Although CAT can be obtained as a stand-alone qualification, it is often the case that individuals study for CAT as an introductory qualification in accountancy prior to training to become a Chartered Certified Accountant through the ACCA Professional Scheme.
It usually takes one and a half years to complete the nine CAT exams.
CAT's rival is the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification.
ACCA was a sponsor of the AAT before breaking its links in the mid-1990s in order to form the CAT qualification.
The ACCA has placed the CAT as part of its Foundations in Accountancy suite of qualifications.