ICAEW ACA Professional Level
ICAEW ACA Professional level to accelerate your journey toward chartered status
Advanced study options built to fit around your work and lifestyle
Develop in‑depth technical expertise across accounting, finance, and business strategy
Strengthen your professional profile and progress into more responsible and specialised roles within the finance profession
The ICAEW’s ACA Professional Level is a pivotal stage in your journey to becoming a chartered accountant through the ACA qualification. This level builds on foundational knowledge gained from the Certificate Level and challenges you to apply those technical skills in real-world scenarios, preparing you for strategic roles in finance and business.
Designed for individuals advancing through the ACA qualification or with prior accounting experience.
Strengthen your capabilities in areas such as financial management, audit and assurance, tax compliance, and business planning
Can be completed in as little as 12 months
Prepare for roles such as Senior Auditor, Financial Analyst, or Tax Advisor (with typical salaries ranging from £35,000 to £50,000)
Market leading pass rates
Dedicated support from ICAEW qualified tutors
100% online, classroom and residential options
ICAEW approved provider
Globally recognised qualifications
Over 50 years delivering accounting qualifications
Course overview
- Duration : 12-15 months
- RQF level: 7
Why is the ICAEW Professional Level course right for you?
Advance your accountancy career with a qualification designed for those ready to take the next step toward becoming a chartered accountant. The ICAEW Professional Level builds on Certificate level knowledge and equips you with the technical expertise and strategic thinking needed to thrive in complex financial environments.
Develop advanced competencies in financial management, audit and assurance, tax compliance, business planning, and financial accounting
Apply your skills to real-world scenarios, enhancing your ability to support business strategy and decision-making
Earn a globally respected qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), boosting your professional credibility
Open the door to more advanced roles in finance and business and continue your journey towards the full ACA qualification, setting you on the path to becoming a chartered accountant.
This course is suitable for you if you are:
A Certificate Level graduate ready to progress in your ACA journey
Currently working in finance or accounting, looking to deepen your expertise and take on more responsibility
Aiming for roles such as Senior Auditor, Financial Analyst, or Tax Advisor (with typical salaries ranging from £35,000 to £50,000)
Committed to completing the full ACA qualification and becoming a chartered accountant
Course details
Whether you’re interested in advancing in your accounting career or are looking to start your own business, ICAEW Professional Level will build on your knowledge and practical skills to prepare you for more senior roles.
You’ll develop the advanced skills you need to succeed in your business career, including financial reporting, auditing, tax, and business strategy.
The ICAEW Professional Level consists of six compulsory modules to help you develop your business and accounting skills. At the end of each module, you’ll take an exam which will assess your understanding and ability to use technical knowledge in real-life scenarios.
There is current transition underway between the existing ACA and NEW ACA syllabuses.
The current ACA modules at this level can be seen below and will be available at Reed Business School for the remainder of 2025. From January 2026, we will commence the delivery on the NEW ACA syllabus.
Current ACA Professional modules
So what changes will be involved in the New ACA Professional level?
Remaining with 6 exams, the syllabus will face a few more significant changes.
New ACA Professional modules
Assurance, Risk, and Reporting
Corporate Reporting, Data, and Assurance
Tax Compliance and Planning
Corporate Financial Strategy
Business and Digital Strategy
Fundamental Case Study
The current Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) and Audit and Assurance exams will be merged into two hybrid papers, each combining elements of reporting and audit. Additionally, the UK GAAP variant of FAR will be discontinued under the new ICAEW syllabus.
The Business Planning suite (Taxation, Insurance, and Banking) will be replaced by a new Fundamental Case Study (FCS) at the Professional Level. Rather than focusing on specialist content, the FCS assesses applied written skills developed at the Certificate Level. This change enables the introduction of the Specialised Learning and Development platform, offering newly registered students access to tailored specialist knowledge via ICAEW’s digital resources.
Completing this ICAEW qualification typically takes 12-15 months.
You should have successfully completed the ICAEW Certificate Level to progress to this ICAEW Professional Level course.
For more information, speak to a learning advisor.
Study whenever and wherever suits you. On-demand learning offers ultimate flexibility, allowing learners to access high-quality course materials anytime, anywhere.
Ideal for independent learners who want flexible, self-paced learning to fit around their busy lives.
