Support Centre
Keep trainees, accreditation, and quality standards intact while you transfer from your current professional body to CIBA.
Transferring Your Training Office to CIBA
1. Quick Overview
If your firm is currently a Training Office with another professional body, you can transfer your accreditation to CIBA seamlessly.
CIBA re-approves training offices so your firm can continue hosting trainees without interruption. We also assist with mapping your existing logbooks, rotations, supervisors/mentors, and competency outcomes to the CIBA Training Framework to ensure trainees stay on track.
Other professional bodies often link their ATO accreditation to a specific learnership and competency logbook. When a firm moves its ATO registration to CIBA, we can facilitate the transfer of the office as well as the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process for clerks who were previously registered under that learnership.
Important: If the trainees (clerks) wish to continue completing the learnership registered with another body, they must remain with, or move to, a training office still accredited with that body. However, CIBA encourages firms to transfer their clerks as well, so that their prior training can be formally recognised (RPL) within the CIBA programme.
This approach ensures continuity, prevents learning loss, and aligns the firm and its trainees with a more flexible, practice-oriented development framework.
2. Step-by-Step Instructions (Action section)
Before you begin: You, as the trainer, must first transfer and hold an active CIBA Chartered Business Accountant in Practice designation or equivalent. Once confirmed, proceed with the Approved Training Office (ATO) Transfer.
Confirm the trainer’s CIBA designation (Transfer)
Complete the CIBA designation transfer for the CBAP trainer and ensure status is active.
Start the ATO application (Transfer)
In the Member Portal, begin the application for an Approved Training Office
Pay the ATO application fee (R1,150) & upload required documents
CIPC Registration Documents
SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) Certificate or PIN
Proof of Financial Stability (annual financial statements)
Proof of Premises (Lease Agreement or Deed)
Signed Employment Contract or SLA of the Training Officer (if not listed in CIPC)
Evidence of Internet Connectivity
Confirmation of Laptops for Trainees
List of Trainees (if already in place)
Verification & approval
Respond to any findings, receive the accreditation letter, onboard trainees/mentors, and set assessment cycles.
Resignation note: Ensure you’ve sent all required documents, read the T&Cs/cancellation requirements, and that your transfer is complete before your membership with your other professional body ends/is terminated.
3. What You’ll Need (Requirements)
Chartered Business Accountant in Practice designation or equivalent for the trainer
R1,150 Application fee
CIPC Registration Documents
SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) Certificate or PIN
Proof of Financial Stability (annual financial statements)
Proof of Premises (Lease Agreement or Deed)
Signed Employment Contract or SLA of the Training Officer (if not listed in CIPC)
Evidence of Internet Connectivity *
Confirmation of Laptops for Trainees
List of Trainees (if already in place)
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t assume your Training Office accreditation auto-transfers
Instead: Complete the full CIBA Approved Training Office application process.Don’t forget to manage existing clerks’ learnerships
Instead: Identify all trainees under other learnerships and decide whether to RPL them into CIBA’s framework or facilitate their continuation under their current body.Don’t only update your website.
Instead: Also revise engagement letters, training contracts, proposals, and marketing material to reflect your new CIBA seals, logos, and certificates.
5. Related Resources
Using Professional Practice Guides
What Counts as CPD
Starting a New Application
6. Need more help
Log a Support Ticket with subject “Training Office Transfer” and attach your compliance pack checklist to schedule a scoping call.