Follow pathways to the ACA

Your opportunity to gain the ACA without having to study or take formal examinations in an examination hall.

Qualified members of ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA may apply to join the ICAEW through the Pathways to Membership programme.

Once awarded, ICAEW membership will enable you to:

  • use the designatory letters ACA
  • gain access to all the services and benefits available to ICAEW members.

How to apply

As a qualified member of ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA you may currently apply for membership of the ICAEW if you meet the following eligibility criteria*:

  • A qualified member of ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA for at least 5 years.
  • No disciplinary record with your current professional and regulatory bodies.
  • Be compliant with your current professional body's continuing professional development requirement.
  • You must be sponsored by two ICAEW members who have known you for at least three years.

For help with your submission and access to guidance from the examiners, see the 'preparing your submission' section below.

Submission deadline dates for 2009:

20 February 2009

For further information about this route to membership and the benefits offered by joining the ICAEW as a member, download the Pathways to Membership brochure (PDF 651kb)

Fees

For full details of fees, you will need to register and download the application pack.

* The ICAEW will not accept applications for this route from members of ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA if their qualification has been obtained through mutual recognition, a reciprocity agreement, full credit for prior learning/exemption scheme or any other similar scheme with another accountancy body. Applicants must have sat and passed the final admittance examination ie the final examination in the standard student qualification route (this excludes any aptitude test).

Preparing your submission - Examination of Experience guidance

Workshops

Workshops are designed to provide you with valuable guidance regarding the Examination of Experience in preparation for your chosen submission date. The workshops last approximately two hours and are completely free to attend and cover important topics such as:

  • what is the Examination of Experience?
  • how should you approach the Examination of Experience?
  • how to approach questions
  • question and answer session

Workshop dates 2009


London – Monday 12 January 2009
Chartered Accountants’ Hall
Time:10am – 12 noon

Bedford – Monday 19 January 2009
Cranfield Management Development Centre
Time:10am – 12 noon

London – Wednesday 21 January 2009
Chartered Accountants’ Hall
Time:10am – 12 noon

If you would like to attend a workshop please contact us at:
E: bds@icaew.com
T: +44 (0)1908 248 070

Guidance from examiners

We have put together some guidance from examiners to help you complete the Examination of Experience and you can also download a sample copy of an Examination of Experience paper.