Self-paced learning
Digital materials
Remote accessibility
Self-paced progression
Email tutor support
Flexible access
Exam simulator
Flexible, live sessions accessible from any location.
Experience the flexibility of Live Online learning and engage in real-time, interactive sessions from anywhere. Achieve your goals without the commute!
Ideal for learners who want the flexibility to study from any location
Live interactive sessions online
Dynamic delivery and instant Q&A
Collaborative activities
Engaging real-time learning experience
Structured delivery plan
Networking opportunities (online)
Access to full tutor support (online)
Access to study manual and online resources
Online exam preparation
Get all the benefits of in-person learning, all from the comfort of your home. Great if you need a little more flexibility when it comes to location, but still want the opportunity to interact with other learners.
Ideal for learners who want the classroom experience from the comfort of their home and full tutor support
Live classroom sessions streamed online
Dynamic delivery and instant Q&A
Collaborative activities
Engaging real-time learning experience
Structured delivery plan
Networking opportunities (online)
Online tutor support
Study books and online resources
Access to recorded sessions
Online assignments and exam preparation
Traditional face-to-face classes with experienced tutors. If you like the idea of learning in person, where you bounce around ideas with other learners, then our face-to-face classes are for you. Classes take place every few months at one of our many UK venues.
Ideal for learners who prefer traditional classroom settings
Face-to-face interaction
Convenient locations across the UK
Engaging in real-time learning experience
Structured delivery plan
Networking opportunities
In-person and online tutor support
Study books and online resources
Access to recorded sessions
In-class assignments and exam preparation
Our venues span London, Northampton, Birmingham, Newcastle, Cambridge, Little Compton, and many other locations. If you have a specific place in mind, reach out to us - we’d be happy to discuss options to suit your needs.
In-person learning at our 17th-century Manor. Ideal for an immersive experience.
Unique learning environment
All-inclusive experience
Accommodation and meals
Outstanding facilities
On-site exam centre
Support from our dedicated team
Our team will be on hand throughout your journey to answer questions, signpost additional support and provide guidance on your study route. Our experienced tutors will also be there to support you through your learning.
Access to our ICAEW learning resources
When you enrol on this course, you’ll get access to our comprehensive ICAEW resources to help you through your course and beyond. Available for the duration of your ICAEW programme, it includes course recordings and course notes, revision question bank and revision cards, online access to practice mocks, as well as group chats. Perfect for when you want to revisit something you’ve just learnt, or revise for your assessments.
Get your questions answered
If you have a question about the programme, ICAEW the qualification or anything else to do with your course, our training support team are here to help.
You can call the support team whenever you need to, for as long as you’re on the programme.
Invoice your employer
If your employer is paying for your course, then we can invoice them directly, so you don’t have to worry about trying to organise the payment yourself. You focus on your studies and we’ll take care of the rest.
Call our team of advisers today to get started!
Pay in full
To pay for your course in full, simply enquire, call us on 016 0867 4224, or complete the booking form and return to rbs.reed@reedbusinessschool.co.uk
We’ll provide you with all the details you need to complete the payment smoothly.
If you're currently a student or considering ICAEW with us, you'll find all essential resources here, from course outlines to application forms.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our support team. We're here to help ensure your success every step of the way. Remember to return your forms to rbs.reed@reedbusinessschool.co.uk.
Where can this course take me?
ICAEW focuses on developing strong technical expertise in accounting, audit, tax, and finance, making it an ideal choice for those aiming to become chartered accountants and take on influential roles across a wide range of industries.
Compare ICAEW with other accounting qualifications
Successfully completing this course could lead to a job as a Senior Auditor, Financial Analyst, or Tax Advisor or to further study and chartered status with ICAEW Advanced Level.
See what other roles your accountancy journey could lead you to
Chose your study method
We offer a range of study methods to suit your lifestyle and budget. All our study options include 24-hour access to our online study resources.
Residential
In-person learning at our 17th-century Manor. Experience the ideal immersive environment.
Unique learning environment
All-inclusive experience
Accommodation and meals
Outstanding facilities
On-site exam centre
Course price does not include accommodation fees. Rooms are available from £75 per night.
Classroom
In-person learning. Ideal for learners who prefer traditional classroom settings.
