Tax Academy

Taxand Cyprus Tax Academy’s mission

To increase expert know-how of the tax community while developing our position as a prominent centre for taxation as well as both international and local tax knowledge centre.

Taxand Cyprus Tax Academy’s goals

A leading centre for Tax Education and Local Tax Knowledge. A well-thought-out Tax Training Roadmap is offered to tax specialists by the Tax Academy so that an increased level of proficiency in local and international tax can be obtained.

An area where Tax Exchange takes place

Tax professionals are given the opportunity to be brought up to date on international tax developments through seminars and conferences organised by the Tax Academy. Local and international tax specialists, from the industry, academia and the government, are brought together to participate in professional discourse. 

Message from the Tax Academy’s CEO

The Tax Academy is a leading tax centre and a vital source of strength for Cyprus’ tax training infrastructure. Since its inception in 2010, the Tax Academy has played a vital role in boosting the industry’s tax proficiency and practice values through the Academy’s extensive group of tax programmes. The tax environment is progressing at a fast pace so as to encounter the trials of an ever more competitive financial backdrop/setting as well as difficulties brought on by governments and taxpayers. In order to be able to function efficiently in this universal and multifaceted environment, tax professionals are required to constantly boost and enhance their skills.

The Taxand Cyprus Tax Academy firmly believes in the augmentation of the international tax know-how of tax professionals. Structured international tax programmes are provided thus opening the path to post-graduate studies and research in international tax. We promise to carry on providing high-quality training in keeping with the learning needs of the tax community while at the same time encouraging vigorous knowledge exchange.

Recently, tax has made the headlines worldwide, as a result the international tax scene will become even more complex. It is necessary for tax professionals and tax practitioners to keep growing and enriching their competency so as to deal with these increasing challenges. 

Tax Academy provides a complete tax education programme on Cyprus and International Tax which builds tax competency from the beginning to advanced levels.

Furthermore, our collaboration with distinguished organisations and academia, assist in the provision of a complement of high-quality international tax training programmes that commendably augment the skills and know-how of the tax community. 

We, at Taxand Cyprus Tax Academy, have pioneered in tax training and education and will continue to lead the development of tax expertise through our broad range of programmes. We seek to transform Cyprus into a centre of regional tax knowledge where tax professionals and tax officials from the area meet for quality training and interchange of information.

The ADIT qualification is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Taxation, the largest and most prestigious professional body in the UK regarding taxation. The program is aimed at credentialing and enhancing the expertise of professional advisers focused on international tax.

The CIOT is responsible for the content of the programme and for maintaining the quality of the syllabus.

Course Objectives

The Advanced Diploma in International Taxation is a unique internationally recognised specialist Diploma designed to meet the needs of International Tax practitioners. It provides candidates the opportunity to prove and improve their credentials as International Tax Professionals by ensuring they develop and enhance their knowledge and understanding of theory and practice.

The ADIT indicates a high level of competence in International Taxation and a successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge in three areas

• The principles of International Taxation.
• In-depth knowledge of International Tax issues for their primary jurisdiction.
• An awareness of basic tax issues, particularly in relation to International Tax, in at least one secondary jurisdiction or subject.

Tax Training courses 

Since 2010 the Partners of Taxand Cyprus & PS Institute of Accountancy are exclusive learning in provider in partnership with Tolley Tax training (part of LexisNexis) as regards to ADIT courses in Cyprus, Greece and Ukraine.  In 2019 The School of Professional Studies of Cyprus College (part of European University Cyprus), PS Institute of Accountancy & Taxand Cyprus are pleased to announce the formation of a strategic alliance in the provision of international tax training course.

About ADIT

The School of Professional Studies in cooperation with Pantelis Stylianides Institute of Accountancy and Taxand Cyprus, are proud to provide the course through one of the most prestigious training organizations in the UK, Tolley Exam Training (part of LexisNexis) specializing in International taxation.

The Advanced Diploma in Taxation (‘ADIT’) was developed by the Chartered Institute of Taxation (‘CIOT’), which is the leading professional body in the United Kingdom (‘UK’) concerned solely with taxation. The Advanced Diploma is supervised by an Academic Board of distinguished international tax practitioners.

