1. Structure
This level consists of three exams: Corporate Reporting, Strategic Business Management, and a Case Study, which tests overall knowledge. This level will take six to twelve months to complete.
Entry requirements
You are advised to have passed the ACA Professional exams before progressing onto Advanced level.
Syllabus
Corporate Reporting (CR)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 11 days
Live Online: 22 sessions
Flexible Online: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how to employ your technical knowledge, analytical techniques and professional aptitude to resolve compliance and business ideas in corporate reports and auditing. You’ll learn how to analyse financial statements across a range of industries over time, explain the control and planning used in auditing, create and evaluate corporate reporting policies, and identify and explain ethical issues.
Strategic Business Management (SBM)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 7 days
Live Online: 14 sessions
Flexible Online: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll demonstrate your quantitative and qualitative skills to make business recommendations in complex scenarios. You’ll apply professional judgement to examine quantitative and qualitative data from many sources, to evaluate different solutions. When you complete this unit, you’ll be able to evaluate the implications of strategic choices and recommend strategies to achieve stakeholder objectives; advise appropriate finance requirements and evaluate financial risks; use ethics to determine safeguards against threat; explain and implement assurance; and interpret and apply corporate reporting.
Case Study (CS)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 10 days
Live Online: 20 sessions
Flexible Online: study at your own pace
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
The Case Study assess your knowledge of complex business issues, using everything you’ve learned across all three levels. You’ll use your ability to analyse financial and non-financial data, and use professional and ethical reasoning to provide insight and solutions. Ahead of the exam, you’ll be given background details (known as ‘Advance Information’) on the organisation and its business environment. The exam is 4 hours long. All areas of the syllabus may be tested over time.
2. Study methods
Do you prefer face-to-face learning? Online learning in your own time? Have family or work commitments? We have study methods that suit different learning styles, to fit around your life. You’ll benefit from award-winning tutors, practical learning methods, and ongoing support, even after your exams.
Study methods available for this qualification
You can be confident in your exams whatever study method you choose, as we offer hundreds of practice questions and marked mock exams. We provide expert support during evenings and weekends, and we have flexible study methods and course start dates.
grid_on
Study method comparison table
A traditional scheduled programme with face to face tutor led classes.
The same as classroom, but live interactive online classes at a set time.
- Live lectures delivered online by a tutor
- Re-watch and replay lessons through recordings
Timetables - Classroom and Live Online
Please click the link below for timetables of your chosen centre
date_rangeView timetables
3. Exams, sittings and resits
Timings and working towards a sitting
The ACA qualification is made up of 15 exams, advancing your knowledge across accountancy, finance, and business. When you complete the qualification, you will be an ICAEW chartered accountant.
You can take the exams in any order, apart from the Case Study, which needs to be attempted last, in the final year of an ACA training agreement. However, we recommend starting from the Certificate Level units first, then finishing with the Advanced Level exams.
At the Advanced Level, exams are computer based, and there are two exam sittings a year - July and November. Generally students sit three subjects together, or split between (Corporate Reporting (CR)/Strategic Business Management (SBM) June, Case Study (CS) November).
Students must be in the final years of a training contract to sit the final CS paper. It must be taken after or alongside CR/SBM exams.
CR/SBM are 3.5 hours long, and CS is 4 hours. The pass mark is 50%.
How long does it take to pass?
The ACA qualification is made up of three levels, each of which will take six to 12 months to finish. To complete the qualification, you’ll also need to have a minimum of 450 practical work experience days. Students usually complete the qualification in three years.
Resits
If you have failed an exam, don’t worry. There are exam resits and resit courses available. Contact student services to book exams and courses.
All Professional and Advanced (CR and SBM) resit courses include:
Prior to Exam Preparation course you will get:
- A resit diagnostic video, including examiner top tips, common issues, and study guidance
- Additional articles, tricky topic tutorials and additional questions
- A marked resit mock
- A resit guidance document
- Syllabus update document for any students resitting under a new syllabus
- Study planner
- Access to Kaplan’s Academic Support team to answer technical queries:
- Monday - Thursday: 8am - 9pm
- Friday: 8am - 5.30pm
- Saturday / Sunday / Bank Holidays: 9am - 1pm
Advanced Case Study resit courses also include:
Prior to Exam Preparation course:
- Pre-resit mock exam (marked)
- Tricky topic tutorials (provided via MyKaplan)
You then attend a 5 day Exam Preparation course and get:
- Access to Kaplan tutor
- 2 days tutor-led preparation of a revision mock (Students attempt revision mock at the end of day 2, which is sent off for marking)
- 3 days tutor-led preparation on the real case study advance information (including around 20 exercises based on the real exam and a full 4 hour practice exam with illustrative script and marking key)
- Additional practice exam on the real case study exam (includes illustrative script and marking key)
If you need to take a resit, please get in touch with Student Services.
