All about the ACA Qualification

If you’re weighing up your career options, chartered accountancy offers one of the most exciting and dynamic careers around, putting you right at the heart of business, working across all sectors and functions as a key business adviser. From launching new businesses to understanding the core of established organisations, chartered accountants are well placed to provide the broadest kind of strategic business advice.

The ACA qualification

You’ll soon become aware that there are a range of professional qualifications to choose from, but to make a difference, you’ll want a qualification that is designed to fully equip you with the adaptable skills, expertise and experience that is needed to advise and support clients in different businesses and markets, the ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) qualification is the obvious choice, not only does it provide the broadest possible business knowledge, but you will learn while earning a competitive salary and gain both theory and practice at the same time.

Routes to entry

Organisations don't just employ graduates to do the ACA, there are a variety of opportunities available after your A levels if you decide that university isn't for you.

The only real difference is if you choose to start training straight from school, you will take the first step on an exciting career ladder sooner than people who have chosen to go to university, providing lots of opportunity and responsibility at an early age and stage in your career - without incurring large debts from university. You don’t need to have a degree to do the ACA, but you may decide you want to enjoy the university experience before entering ACA training.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements include 3 GCSEs (many recruiters will expect at least an A or B grade in Maths and English) and 2 A level passes in any subject.

From school
You may be surprised to learn that you don’t even need Maths A level to be a chartered accountant, although it does help if you are confident with numbers and self-assured in your ability to analyse, discuss, argue and present a case. Most employers will be looking for a minimum of 240 – 280 UCAS tariff score.

AAT-ACA Fast Track
Many organisations who recruit school leavers will train via the AAT-ACA Fast Track. If you decide to Fast Track onto the ACA after the AAT qualification (Association of Accounting Technicians), it’s just 2 years to qualify as an AAT and only a further 2 years to qualify as an ACA.

From University
A Level maths or an accountancy related degree is not a requirement to be eligible to train for the ACA, if you decide to go to university before studying for the ACA, opt for a degree in a subject you are interested in and are likely to do well in. Most employers will expect a First or 2:1 in any degree discipline, as well as good A level results (240-280 Tariff Score).

The Training Contract

To qualify as an ACA, you must complete a training contract with an ICAEW authorised training organisation (which will last between 3 and 5 years depending on the route chosen to enter training), pass the Institute examinations, and complete the work experience requirements.

Next Step

If you expect to achieve the required A levels, and have the dedication and professional outlook needed to succeed as a chartered accountant, then the next step is to apply for an ACA training contract.

You need to apply direct to the authorised training organisations you are interested in working for – not to the ICAEW. By using the latest edition of Training Vacancies (www.icaew.co.uk/careers) you can find details of hundreds of ACA training vacancies.

Opportunities

Take a look at the profile of a recently qualified ACA, to see more about the variety of opportunities available up with the ACA qualification.

Rachel Daly, AAT-ACA Fast Track, Qualified Chartered Accountant at KPMG, Birmingham, says: ‘I thought that I could only become a chartered accountant by going to university and studying for an accountancy degree. I discovered the AAT-ACA Fast Track route, which meant that I could qualify as a chartered accountant quicker and would be learning on the job – which is how I learn best!  I get to work with many different teams and have a wide portfolio of clients covering various industries – this all helps to keep every day interesting and keep me motivated.’

So whether you choose to go to university or enter training straight after your A levels, to get all the facts about the ACA and discover the opportunities available in chartered accountancy:

Visit our website at: www.icaew.co.uk/careers
Email us at getsmaart@icaew.co.uk
Call us on +44 (0)1908 248040

Name: Fazal Chaudhri
Trainee ACA (Senior Associate, Tax Department)
Deloitte
Age: 26

I chose chartered accountancy because of the wide range of career options it offers, as well as the quality of the training that’s available. It was obvious to me from the start that the ACA was the qualification to get, and even a little research into what it covers shows just what a practical and well-respected qualification it is.