ACA training overview

All the information you'll need to help you successfully complete the required elements of the ACA training - exams, technical work experience (TWE), initial professional development (IPD) and structured training in ethics (STE).

At the start of your training

• Download the ACA student training guide 

  An overview of your ACA training and key contacts (PDF 2MB/36 pages).

• Student registration

  Whether you are an independent student or under a training agreement, you will need to register as an ICAEW student before you can register for any assessments.

• Your training agreement 

  How to secure, make amends or to cancel a training agreement.

• Change student registration category

  If you are an independent student who will now be studying under a training agreement, you need to advise us of this change in category.

• Credit for prior learning 

  If you have an accounting or business related degree or a professional accountancy qualification you may apply for credit. Assess your eligibility to apply for credit for prior learning (CPL) using our online directory and application process.

• Order learning materials 

  Professional Stage and Advanced Stage materials for the new ACA syllabus.

Useful downloads and links

• Register a chartered accountant student application form (PDF 199KB/4 pages) 
• Register an AAT fast track student application form (PDF 42KB/3 pages) 
• Re-registration of a student application form (PDF 41KB/2 pages) 
• Register an an independent student application form (PDF 170KB/4 pages) 
• Assess your eligibility for credit in the credit for prior learning directory
• How to apply for credit online 
• Credit for prior learning application pack - Graduate (PDF 138KB/19 pages) 
• Credit for prior learning (cost-reduction) application pack - professional qualifications (PDF 125KB/2 pages) 
• Credit for prior learning application pack - AAT (PDF 125KB/2 pages) 

Before your exams

• ACA assessment regulations 

  Familiarise yourself with the ACA assessment regulations (PDF 39KB/8 pages).

• Guidance - applying for assessements

  Useful links and information about applying, what to take to the assessment centre, results and enquiry details (PDF 104KB/11 pages).

• E-assessment 

  The six knowledge modules of the Professional Stage will be assessed electronically.

• Sample papers 

  To help you prepare for the exams we recommend you view the sample papers and sample e-assessments. You can access these at any time.

• Exam applications

  In order to sit any ICAEW exams, including e-assessments, you'll first need to complete the exam application process.

• Exam results 

  Full information on getting your results as you progress through your exam schedule and accessing archived exam results.

Useful downloads

• Exam application form 2011 (PDF 208KB/5 pages) 
• Exam dates, deadlines and timetables (PDF 60KB/2 pages) 
• ACA Professional Stage syllabus 2010 (PDF 516KB/73 pages)
• ACA Professional Stage syllabus 2011 (PDF 415KB/66 pages) 
• Instructions to candidates Professional Stage (PDF 185KB/5 pages) 
• ACA Advanced Stage syllabus 2010 (PDF 463KB/45 pages)
• ACA Advanced Stage syllabus 2011 (PDF 438KB/56 pages) 
• Instructions to candidates Advanced Stage (PDF 52KB/3 pages) 

Technical work experience (TWE)

Technical work experience is an integral part of your ACA qualification. During your training agreement, you should accumulate and show evidence of at least 450 days of technical work experience.

Useful downloads

• Credit for prior work experience - Guidance notes (PDF 41KB/2 pages) 
• Evidence of technical work experience (ETWE) form (PDF 64KB/2 pages)

Initial professional development (IPD)

Throughout your ACA training you will also be following a programme of initial professional development. IPD is designed to help you integrate your exam studies, technical work experience and the development of your professional skills.

Useful downloads

• Example student log (PDF 42KB/7 pages)
  Reference for students following ICAEW IPD scheme
• IPD student log (Word 889KB/7 pages)
  For completion by students following ICAEW IPD scheme
• IPD declaration form A (PDF 218KB/2 pages)
  For students who are following ICAEW IPD scheme
• IPD declaration form B (PDF 205KB/1 page)
  For students who are following their employers' accredited IPD scheme

Structured training in ethics (STE)

You will also follow a programme of structured training in ethics (STE). The STE programme is a training programme based on interactive case studies, scenarios and self-test questions that will help you to develop your professional ethics.

Useful downloads

• STE declaration form (PDF 211KB/3 pages) 

Membership

Once you have completed your ACA exams and work experience successfully you are eligible to make an application for membership of the ICAEW.

• Application for membership

Student support

The ICAEW offers students a range of support and services – including a dedicated student support team who help and advise on all aspects of student training.

• ACA student support 

UK main offices

• Chartered Accountants' Hall, London (PDF 190KB/1 page) 
• Metropolitan House, Milton Keynes (PDF 279KB/1 page)