Routes to ICAEW CFAB

Having a good understanding of business, finance and accounting is highly valued in almost every role, in every organisation around the world. Having this knowledge can help you get a job, help you to get a promotion and can open up new career doors for you. If you want to start you own business, it can also help you to understand how to speak the language of finance and how a business really works. 

This is where the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (ICAEW CFAB) can help as it teaches key practical skills and business-essential knowledge. 

You get a certificate for each module you sit/pass, so you can add these to your CV/career résumé to show the news skills you are gaining as you progress.

‘It has got me jobs that I would not have got before.’

‘I decided to study ICAEW CFAB as I intended to apply for accounting jobs instead of going to university. I believe it improved my job applications’.

‘After a year of studying it, I can actually see the bigger picture of the business world. I believe it is my ticket for my journey into the competitive business world.’

‘It has been really useful for my work and enhanced my confidence and credibility with clients and significantly expanded the scope of my capabilities.’

• See what's involved at ICAEW CFAB

An ICAEW Apprenticeship in Accountancy is a government approved work-based programme – available in England only – that combines a paid job with training. This means that as a school leaver, college leaver, career-changer or mature student living in England, you will be employed and earning while you also work towards an ICAEW qualification. 

There are two types of apprenticeships offered by ICAEW; the Level 4 Accounting Technician Apprenticeship and the Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship. You will study and complete ICAEW’s Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (ICAEW CFAB) as part of the Level 4 apprenticeship, which usually lasts 12-18 months.

During the apprenticeship, you will gain essential technical knowledge, a wide range of broader business skills and professional competencies. The certificate consists of the first six exam modules of the ACA qualification, but is globally recognised as a stand-alone qualification as well. At the end of your apprenticeship you will be in a strong position to secure a training agreement and complete the remaining elements of the ACA qualification.

Most of your training will be delivered in the workplace, although there is also training that takes place outside the workplace usually with a training provider or at a college. The skills you learn are at a higher skills level and are equivalent to the first year of a university degree.

“I chose the ICAEW Accounting Technician Apprenticeship because it gave me the best opportunity to broaden my horizons. The qualification is recognised worldwide and gives me the opportunity to explore opportunities further afield in the future.”

Learn more at icaew.com/apprenticeships

If you are at a recognised university as a part, or full-time undergraduate or post-graduate student, you could study for ICAEW CFAB alongside your degree. This means that when you finish university, you could finish with your degree and a certificate qualification.

Studying for ICAEW CFAB alongside your degree can help you to get an edge in the competitive job market. It can help show employers that you are self-motivated, ambitious and serious about a career in any area of finance, accounting or business – all great qualities that can impress employers.

While you are studying for ICAEW CFAB, you also get free access to many of the ICAEW resources to help you develop your employability skills and help you understand what employers are looking for in your job applications and interviews.

‘When I graduate, I’ll already have one certificate in my hand which will help me when I apply for jobs’.

Learn more about our University Student Scheme (USS)

ICAEW CFAB consists of six modules; these are the same six modules as the first level of our world-leading chartered accountancy qualification – the ACA qualification This means that you could study ICAEW CFAB as part of your journey towards a stable and lucrative career as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

• It can help you to decide if a career in chartered accountancy is right for you.
• It can show employers that you are serious about your career choice.
• It can help you secure an ACA training vacancy before others do (many employers like the fact that you will already have some of the ACA professional exams already completed before you join them).

‘From an early stage, I recognised the ACA as a premier accounting and business qualification, the one recognised by the majority of employers as the best of the best.’

‘I have recently had an interview with a firm and got called back for second interview for an ACA training vacancy. I believe this was partly down to the fact I am studying ICAEW CFAB.’

Learn more about the ACA and chartered accountancy as a career