ACA — ICAEW Chartered Accountant
A prestigious UK chartered route, usually via an employer training agreement.
Comparing options? Read ACCA vs CPA vs CMA vs CFA →Quick answer
- Best for
- A prestigious UK chartered route, usually via an employer training agreement.
- Not ideal for
- If you can't secure a UK employer training agreement, or want flexible self-study.
- Main roles
- Audit, advisory, corporate finance, and leadership in practice and industry.
- CPD
- ICAEW uses a category-based CPD requirement with reflective, verifiable records.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Who it's for
Graduates and school leavers who can secure a training agreement with an ICAEW-authorised employer.
Structure
15 modules across Certificate, Professional and Advanced levels, plus 450 days of practical work experience and ethics.
Time & cost
Typically 3–5 years, usually employer-sponsored.
Careers
Audit, advisory, corporate finance, and leadership in practice and industry.
The skills you'll build
Many of these serve more than one path.
Best free resources for this path
Curated and vetted, with how to start.
Free webinars and courses on tax, reporting, audit, tech and ethics, plus a free CPD Conference.
How to start: Open the CPD resources page on icaew.com and register free for sessions.
45+ free modules covering the IFRS standards, with a certificate.
How to start: No registration to study; add your name before the assessment for the certificate.
Free, CPE-eligible webcasts on tax, audit, accounting and regulation from the Big 4.
How to start: Search '<firm> webcasts / Dbriefs' and register free per session.
Free, self-paced Excel and Power BI training — essential analyst skills for any finance path.
How to start: Free with a Microsoft account; the optional PL-300 exam is paid.
Thousands of university finance/accounting courses you can audit free; financial aid for certificates.
How to start: Free account; click 'Audit', or apply for financial aid for a certificate.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
ICAEW uses a category-based CPD requirement with reflective, verifiable records.
Get these hours for free →Disclaimer
Links to third-party resources are provided for convenience and learning only. Fileminder does not control third-party content, prices, certificates, CPD/CPE eligibility, availability or accuracy. Always check the provider's own page before relying on a course, certificate, CPD unit or learning outcome. Last reviewed: June 2026.