Overview
ZICA is the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants, the professional body for accountants in Zambia. Its flagship qualification is CA Zambia, which combines professional examinations with a three-year practical training requirement. ZICA also runs a Diploma in Accountancy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation and a Public Financial Management programme, each with its own timetable.
This page focuses on CA Zambia.
Who can apply
Entry depends on the level you start at. All three levels ask for five O-level credits, including Mathematics and English.
Certificate level: a Grade 12 school certificate or equivalent.
Application level: the ZICA Diploma in Accountancy or another recognised relevant qualification.
Advisory level: a recognised degree in accountancy or a recognised professional accounting qualification.
Levels or stages
CA Certificate in Accountancy
Six papers: Financial Accounting, Business Statistics, Business Economics, Commercial and Corporate Law, Management Theory and Practice, and Business Communication.
CA Application Advanced Diploma in Accountancy
Six papers: Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, Auditing Principles and Practice, Taxation, Financial Management, and Strategic Business Analysis.
CA Advisory Professional in Accountancy
Advanced papers in financial reporting, audit and assurance, taxation, management accounting and financial management, plus public sector audits and assurance and public sector financial management.
Marking and results
The pages read did not state a pass mark. ZICA suggests sitting two subjects per session, though you may enter more if the timetable allows. Exit certificates are awarded at the Certificate, Application and Advisory stages depending on results.
Important dates
Exams are held four times a year, in March, June, September and December. ZICA publishes 2026 timetables for CA Zambia, Taxation, the Diploma in Accountancy and Public Financial Management as downloadable documents on its exam dates page.
Deadlines listed on the programme page (check the current timetable for the year):
Registration or exemption applications: 28 February for the June session and 31 August for the December session.
Examination entry: 31 March for the June session and 30 September for the December session.
Annual subscription: due 1 January; students who have not paid by 31 March can be de-registered.
Fees
The fee page listed these per-subject examination fees under the 2023 schedule, so confirm current amounts with ZICA.
| Level | Exam fee per subject (2023) | Exemption fee per subject (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| CA Certificate | K845 | K420 |
| CA Application | K1,015 | K510 |
| CA Advisory | K1,545 | Not listed |
How to apply
Register with ZICA as a student, apply for any exemptions by the registration deadline, then submit your examination entry by the entry deadline for the session. Study can be full-time or part-time in a classroom, or by self-study.
After the exam
CA Zambia also requires three years of practical training. ZICA's FAQs say that manager-level accounting experience of 3 to 5 years can earn a one-year exemption from practical training, and more than 5 years a two-year exemption.
Preparation tips
Follow the exam-day rules: arrive 30 minutes early, bring no phone or printed material, and do not leave during the first hour or the final 30 minutes.
Use the preparation materials on the ZICA site and an accredited tuition provider if you want classes.
How many sessions are there each year?
Four: March, June, September and December.
How many subjects should I sit at once?
ZICA recommends two per session, though more are allowed if the timetable permits.