About ACA (ICAEW)

About ACA

ACA stands for Associate Chartered Accountant. This leading business and finance qualification is highly regarded worldwide due to its quality and professionalism. On completion, you can become a chartered accountant in industry or practice, giving professional advice and making high-level strategic decisions.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales developed the ACA syllabus to meet the increasing needs of business. The ICAEW has high standards of professional conduct and competence and is the largest professional accountancy body in Europe, with more than 128,000 members.

Members of the Institute are entitled to the description of Chartered Accountant and to use the letters ACA or FCA (Fellow Chartered Accountant), depending on their experience and length of membership.

 The ACA qualification, by the ICAEW, is a leading business and finance qualification. It is recognised worldwide and will give you the breadth and depth of skills and knowledge to follow a career in any of the following:

• Forensic accounting
• Audit/assurance
• Business recovery/insolvency
• Corporate finance
• Financial accounting
• Tax advice

 

Key Dates ACA

Key Dates

Check out the key dates to ensure you are aware of the exam entry and registration deadlines, and when the exam is due to take place.

Professional Stage

	Exam entry by	Date of exams	Exam results
March exams	18 February 2010	22-24 March 2010	30 April 2010
June exams	13 May 2010	14-16 June 2010	23 July 2010
September exams	12 August 2010	13-15 Sept 2010	22 October 2010
December exams	11 November 2010	13-15 Dec 2010	28 January 2011

 Advanced Stage

	Exam entry by	Date of exams	Exam results
July exams	24 June 2010	26-28 July 2010	3 September 2010
November exams	30 September 2010	1-3 November 2010	10 December 2010

You must register with the ICAEW to take your exams.

 

ACA Syllabus

ACA Syllabus

The ACA Syllabus will give you the knowledge and skills to enable you to give professional advice to organisations on a wide range of business and finance issues.

The ACA qualification entails:

• Computer-based assessments (CBA's) in the early stages of the qualification to give you more time later in the course to focus on the core areas of the syllabus
  
• Flexibility in the choice of topics you want to study
  
• Enhanced emphasis on the difference between international and national accounting standards
  
• Strong emphasis on ethics

         

Exemptions ACA

Exemptions

Depending on your previous experience and qualifications you may be exempt from some papers.

Exemptions for prior learning are available for some of the Professional Stage, Knowledge Level papers.

Details on these exemptions or how to apply are available from the ICAEW.

 

ACA Papers

ACA Papers

The ACA qualification comprises 15 papers.

Each paper focuses on a specific topic. Our brief paper summaries will give you an idea of what you will cover on the course.

We have produced a brief summary of each paper to give you greater understanding of what topics will be covered.

Professional Stage		Advanced Stage
Knowledge	Application	-
Accounting (AC)	Audit & Assurance (AA)	Technical Integration: Business Reporting (BR)
Assurance (AS)	Business Strategy (BS)	Technical Integration: Business Change (BC)
Business & Finance (BF)	Financial Accounting (FA)	Case Study (CS)
Law (L)	Financial Management (FM)
Management Information (MI)	Financial Reporting (FR)
Principles of Taxation (PT)	Taxation (TX)

 

 

ACA Exams

ACA Exams

 

There are two types of examinations: paper-based examinations and e-assessments, which are completed on a computer.

E-assessments

• These are taken at your chosen BPP training centre
• 1.5 hours and require a pass mark of 55%

Paper-based examinations

• These are set and marked by the ICAEW
• Professional Stage - 2.5 hours, pass mark 55%
• Advanced Stage, Technical Papers - 3.5 hours, pass mark 50%
• Advanced Stage, Case Study - 4 hours, pass mark 50%

Exam sittings

Professional Stage	March, June, September, December
Advanced Stage	July, November

Exam Regulations

Prior to sitting any ICAEW exams students must read the exam regulations and conduct in exams guidance.

 

 

Contact the ICAEW

Contact the ICAEW

For queries relating to your membership you can contact the ICAEW by phone, fax, post or email.

You can contact the ICAEW using the details provided below.

Phone

General Enquiries 01908 248100

Student Support 01908 248040

Fax

01908 248088

Post

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Level 1 Metropolitan House
Avebury Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 2FZ

Email

Student enquiries: studentsupport@icaew.com

Website

www.icaew.co.uk