As the role of finance continues to evolve, employers need professionals who combine technical expertise with commercial awareness and strong professional judgement. Yet skills shortages and a competitive talent market make this increasingly challenging. Employers must rethink how they attract and develop talent. This National Apprenticeship Week, discover how ICAEW accountancy apprenticeships can develop the finance professionals your organisation will rely on tomorrow.
Why future-ready finance skills matter
Major shifts are reshaping finance and the accountancy profession:
- Technology: Automation, AI and real-time reporting are transforming finance roles.
- Strategic thinking: This skill is increasingly important for finance professionals, including the ability to translate complex data into clear insights for decision-making.
- ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance considerations and non-financial reporting continue to grow in importance.
- Skills gaps: Capability gaps are widening, with 63% of employers citing them as a concern*.
To thrive in an unpredictable future, organisations need finance professionals who are ready to respond to change. By investing in the ACA qualification, businesses can build a workforce with the technical expertise, real workplace experience and the professional skills that matter. The ACA creates a home-grown pipeline of credible and capable finance professionals with the clarity and confidence to tackle future challenges head-on.
How the apprenticeship route supports your organisation
The ACA is available as a Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship in England. This integrated route equips your organisation with skilled, work-ready finance professionals – combining trusted ACA training, real-world experience and a cost-effective funding model in one complete package.
The apprenticeship route addresses common challenges around recruitment, retention and cost, providing a structured and sustainable way to build capability for the future:
- Cost-efficient: Apprenticeship funding can be accessed to support training costs for eligible apprentices, reducing financial barriers without compromising on quality.
- Broader recruitment opportunities: Apprenticeships can be offered to graduates, school leavers and those already in your organisation. We also offer a free access to our recruitment platform, ICAEW Training Vacancies, to support employers seeking ACA trainees.
- Developing talent in line with organisational culture and systems: A “grow your own” approach supports a deliberate and sustainable talent pipeline of people who understand your organisation and are ready to progress as the business evolves.
- Stronger retention: As individuals grow and progress, they can follow clear progression routes within your organisation, aiding retention and reducing recruitment costs.
- Earlier return on investment: Apprentices combine structured learning with hands-on experience from day one, contributing to your organisation while they train.
A stepping stone to accountancy
The Level 4 Accounting Technician Apprenticeship offers an alternative entry point to the ACA qualification, and as it offers funding for 50% of the full ACA, it is the perfect solution for trainees who do not meet the funding criteria for the Level 7 apprenticeship. Comprising the first six ACA exams, followed by an End-Point Assessment, the Level 4 offers great flexibility.
Next steps
ICAEW accountancy apprenticeships offer a structured, cost-effective, employer-led route to developing the complete package of skills your organisation needs. National Apprenticeship Week provides an opportunity to reflect on your talent development strategy and how apprenticeships can help grow future finance talent.
Get in contact with our expert team to discover how apprenticeships can support your talent strategy.
*World Economic Forum (2025). ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025’.