Overview
Our qualifications have been designed to give your staff the breadth and depth of technical knowledge across accountancy, finance, and business as well as the professional skills and practical experience needed to become effective and agile business partners in your organisation.
The ACA is at the heart of all our qualifications. It is one of the most sought-after, advanced learning and professional development programmes available. We constantly review the content of the ACA qualification to reflect real life business challenges. Today's most urgent business challenges range from sustainability to rapid changes in technology and the role of ethics in the profession. We work closely with employers, tuition providers, academics and examiners to ensure that the ACA equips the chartered accountants of the future with the skills and knowledge they need to meet these challenges and to be successful.
In this series we will provide insight on each of the qualifications, the benefits for your business and information on the structure of each qualification:
- The ACA qualification: One of the most sought-after, advanced learning and professional development programmes available comprising four key elements; work experience, exams, professional development and ethics.
- ICAEW CFAB: A stepping stone to chartered accountancy, ICAEW CFAB consists of the first six ACA exams, providing students with a solid foundation in finance, accounting and business.
- AAT to ACA Fast Track: Developed with AAT this pathway is a quick and efficient route into chartered accountancy for AAT trainees and members.
- ICAEW Apprenticeships: For employers in England, our two apprenticeship options, with government funding available, combine either the ICAEW CFAB or ACA qualification with complementary skills development.
- ACA-CTA Joint Programme: Developed in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), this joint programme enables students to achieve both the ACA and the CTA. The programme is a unique and efficient route for students who want to specialise in tax.
Choosing the right route: factors to consider
When choosing the right route to offer at your organisation, there are a few main factors to take into consideration:
- What qualification do you want your students to receive at the end? If you want them to fully qualify on the ACA and become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant then you might consider the graduate, Level 7 Apprenticeship or AAT to ACA Fast Track routes. If you want your students to gain a foundation knowledge of finance, accounting and business, without becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, you might consider the ICAEW CFAB route. And if you want your students to specialise in tax, then the ACA-CTA joint programme might be the best option.
- How long do you want your students to be in training for? Each route takes a different amount of time to qualify depending on the number of exams and amount of credit for prior learning (CPL) available. For example, the ACA comprises15 exams and 450 days work experience. However, students can claim CPL for up to five exams and 12 months' work experience on AAT to ACA, and up to eight exams as a graduate.
- Recruitment is also a major consideration in choosing the right route. Depending on the option you offer your recruitment pool could change in size, location, age and more. If you want to recruit mainly early career starters and school leavers, you might choose the graduate or apprenticeship route. If you want to upskill existing employees or recruit career changers, you might consider the AAT to ACA or ICAEW CFAB.
Becoming an Authorised Training Employer
Learn more about the routes available
With a range of routes and options available to your organisation, it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed. However, our dedicated support team is on hand to find the right fit for your organisation. They can work with you to understand your company's needs and identify the ideal route for you to train chartered accountancy talent.
Discover more about the main routes to chartered accountancy with ICAEW: