Membership grades

Obtaining and retaining membership with the IFA demonstrates a high level of integrity, ethical behaviour and good standing.   

Intermediate Financial Accountant (IFA AIPA) 

Membership at the grade of Intermediate Financial Accountant means you can use the designatory letters IFA AIPA after your name.

To join the Institute at this grade you will need to be able to demonstrate an accountancy and finance accountancy qualification that is at the same level and covers the same content as our IFA Direct education programme at Level 4.  

You will also need to demonstrate at least one year's relevant work experience.  

Intermediate members must meet the Institute's CPD requirements 

Intermediate members are not eligible for a practising certificate. If you plan to move into practice you will be required to upgrade to Associate membership.  

Associate Financial Accountant (AFA MIPA) 

Membership at the grade of Associate Financial Accountant means you can use the designatory letters AFA MIPA after your name and refer to yourself as aFinancial Accountant.

To join the Institute at this grade you will need to be able to demonstrate an accountancy and finance accountancy qualification that is at the same level and covers the same content as our IFA Direct education programme. 

You will also need to demonstrate at least 3 years’ relevant work experience.  

Members at AFA MIPA grade based in the UK offering services to the public for reward will be required to apply for an IFA practising certificate. You will need to meet the IFA practising certificate eligibility criteria and are expected to gain the appropriate technical theory.  

Associate members must meet the Institute's CPD requirements.  

Fellow Financial Accountant (FFA FIPA) 

Membership at the grade of Fellow Financial Accountant means you can use the designatory letters FFA FIPA after your name and refer to yourself as a Financial Accountant.

FFA FIPA is the Institute’s highest membership grade. You will have been working in a senior role in the accountancy profession for no fewer than 10 years, the last five at a senior level in accountancy. 

You can only become a Fellow of the Institute by: 

  • having been a member for seven consecutive years at AFA MIPA level; 
  • continued to meet the Institute’s CPD requirements; and  
  • being able to demonstrate relevant work experience, or equivalent from another recognised professional accountancy body. 

Members at FFA FIPA grade based in the UK offering services to the public for reward will be required to apply for an IFA practising certificate. You will need to meet the IFA practising certificate eligibility criteria and are expected to gain the appropriate technical theory. 

Members must meet the Institute's CPD requirements. 

Associate Tax Adviser (ATA)

Membership at the grade of Associate Tax Adviser means you can use the designatory letters ATA after your name and refer to yourself as a Tax Adviser.

To join the Institute at this grade you will need to be able to demonstrate an accountancy and finance accountancy qualification that is at the same level and covers the same content as our IFA Direct education programme. 

You will also need to demonstrate at least 3 years’ relevant work experience.  

Members at ATA grade based in the UK offering services to the public for reward will be required to apply for an IFA tax practising certificate, achieve a UK tax qualification equivalent to the tax units detailed in the IFA Direct education programme and are expected to gain the appropriate technical theory.  

Members must meet the  Institute's CPD requirements.  

Fellow Tax Adviser (FTA)

Membership at the grade of Fellow Tax Adviser means you can use the designatory letters FTA after your name and refer to yourself as aTax Adviser. FTA is the Institute’s highest tax adviser grade of membership available. You will have been working in a senior role in the tax profession for no fewer than 10 years, the last five at a senior level in taxation. 

You can only become a Fellow Tax Adviser of the Institute by: 

  • having been a member for seven consecutive years at ATA level; 
  • continued to meet the Institute’s CPD requirements; and  
  • being able to demonstrate relevant work experience, or equivalent from another recognised professional accountancy body. 

Members at FTA grade based in the UK offering services to the public for reward will be required to apply for a practising certificate, achieve a UK tax qualification equivalent to the tax units detailed in the IFA Direct education programme and are expected to gain the appropriate technical theory.  

Members must meet the  Institute's CPD requirements.  

Retired membership

We understand that some members are coming to the end of their professional career but would like to continue their membership with us.

We offer a retired membership level and to be eligible you will need to meet the following criteria:

  • fully retired from all remunerated activity; and
  • be either an Associate or Fellow of the IFA.

You will also need to surrender your IFA practising certificate if you previously held one.

By accepting this level of membership your rights to act in a voluntary role are not affected. However, if you do provide voluntary services you will need to comply with the IFA’s CPD requirements.

The IFA reserves the right to request evidence to support your retired membership application.

IFA retired application form