About ICAEW

The ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) is one of the most highly respected professional accountancy bodies in the world, supporting 136,000 members worldwide. To find out more visit www.icaew.com or call the ICAEW on 020 7920 8100.

ICAEW members enjoy world-leading technical and professional support, as well as the right to use the letters ACA or FCA after their name.

To qualify you must complete:

• 15 study modules / exams
• 450 days of technical work experience (TWE)
• initial professional development (IPD)
• structured training in ethics (STE)

First Intuition is here to help you pass your exams.

The ACA Qualification

The ICAEW qualification, ACA, is aimed at highly motivated individuals looking for a career in accountancy practice or business. With higher pass rates than the other major accountancy qualifications and a diverse syllabus, the ACA qualification is challenging but leads to greater potential rewards.

To start studying directly for the ACA qualification you should be a University graduate (though you do not need to have previously studied accountancy or business) and should have a training agreement with your employer (normally a firm of Chartered Accountants).

There are direct entry routes for school leavers but these normally involve first completing the AAT qualification or the ICAEW's own CFAB qualification (see below). You will need a minimum of 2 A-Levels or equivalent.

Students with relevant qualifications, including those who have completed some or all of the ACCA or CIMA examinations may be eligible for credits (exemptions) from some of the modules. You can check your eligibility at the ICAEW website.

CFAB (Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business)

CFAB is a qualification in its own right, and comprises the 6 knowledge modules of the ACA qualification. Students with no prior experience, or those who do not yet have a training agreement with their employer, may start with CFAB and, upon successful completion, may be eligible to progress to the ACA qualification. Find out more.