SAA - FAQ

New Student – Before Enrollment

Membership Enquiry
All students who enrolled for ACCA (ICPAS/ACCA Professional JES)/CAT (ICPAS/ACCA Technician JES)/ATTS courses must registered their membership with Examination and Student Registry (ESR) at KH Plaza #04-02, in order to be eligible to sit for examinations.
Check out the details for fees and procedures from the website. http://esr.icpas.org.sg

What is the time frame to complete the course?

The time frame to complete ACCA (ICPAS/ACCA Professional JES) is within 10 years. The minimum time to complete ACCA without exemptions is 2 and ½ years.
There is no time frame as to completing (ICPAS/ACCA Technician JES) and ATTS, however, please maintain the effectiveness of your membership. The minimum time frame to complete CAT and ATTS is 12 months

Is there an attendance requirement?
Yes, if you require the school to issue Certificate of Attendance you must attain 75% of attendance and if you are granted SDF/SRP/SEP funding scheme.

Will SAF defer my National Service enlistment if I study full-time at SAA?
No. Deferment from National Service is only granted to full-time students of government institutions such as local polytechnics, junior colleges and centralized institutes.

Exemption

How do I apply for exemptions?

Provide certificates and transcripts of all relevant papers to ESR
Exemption will be assessed by ACCA, if any, upon initial registration
Exemption results will take approximately 3 months

For a more comprehensive list of exemption granted by ACCA and CAT, please visit the ACCA at www.accaglobal.com/students/study_exams/exemptions. Please note that the exemption guidelines on the ACCA website is for reference only. The final decision still rests on the discretion of ACCA.

What happen if I get my exemption from ACCA after I enrolled for the class?

You can either continue or withdraw from your enrolled class. Withdrawal will be base on the Withdrawal Policy at the point of request.
You can transfer your enrolled class to another class which you have not been granted exemption. No transfer is allowed after 31 Mar for Jan/Feb Intake and 30 Sep for Jul/Aug Intake.

Enrollment

How do I enroll for classes at SAA?
You can enroll for the classes at:

Main Campus @ Aljunied – Mon to Fri: 9am to 7pm, Sat 9am to 3pm
City Campus @ 6 Raffles Quay – Mon to Fri: 10.30am to 7pm
By mail* to: 20 Aljunied Road #01-04 CPA House S (389805)

*Your enrolment will only be accepted if we receive your enrolment form together with cheque payment. You can download the enrolment form and course schedule from our website at www.saa.org.sg/intakeschedule_acca.html

* CAT and ATTS courses are conducted only in Main Campus.

How many classes can I enroll?

There is no restriction on the number of ACCA or CAT classes that you can enroll. However, please note that under the ACCA examinations regulations, ACCA students can only sit for a maximum of 4 papers, for each exam session. ACCA students who are registered under the Mature Student Entry Route are required to pass Papers F2 & F3 within 2 years, before they are allowed to register for other papers. If you are not sure which registration route you should follow or how many papers you may get exemptions, please check with Examination and Student Registry (ESR) before you enroll for the classes.
There is no restriction on the number of ATTS classes you can enroll. Please take note that you are required to pass ATTS 4 before attempting ATTS 5.

Is there any guide on how we should plan our study syllabus?

For CAT students, there are no restrictions on how you decide to plan your studies. However, we will advise you to progressively move thru the levels (introductory, intermediate, and advanced). There are subjects that are related and you must complete the subject’s lesson (not examination) before attempting the next: T1→T3→T6 and T2→T4→T7.
For ACCA students, you must complete the fundamentals level-knowledge module before proceeding to the fundamentals level-skills module then to the professional level. For more information, please refer to this link http://www.accaglobal.com/students/study_exams/qualifications/acca_choose/acca/fundamentals/, click to the individual subject and choose syllabus and study guide for more details.

What mode of payment does SAA accept?
Payment of course fees can be made by Cash, Nets, Visa, MasterCard or Cheque

What should I expect to receive after my enrolment?

