Members and affiliates of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), as well as those currently studying the ACCA, are able to claim credits towards the ACA qualification and get ahead on their journey to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountants.
Register as an ACA studentFor ACCA members, affiliates and students the ACA is a combination of:
Together, these elements give you the expertise and added-value skills that help define a chartered accountant.
ACCA members, affiliates and students, dependant on how far they have progressed through the ACCA, are eligible for credits for prior learning for up to 12 out of the 15 ACA exam modules.
To become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant you must successfully complete any outstanding Certificate and Professional Level exams, as well as the Advanced Level exams:
There are a number of fees associated with completing the ACA and qualifying as a ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
As an ACCA affiliate or student you may be able to claim credits for up to 12 ACA modules depending on which ACCA papers you have passed, please visit our CPL directory to see if you are eligible.
ACCA students and affiliates are able to claim credits free of charge providing registration and CPL application has been received.
You can apply for the credits by completing a cost reduction form which can be returned to cpl@icaew.com along with your ACCA transcripts.
To complete the ACA you must also complete three years of work experience (450 days) with an ICAEW authorised training employer (ATE).
As an ACCA student or affiliate, if you have had previous work experience at an ICAEW ATE within the last two years, you may be entitled to claim credit for prior work experience (CPWE) for up to 12 months, potentially reducing your training requirement to 24 months.
You can only apply for CPWE once you have registered into an ICAEW training agreement and submitted your application and a copy of your ACCA membership certificate via email to applications@icaew.com.
As an ACCA member you are automatically exempt from nine of the ACA exams by applying for credit for prior learning (CPL).
You may be able to claim further credits depending on which ACCA papers you have passed, please visit our CPL directory to see if you are eligible.
You can apply and pay for your credits online. Once you have made your CPL application you must then email a copy of your ACCA transcript and certificates to cpl@icaew.com.
To complete the ACA you must also complete a significant period of work experience with an ICAEW authorised training employer (ATE).
As an ACCA member you are eligible for a 24-month training agreement covering a minimum of 300 practical work experience days – a reduction from the standard minimum requirement of 450 days.
If you have worked at an ICAEW ATE within the last two years, you may be entitled to claim credit for prior work experience (CPWE) for up to eight months. This could reduce your work experience requirement to 16 months.
You can only apply for CPWE once you have registered into an ICAEW training agreement and submitted your application and a copy of your ACCA membership certificate via email to applications@icaew.com.
If you want to train for the ACA in another country, you must ensure you are entitled to work in that country. It is your responsibility to understand what work visa you need and how to secure one. ICAEW cannot support you in this process, but your potential employer might be able to offer advice.