4. Study materials and delivery costs
Study materials
Classroom and Live Online students will receive printed and online study materials.
Materials included in the price of every course:
Kaplan workbook
Kaplan produced workbook that brings out key areas of the syllabus, integrates with online content and provides question practice.
ICAEW Materials
Purchased in addition to course price but needed for every paper.
ICAEW study manual
Examining body (ICAEW) manual of all technical content that could be examined.
ICAEW question bank
Examining body past exam questions that are set in class.
Open books
These materials are specific to the paper you're studying and are purchased in addition to the course price.
IFRS book
This book is required to assist you in your studies for the Corporate Reporting paper.
Audit Standards book
This book is required to assist you in your studies for the Corporate Reporting paper.
Delivery costs
subscriptions
How much it costs to deliver your study materials and how long it takes depends on where in the world you live.
If you’re completing a classroom course, your materials are provided on the first day of your course.
Delivery fees are as follows:
UK and NI - £7 for the first package, £7 for subsequent packages
EU - £30 for the first package, £30 for subsequent packages
Rest of the World - £50 for the first package, £50 for subsequent packages
A package relates to all the materials for a specific subject, for example ACA Corporate Reporting (CR). If purchasing a course for more than one subject, the additional package charges will apply.
Delivery fees are capped at 3 x the cost, per single order. So, if you buy 5 courses for UK delivery in a single order, it will be £7 x 3, rather than £7 x 5.
Our standard delivery times are:
UK – 3 to 5 working days
EU – 5 to 7 working days
Rest of the World – 7 to 10 working days*
*Subject to availability.
Delivery charges apply to all Live Online courses which include printed materials, and selected Classroom courses. If delivery charges are applicable for your course, they will be shown during the online checkout process, before you complete your payment details.
5. MyKaplan: online learning environment
Watch our video explaining MyKaplan (1:30)
MyKaplan is an online learning portal with additional resources, including mock exams, to help you prepare for your exams. Your MyKaplan account forms the core of your study experience with Kaplan, and includes the following:
Online features
-
check
View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
-
check
Contact a tutor directly using live chat. You can also email or request a callback
-
check
Complete practice tests and get instant feedback
-
check
Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
-
check
See instantly when your assessments have been marked
-
check
Access to VideoBank - hundreds of tutor-led videos to help you get the most out of your course.
Access duration
Your chosen study method determines how long you can access your content for.
Classroom
8 months after exam sitting.
Live Online
8 months after exam sitting.
computerMinimum system requirements for MyKaplan
6. Tutor support
We'll support you every step of the way throughout your ACA learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need quickly and easily.
Provided by our Academic Support team (our dedicated team of expert tutors):
- Live chat (instant response via online messenger system)
- Email (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
- Discussion forum (we’ll get back to you within 4 hrs)
- Request a callback so you can speak to a tutor (we’ll arrange a call with you within 24 hours). Please note request a callback is only available to UK based students.
Academic Support opening times
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 9pm
Friday: 8am - 5:30pm
Weekends: 9am - 1pm
7. Testing and mocks
We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams. All study options come with the following:
Online learning modules
MyKaplan interactive modules that guide you through each syllabus area.
Knowledge checks
10 multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after an online learning module/classroom day during the Knowledge phase.
Consolidation Test
20 multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after a number of online learning modules/classroom days during the Knowledge phase.
Progress Tests
Progress tests are exam-style tests to check your progress and get you ready for sitting your mock exams. A recorded debrief of the tests will be provided after you’ve sat them so you can tailor any follow-up work and concentrate on areas that need more attention.
Tricky topic tutorials
10-15 minute tutor debrief on challenging areas of the syllabus.
Mock exams
Mock exams mimic the real exams. They are taken during the Exam Preparation phase of the course and can be found on MyKaplan. They are marked by the Kaplan marking team, who will provide tailored feedback so you can focus on areas you found difficult or could improve.
8. Pricing structure
Subject prices can differ depending on your study method and location. Go to our study methods page to learn more about each option.
Subjects are all priced individually, so you can purchase them altogether (for a discount), or separately as you need them. This also helps you split the cost to make it more affordable.
| Scheduled |
| Classroom |
Live Online |
| from £1,304.40 |
from £1,966.80 |
Enrol now
To enrol, download the form, fill in your details and send it to us via post or email.
Download enrolment form ›
Funding options
You may be eligible for an Apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances. For more information, contact our Student Services team.
Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you’re already working in a related field and want to develop your learning. You’ll need to speak to them to see if you’re eligible.