An official receipt with details on the classes enrolled and payment (Please check and confirm that the details are correct before leaving the counter)
Book vouchers for uncollected or unavailable books
Student Handbook (For new students)
Study manual / Revision kit (whichever available)

What is the local student contract & Fee Protection Scheme?

Under CASE requirements, all local students are required to enter into the Student Contract.
- ACCA: 3 years, from Jan 2010 to Dec 2013
- CAT : 1.5 years, from Jan 2010 to June 2012
Re-submission of Student Contract after expiry:
- ACCA students enrolled before Jul 06 intake
- CAT students enrolled before Jan 08 intake

How much is the Fee Protection Scheme?
The insurance premium is $26.75 (inclusive of GST). This amount payable upon enrolment by student will be valid for 1 year (Jan & July intakes) for total tuition fee of $2500 or less.

What is the course promotion period?
There are 2 kinds of promotion applicable for each intake

Early bird discount (5%) for those that sign up by 6 June for July Intake and by 6 December for January Intake.
There is a course promotion ranging from 5% - 25% depending on the number of classes that you enrolled by 30 December for January Intake and by 30 June for July Intake.

What should I bring to classes?

Official receipt – To bring at all times
ACCA Student Card or IC (for Singaporean/PR)

What are the various funding schemes available for the courses?
The below funding is applicable for January and July Intakes only

Government Funding (*Applicable to CAT & ATTS Courses only)
Skills Development Fund (SDF)
Skills Redevelopment Programme (SRP)
NTUC-Surrogate Employers Programme (NTUC-SEP)

For more information on the above scheme, please visit the relevant website at www.sdf.gov.sg / www.srp.org.sg / www.ntuc.org.sg

SAA - NTUC Discount Scheme
NTUC Union Members are entitled to 20% discount off SAA published ACCA, regardless of number of classes enrolled. Valid for January and July Intake only.

Please enroll directly at:

NTUC Centre
No. 1, Marina Boulevard
#B1-01, One Marina Boulevard
Singapore 018989
(between Collyer Quay and Shenton Way / beside the former Neptune Theatre).
Monday - Friday: 9.00am to 6.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am to 2.30pm
Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays

ihelp @ Downtown East
Event Square, Downtown East
1 Pasir Ris Close Singapore 519599
Daily: 10 am – 10pm

Enquiries
NTUC Hotline*: (65) 6213 8008
Fax: (65) 6327 3740
Email: membership@ntuc.org.sg
*The NTUC Hotline operates on Monday to Friday from 9.00am - 6.00pm, and on Saturday from 9.00am - 1.00pm.

Enrolment Period
23 Nov to 22 Dec for January Intake.
23 May to 22 Jun for July Intake.

SAA – SAFRA Discount Scheme
25% discount off SAA published course fees for ACCA(ICPAS/ACCA Professional JES) and CAT (ICPAS/ACCA Technician JES) programmes for a minimum of 2 papers enrolled. Valid for January and July intake only. Please present SAFRA member card upon enrolment at SAA counter.
*Closing date: 30 June for July Intake or 31 December for January Intake.

SAA – Employer Accreditation
Staff of companies who have registered under the SAA Professional Attachment Scheme (PAS) will be entitled for additional 5% discount on the course fees after all relevant discounts. You will need to present a letter from your companies upon enrolment stating your full-time employment status, to enjoy this discount.

ACCA – Employer Accreditation
Students whose companies are under the ACCA Employer Accreditation are entitled to additional 5% discount on the course fees after all relevant discounts. You will need to present a letter from your companies upon enrolment stating your full-time employment status, to enjoy this discount. Please check with ACCA Singapore on the eligibility of your companies under this accreditation.

For more information on the above scheme, please visit www.singapore.accaglobal.com

What are the various scholarships for students:

ICPAS-Dr. Ernest Kan Accountancy Scholarship
ICPAS-Polytechnic Scholarship (ICPAS/ACCA Professional JES)
ICPAS-Polytechnic Scholarship (UOL)
SAA-NTUC Scholarship
SAA-SAFRA Scholarship
SAA-MI Scholarship
SAA-ITE Scholarship

Please check details on www.saa.org.sg/scholarships_main.html

Does SAA recognize the achievement that students gained from the ACCA Exam results?
Prizewinners and Outstanding Achievers Sponsorship
The SAA Excellence Awards Scheme is presented to SAA students who have achieved outstanding performance in their examinations.