Face-to-face, classroom learning
Immediate feedback from tutors
Networking with fellow learners
Online resources for extra support
Convenient times and locations
Online Classroom
Enjoy a classroom experience from home. Ideal for learners seeking live online lessons.
Online classroom experience
Direct support from tutors
Real-time collaboration with peers
Recorded sessions for later review
Interactive online learning environment
Live Online
Real-time, online classes with live tutors. Ideal for learners seeking flexibility.
Scheduled live sessions online
Direct support from tutors
Real-time collaboration with peers
Recorded sessions for later review
Interactive online learning environment
On-demand
Flexible, self-paced online learning. Ideal for independent learners.
Comprehensive digital materials
Access to recorded webinars
Tutor support via email
Self-assessment quizzes
Optional 1-2-1 tutor (fees apply)
£7695.00 (inc VAT)
Looking to earn this qualification through an apprenticeship?
The ICAEW Level 7 Apprenticeship: Accountancy Professional allows you to develop professional skills while working, with the added benefit of government funding for eligible employers.
It’s a practical, cost-effective way to earn a recognised qualification and gain valuable work experience simultaneously.
Enquire today to find out more!
Market-leading pass rates
Why Reed Business School?
When you learn with Reed Business School, you’ll benefit from:
Market-leading pass rates: achieve top results with our expert support and resources.
Proven success: our students consistently perform at the highest level.
Experienced tutors: subject specialists guide you to pass your qualifications.
Proven teaching formula: helping thousands of students succeed.
Flexible delivery options: classroom, online, residential, and self-paced study available.
Convenient study: learn anytime, anywhere on your laptop, phone, or tablet.
Additional study materials: includes revision cards and question bank.
Mock exams & recorded lessons: accessible via Microsoft Teams.
Comprehensive materials: texts, revision cards, and mock exams included.
Highly rated: 4.6/5 on CourseCheck from hundreds of reviews.
50+ years of experience: a trusted provider with proven ICAEW results.
On-site exam centre: sit exams in a familiar, convenient setting.
Trusted brand: decades of expertise in learning and recruitment.
See what our learners have to say...
Case studies
Robert Lay, another ICAEW prize winner!
Exciting news from one of our final-year ICAEW students, Robert Lay, who recently won a prize at the ICAEW awards. Let's hear about his achievement.
Lily Gammon's journey to accountancy success: A Reed Business School triumph | Reed Learning
Discover how Lily Gammon achieved her dream career with Reed Business School's support and guidance. Her inspiring story showcases determination and success in the world of accountancy.
Frequently asked questions
ICAEW offers the prestigious ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) qualification, which is highly regarded by employers. The qualification demonstrates your high level of competence to management teams and accounting firms.
ACA currently consists of 15 exams divided into three levels:
Certificate
Professional
Advanced
Plus 450 days of practical work experience and ethical and professional development before qualifying.
Once you have completed all your exams, ethics training and practical work experience you can apply to become a member of ICAEW. Once approved, you’ll be granted the status of chartered accountant and can use the letters ACA or FCA (Fellow Chartered Accountant after ten years of ICAEW membership) after your name. Reed Business School currently offers:
Read our blog Becoming a chartered accountant – a step-by-step guide
ACA stands for Associate Chartered Accountant qualification.
The duration is usually three years. The maximum time limit for an ACA training agreement is five years but there is no time limit on completing your exams. You can continue to sit the ACA exams until you reach the maximum attempt limit which is four for the certificate and professional level modules but limitless for advanced level modules.
The ACA is equivalent to a postgraduate qualification such as a master’s degree.
ICAEW – consists of 15 exams divided into three levels: certificate, professional and advanced plus 450 days of practical work experience and ethical and professional development before qualifying.
As a chartered accountant, a variety of career options are available to you. You can work in:
Audit and assurance
Taxation
Management accounting
Corporate finance
Consulting
Risk management
Business recovery and insolvency
You can also choose to work in various industries, such as finance, healthcare, retail, or technology, or pursue an entrepreneurial path by starting your own accounting firm. Alternatively, having a chartered accountancy background can open doors for general finance and business strategic roles.
Useful links
If you're currently a student or considering ICAEW with us, you'll find find all essential resources here, from course outlines to application forms.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our support team. We're here to help ensure your success every step of the way. Remember to return your forms to rbs.reed@reedbusinessschool.co.uk.
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