Practical work experience is one of the four key elements of the ACA qualification, which you must complete to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Working with an employer enables ACA students to put what you are learning into practice. Here you will develop vital skills for your future career and earn a highly competitive salary at the same time.
What are the benefits of practical work experience?
What is practical work experience?
Practical work experience is gained as part of a training agreement with one of our authorised training employers. You need to complete at least 450 practical work experience days, which normally takes between three and five years. The knowledge, skills and experience you gain as part of your training agreement are invaluable, giving you the opportunity to put what you’re learning into practice.
During your training agreement period, you should accumulate and show evidence of at least 450 days of practical work experience. This does not include sick leave, holidays, study leave, off the job training or office administration.
Practical work experience is undertaking real-life work of a financial, business and/or commercial nature.
You are required to relate your practical work experience to at least one of the following six categories:
- Accounting
- Audit and Assurance
- Tax
- Financial Management
- Insolvency
- Information Technology
Your six monthly reviews
It is a requirement of the ACA training agreement that you and your employer meet at least every six months. These meetings are to discuss and monitor your progress on professional development, ethics and professional scepticism, practical work experience and exams. It is your responsibility to update your records within your online training file.
Once you have discussed your practical work experience progress with your employer, you will need to confirm the number of days in your training file. When you have done this, your six-month period will be locked and stored within the file. If you need to update the record once it is locked, we can amend it. Please speak to your employer, as they will need to contact us to amend the record.
ICAEW provide a six-monthly review guide to give more information on how to prepare for your six-monthly review, the topics to cover during a review and how to submit your training file at the end of your training agreement.
ICAEW's brochure
There are a number of different routes and options for your studies. Our brochure tells you everything there is to know about them.
Download and read