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 Examination March 2026 Diet - March 24 - 25, 2026

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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 March 24 & 25, 2026, under the Council of The Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA). In Nigeria, the examinations will be held in the following centres: 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 MARCH 2026 diet of ATSWA Examination opened on Thursday, November 20, 2025 and closes on Thursday, March 19, 2026.



MODE OF REGISTRATION FOR ATSWA EXAMINATIONS

Candidates are required to register online for March 2026 diet at: 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

  • i. Visit https://icanportal.org/ats/newexams
  • ii. Input your registration number, surname, level, and phone number
  • iii. Provide a valid email to receive your payment reference details
  • iv. Retrieve the reference number from your email and input it where required
  • v. Complete all remaining fields and make payment
  • vi. Register for your exams.

3. ON-LINE REGISTRATION:

a. Requirements:

  • Scan a passport photograph (JPEG format, white ackground, 20kb maximum file size).
  • Scan a copy of your signature. (JPEG format, 20kb maximum file size)

b. Procedure:

  • 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 read and understood as they will be strictly enforced.

4. CONFIRMATION OF ENROLMENT: Visit the website (https://icanportal.org/ats) three (3) days after submission to confirm your enrolment using your PIN, Serial Number and Student Registration Number.



IMPORTANT NOTICE
  1. Registration period: Thursday, November 20, 2025 – Thursday, March 19, 2026.
  2. Mobile/GSM phones, electronic gadgets and programmable devices are strictly prohibited. Anyone found violating this instruction will have the matter referred to the Students’ Investigative Panel for appropriate disciplinary measures.
  3. All wristwatches (digital or analog) are not allowed.
  4. Candidates should not bring valuables to the examination centres, the Institute will not be liable for any loss.
  5. Candidates applying for EXEMPTIONS must confirm approval before paying examination fees.
  6. Candidates cannot apply for EXEMPTION and EXAMINATION simultaneously.
  7. NO REFUND AFTER PAYMENT.
  8. Deferment for the March 2026 examination application will NOT be entertained
  9. Access to the examination website may close after Thursday, March 19, 2026 (Noon)
  10. Centre change requests will not be processed after 12Noon (West African Standard Time), Thursday, March 19, 2026.
  11. Candidates must ensure the accuracy of all the data supplied Passport photos must be recent, clear, and on white background.

  12. Candidates may seek assistance by contacting the ICAN Help Desk through the following telephone numbers and e-mail addresses: 02012912745, 02012912821 (IT HELP DESK), 09053847512-4 (Reception), 09053847528 (ATSWA Direct Line), 08038333675, 08028370033, 08033335183 and 08032450684. phd@ican.org.ng or atsexam@ican.org.ng
MARCH 2026 DIET ATSWA EXAMINATIONS FEES (Exclusive of Bank Charges of ₦300.00)

AMOUNT

LEVELS 4 PAPERS 3 PAPERS 2 PAPERS 1 PAPER
PART I ₦30,900 ₦26,900 ₦22,800 ₦18,800
PART II ₦33,700 ₦29,200 ₦24,700 ₦20,200
PART III ₦37,900 ₦32,600 ₦27,200 ₦21,900
ATSWA EXAMINATIONS TIME TABLE FOR MARCH 2026 DIET

DAY/DATE TIME PART I PART II PART III
TUESDAY 24/03/2026 9.30a.m - 12.30p.m Basic Accounting Financial Accounting Principles of Auditing & Assurance
2p.m - 5p.m Business Law Information Technology Management
WEDNESDAY 25/03/2026 9.30a.m - 12.30p.m Economics Public Sector Accounting Cost Accounting
2p.m - 5p.m Communication Skills Quantitative Analysis Taxation

Quick Note

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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