Get a head start in your career
No need to go to university
Benefits
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You can earn while you learn
Starting salaries of £12,000–£18,000 per year
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Support from your employer
Employers will pay for your qualification
At a glance
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Prices vary
Cost
Employers will often cover the cost of training
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Duration
Four to five years
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Study options
Part-time during block release by employer
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GCSEs
A*- C (9-4)
Three grades A*-C (9-4 ), including Maths and English.
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UCAS points
260+
A levels or International Baccalaureate
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NVQ SVQ
Level 3 or 4
NVQ Level 3 or 4 qualifications.
Options for school leavers
If you want to start the ACA qualification straight from school, you should start to look for an employer offering training during your last year of A-levels.
There are a variety of options on offer for school leavers. Some of our authorised training employers (ATEs) will allow you to start working and studying the ACA straight after your A-levels, while others will ask you to start your professional training with another qualification, such as:
- Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
- Higher Apprenticeship in Assurance/Audit or Tax
- ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB)
Starting salaries vary depending on the size and location of the organisation, but after your A Levels you can usually expect salaries to range from £12,000 to £18,000 per year.
Requirements for school leaver programmes
- GCSEs: At least three A*-C grades. Some employers look for five A*- C and most will expect an A or B in Maths and English.
- A-levels: 260-320 UCAS points, at least two A-level passes
- International Baccalaureate: 24 points.
- NVQ/SVQ: NVQ Level 3 qualifications, including BTEC National Certificates and Diplomas. NVQ level 4 qualifications, including BTEC Higher National Certificates or Diplomas.
- International qualifications: We recommend looking at UCAS’s guide to view individual country’s qualifications, to find out their equivalence.
Hayley RobinsonAudit and Accounts Senior, Rickard Keen LLP
Location: UK
How are school leaver programmes structured?
If you study for the ACA straight from school, your training will follow the standard structure requiring you to complete:
However, your training agreement is likely to be longer than the typical three-year agreement that graduates are offered.
Studying for the ACA is demanding and four or five-year agreements will give you extra time to study towards your modules and gain the work experience you need to have a successful career as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
ICAEW Careers Advice
ICAEW Careers Advice is a free hub which will help you understand the key skills employers are looking for. The selection of articles, quizzes, podcasts and other resources will take you one step closer to achieving your goals.
With content developed by ICAEW, together with our students, employers and our network, you will gain insight about those skills, how to develop them and how you can become a well-rounded professional.
You will also find out how you can get started in your journey towards chartered accountancy, why this profession could be the career you’re looking for and be inspired by those who were once where you are now!
Training internationally
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.