ADIT was launched in Cyprus in an effort to fill the gap of professionally qualified international tax planners and to help entrepreneurs and local tax practitioners to meet the needs of their international clients.

It is now being offered in leading western countries and through highly reputable universities. The overall standard of the Advanced Diploma is comparable to the tax advisor examinations in the UK and successful students will be able to demonstrate a high level of competence.

As Cyprus is increasing its reputation as an international financial center, tax is becoming a critical part of the work of most professionals since they are facing more and more challenges and more complex tax structures in their daily routine.

A key characteristic of international corporate tax advisers is that they have a variety of backgrounds and typically spend time in more than one country. This unique specialist Advanced Diploma meets the needs of international tax practitioners in the corporate area.

The benefits of gaining the ADIT qualification are…

• A global benchmark of quality and an independent means of demonstrating international tax knowledge and ability
• Portability – wherever you want to take your career
• Demonstration of your expertise in multiple countries and international tax subjects
• Joining a growing global network of more than 2,500 ADIT students, graduates and International Tax Affiliates in over 100 different countries and territories – every continent, major market centre, and every business sector represented;
• Being entitled to put the designatory letters ‘ADIT’ after your name;
• The opportunity to become an International Tax Affiliate of The Chartered Institute of Taxation.
• Stand-alone certificates: Candidates who pass Paper 1 – Principles of International Taxation or Paper 3 – Transfer Pricing examinations are eligible to apply for a certificate.

Who should attend?

ADIT is ideal for a variety of professionals such as Lawyers, Accountants, Tax Advisers, Management Consultants, Financial Advisers and Notaries. If you intend to pursue a career in international taxation- in industry, commerce, private practice or in the public sector-this is the qualification for you.

ADIT meets the demand both in and outside Cyprus for a specialist qualification for international tax practitioners in the corporate area. The Diploma shows you have a high level of competence in international taxation and brings you the benefits of an internationally recognized qualification. It recognizes that international tax advisers need to understand more than one tax system. The overall standard is comparable to the CTA in the UK. The ADIT examination is set by the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

The Qualification Highlights

• Qualify in international tax
• Specialist trainers, outstanding pass rates
• Classroom learning courses
• Easy on line application

THE ADIT STRUCTURE

To achieve ADIT, students must complete the Principles of International Taxation exam and any two modules from the range of optional exam modules (an extended essay may be completed in place of one of the optional modules).

For full information about each module, please click on the module title below. You can find the full ADIT syllabus for all modules  here .

MANDATORY MODULE

PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL TAXATION

CHOOSE ANY TWO (THEMATIC MODULES)

EXTENDED ESSAY ON A TAX SPECIALISM OF YOUR CHOICE

What do I need to do to qualify for the ADIT? 

Register as a student and apply to sit the exams.

You must register as a student with the Institute for which you need a valid e mail address. Students should aim to be registered by 31 January if they wish to sit an examination the following June and 31 August if they wish to sit an exam in December. To register as an ADIT student, or to renew your registration, please  click here .

Registration fee- £205 (valid for 5 years). All ADIT exam passes obtained from June 2010 are valid for five years from the date of issue. If you do not complete the qualification before your first pass expires, you will need to resit the previously passed exam.

ADIT extended essay registrations are valid for three years from the date on which the extended essay proposal is approved. Please note that, if your student registration expires during this three year period and you have not yet completed your extended essay, you will need to renew your student registration before submitting your completed essay. Full information about ADIT extended essay registration can be found  here .

