shopping_cart Online Store
Meet Our Faculty Events & Seminars Contact Us
Professional Diploma in Accountancy (HKICPA Accredited Conversion Programme)

Accountancy Training Courses

Professional Diploma in Accountancy (HKICPA Accredited Conversion Programme)

QF Level: 5
QR Registration No.: 21/000410/L5
Registration Validity Period: 01/02/2023 To 31/01/2026

 

What is Professional Diploma in Accountancy?

 

Our PDA provides you the fastest route to bridge from your degree to becoming a CPA. Unlike accountancy degree graduates who can join the New QP exam directly, we understand that there are non-accountancy degree holders who also would like to join the accounting industry and pursue a professional qualification. Therefore, by completing our PDA, you will be eligible to register as a student of HKICPA and start your journey to become CPA whatever your degree background is.

 

Pioneer Institution

 

Since 2000, Kaplan Financial has been running Conversion Programme (”CP”) for non-accountancy graduates for the Big 4 Firms candidates to enter into the Hong Kong accountancy profession.

 

In 2006, Kaplan Financial successfully received the accreditation from HKICPA to offer CP for the public. Successful students are eligible to proceed on to the HKICPA QP. Kaplan CP was first assessed and approved by HKCAAVQ(Hong Kong Council of Academic Accreditation and Vocational Qualifications) in March 2006 and was accredited by HKICPA since June 2016.

 

In 2021, we have reached another milestone by receiving the recognition from HKCAAVQ and obtained QF Level 5 for the course, that giving the public a representation of proven ability to deliver high quality learning experience. At the same time, we decide to rename the programme to “Professional Diploma in Accountancy” which we believe it can maximize the opportunities for our graduates along their career pathway.



Why Professional Diploma in Accountancy?

  • Recognition: HKICPA accredited programme; Route to ACCA with 9 papers exemptions; Route to CPA Australia with 6 paper exemptions
  • Big 4 Accounting firms: Preferred provider since 2000
  • Entry to QP: Progress into New QP within 2 months (subject to HKICPA exemption assessment)
  • Exemptions: Exemptions for both business knowledge modules and core-modules
  • Fastest route: Fastest with most flexible schedule to fit your needs




Why Professional Diploma in Accountancy?

Fastest Route
The fastest route to embark your journey to become a CPA.

Most Flexible Schedule
We have the most flexible schedules with new intakes every 2 - 3 months.

Big 4 Training Provider
We are the only tuition provider that offering both accredited conversion programme and New QP exam training among all Big 4 Accountancy Firms in town.

Maximized Exemptions
We helped over thousands of students to get exemptions for various modules.

Proven Passing Rate
Over 90% passing rate in average that giving you a representation of our proven ability to help you pass the exam.

About Professional Diploma in Accountancy

Professional Recognition

This is an accredited Conversion Programme of HKICPA (Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants).

 

Graduates of the Conversion Programme are exempted:
HKICPA:
10 Associate Modules are exempted. You are eligible to enter the HKICPA New QP Exam
CPA Australia: 6 Foundation Level are exempted. You are eligible to apply for the CPA Australia Associate membership directly
ACCA: Maximum 9 Fundamental Level Papers can be exempted. You are eligible to enter the Professional Level Papers

 

*ACCA may require PDA graduate to make up certain modules even exemption has been granted by Kaplan and ACCA accepts full programme students (over 50% credits completed) only.

 

Programme Objectives

  • To enable students who are bachelor degree holders of business and non-accounting disciplines to demonstrate and apply knowledge and intellectual skills in the core areas of professional accountancy and to ensure their technical competencies are qualified to enter the Qualification Programme (QP) of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA); and
  • To enable students to demonstrate necessary enabling competencies (including interpersonal and communication skills and professional values, ethics and attitudes) which are qualified to enter the QP of the HKICPA.

 

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)

  1. Students will be able to demonstrate solid knowledge and use intellectual skills in accounting and related business disciplines
  2. Students will be able to analyse and deal with ethical and other practical issues in the accounting profession in Hong Kong and the Greater China region
  3. Students will be able to apply accounting knowledge and skills in real-world situations in the context of ethical and other accounting and regulatory frameworks
  4. Students will be able to formulate evidence-based responses to routine and abstract accounting and related business issues
  5. Students will be able to apply effective communication skills for accounting purposes
  6. Students will be able to determine and achieve personal and team goals by applying effective interpersonal skills

Programme Structure

Programme Structure and Exemption
Professional Diploma in Accountancy ("PDA") consists of 5 business knowledge modules and 7 core modules.

 

Business Knowledge Modules
For those students who did not study the related modules in degree, they are required to take the following business knowledge modules.
 

Module Contact Hours Credits Assessments
(P1) Foundation Accounting* 21 5 Coursework /
3-hour examination
(P2) Principles of Economics 18 3
(P3) Principles of Management 18 3
(P4) Principles of Marketing 18 3
(P5) Principles of Statistics 18 3
TOTAL 93 17

*P1 - Foundation Accounting is a prerequisite module for students who wish to take M2 AFR.


