Originally Posted by Unregistered

ISCA has introduced an "Accelerated Pathway" to current batches of undergraduates who are currently studying in local universities.

Under this program sponsored by ISCA, current undergraduate from local universities can start tackling ISCA SCAQ papers early, completing two exam papers under ISCA sponsorship during their university years and then being exempted from two more exam papers upon starting work. This essentially means the current and future undergraduate batches only need to complete one Capstone paper after graduation or upon working.

The introduction of the "Accelerated Pathway" seems to contradict previous stringent rules as outlined in the Singapore Qualification Programme (SQP) introduced in 2013.

Before "Accelerated Pathway" and "Exemption" were introduced, candidates were required to work full-time under an Accredited Training Organisation (ATO) for three years to gain practical experience while SIMULTANEOUSLY studying for the 5-paper Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ), commonly known as the "CPA exam", with no exemptions granted, regardless of whether they achieved First Class Honors in local universities.

People who have worked long enough within the industry would have observed ISCA's gradual relaxation of these stringent rules, starting with granting one exemption and then offering two exemptions and now introducing the "Accelerated Pathway",

Now, under the "Accelerated Pathway," this adjustment enables undergraduates to attempt two SCAQ papers during their university years. Upon graduation, some local uni grads will get exemptions for two more SCAQ papers, signalling a shift in ISCA's approach.

With so much concession, this show the level of desperation ISCA is currently facing due to the falling number of young people entering the industry.

Is this SCAQ still what we commonly know as a "CPA exam (Combo Work + 5 x CPA Exams)" with 2 exemptions and Accelerated Pathway?