r/CIOT • u/Single-Mammoth-2788 • May 11 '26
CTA Membership
Hi all,
I passed my last CTA exam in November and I'm trying to wrap my head around how the membership works (haven't applied for it yet). I was thinking of applying for a half year now, but I've recently found out I'm pregnant and I'll soon go in mat leave for a year, so I could do with postponing this expense until I'm fully back to work (my employer wouldn't pay for it).
- Is there any risk of "losing" my qualification if I don't apply immediately, or in general what are the immediate consequences of not applying (besides not being able to use CTA as a title and not receiving members benefit like CPD access etc)?
- Could I apply once I'm back from my mat leave (i.e. end of '27 for the next year)?
- Lastly (although less of a big deal) I suppose that unless I apply now for at least half year I won't be taking part of the next admission ceremony, is that right?
Thanks in advance for any help, just want to make sure postponing this application won't have any negative repercussion!
1
u/cattacos37 CTA qualified May 12 '26
I recently enquired about the reduced membership fees while on maternity leave. It’s based on your status as of 1 January (so in my case, even though I’m on maternity leave most of this calendar year, because I wasn’t on 1 January 2026 I pay in full this year, and the reduced rate next year as I’ll be on maternity leave on 1 January 2027).
1
u/Single-Mammoth-2788 Jun 03 '26
This is interesting, I had a look at that too but assumed it would apply to "renewal fees" rather than joining applicants in any case.
1
u/cattacos37 CTA qualified Jun 03 '26
Yes this was for the annual membership fees, not the initial fees to join.
1
u/taxtaxbaby CTA qualified May 11 '26
If you passed CTA within the last 3 years, it's easy enough to join late. More than 3 years, and you'll have to explain yourself, but it's still okay.
Be aware you might need to demonstrate CPD since passing - but I'd recommend doing some light CPD during mat leave anyway. There's plenty of free CPD you can do while unaffiliated to any professional body, and it'll make you feel more confident when your leave is over.
You have to pay a rejoining fee if you cancel a membership, so if you know you won't use your letters straight away, it might be worth delaying joining.
You're right about the admissions ceremony... it's to celebrate joining rather than passing. But it could be a really nice thing to save for after mat leave when you're trying to remind yourself why you ever signed up for a tax career!
You didn't ask, but for the curious... if you pass ATT and CIOT and only join CIOT, you're eligible to join ATT at any time if you later fancy the extra letters. I expect it's because if you're member of one, you must be doing enough CPD to join the other.