Subject
CTA3 Advisory
Demonstrate your tax expertise and advisory skills
It is crucial for tax professionals to stay up–to–date and be equipped to advise clients on complex and dynamic business transactions. To be the best in your field, you need to innovate, think on your feet, and effectively synthesise large amounts of information. Successfully completing this challenging subject leads to the sought–after, internationally respected Chartered Tax Adviser designation.
CTA3 Advisory is the final subject in the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) Program, after CTA1 Foundations, CTA2A Advanced and CTA2B Advanced. However, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning in respect to the CTA Program if you have already completed study at another institution. When you have achieved success in the CTA3 Advisory exam you will have satisfied the educational requirements to be eligible to obtain the globally-recognised CTA designation. In turn, you may be eligible for 6 units of credit, of recognition of prior learning, towards a Master of Taxation from UNSW.
The approach taken by CTA3 Advisory differs to other subjects, it immerses you in real–life problem–solving situations (across different tax specialisations) presented through in–depth case study discussion sessions, each facilitated by an expert who specialises in that particular area of tax. In advance of the exam, you will prepare an initial client– worthy letter of advice based on your research. During the exam, you will be challenged to synthesise additional information that is relevant to the scenario, incorporating it into your research. This not only tests your knowledge but also reflects the kind of real–life situations you may encounter with clients.
In Study Period 1 each year, CTA3 Advisory is offered over a 24–week period. In Study Periods 2 and 3 it is offered in Intensive mode over a 12–week period.
In CTA3 Advisory, you will:
- Work through simulated real-life situations using case studies on a range of tax topics.
- Self-direct your learning and focus on the need to apply tax law to your client’s specific commercial circumstances.
- Gain the skills used by leading tax professionals to remain at the forefront of the profession and advance your career.
Your assessment will simulate a real-life scenario:
- You will research the relevant law and prepare advice to your client based on that scenario.
- Under exam conditions, you will be required to update your advice in response to supplementary information provided on the day, just as your client might in real-life.
To enrol into CTA3 Advisory, you must have prior experience in:
- Writing a Letter of Advice for clients (some guides/samples are provided).
- At least one of the main Case Study Topics:
- Small Business CGT Concessions
- International Tax
- Corporate Tax
- Trusts
- Goods and Services Tax
- Referring to and applying relevant taxation legislation, cases, guidelines and procedures and determining their relevance to specific client taxation issues.
- Analysing and evaluating potential alternative solutions and presenting these in a concise and professional manner
- Supervising the preparation of more complicated ATO submissions and communications.
- Subjects1
- Credit Points6
- LevelAdvanced
- Cost$2,495
- CPD120 hours
- DeliveryOnline
- Study Periods3 per year
- Study Per Week10-14 hours
- Subject PrerequisitesATL001, ATL003 and ATL004 (or equivalent) | 36 months relevant Australian tax or tax law experience
- Video 1
- Video 2
- Video 3
CTA3 Advisory immerses professionals in the real-life problem solving situations (across different tax specialisations) presented through in-depth case study discussion sessions.
Who is this for?
- mid to senior level experienced advisory professional
- divisional or senior tax manager
- investment banker or structured finance consultant
- partner or senior associate lawyer
- reaching the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) designation
- senior lecturer or professor
- tax counsel
- tax director or head of tax
Entry requirements
To enrol in CTA3 Advisory, you’ll need to be eligible to be a Fellow Member of The Tax Institute and have at least 36 months’ relevant Australian tax or tax law experience.
You’ll also need to have completed CTA1 Foundations, CTA2A Advanced and CTA2B Advanced subjects (or equivalent qualifications) and meet English language requirements if you have previously studied in a language other than English.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the reading for CTA3 Advisory, candidates will be able to:
- refer to and apply relevant taxation legislation, cases, guidelines and procedures and determine their relevance to specific client taxation issues
- interpret tax legislation, guidelines and procedures and apply them to source material
- understand and apply analytical and technical skills to documents and information where relevant, and determine alternative solutions
- analyse and evaluate potential alternative solutions and present these in a concise and professional manner that differentiates alternative tax issues and provides logical, reasoned support for the conclusions and advice.
Modules
CTA3 Advisory is based on four case studies across a variety of tax specialisations, covering:
- Small Business CGT
- GST
- International tax
- Corporate tax
The case studies are designed to present applied problems in tax practice: they mirror real life and have intersecting tax law issues that you must identify and consider to arrive at a correct solution.