There are 2 kinds of awards presented during each intake.

Gold Award

ACCA prizewinners in 1st placing
Sponsorship of 3 classes

Silver Award

ACCA prizewinners in 2nd or 3rd placing
CAT Outstanding Achievers (Both CBE and Written exams)
Sponsorship of 2 classes

* CPE vouchers will be given to students who have graduated.

After the enrollment

When can I collect the books using the book vouchers?
Students may collect the BPP study manuals / revision kits (subject to availability) upon enrolment.

Where can I collect the lecture notes?
Main Campus
The lecture notes will be distributed outside the classes’ lift lobby on the first day of classes. Subsequent lessons, notes will be distributed outside the lift lobby or in the classroom. You can proceed to the Printing Room (#01-01) for collection of notes for classes that you missed within 1 month of the notes issued date.

City Campus
The lecture notes will be distributed at the reception counter on the first day of classes. Subsequent lessons notes will be placed in the classrooms. You can proceed to the reception counter for collection of notes for classes that you missed within 1 month of the notes issued date.

Capital Tower Auditorium
Lecture notes will only be distributed on the first day of lesson. Please proceed to City Campus if you miss the notes collection on the first day of lesson.

Will I have a SAA student card?
No, SAA does not issue student cards to students. You should keep your receipt with you as proof of enrolment in case of attendance checks.

How do I find my classroom?
Main Campus
Please check the classroom information on the LCD monitors beside the security guard counter before the lift lobby or on the LCD monitors at each classroom level.

City Campus
Please check the classroom information on the LCD monitors at the entrance after the lift lobby.

What is a student contract?
SAA has in place a Student Protection Scheme as stipulated by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) by way of the NTUC Income Student Tuition Fee Insurance. The Student Tuition Fee Insurance protects the insured student against the following events:

Loss of tuition fees paid in advance by the insured student to SAA and not refunded, if the student cannot start or complete his course as a result of SAA becoming insolvent or being required by the Singapore authorities to stop operations.
SAA's failure to pay sum awarded by Singapore courts to the insured student, where such award relates to a dispute between SAA and insured student on tuition fees paid by the insured student to SAA.
Complimentary S$10,000 benefit covering the insured student's accidental death or total permanent disability by accident.

The amount payable to an insured student is subject to maximum limits that are specified in his Certificate of Student Insurance. The period of insurance will cover the entire duration of the course enrolled by the insured student. A personal Certificate of Student Insurance will be issued to each insured student to confirm that his/her insurance cover is in place.

Courses Policies

Can I withdraw from classes that I enrolled?
Yes, you can. Please refer to the Student Handbook, Section 11 Course Policies for course withdrawal policies.

Due to some reasons, I am unable to go for the classes I have enrolled, can I defer them to the next Intake?
SAA does not have a deferment policy. In any case, when a student is unable to attend a class enrolled, a withdrawal can be made based on our withdrawal policy, a Credit Note, which consists of a certain percentage of the course fees paid. A Credit Note works like a voucher which you can use it to offset the course fee when you enroll in the next intake.

Can I transfer from one class to another?
Yes, you can. However, there is a $20 processing charge for each class transfer. Please fill up the Course Request Form and submit to the SAA Reception Counter. No transfer is allowed after 31 Mar for Jan/Feb Intake and 30 Sep for Jul/Aug Intake.

What should I do if I cannot attend one of the lessons?
You can request to attend the other class (same paper) by the same lecturer, if there is any, for the day(s) that you could not attend. This request can be made for a maximum of 3 times. Please obtain an authorization slip from the SAA Reception Counter before attending the class. There will be charge of $5 for every class attended after the 3 requests. There will be no make-up classes if you miss the lesson.

