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Navigating the Next Generation ACA Transition with Kaplan

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The ICAEW's Next Generation ACA syllabus is here, focusing on essential skills in ethics, sustainability, and technology for future finance leaders. Kaplan is fully prepared to support your trainees through this exciting transition.

Here's a quick overview of what this means for your learners:

Certificate Level guidance

  • Next Generation ACA Certificate courses are available for enrolment. Trainees can start their studies and sit computer-based exams (CBEs) from September 2025.
  • Tax Fundamentals under the Next Generation ACA syllabus won’t be available until the 1st of December 2025. Learners who wish to study tax at the Certificate Level before this date can take Principles of Tax on the current syllabus.
  • To ensure a smooth transition, the current syllabus CBEs will remain available until March 2026. During this period learners have the flexibility to switch between the current and Next Generation ACA syllabi.

Professional Level guidance - Why Kaplan recommends Next Generation ACA from March 2026

The ICAEW's new Next Generation ACA Professional Level syllabus launches in March 2026. While the ICAEW offers exam sittings for the current syllabus through to September 2026, Kaplan strongly advises learners to transition to Next Generation ACA for Professional Level exams from March 2026.

Here's why moving to Next Generation ACA is the best choice:

  • Limited ICAEW Professional Level exam sittings
    The ICAEW’s final exam window is September 2026, and so current syllabus sittings are finite. Kaplan's support for these final sittings (March, June, September 2026) will be available for learners who have deferred or who need to resit. Should learners choose to sit current exams in 2026, any unexpected challenges in their journey (such as the need to resit or defer) could leave them without further opportunities to complete their qualification under the current syllabus. The Next Generation ACA syllabus, therefore, provides a longer, clearer route to success.
  • Smoother progression and future-proofing
    Many of the Next Generation ACA subjects have like-for-like equivalents to the current syllabus, meaning learners can transition smoothly without navigating complex overlaps or needing to acquire entirely new knowledge. There's therefore no reason not to make the switch and, in doing so, learners will benefit from a more streamlined qualification journey.

    For learners who would have taken BPT in 2026, the replacement Fundamental Case Study (FCS) offers a beneficial alternative. FCS offers a practical, integrated case study method of assessment of Certificate Level knowledge, reflecting modern professional skills and providing an intuitive way to apply and consolidate learning.
  • Modern, relevant learning
    Next Generation ACA offers a more integrated and modern learning experience. It incorporates critical new themes like sustainability, technology, and ethics throughout the syllabus, ensuring that the learners’ knowledge is highly relevant to today's evolving accounting profession. By transitioning, learners immediately benefit from this updated, forward-thinking content and assessment methodology.

Advanced Level guidance

The first Next Generation ACA Advanced exams will be in July 2027. Until then, all learners, including those who have already studied Next Generation ACA exams at Certificate or Professional Level, can sit Advanced Level exams on the current ACA syllabus.

We appreciate that each learner's circumstances are unique, and would recommend that learners speak with either their employer, Talent Coach, or Kaplan Student Services for personalised advice on their best path forward.

To learn more about the new syllabus and the support Kaplan offers, view our syllabus guidance page.

Explore the new syllabus

Learn more

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