTAL for the SEPTEMBER 2025 diet of ATSWA Examination opens on Thursday, May 29, 2025 and will close on Thursday, September 18, 2025.



MODE OF REGISTRATION FOR ATSWA EXAMINATIONS

Candidates are required to register online for September 2025 diet examination at the ICAN website www.icanportal.org/ats/examinations

Eligibility for Enrolment: The examination is open to the Institute’s registered financial students. Other interested persons should visit the Institute’s website www.icanig.org for guidelines on Students’ Registration.

Free Aid to Candidates: All ATSWA candidates can download for free the soft copies of STUDY TEXTS and INSIGHTS here



DIRECTIVES FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION

1. BEFORE PAYMENT: Check and Print out your Examination/Financial Status at the Institute’s ATS students portal: www.icanportal.org/ats before effecting payment.


2.GUIDE FOR ATSWA EXAMS PAYMENT/REGISTRATION

  • Click on https://icanportal.org/ats/newexams
  • Input your registration number, surname, level, and phone number
  • Provide a valid email to receive your payment reference details
  • Check your email and copy the payment reference details
  • Enter the payment reference details, fill other sections and make payment

3. ON-LINE REGISTRATION:

a. Requirements:

  • Scan a copy (JPEG format, 20kb maximum file size) of your passport photograph (white background) for the online registration before commencement of online examination registration.
  • Scan a copy of your signature. (JPEG format, 20kb maximum file size)

b. Procedures:

  • Complete the Online form at ICAN website: https://icanportal.org/ats and click on submit.
  • Print the following after clicking on submit:

    • i. Completed online examination form;
    ii. Examination Time table, centres and their addresses;
    iii. Examination offences and disciplinary measures;
    iv. Examination warning to all candidates
    Note that (iii) and (iv) above should be thoroughly understood and applied as appropriate.

4. Visit the website three days after online submission of the examination form to confirm your enrolment.



IMPORTANT NOTICE
  1. The registration period for the examination is between Thursday, May 29, 2025 and Thursday, September 18, 2025.
  2. Candidates are warned in their own interest not to bring MOBILE/GSM PHONES, Electronic Gadgets or Programmable devices into the Examination hall. Anyone found violating this instruction will be stopped from continuing with the examination and the paper will be cancelled.
  3. Candidates are warned that all kinds of WRISTWATCHES (DIGITAL/ANALOG) are not allowed into the examination hall
  4. Candidates are discouraged from bringing valuables items into the examination centres, hence; any loss would be at their own risk and the Institute will not be liable for any loss of personal items.
  5. Candidates who have applied for EXEMPTION from any level of the examination are advised to confirm that their applications are successful before making payment for the examinations.
  6. Candidates are not permitted to apply for EXEMPTION and EXAMINATION at the same time.
  7. NO REFUND WILL BE MADE ONCE EXAMINATION FEE IS PAID.
  8. Deferment of September 2025 examinations application will not be entertained.
  9. Candidates may not have access to the examination website after Thursday, September 18, 2025 afternoon.
  10. Application for change of examination centres will not be processed after 12 noon (West African Standard Time) on r Thursday, September 18, 2025 afternoon.
  11. Candidates are to ensure the accuracy of the information on their forms. The passport photographs must be the true semblance of the applicants and must be of white background.

  12. Candidates may seek assistance by contacting the ICAN Help Desk through the following telephone numbers and e-mail addresses: 01-2912745, 01-2912821 (IT HELP DESK), 09053847512-4 (Reception), 09053847528 (ATSWA Direct Line), 08038333675, 08028370033, 08033335183 and 08032450684. phd@ican.org.ng or atsexam@ican.org.ng
SEPTEMBER 2025 DIET ATSWA EXAMINATIONS FEES (Exclusive of Bank Charges of ₦300.00)

AMOUNT

LEVELS 4 PAPERS 3 PAPERS 2 PAPERS 1 PAPER
PART I ₦28,100 ₦24,400 ₦20,700 ₦17,100
PART II ₦30,600 ₦26,500 ₦22,400 ₦18,300
PART III ₦34,400 ₦29,600 ₦24,700 ₦19,900
ATSWA EXAMINATIONS TIME TABLE FOR SEPTEMBER 2025 DIET

DAY/DATE TIME PART I PART II PART III
TUESDAY 23/09/2025 9.30a.m - 12.30p.m Basic Accounting Financial Accounting Principles of Auditing & Assurance
2p.m - 5p.m Business Law Information Technology Management
WEDNESDAY 24/09/2025 9.30a.m - 12.30p.m Economics Public Sector Accounting Cost Accounting
2p.m - 5p.m Communication Skills Quantitative Analysis Taxation

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ATSWA Learning Materials

ICAN provides materials that assist students in studying and preparing for the Examinations, these includes Study Packs, Insight and Mock Questions and Answers.

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