The Fellowship program covers the for (training to be) RA (CPA-NL) required three-year "practical experience training" including training on the job at a Contemporary Public Audit (CPA) Amsterdam firm, access to the Library Amsterdam, Master Thesis Amsterdam support and the participation in and contributions to CPE events. 

In 1996, due to the requirements formulated in the Directive 2006/43/EC for statutory audits of annual accounts, also a three-year practical experience training programme, including a final practical examination, became an obligatory requirement for all RA students. For RA students, practical experience can be gained after obtaining a university degree (Bachelor or Master) in accountancy/accounting or Business Economics. 

In the final phase of the theoretical syllabus (starting with the Master or with the postgraduate programme) all students combine their study with working for accounting firms and internal audit departments. From then on, they are also allowed to start the practical training programme. The final examination can only take place after the certificate for the full theoretical programme has been obtained. 


Practical training is almost full-time: four days a week, and one day available for classes. The internship spans three years. At least 1000 qualifying hours must be completed in each year.

The practical training programme is based on a personal development plan and annual reports. From the second up until the fifth semester an essay has to be written on a relevant case. The three year programme is finalised in a final practical examination.

The main objective of the (work-based) training programme is the application of knowledge at the appropriate level. Every trainee is assigned a mentor (an accountant RA/AA) and works in an environment where the activities are aligned to the theoretical level attained that far. During the practical training, special attention is given to the development of professional skills, attitude and behaviour.

Trainees also have to demonstrate their knowledge of the theoretical syllabus, especially in the (faculty) areas of Audit & Assurance, Business & Management (including but not limited to administrative organization and internal control), Accounting & Reporting and Ethics Culture Behaviour.