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AAT-ACA Fack Track Route

An AAT qualification can be a great stepping stone to the ACA. ICAEW and AAT have teamed up to provide a route that allows people to progress onto the ACA via a faster route.

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The benefits

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Fast track your ACA

With a year of training completed and exam exemptions you can qualify in as quick as 2 years.

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Gain two professional qualifications

Benefit from starting your ACA qualification with the foundations ticked off by studying AAT first.

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Get started straight from school

AAT offer courses from level 1 all the way up to level 4 that means you can start training after your GCSEs.

What is the AAT-ACA fast track?

Whilst you can start the ACA straight after school or university, some people choose to first complete the AAT before moving onto their ACA. So, what does this look like?

You will start your AAT Level 2 – 3. This will cover in depth financial processes, such as final accounts for sole-traders, costs and revenues and professional ethics.

Once you have completed your level 3 training, it is a good time to start your work experience. To claim for credits for prior learning and work experience you must train with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer.

Start your AAT Level 4 with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer and continue on to your ACA claiming exemptions for up to five of your certificate level exams. However, you can continue studying full time.

Then, start your ACA training and qualify within 4 years.

At a glance

  • Costs

    Costs can vary, however these will often be covered by your employer.

  • Course duration

    Depending on your experience level with AAT this route could take between 24-48 months.

  • Entry requirments

    There are no formal entry requirements.

Have you already studied or partly studied your AAT qualification?

If you’ve already studied your AAT Level 4 then you can fast track some training steps towards qualifying as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

With the Level 4 AAT qualification you could gain credits for up to five of the modules at the first stage of the ACA, also known as the Certificate Level.

If you have done your training with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer then you may also be able to claim up to 12 months' work experience. If you aren't sure whether your employer is authorised to train, please contact our student support team.

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Find an AAT-ACA training vacancy

Find an AAT-ACA training vacancy

The best place to start your search to find a role offering the AAT-ACA Fast Track is on our ICAEW Training Vacancies platform.

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AAT-ACA webinar

If you want to hear more about the AAT-ACA Fast Track route to becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant you can attend one of our monthly webinars.

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I’m not afraid to be challenged. I’m reaching out, wanting to do more and apply my knowledge, and that’s because I feel like I’ve got a good core understanding. The more I learn, the more confident I become – and the more I want to put it into practice.

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AAT-ACA Webinar

Register for the AAT-ACA webinar to find out how you can take your career to the next level.

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To read more about ICAEW, the ACA and your career potential, download the brochure.