The questions
Q1
You can only become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant if you have a university degree: True/False
Q2
In order to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, you need to be good at Maths: True/False
Q3
ICAEW Chartered Accountants can’t go skiing: True/False
Q4
You don’t need to have a relevant degree (Accounting/Business/Maths) to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant: True/False
Q5
Chartered accountants can only work in accountancy firms: True/False
Q6
As an ICAEW Chartered Accountant you can work and be recognised anywhere in the world: True/False
Q7
Being a chartered accountant means you never leave your desk: True/False
Q8
As an ICAEW Chartered Accountant you have two choices – you can either work in Tax or in Audit: True/False
Q9
Chartered accountancy and social life don’t go hand in hand: True/False
Q10
As an ICAEW Chartered Accountant you can work for a football club: True/False
The answers
Q1 - FALSE
Whilst a university degree is a great route into chartered accountancy it is certainly not the only one. You could start your training straight after school or after completing an accountancy qualification, such as the AAT. You could also start your studies with ICAEW CFAB, which covers the first six modules of the ACA qualification. You can find out more about the options available to you with our route finder.
Q2 - MOSTLY FALSE
You definitely don’t need to be a Maths genius, but it helps to know how to interpret numbers. The role of an ICAEW Chartered Accountant goes far beyond number-crunching: they need to understand how data can help inform business decisions, have technical competence, as well as the communication skills to influence senior stakeholders. You can explore these skills, and more, here.
Q3 - FALSE
An odd question, right? Apparently, there’s a rumour going around that, as the tax year runs from February to April, chartered accountants aren’t allowed to take time off during that period. Well, now that you know this isn’t true, don’t be too shocked if you come across a chartered accountant at a ski resort.
Q4 - TRUE
You can study any degree and you’ll still be able to start your ACA journey. Everything you need to know about chartered accountancy, you will learn on the job and throughout your training.
Q5 - FALSE
Let’s start by saying that there’s nothing wrong with working at an accountancy firm – on the contrary. The work you’d do would be varied and you’d have the opportunity to work with a vast range of clients. What’s great about the ACA, though, is that it enables you to work in any type of business or even start your own. Here are some of our Authorised Training Employers (ATEs), who offer ICAEW training.
Q6 - TRUE
There are ICAEW Chartered Accountants all over the world, in 150 countries, so you can train and work anywhere in the world.
Q7 - FALSE
That image of the accountant hunched over their dark desk, with stacks of paper either side of them and a desperate look on their face may be very familiar, but it is far from an accurate depiction. Whilst chartered accountants need to be at their desk some of the time, they also get to travel to exciting locations to meet with clients, visit businesses and attend meetings with senior stakeholders. Plus, as everything is now digitalised, stacks of paper on a desk would probably be a rare sight. Check out our Vlog Stars to get a taste of what life as a chartered accountant is all about.
Q8 - FALSE
Audit and Tax are a great way to start your career, but these aren’t your only options. ACA trainees and ACA-qualified professionals work in a variety of business areas and have the skills to move across those areas easily and with confidence. Take our quiz and discover which area could be your best fit.
Q9 - FALSE
We won’t say that studying for the ACA and working at the same time isn’t challenging. However, your social life certainly wouldn’t have to suffer. In addition to flexible studying and working available in some organisations, ICAEW would also support you in developing your time management and organisation skills.
Q10 -TRUE
Or a retail company, or a drinks manufacturer… the world is your oyster as Alan and five more ICAEW Chartered Accountants prove every day.
Interested in more?
If you’ve enjoyed this quiz, you’ll certainly love our:
Live Mythbusting session.
Quiz: What is your ideal chartered accountancy career?
Live session: Introduction to ICAEW and the ACA qualification