Trainee ICAEW Chartered Accountant - ACA
by ICAEW
Job Details
Trainee ICAEW Chartered Accountant - ACA
JOIN A GLOBAL NETWORK AND MAKE A CHANGE AS A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
What does it mean to be a chartered accountant?
Is it helping businesses make crucial decisions? Is it having a pivotal role and being at the forefront of an industry where your passion lies? Building sustainable change from the inside out? It’s all of it. Chartered accountants create, shape and build strong economies and communities globally.
The ACA is our globally recognised chartered accountancy qualification. It’s designed to provide trainees with the professional skills and strategic insight they'll need to make a real impact.
Prospective accountants can start the ACA qualification after completing an undergraduate degree in any subject. They don’t have to have studied accountancy, business, or finance. Employers are interested in graduates from a range of degree backgrounds, and you’ll learn everything you need to know in your training agreement.
What’s involved?
The ACA offers a structured training and development programme with four integrated elements. Emphasising professional development and nurturing skills, the qualification covers far more than technical accountancy. It’s designed to develop leadership potential, and its content is reviewed annually to make sure trainees are kept informed about the latest developments in finance, accounting, and business. Here’s what ACA students will be doing:
1. Practical Work Experience
They need to record 450 days of relevant ‘on-the-job’ work experience during their period of approved training. If they have completed an internship or placement year with one of our authorised employers, they may be able to count up to 12 months’ experience towards their ACA training.
2. Ethics and Professional Curiosity
Ethics and professional curiosity are an essential part of being a chartered accountant. Trainees will follow a structured programme to make sure they know how to apply them – focusing on areas such as integrity, objectivity, and independence.
3. Accountancy, Finance, and Business Modules
There are 15 modules, each with its own computer-based exam. These modules are staged across three levels: the first introduces trainees to core concepts; the last two build on their growing technical knowledge and experience.
4. Professional Development
Demonstrate their competence in seven key professional skills (such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making) by providing examples from their work experience.
For more information on what’s involved as part of the ACA, view our graduate brochure.
The ACA application process
To start the ACA after graduation, trainees will need to have two A-level passes (grades A*-E) or equivalent. They'll also need three GCSE passes (grades 9-4/A-C) or equivalent. However, entry requirements vary depending on the employer, so check their entry requirements before applying. GCSE, UCAS points, and degree result requirements vary.
Once qualified, the sky's the limit and we’re committed to getting them there. Some ICAEW Chartered Accountants have ended up analysing the finances of fashion brands, advising charities on tax, shaping schools’ spending, and working on the boards of multinational consumer companies. Did you know that all 100 of the world’s leading brands employ ICAEW Chartered Accountants? All you have to do to join them is take that next step and apply.
About ICAEW
What does it mean to be a chartered accountant?
Is it helping businesses make crucial decisions? Is it having a pivotal role and being at the forefront of an industry where your passion lies? Building sustainable change from the inside out? It’s all of it. Chartered accountants create, shape and build strong economies and communities globally.
When someone becomes chartered with ICAEW, they become part of a global network of over 166,000 business professionals who are working to drive leadership standards, provide expertise, and build a world of strong economies across all industries.
Are you ready to join them?
At ICAEW, we’ll get you there.
What do we do?
We’re ICAEW, one of the world’s leading providers of training and professional development for accountants. Aspiring leaders and business professionals can take the globally recognised ACA qualification and qualify to become ICAEW Chartered Accountants. We are on hand to support trainees and members throughout their career journey and make sure that their potential becomes boundless.
What do we offer?
We offer the ACA qualification, which is one of the most advanced learning and professional development programmes available. It’s been designed to provide trainees with an in-depth understanding of accountancy, finance, and business to get them to exactly where they want to be.
The ACA opens a world of opportunities across a range of organisations. From the most renowned professional service firms to entrepreneurial start-ups, charities and government bodies, there’s no end to where it can take aspiring chartered accountants, and we’re committed to getting you there.
Five reasons you should choose us.
- Community – You’ll be part of a global network, supported by over 166,000 members working in 146 countries*
- Leadership Potential – the ACA prepares them for leadership right up to the board level. That’s why 79 of the FTSE 100 companies have at least one ICAEW Chartered Accountant on their board. *
- Support – ACA students have high first-time pass rates of 84%, driven by quality learning, teaching, and support. **
- Progression – 87% of ACA students qualify in four years or less, meaning fewer resits, and faster career progression. ***
- Opportunity – take their career into any industry around the world – all 100 of the world’s leading brands employ ICAEW Chartered Accountants.
How to apply
To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button below.