Become a member

A person who wishes to become a member of the Institute and qualifies under the Accountants Act may apply through the prescribed application form. Applications can now be submitted online via the LIA portal on the LIA website. Alternatively, physical copies of the form can be obtained from the LIA offices during working hours.

As stipulated in Section 14 of the Accountants Act, a person may be registered upon payment of the prescribed membership fee, which becomes payable upon acceptance of the application. The fee is determined by the Council and is subject to revision from time to time.

Section 14 (1) of the Accountants Act No. 9 of 1977 prescribes that, upon payment of a prescribed fee it shall be open to any person other than a body corporate to be admitted as a member if he-

1. Has passed the examinations specified in part I of the second Schedule or,
2. Is a member of one of the bodies or an association of accountants specified in part II of the second schedule and,
3. Satisfies the requirement of section 15,
4. Is over the age of twenty-one,
5. Is, in the opinion of the Council, a fit and proper person to be admitted as a member.

The Institute offers membership in various categories depending on the qualifications obtained.

Becoming a member can be summarized as follows:

1. Obtain Relevant Qualification

LIA (LESOTHO INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANTS) takes education to be professional accountancy qualifications recognized by the institute or a university Degree with a major in auditing, financial accounting management accounting or tax. Certificates and diplomas which are not in professional programs are not considered for LIA membership.

     2. Obtain Relevant Practical Experience  

For one to be admitted as a member they have relevant practical experience which shall be in taxation, accounting, auditing, or finance in accordance with the table below. The purpose of the experience requirement is to enable a member to gain competencies that will allow him or her to perform accordingly either in employment or public practice.

Experience can be attained through:

1. Attachment or IPDS
2. Serving articles
3. Volunteering in employment

One can be attached, serve articles or volunteer through employment in the public or private sector or by entrepreneurship, but supervision is the underpinning factor.

A person applying for membership should show that they were under supervision, coaching or mentorship by a senior person.

People who hold membership of other PAOs will be admitted at the same level/category or the equivalent thereof of what they hold with such PAO, however, must produce evidence that they are still active and in good standing with such PAO.

Applying for membership
How to Apply:

Obtain and fill in the application form.
Provide the following in addition to the prescribed form.

1. Detailed CV
2. Detailed reference letter with the cumulative experience matching or more than the number of years required for the category being applied for.
3. Certified copies of ID
4. Certified copied of Educational Certificates and transcripts

For Practice Application
Eligibility to practice is set out in Section 5 of the LIA Practice Bylaws. To lawfully offer accountancy services to the public in Lesotho, a member must obtain a Practicing License issued by the Institute.

Eligibility and application requirements are outlined below as per section 5 of the Practice Bylaws:
Any member shall be eligible for practicing license where:

1. He/she has completed an accounting qualification that is recognized by the Institute;
2. He/she satisfies the requirements of LIA as to continuing professional development;
3. He/she has passed an admission examination;
4. He/she has a valid Tax clearance certificate;
5. He/she has Lease or Sublease agreement as proof of physical office;
6. He/she produces a valid police clearance certificate;
7. Meets the approved admission criteria into practice for the type of practice applied for;
8. Any other relevant information that may be required from time to time by the Council.

Non-Basotho applicants, who have not studied and acquired experience in Lesotho, shall be expected to provide the following additional documents:

1. Membership letter of good standing from the home country PAO or regulator at a membership level applied for at LIA.
2. Work permit or residence permit.

Eligibility for Foreign Practitioners – Joint Audit Arrangements
Foreign Practitioners who are invited for joint audits by local firms shall meet the single audit assignment requirements as prescribed by the Council,

1. The local firm shall apply for partnership clearance from LIA signed by the local firm, the foreign practitioner and audit client (which requires skills transfer plan, retention of audit files by local firms and agreement that audit risk remains with the local firm).
2. The audit file shall be subjected to quality assurance review within 90 days of completion of the audit.
3. Payment of a fee to LIA equivalent to 5% of the Audit fees charged to the client immediately upon completion of the audit.

Practice Designations are as follows as set out in the LIA – Practice Bylaws (Section 7)
Based on qualifications and experience aspiring members can apply for one of the following licenses:

1. Technician Public Accountant – the holder of the practice license shall undertake all financial accounting and related services (other than assurance services) for small businesses.
2. General Public Accountant – the holder of the practice license shall undertake all financial accounting and related services (other than assurance services) for small and medium businesses.
3. Chartered Public Accountant – the holder of the practice license shall undertake financial accounting and related services (other than assurance services) for small, medium, and large businesses.
4. Chartered Registered Auditor – the holder of the practice license may undertake financial accounting and related services for small, medium and large organizations as well as undertake audit and assurance engagements.

Documents required
To apply for a practicing License, please submit the following:

1. Completed application form (available online via the LIA website or from LIA offices);
2. Copy of your current LIA membership certificate.
3. CPD filing report for the year.
4. Detailed Curriculum Vitae.
5. Detailed Reference letter confirming your responsibilities and ethical conduct.
6. Lease or sublease agreement confirming a physical office in Lesotho.
7. Certified copy of your educational qualification(s).
8. Valid Tax Clearance Certificate
9. Valid Police Clearance Certificate.
10. Letter of Good Standing from your foreign professional body. (For foreign applicants only)
11. Copy of your work/residence permit (For foreign applicants only)

Membership Obligations
As a member of the Institute, one is required to meet the following requirements to be in good standing.

1. Pay annual subscriptions as required.
2. Attain a minimum of not less than 40 hours in Continuous Programs of Education (CPD); Click here to find out about CPD.
3. Must not be involved in any disciplinary issues.