Assessment structure
- Draft solutions - pass mark n/a Weighting for overall mark 0%
- Letter of Advice - pass mark n/a Weighting for overall mark 0%
- Exam - pass mark 70% Weighting for overall mark 100%
Draft solutions - Participation during the subject is assessed by the submission of draft solutions for each case study. Draft solutions should mirror content which is normally included in a client’s letter of advice. In addition, it can include the candidate’s thoughts and reflections about the case study.
Assignment, Letter of Advice - Each candidate must select one of several case studies from the published Assignment Booklet and prepare a Letter of Advice that addresses the tax problems posed in the selected case study.
Exam, Late Breaking Fact - The format of the exam is an amended Letter of Advice developed in response to a ‘Late Breaking Fact’, which is provided at the beginning of the supervised exam.
Please note that all assessment tasks must be passed in order to complete the subject.
Online study - takes place over a twenty four week study period. Upon Commencement, candidates begin working on Draft Solutions to four Practice Case Studies, and join a live Online Group Discussion for each Case Study facilitated by a tax expert. Candidates use an online learning platform to access Practice Case Studies, upload their Draft Solutions, and access revision and research materials. A subject Convenor, or tax expert, is available via email to answer tax-technical queries and candidates receive administrative support from the Subject Coordinator.
Six weeks before the Final Exam, candidates receive an Assessment Booklet, with a list of new case studies. Candidates choose and write a Letter of Advice in response to one of these case studies, uploading their Letter of Advice on exam day. Candidates receive new information about their chosen case study, and must spend the exam responding to a Late Breaking Fact.
Intensive Online study - takes place over a twelve week study period. Upon Commencement, candidates begin working on Draft Solutions to four Practice Case Studies due in Week 4 of the course. Over one week in Week 5, candidates join a live Online Group Discussion for each Case Study facilitated by a tax expert. Candidates use an online learning platform to access Practice Case Studies, upload their Draft Solutions, and access revision and research materials. A subject Convenor, or tax expert, is available via email to answer tax-technical queries and candidates receive administrative support from the Subject Coordinator.
Six weeks before the Final Exam, candidates receive an Assessment Booklet, with a list of new case studies. Candidates choose and write a Letter of Advice in response to one of these case studies, uploading their Letter of Advice on exam day. Candidates receive new information about their chosen case study, and must spend the exam responding to a Late Breaking Fact.
Assessment Only study - takes place over a six week study period. Candidates use an online learning platform to access revision and research materials only. No Practice Case studies or Live Sessions are available in this study mode. A subject Convenor, or tax expert, is available via email to answer tax-technical queries and candidates receive administrative support from the Subject Coordinator.
Upon Commencement (six weeks before the Final Exam), candidates receive an Assessment Booklet, with a list of new case studies. Candidates choose and write a Letter of Advice in response to one of these case studies, uploading their Letter of Advice on exam day. Candidates receive new information about their chosen case study, and must spend the exam responding to a Late Breaking Fact.
Assessment Only study is recommended only to those with a high level of experience with this subject content.
Resources made available to a candidate (excluding Assessment-Only study) are:
- access to an online learning portal
- case studies for study sessions
- access to Legal Research and Reasoning course
- access to the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA 2009) and the Code of Professional Conduct
- complimentary subscription to The Tax Institute’s Tax Knowledge Exchange library of resources for the duration of the subject
- access to an online Candidate Support Centre
- exam preparation resources including sample Letter of Advice email access to the subject convenor for technical questions
- support from senior tax lecturers and presenters
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
RPL is a process for providing candidates credit for learning or qualifications completed before your enrolment with The Tax Institute Higher Education.
To apply for RPL (fee $200), please complete the RPL form. Evidence of your qualifications will need to be provided with this application.
Please view our current timetable.
ATL004 CTA2B Advanced
Standard ATL subject enrolment fee $2,495.
Standard ATL subject enrolment fee is GST exempt.
Standard prices are valid until 11 August 2025.
All Tax Institute Higher Education candidates are eligible to receive Education Membership of The Tax Institute for $220 (saving $365) upon enrolment until 30 June in the subsequent calendar year. Member fees attract GST and price quoted is inclusive of GST.
Please refer to the Candidate Care Guide where you'll find information on our policies.
