Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA, ICAEW)

The ACA qualification is recognised worldwide as the mark of quality and professionalism that leads to Chartered Accountant status. Throughout all areas of industry and private practice, the ICAEW's ACA qualification opens up diverse and rewarding careers. From forensic accounting, audit and assurance, and business recovery/insolvency, through to corporate finance, financial accounting and tax advice, ACA accountants enjoy excellent opportunities.

At BPP, our ACA accounting training delivers a higher than average national pass rate. Students benefit from over 30 years' ACA teaching experience, accessible study centres and the very best study materials on the market. Crucially, one of our tutor team is always available to offer personalised support and guidance.

Key Information

  • Gain the globally recognised ACA qualification
  • Increase your earning potential with a respected qualification
  • Benefit from the most advanced study materials available
  • Direct tutor contact outside of the classroom – by phone and online
  • Extend your skills to open up diverse career opportunities
  • Study at any of our fourteen ICAEW-approved study centres
  • Choose from flexible study options – classroom, distance or blended learning
  • Increase your chances of passing – BPP pass rate exceeds national average
Contact Admissions: 0845 075 1100
Request a callback >

Globally respected qualification

ACA training is the number one route to business leadership – developing careers by equipping accountants to make high-level strategic decisions and give professional advice. We don't just deliver the career-changing ACA qualification – we bring it to life.

Our prime objective is to offer students everything they need to secure the globally respected ACA qualification first time round – and get ahead.

Proven route to success

BPP ACA pass rates are higher than the national average. In fact, BPP rates have continued to climb ever since the ICAEW introduced its new syllabus in 2007.

Personalised support

All our ACA students have direct access to their tutor – by email, phone and face-to-face via an 'open door' policy. This means we help students get the very most from our exam-focused course design, study material, interactive resources, progress tests and mock exams.

Accredited syllabus

The ACA is the ICAEW’s main accounting qualification and is fully focused on the evolving needs of modern business. The ICAEW is  the largest accountancy body in Europe.

ACA-qualified accountants who are Institute members are entitled to offer their services as a 'Chartered Accountant' and to use the letters ACA or FCA (Fellow Chartered Accountant) – depending on their experience and length of membership.

Dates and prices

Select a location to download date and price details:


Online learning


The links and brochures above will open as a PDF in a new window. To save directly to your computer, right-click the link and select 'Save Link As'. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to open it.

Structure

To gain the ACA qualification, you need to pass 15 papers at Professional and Advanced stages.

You may take the e-assessments at any of our 13 BPP training centres as well as other ICAEW accredited centres in the UK and around the world. The paper-based ACA accounting exams – set and marked by the ICAEW – are also available globally and in most UK cities.

ACA Professional stage

There are 12 papers at Professional Stage. Six Knowledge level papers (sat whenever you like on computer) and six Application level papers sat in March, June, September and December.

It includes six exams at the Knowledge Level which assess core technical skills by computer in subjects which are:

  • Accounting
  • Assurance
  • Management Information 
  • Business and Finance 
  • Principles of Taxation
  • Law
Duration/assessment: Each computer exam lasts 1.5 hours and has a 55% pass mark.

The Professional Stage also includes six paper-based exams at Application Level in which students apply technical skills in a practical context in subjects including:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Audit and Assurance
  • Business Strategy
  • Financial Management
  • Tax
  • Financial Reporting

Duration/assessment: Each paper-based exam lasts 2.5 hours and has a 55% pass mark.

ACA Advanced stage

This final stage is involves 3 papers – with sittings in July and November. This stage is multi-disciplinary and includes written assessments in the following: 

  • Case Study
  • Technical Integration – Business Reporting
  • Technical Integration – Business Change 
Duration/assessment: Technical papers last 3.5 hours and have a 50% pass mark. The case study lasts 4 hours and has a 50% pass mark.

ACA exemptions

ACA students who can show evidence of prior learning can claim exemption for some (or all) of the Professional Stage Knowledge Level papers. 

For example, the AAT Accounting Technician qualification (depending on the options taken) may automatically exempt candidates from all of the Knowledge Level papers and the Application Financial Accounting paper.

Full exemptions details are available from the ICAEW.

Flexible learning

Choice and flexibility are at the heart of all our ACA courses. They have to be – because every student who learns with us has their own work and home commitments.

There's the option to take taught classroom courses at fourteen UK and Channel Island locations for both Professional and Advanced stage topics, access our new online classroom – or 'mix and match' with a combination of both. Extra revision and retake courses are also on offer.

Classroom learning

Our ACA classroom courses are exam focused, to ensure that you are fully prepared for your assessment. For those with no prior knowledge of a subject, we offer Knowledge Level courses. We then build on these with Application and Advanced Level courses.

ACA training is the number one route to business leadership – developing careers by equipping accountants to make high-level strategic decisions and give professional advice. We don't just deliver the career-changing ACA qualification – we bring it to life.

Our prime objective is to offer students everything they need to secure the globally respected ACA qualification first time round – and get ahead.

All of our classroom students are supported outside the classroom our online learning system. Students get access to recordings of every chapter of every course, so they can catch up whenever they miss  a class or need to recap.

Complete courses

BPP Knowledge Level courses are complete courses, integrating tuition and revision e-assessments. They're available throughout the year, offer fast progression and include full tutor support by phone and email, inside and outside the classroom.

Professional courses

These offer two routes - 'Silo' and 'Tiered'.

The 'Silo Approach' combines studying for the Knowledge and Application element for each area. This is ideal for anyone in a specialist field and also offers the opportunity to 'fast track' in a particular technical area.

The 'Tiered Approach' means completing all Knowledge papers before moving on to the Application level. This enables students to get a broad basic understanding of technical topics early in their career.

Advanced courses

Our taught courses offer two routes – 'Link' and 'Split Intensive'.

The 'Link approach' divides the taught phase into several blocks, allowing students time to get to grips with new concepts and ideas. This is popular with students who are self-disciplined and like to organise their study time.

The 'Split Intensive' approach is in just two blocks and encourages a clear focus on the work, minimising distractions.
The revision phase is the same for both Link and Split Intensive routes.

An Advanced Case Study Forum also enables classroom students to exchange ideas on the scenario for the real Case Study exam.

Online learning

Our ACA online classroom offers all the structure of a BPP classroom course but with the flexibility of distance learning.

It's attractive to many employers as it reduces time spent out of the office that's not chargeable. It appeals to students who can fit their studies around a busy work or social life – at a pace that suits them best.

Revision courses 

A revision course helps build student confidence in the knowledge and skills learnt in the taught phase and prepares them for the exam. These courses include recaps of technical areas, question practice, exam techniques and also include two mock exams for both Application and Advanced level papers.

Case Study Retake courses

A five-day Advanced Case Study course is a highly focused way to approach a retake. We make sure students have a thorough understanding of the Advanced stage information and understand how to score the vital professional skills that make up the majority of the marks.

How to apply

There are many different routes into this qualification. Your application will be considered whether you are a graduate, a mature student, an AAT student or a professional, and the entry requirements are different for each. To find out the details for your route, visit the ICAEW website.

Study locations

Study for the ACA where and when it suits you.

You can train for the ACA face-to-face at one of our UK study centres below. Each centre offers state-of-the-art facilities and comfortable, high-quality classroom environments. But remember, if you prefer to study from home or overseas, we also offer distance learning options.


Book by phone:

  • 0208 746 4150 for London
  • 0161 237 9650 for all other UK locations
  • 0208 746 4150 if you are calling from outside the UK