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Next Generation ACA Professional

The Professional Level of the ACA qualification builds on your Certificate Level knowledge, and teaches you how to apply technical knowledge to real-life scenarios.

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Overview

The ACA Professional Level is designed to empower you as a learner. We'll help you build confidence and resilience in the workplace while developing your accountancy skills and technical knowledge.

With our learner-centric approach, you'll build on the knowledge you have previously learned on the first level, and understand how to apply technical knowledge to real-life scenarios. You'll also develop effective exam techniques to ensure you perform your best in assessments.

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Average duration

12-18 months

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Assessments

6 exams

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Kaplan pass rate

Surpasses the global pass rate at all levels

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Award

Professional milestone to the Advanced Level

Timetables

View our timetables for scheduled Classroom and Live Online sessions to see when the next one is running.

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Who it’s for

Entry requirements

It’s recommended you pass the ACA Certificate exams to progress onto this level.

If you're a graduate, you may be able to apply for up to eight subject credits. If you're an AAT student who has completed level 3 and level 4, you may be able to apply for five subject credits. You can check your recommended entry point using the ICAEW's CPL guidance.

Learning outcomes from the course

ACA Professional Level will develop a comprehensive understanding of financial accounting, business strategy, auditing, taxation, and financial management. Once completed you’ll be equipped to navigate complex financial landscapes with precision and insight.

This programme equips you with the skills and knowledge to excel in the workplace and sets you on the path to becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Apprenticeships

You may be eligible for an apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances.

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It's good to know that you can ask for support if you have any problems.


Course content

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Compulsory

Fundamental Case Study (FCS)

You'll bring together technical knowledge gained by studying the Certificate Level material with practical work experience and professional development skills such as critical thinking, analysis and evaluation, planning and prioritisation and professional integrity and scepticism.

from £816.20Inc. VAT

  • Accounting including accounting for tax
  • Assurance and risk
  • Business insight and performance
  • Ethics, sustainability and the regulatory environment

Compulsory

Assurance, Risk and Reporting (ARR)

You'll develop understanding of the critical aspects of managing an assurance engagement (including audit engagements): acceptance, planning, managing, concluding and reporting. You'll also learn to prepare complete single entity financial statements and extracts from those financial statements, covering a wide range of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS® Standards).

from £1,812.00Inc. VAT

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  • Legal and other professional regulations, ethics, accepting and managing engagements
  • Planning and performing engagements
  • Concluding and reporting on engagements
  • Accounting and reporting concepts, sustainability and ethics
  • Single entity financial statements

Compulsory

Corporate Reporting, Data and Assurance (CRDA)

You will learn to prepare consolidated financial statements, and extracts from single entity and group financial statements, covering a wide range of IFRS® Accounting Standards. You will use data analytic skills to interrogate the data and identify areas of concern or items which warrant further investigation. You will learn to advise on professional and ethical issues relevant to corporate reporting, data and assurance.

from £1,707.00Inc. VAT

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  • Single entity financial statements
  • Consolidated financial statements
  • Planning and performing assurance engagements
  • Concluding and reporting on assurance engagements
  • Professional scepticism and ethics

Compulsory

Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP)

You'll learn how to prepare tax computations for individuals and companies; understand the tax implications of a course of action; explain potential tax treatments of transactions; resolve taxation issues that arise in the context of preparing tax computations; and advise on tax-efficient strategies for businesses and individuals.

from £2,226.00Inc. VAT

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  • Ethics, Law and Administration
  • Indirect taxes
  • Capital taxes
  • Corporation tax
  • Income tax and NIC

Compulsory

Business and Digital Strategy (BDS)

You'll gain a thorough understanding of how an organisation develops, implements and monitors strategy, including implications for ethics and sustainability. You'll also use data to evaluate the likely consequences of strategic choices and technology developments, and recommend business and digital strategies to meet the objectives of an organisation.

from £1,133.00Inc. VAT

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  • Strategic analysis
  • Strategic choice
  • Implementation and monitoring of strategy
  • Ethics

Compulsory

Corporate Financial Strategy (CFS)

You'll learn how to recommend appropriate financial strategies for a business, including: investment, financing and distribution decisions; managing financial risks; and business valuation. You'll also understand the ethical implications of financial strategy for all stakeholders, including those relating to sustainability and the public interest. You will learn to apply professional scepticism and critical thinking when making all judgements.

from £1,489.40Inc. VAT

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  • Business finance - methods and strategies
  • Treasury and financial risk management
  • Investment decisions and valuation
  • Ethics
  • Capital gains tax
  • Stamp taxes

Exams

Next Generation ACA Professional Level

Computer Based Exams

Our assessment strategy is designed to gradually build your skills and confidence, ensuring you're well-prepared for the six online exams.The Assurance, Risk and Reporting and Tax Compliance and Planning exams will each have a duration of three hours. The remaining four are 2 hours 30 minutes long. The pass mark for these exams is 55%. You can take the exams in any order.

Courses

Inc VAT, excludes exams

OnDemand from £1133
Select subjects

For all other study methods, please complete the enrolment form.


Everything you need to succeed

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The science of learning

We offer dynamic courses based on insights from learning scientists and industry professionals. Our data-driven teaching methods ensure student success and progression.

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Well-being support

Access well-being support through our resource library or speak confidentially with Kaplan's Mental Health First Aiders, safeguarding team, or your tutor and talent coach.

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Academic support

Our team of 50+ finance experts and advisors provide gold-standard personalised academic support 7 days a week. We offer exam strategies, study plans, and proactive resit advice.

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Accessibility

We're committed to an inclusive learning environment, ensuring accessibility and personalised support for all students to succeed.

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Course includes

  • ICAEW digital materials

    Accessed via the ICAEW Bookshelf where you can view, annotate, and highlight key passages.
  • Kaplan workbook

    Kaplan-produced workbook that brings out key areas of the syllabus, integrates with online content and provides question practice.
  • eLearning modules

    Interactive modules that teach the whole syllabus.
  • Marked mock exams and lots of additional practice questions

    Ensure you’re exam ready with our preparation materials. Mocks are strategically positioned to provide space for feedback, reflection and adjustment.
  • Personalised online study space

    MyKaplan is your online learning portal that allows you to access your course content, contact your tutors, and take part in discussion forums. Learn more

Study methods

Get everything you need to succeed, along with tailored features depending on which study method you choose.

Feature

Classroom
from £540

Live Online
from £513.60

OnDemand
from £486

Free trial
Live, tutor-led classes at set times
Re-watch your lessons
Learn face-to-face with tutors
Engage face-to-face with other students
Speak online with students on the same course
Study at your own pace

Ways to pay

Pay for your course using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal. We also offer alternative payment methods to suit your needs.

Invoice your employer

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning.

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PayPal Pay in 3

A buy now, pay later service that splits your purchase into three equal interest-free payments. Offering a flexible way to spread the cost.

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Become a Kaplan client

If you're looking to train your staff and upskill your organisation, you can register as a Kaplan client.

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Related ACA courses

Kaplan is recognised as an ICAEW Partner in Learning, working with ICAEW in the professional development of learners.

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