🇳🇬

ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

Nigeria · 4 subjects · 43 topics · Updated 2026-04-06

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) examinations test accounting, auditing, taxation, and business knowledge across multiple levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. ICAN is the professional body for accountants in Nigeria and its qualification is recognized across the West African sub-region and internationally. The examinations are held twice yearly (June and December) and assess candidates on both theoretical knowledge and practical application of accounting principles in Nigerian business contexts.

Live status

Verified 2026-04-24

Year: 2026
Subjects: 4
Topics: 43

Freshness tracked daily from https://www.ican.org.ng. See 2026 calendar →

dates eligibility syllabus pattern strategy

Generate Free Roadmap Browse Study Notes →

📋 Exam Pattern

Multiple papers per diet (June and December): Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Assurance, Taxation, Business Law, and Management Information Systems. Each paper is 3 hours duration. Foundation level has 4 papers, Intermediate has 5 papers, and Final has 6 papers. Examinations are paper-based with some multiple-choice and long-form questions requiring calculations and narrative answers.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

For Foundation level: SSCE/NECO with credits in English and Mathematics plus 2 other subjects. For Intermediate level: Completion of Foundation or degree in relevant discipline. For Final level: Completion of Intermediate. HND/Bachelor's degree holders in accounting or related fields may gain exemptions from certain levels. Non-accounting degree holders must start from Foundation. Candidates must be registered with ICAN before appearing for examinations.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 43 topics across 4 subjects

Accounting

→

15 topics · Accounting Principles· Journal Entries· Ledger Posting + more

Economics

→

10 topics · Introduction to Economics· Demand and Supply· Elasticity + more

Mathematics

→

10 topics · Fractions, Decimals and Percentages· Ratios and Proportions· Algebraic Processes + more

Business Law

→

8 topics · Nigerian Legal System· Law of Contract· Sale of Goods + more

Generate your personalised ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) roadmap →

Build Your ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) Study Plan in Minutes

Free, instant, no signup. Choose your duration and get a prioritised roadmap.

1h 1d 3d 7d 1mo 3mo All Durations →

More Exams in 🇳🇬 Nigeria

🇳🇬

JAMB UTME

JAMB UTME is Nigeria's unified tertiary matriculation exam, mandatory for university admission. Cove

🇳🇬

WAEC WASSCE

The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is the premier secondary school leav

🇳🇬

NECO SSCE

The National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) is Nigeria'

🇳🇬

NABTEB

NABTEB (National Business and Technical Examinations Board) conducts technical and vocational examin

❓

Frequently Asked Questions — ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria)

Everything you need to know about ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria). Scroll down for the complete study guide.

What is ICAN and how does it work?

ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) is the professional body for chartered accountants in Nigeria. It awards the ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) qualification, which is recognised across Nigeria and internationally. To become a Chartered Accountant through ICAN, candidates must pass the ICAN examinations (Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels), complete 3 years of practical training (articleship at an approved firm), and meet the membership requirements. ICAN exams are conducted twice a year (May and November). The qualification is highly regarded in Nigeria's banking, finance, oil & gas, and consulting sectors.

What is the ICAN exam structure?

ICAN has three levels: (1) Foundation — 4 papers covering Accounting, Business Law & Communication, Economics & Finance, and Management & Information Systems. Graduates of recognised universities can attempt directly without the Foundation. (2) Intermediate — 5 papers covering Assurance, Financial Accounting, Management Information Systems, Taxation, and Corporate Financial Management. (3) Final — 5 papers covering Advanced Taxation, Advanced Financial Reporting, Management, Strategy & Control, Case Study, and Advanced Audit & Assurance. All papers are descriptive (not MCQ), held over 3 days each session. Each paper is marked out of 100.

How does ICAN compare to ACCA and which should I choose?

ICAN and ACCA both lead to chartered accounting careers but differ in geography and focus: ICAN is Nigeria-focused with Nigerian accounting standards (FRS/SAS), tax law (CITA/FIRS), and Companies Act; ACCA is global with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and UK tax law. ICAN is better if you want to work primarily in Nigeria (Nigerian employers prefer ICAN for local roles). ACCA is better if you want to work internationally or in multinational firms. Many Nigerian accountants hold both qualifications. ACCA also grants exemptions for ICAN Foundation papers. ICAN membership costs approximately ₦50,000–100,000 per attempt depending on the level.

Generating roadmap for ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria)? Get your free personalised study plan →

How to Prepare for ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria)

Generate Your Roadmap

Select your exam, choose available time — get an instant AI prioritised study plan.

Study Topic by Topic

Open free notes for each topic, chosen by your roadmap. Three depth tiers: Quick, Standard, Deep.

Track & Revise

Mark topics complete as you go. Your roadmap adapts to your pace and keeps high-weightage topics first.

Exam Name	ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria)
Country	🇳🇬 Nigeria
Subjects	Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, Business Law
Total Topics	43
Official Source	https://www.ican.org.ng
Last Updated	2026-04-06