Technology is transforming accountancy and ICAEW’s new Technology Hub gives ACA students a unique opportunity to explore real-world tools, build digital confidence, and prepare for the workplace.
With an initial six platforms to explore and more to come, students will benefit from practical exposure to accountancy tools they may not otherwise be familiar with.
Andrea Cook, Director of Specialised and Lifelong Learning at ICAEW and Ian Pay, Head of Data Analytics and Tech at ICAEW, offer valuable insight into the benefits and key features of the Technology Hub.
Why the Technology Hub matters
Andrea believes that the Technology Hub will transform the way students approach work, reflecting on her own experiences:
“When I was an ACA student, I didn’t have anything like this. Having access to a space like the Technology Hub would have given me so much more context and helped bridge the gap between my studies and how things work in practice.”
Adapting to unfamiliar software and platforms in a new work environment can be daunting. No two student experiences are the same. Many will come across only one or two platforms, while others may use bespoke or customised systems, which limits their exposure to the variety of tools organisations use.
The Technology Hub offers a safe environment where students can gain broader exposure and develop soft skills that they can use throughout their careers. It is available for students to dive into at any point during their ACA journey.
With this wider understanding of different technologies, Andrea believes “students will gain the confidence they need to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful conversations with colleagues and clients.”
What students can expect to use
The Technology Hub will launch with near-full versions of tools supplied by six technology partners that have been identified as particularly relevant to students today.
As Ian explains:
“We want to give students the opportunity to work with the same kinds of software and tools they would use as accountants in the real world. We’ve worked closely with each solution provider to ensure the simulations are genuinely representative of the actual platforms.”
Students will have access to a range of tools, including major accounting software platforms as well as data analytics and automation tools, many of which incorporate AI. The list available at launch:
- Sage
- Xero
- Dext
- Firmcheck
- Inflo
- KNIME
The Technology Hub will evolve alongside the profession, with more carefully selected tools from reputable sources to be added in 2026.
Boosting confidence in the workplace
Students will develop three core skills: confidence, curiosity and agility.
You will gain the confidence to experiment and make innovative recommendations, the curiosity to develop skills and continue learning and the agility to approach new software with greater awareness.
With a broader exposure to tools and a strong academic foundation, students will enter the workforce with an advantage – one that is anchored by the ACA.
It is a unique opportunity and one that ICAEW is pioneering, so it is only available to ACA students. As Ian comments:
“Alongside the Specialised Learning content, this breadth of access sets the qualification apart. It gives students the space to explore, experiment, and understand different solutions, something employers will really value.”
Preparing the next generation of digital accountants
While the Technology Hub may evolve in look and feel, it will remain a platform for exploration and will continue to equip ACA students with digital confidence, curiosity and practical experience they need to thrive in a rapidly changing profession.