ACA Professional

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

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Overview

The Professional Level builds on the knowledge you have previously learned on the first level, and teaches you how to apply technical knowledge to real-life scenarios. The Business Planning exams give you the opportunity to gain a sector-specific understanding while studying. There are three Business Planning units to choose from: Taxation, Banking, and Insurance.

This course is part of the old ACA syllabus. We recommend the Next Generation ACA syllabus, which is designed to enhance learner support and provide flexible, up-to-date learning that develops progressively throughout.

Go to Next Generation ACA Certificate

Average duration

12-18 months

Assessments

6 exams

Kaplan pass rate*

Surpasses the global pass rate at all levels

Award

Professional milestone to the Advanced Level

*While there isn't a specific award at this stage, successfully passing allows learners to progress to the Advanced Level, marking a significant milestone in their professional journey.

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 can apply for up to eight subject credits including the following Professional level ACA (ICAEW) exams:

Business Strategy and Technology
Financial Management

You can check your recommended entry point with the ICAEW’s CPL guidance.

Learning outcomes from the course

ACA Professional 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.

Apprenticeships

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

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Studying with Kaplan has been a great experience, as there is a massive variety of learning resources available to you inside and outside of tuition.

Course content

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Compulsory

Financial Accounting and Reporting (FARI)

You'll learn how to prepare complete single entity and consolidated financial statements according to IFRS Standards. After completing this unit, you'll also be able to explain the limitations of financial statements, and the application of IFRS.

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International financial reporting standards
Group financial statements
Interpretation and analysis of financial statements
Financial instruments
Leases
Revenue recognition
Employee benefits
Government grants and assistance
Statement of cash flows

Compulsory

Audit and Assurance (AA)

You’ll learn about the essentials of managing an assurance engagement: acceptance, planning, managing, concluding, and reporting. You’ll also learn to advise on regulatory, professional, and ethical issues in assurance engagements; understand the processes and planning involved; and report in agreement with the terms of the engagements.

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Auditing concepts and principles
Audit planning and risk assessment
Internal control evaluation and testing
Audit evidence and procedures
Audit reporting and communication
Specialised audits and engagements
Professional and ethical considerations
Quality control in audit engagements
Legal and regulatory framework

Compulsory

Taxation Compliance (TC)

You'll learn how to prepare tax computations for individuals and companies. In this unit, you'll gain the understanding to recognise ethical issues in performing tax work, and calculate: VAT, stamp taxes, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporation tax liabilities, and National Insurance.

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Advanced income tax
Taxation of business transactions
International tax
Tax compliance and reporting
VAT and indirect tax
Tax dispute resolution
Taxation of trusts and estates
Taxation of employment income
Taxation of special entities

Compulsory

Financial Management (FM)

You'll learn how to suggest solutions to financing a business, and manage financial risks to make investment decisions. When you complete this unit, you'll be able to identify capital requirements and risks facing a business, and use applicable appraisal techniques in investment decisions.

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Capital budgeting
Cost of capital
Capital structure
Dividend policy
Working capital management
Financial risk management
Corporate governance and ethics
Financial strategy and decision making
Merger and acquisition finance

Compulsory

Business Strategy and Technology (BST)

You'll learn how companies establish and carry out strategy, considering ethical ramifications. Upon completing this unit, you'll be able to: analyse the aftermath of a company's objectives, use of technology, and market position; use data to judge strategic decisions and recommend strategies; and recommend suitable ways to carry out strategy and measure performance.

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Economic and industry environments
Strategic management
Risk management
Evaluation and performance management
Strategies for information
Strategies for change
Ethics, sustainability and ESG

Business Planning units - choose one

You’ll need to choose one Business Planning unit, from: Taxation (BPT), Banking (BPB), and Insurance (BPI).

Compulsory

Business Planning Tax (BPT)

You'll learn how to resolve tax issues and advise on tax-efficient solutions for individuals and businesses. You'll use your knowledge to explain alternative tax solutions, considering the clients and commercial context.

from £1,520.00Inc. VAT

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Tax planning strategies
Business planning and advisory
Corporate tax planning
Individual tax planning
International tax planning
Groups and consortia
Capital gains tax and CGT reliefs
Raising finance
Inheritance tax
VAT
Stamp taxes

Compulsory

Business Planning: Banking (BPB)

You'll learn how to apply your knowledge and professional skills to solve technical compliance and ethical matters, when providing audit and assurance work in the banking industry.

from £1,095.00Inc. VAT

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Risk management and financial services products
Financial and regulatory reporting for banks
Audit and assurance of banks
Ethics

Compulsory

Business Planning: Insurance (BPI)

You'll learn how to apply your knowledge and professional skills to solve technical compliance and ethical matters, when providing audit and assurance work in the insurance industry.

from £1,095.00Inc. VAT

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Insurance products and risk management
Financial and regulatory reporting for insurance companies
Audit and assurance of insurance companies
Ethics

Exams

ACA Professional Level

Computer Based Exams

At the Professional Level, all exams are 2.5 hours long, with the exception of Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) being three hours. The pass mark is 55%. You can take the exams in any order.

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ICAEW exam software

ICAEW's exam software has been developed to ensure the ACA reflects modern accountancy practices. This 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.

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. Please be aware resit fees may apply.

What's included

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 resit mock
A resit guidance document
Syllabus update document for any students resitting under a new syllabus
Study planner
Access to soft copies of the Kaplan integrated workbook
Access to Kaplan's Academic Support team to answer technical queries.

You then attend a classroom-based exam preparation course and get:

Access to Kaplan tutor
Final marked mock.

Courses

Inc VAT, excludes exams

OnDemand from £1241.8

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

Everything you need to succeed

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 materialsAccessed via the ICAEW Bookshelf where you can view, annotate, and highlight key passages.
Kaplan workbookKaplan-produced workbook that brings out key areas of the syllabus, integrates with online content and provides question practice.
eLearning modulesInteractive modules that teach the whole syllabus.
Marked mock exams and lots of additional practice questionsEnsure you’re exam ready with our preparation materials.
Personalised online study spaceMyKaplan 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 £1,372.60	Live Online from £1,306.60	OnDemand from £1,241.80 Free trial
Live, tutor-led classes at set times
Re-watch your lessons
Learn face-to-face with tutors
Speak face-to-face with other students
Engage 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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