Training and education definitions

Advanced Level

The Corporate Reporting and Strategic Business Management modules as well as the Case Study.
Advanced Stage

The Business Reporting and Business change modules as well as the Case Study.
Advisor

Person nominated under regulation 2 of the Authorised Training Employer regulations or under regulation 2 of the Authorised Training Principal Regulations to support a QPRT or Authorised Training Principal who is not an ICAEW member.
approved training

Practical training and work experience gained within an Authorised Training Employer (formerly authorised training organisation).
associate

The class of membership of ICAEW to which a person who has satisfied the regulations is admitted unless and until they gain fellowship of ICAEW.
Authorised Training Employer

A person, firm, body or undertaking authorised by these regulations to provide approved training.
Authorised Training Principal

Person approved under regulation 1 of the Authorised Training Principal regulations to supervise the approved training of a provisional member.

Bye-law or bye-laws

Bye-law or the bye-laws of ICAEW for the time being in force.

cancellation or cancelled

The ending of a training contract or training agreement before approved training has been completed.
CCAB

Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies.
Certificate Level

The ACA modules comprising the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (ICAEW CFAB).
CFAB student

Someone who is registered to study for ICAEW CFAB and no more than three years have elapsed since the date of the last attempt at a CFAB examination.
Committee

Learning & Professional Development Board (or such other Committee as the Council may from time-to-time designate) or any Committee, Sub-Committee, person or persons acting under its direction.

In relation to Corporate Finance Qualification Regulations, Committee means the committee appointed by Council with responsibility for the supervision and administration of the corporate finance award scheme.

In relation to Diploma in Charity Accounting Regulations, Committee means the committee appointed by Council with responsibility for the supervision and administration of the charity accounting award scheme.
Continuing Professional Development or (CPD)
Continuing Professional Development or (CPD) means the provisions of Principal Bye Law 56 namely that a member shall:
1. keep under review his needs for training and development having regard to the professional and other work he undertakes;
2. where such a review identifies a specific need for training or development act promptly to meet such need; and
3. certify annually to the Institute compliance with these provisions and, if requested by the Institute, provide such evidence of compliance as may be required.
Corporate Finance Registrar

The person or persons appointed to maintain the corporate finance qualification database.
Council

Council of ICAEW.
Credit for Prior Learning or (CPL)

Recognition against CFAB or ACA requirements based on prior academic or professional achievement.
Credit for Prior Work Experience or CPWE

Recognition against the practical experience requirements for ICAEW membership on the basis of appropriate work experience gained before the commencement of a training agreement but within an ICAEW approved training environment.

Deputy QPRT

A named individual nominated by the QPRT and confirmed by the committee and meeting the requirements set out in regulation 2 of the Authorised Training Employer Regulations as responsible for approved training carried out at an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer under the supervision of the QPRT.

Ethics and Professional Scepticism

The ICAEW required system of ethics education for provisional members.
European Community

European Community includes the European Economic Area where any provision relates to a matter to which the European Economic Area Agreement relates.

Fellow

Class of membership to which a person is admitted who has satisfied the requirements for Fellowship prescribed in the Advancement to Fellowship regulations.
Financial Reporting Council

Statutory regulator of the accountancy profession.

ICAEW

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting Registrar

The person or persons appointed to maintain the charity accounting award database
ICAEW examinations

Professional Stage and Advanced Stage examinations, or other examinations as prescribed by the Committee.
independent student

A person who has been registered as such by ICAEW, who has satisfied the requirements for entry into a training agreement but who is not serving under, or has not previously served under, a training agreement.

member

A member of ICAEW and membership shall be construed accordingly.
module

One paper comprising the syllabus for the ACA.

Next Generation ACA

From September 2025, we will be introducing changes to the ACA qualification. Read more here.
non-member

An individual who is not a current member or student of ICAEW.

Practical Work Experience

The core required experience of approved training excluding exam days, holidays, courses, illness and office administration.
practice and public practice

Practice as a public accountant in any part of the world otherwise (subject to bye-law 51(b) concerning directors of a body corporate) than as an employee. Please see the Council statement on engaging in public practice.
practising certificate

A certificate issued to a member by ICAEW authorising him to engage in public practice.
Professional Development

The ICAEW required system of skills and behaviour development for provisional members.
Professional Level

The Business Strategy, Financial Management, Audit and Assurance, Financial Accounting and Reporting, Tax Compliance and Business Planning: Taxation modules.
Professional Stage

Both the knowledge modules and application modules within the ACA syllabus.
Provisional member
A provisional member means a person who has not been admitted to full membership of ICAEW and:
1. is registered with ICAEW as an ACA student; or
2. is registered with ICAEW under a training agreement with an Authorised Training Employer or an Authorised Training Principal; or
3. has attempted an ACA examination and no more than three years have elapsed since the date of the last attempt at an ACA examination; or
4. was registered with ICAEW under a training agreement with an Authorised Training Employer or an Authorised Training Principal and no more than three years have elapsed since the training agreement was completed or cancelled; or
5. has applied for ICAEW membership outside the period allowed under regulations and the application has not been finally determined.

QPRT Advisor

Person nominated under regulation 2 of the Authorised Training Employer Regulations to support a QPRT who is not an ICAEW member.
Qualified Person Responsible for Training or (QPRT)

Person nominated under regulation 1 of the Authorised Training Employer Regulations to be responsible for the approved training to be carried out at an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer.

recognised degree

Any degree or postgraduate diploma award of an academic institution in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland or, at the discretion of the Committee, a degree awarded elsewhere or a combination of qualifications corresponding to such degree or diploma.
Recognised Qualifying Body or RQB

A body declared by the UK Professional Oversight Board for accountancy as a Body able to grant the Audit Qualification under the Companies Act 2006.
Royal Charters

The Royal Charter dated 11th May 1880 and the Supplemental Charter dated 21st December 1948.

Secretary

Secretary to the Committee or any person acting in any such capacity by the direction of the Council.
student

An independent student or a provisional member.

A CFAB student, in relation to CFAB regulations.

An ICAEW Certificate in Insolvency student, who may also be registered for CFAB and/or the ACA, in relation to ICAEW Certificate in Insolvency Regulations.
study leave

Periods of leave or absence by a provisional member from the Authorised Training Employer for the purpose of completing learning programmes in preparation for ICAEW examinations.
Supplemental Charter

The Supplemental Royal Charter dated 21st December 1948.

training agreement

An agreement made between an Authorised Training Employer and a candidate for membership in which both parties acknowledge their mutual commitment to provide an effective period of approved training and a proper contribution to the work of the Authorised Training Employer.
training office

An office within an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom includes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

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Training and education definitions

Definitions relating to qualifications, learning and professional development.

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