Yes, you can put ACA after your name, but only after you have officially become an Associate member of a recognized chartered accountant body, most commonly the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). This requires passing 15 exams, gaining three years of work experience, and paying the required membership fees.
ACA – Associate Chartered Accountant. A qualification awarded by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). There are 15 exams spread over three levels which can take between three and five years to complete and can be studied part time. As of December 2023, the ICAEW had over 208,000 members.
ICAEW's ACA is a level 7 qualification. This is equivalent to a masters.
An ACA is a Chartered Accountant who has passed the CA course and carries a certificate of practice, which is of not more than 5 years. FCA is a more senior member of ICAI with over 5 years of experience in the field.
Training as an independent student. Studying as an ACA student independently means that you can start the ACA exams and Specialised Learning. You still need to complete the required professional skills and experience to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
ACA is typically for a number of the larger practices and is a very technical qualification. Some say this is the hardest qualification out of CIMA, ACA, and ACCA.
The ACA is a structured pathway to becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
Yes, the ACA Qualification is highly regarded in the accounting and finance sectors. It provides comprehensive knowledge, technical skills, and opens doors to career opportunities in top firms. The strong earning potential and career growth it offers make it a prvaluable investment for aspiring finance professionals.
These exams are not easy and people do fail twice and get fired or dropped out. Tldr: How easy you find the ACA and the chances of you passing directly correlate with how much effort you put in.
Newly Qualified ACA – What next?
The Audit and Assurance exam also saw a significant majority of students passing, with an 81.5% success rate.
Now that you have been awarded associate membership of ICAEW, you can use the letters ACA after your name and call yourself an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. We encourage you to use your ACA designation and the individual logo to promote yourself as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
In terms of knowledge and expertise, both ACA and CPA holders are highly regarded in the finance and business field. However, the equivalency of these two certifications can depend on the requirements of specific job roles or regional professional recognition.
While you can start working in an accounting firm with no qualifications whatsoever (albeit in a non-technical role), to work in a technical role you will likely need qualifications from awarding institutes such as the Association of Accounting Technicians (more commonly referred to as 'AAT').
Apprenticeship overview
BPP's Level 7 Accounting Apprenticeships help you become technically qualified by passing professional exams, whilst developing the complementary skills and behaviours to succeed in your career.
Due to education and licensing requirements, CPAs are typically more qualified to pursue higher level jobs than bachelor's-level accountants. They also tend to have a deeper understanding of topics in accounting and finance, including tax law and data analysis.
Both ACCA and ACA have three course levels, but ACA is often considered more difficult due to its focus on private practice skills, with the strategic professional option in the ACCA having the lowest pass rates.
The ACA qualification is widely recognised as being equivalent to a postgraduate degree, such as a master's.
The ACCA qualification is suited for aspiring accountants or entry- or mid-level professionals who want to expand their career horizons by acquiring useful accounting skills. Meanwhile, the CFA qualification suits experienced finance professionals who want to specialise in certain areas.
Offered by ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), the ACA qualification is highly regarded in the UK. It is tailored towards those aiming for senior roles in audit, accountancy, and business leadership. Key facts: Prestige: One of the UK's oldest and most respected accounting qualifications.
The benefits. ACA training creates leaders, creators and big thinkers who can look beyond the numbers and are equipped with the technical knowledge and commercial skills needed to work across all aspects of management, finance, and accounting.