Study for the exams 

There is a choice of paper for each of the three exams you must pass. The School of Professional Studies in cooperation with PS Institute in cooperation and Taxand Cyprus are providing the courses through one of the most prestigious organizations in the UK, Tolley Tax Training (part of LexisNexis)

• Paper 1-Principles of International Taxation
• Paper 2.03-Advanced International Taxation (Jurisdiction)-Cyprus Option
• Paper 3.03-Advanced International Taxation (Thematic)-Transfer Pricing

Sit and pass the three exam papers

• You can sit all the three papers for the ADIT qualification separately or all at once.
• Paper 1 is compulsory, you can choose any combination of the other papers.
• There is a handwritten sitting of the exams in June and on screen sittings of the exams in June and December. Each examination is 3 hours 15 minutes in length (including 15 minutes reading time)
• You are allowed to take certain publications into the examination.
• The pass mark for each paper is 50%. The results are released in August and February.

ADIT Examination Fee 

The exam fee for the December 2019 exams is currently £190 per paper, which includes technical articles, current tax notes, digests of tax cases and news from the Institute. The thesis fee is £190. Fees are set by the CIOT and are subject to annual review.

Certificate 

Upon successful completion of the ADIT exams (or completion of two exams and a thesis) candidates will receive a certificate. Individual certificates are also available for candidates who complete Paper 1-Principles of International Taxation and Paper 3.03-Transfer Pricing.

Available ADIT Modules in Nicosia and Limassol for December 2019 exams 

Paper one – Principles of International Taxation

This paper is based on the OECD Model Convention, and is compulsory for all candidates. The focus is on key issues such as principles of international tax law, residence, double taxation and treaty interpretation, transfer pricing, the work of the OECD and international tax avoidance. Candidates who pass this exam are eligible to apply for a certificate. Please  click here  for more information.

This exam consists of two parts. Part A consists of five essay-type questions worth 25 marks each. Part B consists of two scenario-type questions worth 25 marks each. Candidates are required to answer four questions in total, including at least one question from each part.

For the Principles of International Taxation syllabus, please  CLICK HERE .

Paper two – Cyprus Option 2.03

This module covers the structure of the Cypriot tax system, with particular emphasis on Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Value-added Tax, and topics such as the Cyprus Double Taxation Treaty Network, reorganizations and BEPS.

The exam consists of three parts. Part A consists of two mandatory questions worth 25 marks each. Part B consists of one mandatory question worth 20 marks. Part C consists of four questions worth 15 marks each, of which candidates are required to answer any two.

For the Cyprus Option syllabus, please  CLICK HERE .

Paper three – Transfer Pricing option 3.03

This module covers the fundamentals of transfer pricing based on the OECD model. The module will focus on transfer pricing methods, the arm’s length principle, comparability, compliance issues and avoiding double taxation and dispute resolution. Please see the  Syllabus  for full details.

The exam consists of three parts. Part A consists of two mandatory questions worth 25 marks each. Part B consists of two questions worth 20 marks each, of which candidates are required to answer one. Part C consists of five questions worth 15 marks each, of which candidates are required to answer any two.

This exam is offered in the June and December exam sessions

* Thesis Option – Paper 2 or Paper 3

Candidates may write a thesis in place of Paper 2 or Paper 3, consisting of 15,000 to 20,000 words on any aspect of international taxation (subject to approval). The thesis option can only be chosen for one paper and not both.

Source: CIOT ( https://www.tax.org.uk/homepage )

Official Website:  http://www.tax.org.uk/adit

The ADIT modules  in Nicosia  are delivered  by Pantelis Stylianides Institute of Accountancy Ltd  and please click  here  for your registration.

Benefits for Holders

Holders of the Diploma are entitled to use the designatory letters “ADIT” after their name and may apply to become an ‘International Tax Affiliate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation’.

This ongoing link with the CIOT will entitle the individual to receive a number of benefits including:

• The right to describe oneself as an ‘International Tax Affiliate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation’
• Contribute articles to ‘Tax Adviser’
• Apply to become a virtual member of the CIOT Technical Committee’s various Sub-Committees
• Provision of the monthly journal ‘Tax Adviser’, which includes technical articles, current tax notes, digests of tax cases and news from the Institute
• Networking opportunities through CIOT’s global branches including Asia Pac, Australasia, Europe, Hong Kong, North America and the UK
• A framework of ethical standards and practice guidelines
• CPD opportunities
• Use of the Institute’s Tony Arnold Library at King’s College, London