AAT to ACA: building on a foundation

Known as the Fast Track route, AAT to ACA allows AAT trainees to "skip" some training steps towards qualifying as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, as they will have covered similar ground while studying for their Level 4 AAT qualification.

This usually means less time to qualify and fewer exams allowing students to become fully qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountants in as little as two years.

As your students will already have a Level 4 AAT qualification, and some fundamental background knowledge, the AAT to ACA route provides a fast and smooth transition to a full ACA qualification. This reduced qualifying time means you can also benefit from a decreased training period and costs.

There are two elements of the ACA training that eligible trainees could "skip" to qualify faster, provided they have completed these through their AAT qualification.

With the Level 4 AAT qualification your students could gain credit for prior learning (CPL) for up to five exams in the first stage of the ACA, also known as the Certificate Level. Eligible modules are Accounting, Management Information, Principles of Taxation, Assurance, and Business, Technology and Finance.

If your student completes their AAT qualification while in full-time employment with an Authorised Training Employer, they can also claim up to 12 months' work experience towards the 450 days minimum requirement of the ACA.

Many employers are already benefiting from offering the AAT to ACA Fast Track route.

The AAT-ACA Fast Track enables Keith Willis to mould trainees for his successful small practice – and pass on his passion for the profession. "AAT gives them a really good, solid base of knowledge," Keith explains. "For a firm like ours, it's ideal – it starts at a nice simple level and builds up gradually. Our trainees go to college on day release one day a week, which means they've got four days a week actually learning the ropes and gaining the practical experience." Having staff who have completed the ACA as part of his team is undoubtedly good for business. "I truly believe the ACA makes you a better accountant," Keith says. "It gives you that superior level of understanding, and the confidence to speak to clients."

Tracy Meredith-Baker, Director and Shareholder at Lloyd Dawson, has also found success with the AAT to ACA route. She believes "Having ACA trainees within our business has made a huge difference as these accolades have encouraged other trainees to aspire to the qualification and it has helped us when recruiting new team members as they value the commitment we give to training and support."

Are you interested in exploring the AAT to ACA route further? Register your interest to speak to our dedicated support team who can guide you through your options, as well as how to become an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer.  

• Register your interest to start exploring your options today.

Still searching for a route that fits your organisation? Explore our other routes to the ACA:

• ACA
• ICAEW CFAB
• Graduate
• Apprenticeship
• ACA-CTA Joint Programme