ICAEW reveals major overhaul to ACA Qualification to meet future industry needs
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has announced updates to its ACA qualification, representing the most significant changes in 30 years.
Set to launch in September 2025, the revised qualification aims to address evolving demands in business, finance, and accountancy, ensuring that it remains a leading credential for professionals entering the field.
These updates follow comprehensive consultations with training employers, students, and global partners.
“For nearly 150 years, gaining ICAEW membership has launched global careers in business, finance, and accountancy. These exciting changes are the culmination of the most extensive and collaborative consultation process in our history, and we can’t wait for these developments to come into place next September,” says ICAEW Chief Executive Alan Vallance.
The redesigned ACA qualification will include three core elements: business, finance, and accountancy modules; professional work experience; and a new learning and development programme. The learning programme will focus on core areas such as ethics, technology, and sustainability, integrating these with practical work experience.
Additionally, it is designed to adapt to future shifts in the profession, providing students with flexible resources that enhance their workplace knowledge and skills.
A significant aspect of the update is a streamlined exam structure, reducing the current 15 modules to 14. Two new case study papers will also be added to support students’ progression through the professional and advanced stages of their qualification. Alongside their core experience, students will complete 30 units from a selection of online learning modules, which will allow for early career upskilling and specialization.
Current students will be able to finish their qualification through either the current or updated ACA format, with no additional exam requirements. ICAEW has begun working with education providers and employers to support students during this transition.
The ACA will continue to be the only professional finance qualification that incorporates workplace data analytics software within exam modules, underscoring its commitment to combining technical skills with real-world applications.
Reflecting on his own experience, Vallance noted, “When I qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant, I was excited to see where the ACA could take me. Many years later, it’s been my passport to working around the world, across a wide range of sectors, and for me personally, leading prestigious organisations.”
Through these updates, ICAEW aims to provide future chartered accountants with relevant skills and knowledge for an evolving workplace, maintaining the ACA’s standard as a rigorous, industry-aligned qualification.
