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Practical work experience

Practical work experience is gained as part of a training agreement with one of our authorised training employers around the world. You need to complete at least 450 practical work experience days, which normally takes between three and five years. The knowledge, skills and experience you gain as part of your training agreement are invaluable, giving you the opportunity to put what you’re learning into practice.

Resources

Overview

Your guide to the integrated components of the ACA qualification - review the knowledge, skills and experience you need to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

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Your work experience log

Log your progress throughout your ACA training.

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Prior work experience

In certain circumstances we will recognise work experience gained before entering your training contract, which can reduce the duration of your contract.

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Secondments and part-time working

ICAEW define a secondment as work that is performed outside of your training employer. Secondments can be very valuable and can help you to broaden your work experience and skills set.

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Related content

Gaining audit rights in the UK This section outlines important information for individuals looking to gain audit rights in the UK, How-to guides for ACA students Got a question about your ACA training? We’ve designed a series of how-to guides to help you with the essential components and processes that you will need to complete during the ACA. Six-monthly reviews: A guide for ACA students It is a mandatory requirement of your ACA training agreement that you meet with your qualified person responsible for training (QPRT), counsellor or principal at least every six months. This guide gives students more information on how to prepare for a six-monthly review, the topics to cover during a review and how to submit your training file at the end of your training agreement. Online training file videos The online training file is a mandatory part of the ACA, our series of videos takes you through each tab of the file to help you keep your file up to date. Watch the videos here.