A trio of Bermudians have passed a gruelling three-day accountancy exam.

The three all passed the tough Uniform Final Examination (UFE) in chartered accountancy in Canada.

Caroline Berlo and Kim Johnson of professional services firm Ernst & Young and Jozelle Escolastica of financial services firm KPMG all successfully completed the series of tests — the last of its kind to be held.

Annarita Woolridge Marion, the president and CEO of Chartered Professional Accountants of Bermuda (CPA) said that the UFE will be replaced by a unified examination to include chartered accountants certified management accountants and certified general accountants.

Ms Woolridge Marion added: “It’s huge — people don’t understand how hard it is. One of the girls nearly passed out with relief when she finished.”

The exams cover tax, audits and information technology and involves analysis of business cases where candidates have to give evaluations.

Ms Woolridge Marion said: “It’s an integrated exam — you’re not just regurgitating things. You have to integrate your knowledge.

“It’s quite a taxing exam and these students study hard for it. You have got the best of the best there.”