How ACA training works

Structure of the ACA

The ACA is made up of three elements designed to build the technical knowledge, professional skills, and practical experience your employees need to become ICAEW Chartered Accountants.

The key themes of sustainability, ethics and technology are integrated throughout the ACA, developing forward-thinking leaders who are well-prepared for the complexities of the accounting profession.

Each element is designed to complement each other, allowing your employees to put theory into practice and apply what they learn to their day-to-day work, creating talented, insightful and ethical future finance professionals for your organisation.

Level 7 apprenticeship

The ACA can be studied as a Level 7 apprenticeship, allowing organisations in England to access government funding up to £21,000. Apprenticeships are open to all employees, regardless of age.

• Find out more information about the Level 7 apprenticeship

Entry requirements

ACA training is best suited to employees who have achieved a minimum level of education such as:

• A-levels (or international equivalents)
• Level 4 Professional Accountancy Qualifications (such as BFP or AAT)
• Degrees
• Membership or studentship at a listed accounting body (such as ACCA or CIMA)

• View the entry requirements for the ACA

Training routes 

At ICAEW, we’re passionate about inclusivity and want to provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. That’s why we offer a diverse range of entry routes so that you can offer training to school leavers, graduates, experienced professionals, and career changers. 

• Explore the routes

Duration

The ACA typically takes three to five years to complete, however this can vary depending on your student's prior work experience and qualifications and the route they follow.

Study options

We have partnered with 160+ providers across the globe to provide employers with a host of tuition options to choose from, including classroom learning, virtual lessons, or a hybrid of the two, allowing you to fit your employee's tuition around the needs of your organisation.

• Find a tuition provider from our list of approved Partners in Learning

Fees

Fees associated with ACA training include an annual student registration fee, tuition/training costs, exam entry fees, credit for prior learning and learning materials.

Examples of fees associated with ACA training include:

	Current		2026
Annual student fee	£206.00 + VAT		£216.00 + VAT
Exam entry	£90.00 - £290.00		£99.00 - £297.00
Tuition	Varies by provider

• More information on the costs associated with ACA training

Getting started as an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer

1. Want to learn more about becoming an Authorised Training Employer? 
   If you have any questions or would like to speak to our dedicated support team before making an application, you can request a call to discuss your training options.
2. Ready to become an Authorised Training Employer?
   If you’re ready to become authorised, please complete the relevant application form.
3. Next steps 
   We will contact you to arrange a meeting with a training manager who will explain our training standards, check that you meet them and provide you with guidance on your roles and responsibilities. Once your application has been approved, you will be able to start training students.