Core Modules
The total 314 contact hours for the core modules comprise of lectures, exercises, case studies and discussions. Tuition consists of lectures, group work and worked examples.
 

Module Contact Hours Credits
(M1) Strategic Information System 35 7
(M2) Accounting and Financial Reporting 70 21
(M3) Taxation 46 15
(M4) Auditing 36 9
(M5) Cost and Management Accounting 42 9
(M6) Law^ 49 13
(M7) Financial Management 36 11
TOTAL 314 85

^ Core module have been included in the list of reimbursable courses for Continuing Education Fund purposes.


Exemption

  • Student can only apply for exemption with prior studies of relevant modules. HK$1,500 exemption administration fee will be charged for each successful core module exemption and no exemption administration fee will be charged for business knowledge module exemption.
  • Maximum exemptions will be given no more than 50% of the total credits for the whole programme.
  • Exemption administration fee will not be charged if student obtained the HKICPA assessment result and this is only applicable for students who study in single module(s).
  • The exemption process must be conducted by Kaplan if student would like to receive the PDA awards after completing the programme.

Remark
1. Subject to approval of Kaplan Financial, individuals who failed can be allowed to retake modules or resit examinations.

2. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

  • Applicants should hold business OR non-business degree awarded by institutions which are recognised by the HKICPA.
  • Expecting bachelor’s degree holders who would have completed their degree before the programme commencement may also be eligible to apply for admission.
  • Applicants should consult with the HKICPA if their degrees meet the HKICPA student registration requirements before applying for admission.
  • If the degree or equivalent qualification is from an institution where the language of teaching and assessment is not English, applicants shall provide evidence of English proficiency, such as:
    • an overall band of 6.0 or above with no subtests lower than 5.5 in the IELTS;
    • a score of 550 or above in the paper-based TOEFL, or a score of 213 or above in the computer-based TOEFL, or a score of 80 or above in the internet-based TOEFL;
    • HKALE Use of English at Grade E or above; 
    • HKDSE Examination English Language at Level 3 or above
  • Applicants who do not fulfill the above language requirements but have an equivalent score in a recognized test, or an equivalent qualification assessment to prove their language proficiency may be considered on a case-by-case basis.


Enrolment Procedures
Students can enroll in person at Kaplan Causeway Bay Centre. Please bring along the original copy of your University Transcript and Certificate. Application fee must be paid in full on application.

Top 4 Student Application Scenario

Non-accounting degree from local or foreign university

Student can join our Conversion Programme and finish within 4-5 months studying full time or 7-8 months studying part time.

 

Case: Ms Li came to us while still in her last semester of her non-accounting bachelor degree. She was able to start early in the Conversion Programme and finished within 4 months and be eligible for the QP.

 

Accounting degree from a local university
Student can complete the online QP registration to confirm whether he needs to take CP for the entry of QP.

 

Case: Ms. Lam does not have an accounting degree, but she was able to finish the full time Conversion Programme in 4 months and went on to the QP while still be able to take care of her family.

 

Accounting degree from a foreign university
Student can complete the online QP registration on HKICPA first. Yet due to the possible 2 months waiting time for the HKICPA assessment letter, one can also consult our consultant for possible module that you may need to take in CP.

 

Case: Mr Wong has been working in the finance field for more than 7 years, and was interested to obtain a CPA qualification. He spent 3 months studying part time in the Conversion Programme and went to CPA Australia to enter into their CPA program.

 

HKICPA assessment letter/email
The assessment letter indicate student to study for the full programme or individual modules. He can then contact our course consultant for the best timetable possible for the Conversion Programme.
 

Case: Student can complete the online QP registration on HKICPA first. Yet due to the possible 2 months waiting time for the HKICPA assessment letter, one can also consult our consultant for possible module that you may need to take in CP.
Mr. Lau received the HKICPA assessment letter after 2 months, but waited 1 year before looking into fulfilling the assessment requirements.
Since HKICPA only require 2 modules for him to meet the QP requirement, he was able to finish them within 1.5 months in one of our part time intake.

Support & Service

Kaplan is committed to building futures. We understand that in some cases our students may need some extra support, or struggling to fit their studies in around work and family commitments. We endeavor to provide this extra support. 

Deferral/ Transferal Application
Kaplan Financial retains your passing result for up to 2 years. We offer new 6 intakes every 2-3 months. You can apply for deferral or transferal in our programme according to your personal or work schedule. Enjoy the flexibility during your study!

Tutor Support
At Kaplan we are passionate about helping all students through their training, and this doesn’t just stop the moment our students leave the classroom. Our lecturers are approachable and accessible for consultation through emails to help you overcome any issues you may have.

* Please contact our customer service officers at 2526 3686 to know more about our services.

You may also like

Other Courses

Want to explore other Kaplan courses

Course Finder