ACA Examinations

The ACA examinations consist of the Professional Stage and the Advanced Stage.

Professional Stage

The professional stage comprises two types of modules, knowledge and application.

The knowledge modules will introduce candidates to the core concepts of accountancy.  Each knowledge module will be examined using computer-based
assessments (Knowledge E-Assessments) lasting 1.5 hours.

Application modules are designed to expand upon the knowledge modules and will require candidates to apply their knowledge in a practical context.  These
modules will be assessed by paper-based examinations lasting 2.5 hours.

The application modules are:

    * Financial Accounting
    * Auditing and Assurance
    * Financial Reporting
    * Taxation
    * Business Strategy
    * Financial Management

The papers are studied in three stages, comprising an “Early Hurdle” of Financial Accounting and Auditing and Assurance and two further blocks of two papers.

Advanced Stage

The aim of the Advanced Stage is to apply your professional skills in a business context relevant to the work you undertake with clients. The examination structure comprises:

Test of Advanced Technical Competence consisting of two three and a half hour papers assessing technical areas; and Advanced Case Study applying this knowledge in a four hour multi-disciplinary paper.

You cannot attempt the Advanced Case Study until you are in the last year of your training contract.

Exemptions

Exemptions at the professional stage will be available for trainees with relevant degrees.  These are available for all of the knowledge modules and for the business strategy and financial management application modules.