1. Structure
This level consists of six exams that introduce the essentials of accountancy, finance, and businesses. The six exams also make up a standalone qualification: the ICAEW CFAB (ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business).
Entry requirements
If you’ve studied AAT, or studied a relevant degree at university (accountancy, economics, business), you can progress straight onto studying ACA. Some companies allow you to start ACA training, providing you have a 2.1 degree (or 2.2 with some
businesses), in any discipline.
If you're a graduate, you can apply for up to eight paper credits so you're exempt from the following ACA (ICAEW) exams:
- Accounting
- Assurance
- Business Finance and Technology
- Law
- Management Information
- Principles of Taxation
- Business Strategy and Technology
- Financial Management
If you're an AAT student who has completed the Intermediate and Technician Levels, you may be able to apply for credits for the following:
- Accounting
- Assurance
- Business, Technology and Finance
- Management Information
- Principles of Taxation
Find out more about credits for prior learning launch.
Syllabus
Accounting (AC)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 7 days
Live Online: 14 sessions (afternoons or evenings)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how to use double-entry accounting to record transactions, adjust financial records, and prepare non-complex financial statements.You’ll be able to spot and correct mistakes in accounting records and financial
statements, and identify each component in statements.
Assurance (AS)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 3 days
Live Online: 6 sessions (afternoons or evenings)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn about the assurance process and the principles of ethics. You’ll be able to explain the nature of internal controls, specify weaknesses, choose the appropriate methods of finding assurance evidence, and understand
the importance of ethical and professional behavior.
Business, Technology & Finance (BTF)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: n/a
Live Online: n/a
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (3 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how businesses operate, and how finance helps businesses accomplish their targets. You’ll be able to identify business objectives, the purpose of financial information, the role of the accountant, governance management,
the impact of business on the economic environment, and key features, benefits, and risks of technologies.
Law (LW)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: n/a
Live Online: n/a
Flexible Online: study at your own pace (3 days advised)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn the principles of English law, and explain contractual agreements, the consequences of negligence, the legal ramifications of incorporation, and insolvency law. You’ll learn how to identify criminal activities
found by professional accountants, and find areas where the law affects the duties of an accountant.
Management Information (MI)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 4 days
Live Online: 8 sessions (afternoons or evenings)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn how to prepare financial information related to the management of a business. You’ll be able to specify the costs associated with the production of products and provision of services to determine price, choose
suitable budgeting approaches and methods, specify crucial aspects of effective performance management systems, and calculate appropriate data used in management decision making.
Principles of Taxation (PTX)
- Number of lessons:
Classroom: 4 days
Live Online: 8 sessions (afternoons or evenings)
- Subject assessment: computer-based exam
You’ll learn about taxation and how to work out income tax, National Insurance contributions, capital gains tax, corporate tax, and VAT. You’ll be able to identify ethical issues in performing tax work, and recognise how the
UK tax system affects individuals and businesses.
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 mock exams. We provide expert support during evenings and weekends, and we have flexible study methods and course start dates.
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Study method comparison table
Award winning tutor-led online course with flexibility to start anytime, anywhere.
- Unique online resources designed to keep you motivated
- Tutors guide you efficiently through the whole syllabus
View OnDemand 5 day trial ›
A traditional scheduled programme with face to face tutor-led classes.
The same as classroom, but live interactive online classes at a set time.
- Interactive live lectures delivered online by our expert tutors
- Re-watch and replay lessons through recordings
- Full weekday, weekend, afternoon or evening classes available
Timetables - Classroom and Live Online
date_rangeView timetables
3. Exams and sittings
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 Certificate Level (six exams), each exam is 90 minutes, and the pass mark is 55%.
You may be eligible for credit for some exams, if you’ve studied a relevant qualification or degree. Find out more about credits for prior learning launch.
How long does it take to pass?
ACA Certificate takes around one year to complete, but this depends on your preferred way of learning. 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.
The ICAEW exam software is being updated
The new exam software launch is launching in March 2021 and includes:
- Spreadsheet software that reflects commonly used applications. The spreadsheet contains standard functionality that allows you to make your calculations and adjust them if needed, just as you would in the workplace
- A word processor that auto-adjusts to the size of the response that you are writing, and allows you to copy in the data from the spreadsheet as part of the report (only the word processing section will get marked)
- Digital copies of relevant permitted texts such as the tax tables within the exam so that you can easily search for the content that you need.
4. Study materials and delivery costs
Study materials
Classroom, Live Online and OnDemand 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.
All ACA and ICAEW CFAB learning materials for exams in 2021 will be published in a digital format.
Students will access their materials through the ICAEW Bookshelf, and will be able to view, annotate and highlight passages.
ICAEW workbook
Examining body (ICAEW) workbook of all technical content that could be examined.
ICAEW question bank
Examining body past exam questions that are set in class.
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.
Delivery fees are as follows:
UK - £7.20 (£6 + VAT) for the first package, £7.20 for subsequent packages
Isle of Man Classroom courses - £30 (£25 + VAT) per transaction
EU - £35 (£29.17 + VAT) for the first package, £30 for subsequent packages
Rest of the World - £50 (£41.67 + VAT)for the first package, £50 for subsequent packages
Please note that due to varying interpretations of the post-Brexit EU/UK trading agreement, some EU countries are imposing import duty on the value of the goods received from the UK. It is payable by the end consumer via the delivery company and your delivery may be withheld until paid. This may vary from country to country and be up to a value of 20% of the value of the study material.
A package relates to all the materials for a specific subject, for example ACA Management Information (MI). 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 £7.20 x 3, rather than £7.20 x 5.
Our standard delivery times for Live Online, OnDemand, Online and Distance Learning 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.
Our standard delivery time for UK classroom courses is one week prior to the first course date.
Delivery charges apply to all Classroom, Live Online and OnDemand courses which include printed materials.
5. MyKaplan: online learning environment
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MyKaplan explained (1m:26s)
MyKaplan is an online learning portal with practical resources to help you prepare for your exams.
Online features
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View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
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Contact a tutor directly using live chat. You can also email or request a callback
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Complete practice tests and get instant feedback
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Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
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See instantly when your assessments have been marked
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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
6 months from last course date.
Live Online
6 months from last course date.
OnDemand
12 months from enrolment date.
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 - 8pm
Friday: 8am - 5:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 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.
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. You will receive automated 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.
Subjects are all priced individually, so you can purchase them altogether, or separately as you need them. This also helps you split the cost to make it more affordable.
Download ACA Course Fee Sheet ›
Enrol now
To enrol, download the form, fill in your details and send it to us via post or email.
picture_as_pdf 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.