Pass Rate Improves as ICPAU Releases November 2023 Exams

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has released the November 2023 examination results.

Speaking during the release at Protea Hotel, Skyz in Naguru on Wednesday January 3, 2024, John Bosco Ntangaare, ICPAU Director of Education, said students made a good decision by choosing Accounting because of the various opportunities it present.

While releasing the exam results, ICPAU Vice President, CPA Ronald Mutumba, said there is no ‘chance passing’.

“One must have prepared thoroughly for him or her to pass,” he stated.

He added: “Completion does not mean you are now an excellent professional. Excellence goes beyond academic completion.”

Improved performance

CPA Prof Laura Aseru Orobia, the Chairperson of Public Accountants Examinations Board (PAEB), said they had three examinations diets in the year 2023: May, August and November.

The November 2023 examinations ran from Monday 27 November — Friday 1 December 2023 at our seven (7) examinations centres of Arua, Fort Portal, Gulu, Kampala, Mbale, Mbarara and Nkozi.

The courses examined were Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD), Certified Tax Advisor (CTA) and Certified Public Accountants (CPA).

“There were 6,223 candidates who sat the various papers representing an increment of 2.6% compared to the 6,067 candidates who sat the May 2023 examinations,” revealed Prof Orobia.

She added: “The average pass rate was 51.2% compared 43.5% in May 2023.”

The PAEB noted that ATD 12: Principles of Auditing had the lowest pass rate of 21.4%.

“The minimum score for being recognized as a top student is 60%. We are happy to report that 9 candidates completed the ATD course compared to 6 in May 2023.”

She said the cumulative number of students who have completed the Accounting Technicians course has now reached 1,840.

The average pass rate has improved from 26.7% in May 2023 to 36.2% in November 2023.

The most poorly performed subjects were CTA 6: Indirect Taxes (17.1%) and CTA 10: International Taxation (6.1%).

“The new syllabus requires one to complete levels 1 and 2 before proceeding to Level 3. There were no candidates for this level.”

According to her, the cumulative number of candidates who have completed the CTA course is now 81.

The average pass rate has improved from 32.6% in May 2024 examinations to 38.5% in November 2023 examinations diet.

The most poorly performed subjects with a pass rate of 20% and below were CPA 12: Advanced Financial Reporting (15.8%), CPA 13: Public Financial Management (15.2%) and CPA 16: Audit Practice & Assurance (17.2%).

There are 76 students who have completed the CPA course compared to 91 in the May 2023.

The cumulative number of students who have completed the CPA course has now reached 4,970.

PAEB has noted with concern the poor performance in some subjects.

“We are going to conduct a study on factors affecting performance. In the meantime, we encourage students to seek tuition from recognised tuition providers, as one of the strategies to improve their performance,” she said.