Revision Classes

Are the classes that I enrolled inclusive of revision?
No unless otherwise stated. Revision class is an option for selected classes. Please indicate (+Rev) in the enrolment form to include the revision class.

Can I request to enroll for the revision class after I decided not to enroll at the initial payment?
Yes, you can. However, the request has to be put in before the deadline (31 January for January Intake, 31 July for July Intake). Enrolment for any revision class after this date will be charged according to the fees indicated in the relevant brochures using at the point of time.

Can I withdraw from revision class?
Yes, you can. Students who enroll revision with the Jan / Jul classes will be given a full credit refund before 5 March / 3 Sept. Otherwise, the refund will be 50% before commencement and 0% after commencement.

Can I enjoy the SAA student privilege fees if I have withdrawn from all the main classes that I was attending?
No. SAA student privilege fees are applicable to student who have enrolled and maintain a minimum of one class for the January / July or Pro-rated intakes. However, you are still entitled to 20% discount if you enroll during the stipulated discount period for each revision intake.

Tutorial Classes

Can I enroll for the tutorial class?
Yes, you can. But you must enroll under the same lecturer for the main class and tutorial.

Is there any pro-rated lesson for tutorial?
No. You have to sign up for the full course.

The tutorial class I’m signing up clashes with my other main class. Can I sign up the tutorial classes with other lecturers?
Yes, you may if a written permission is granted with the lecturer you are taking the tutorial with. Please take note that different lecturers have different teaching models.

One of my tutorial sessions clashes with another tutorial session. Can I get refund?
Yes, you may. Please bring along the receipt and fill in a Course Request Form, a Credit Note will be issued for the session you cannot attend.

Can I withdraw from tutorials?
Yes, you can. The refund will be 50% before class commencement and 0% after class commencement.

Examinations

Examinations Registration
How do I enroll for my exam?

All ICPAS/ACCA Professional JES and CAT (ACCA/ICPAS Technician JES) registered students will receive Examination Entry Form (EEF) for registration of examinations. Students are registered for an examination session only if they send back the EEF together with the examination fee to ACCA (UK). Alternatively, students can make online registration for ACCA / CAT examination via ACCA website www.accaglobal.com using their passcode and registration no.
All ATTS registered students will receive Examination Entry Form (EEF) for registration of examinations. Students are registered for an examination session only if they send back the EEF together with the examination fee to ICPAS. Alternatively, students can make online registration for ATTS examination via website esr.icpas.org.sg using their passcode and registration no.

Paper Based Examinations (June/ December session)
Is there any order on how should I take my examinations?

For CAT and ATTS, there is no order. ATTS requires you to pass ATTS 4 (Basic Taxation) before attempting ATTS 5 (Advanced Taxation).
For ACCA, students must pass the papers in each module before attempting the papers in the next module. For example, you must pass F1-F3 first before you register your exams for F4 to F9.

I passed my F2 and F3 but failed my F1; can I still attempt any papers from F4 to F9?

Yes. You must take F1 with the other papers from F4 to F9 in the same examination session. But please take note that you cannot take more than 4 papers in one examination session.
Alternatively, you could take F1 CBE, which is held monthly before the Paper Based Examination session.

Computer Based Examinations (CBE)
Can I enroll for CBE for CAT?
CBE are available for CAT papers T1-T4. The CAT CBE is held monthly. Examination dates will be release on the 2nd week of the previous month of the examination session. Enrolment will be done on a first come first serves basis and there will be no reservation.

Can I enroll for CBE for ACCA?
CBE are available for ACCA papers F1, F2 and F3, MMA & MFA and is held monthly. Examination dates will be release on the 2nd week of the previous month of the examination session. Enrolment will be done on a first come first serve basis and there will be no reservation.

Can the students sit for CBE examination if they have not received the membership card from UK?
No. All students are required to hold a valid ACCA registration number prior to being allowed to sit for CBEs.

Can I change my CBE examination date after I enrolled?
No. Changing of examination date is allowed only case by case basis with valid documentation proof, a $20 admin fee with be charged.