QUALIFICATIONTHE

EXTRAORDINARY STARTS HERE.BECOME A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT.

Laila Giwa CA Skullcandy, Zurich

What is a Chartered Accountant? 1

Why should I become a Chartered Accountant? 2

CA – two letters will change your life 4

Who is ICAS? 6

Why train with ICAS? 8

More than just a qualification 10

How can I become a CA? 12

- The direct entry route

- The graduate entry route

- The professional entry route

- The pathways entry route

Steps to becoming a CA 14

What is a training contract? 15

Where can I train? 15

What qualifications does ICAS offer? 17

- The ICAS Tax Professional (ITP)

- The Integrated Qualification (IQ)

- The CA qualification in detail

The CA qualification by level and subject 22

Start your extraordinary CA career 26

ICAS acronym explainer 28

CONTENTS

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Chartered Accountants are an extraordinary group of people.

Wherever they work, they make a difference.

They’re ambitious. They’re talented. They’re in demand.

Training to become a Chartered Accountant will set you apart. Being ‘chartered’ takes you way beyond traditional accountancy training. It’s a rigorous professional qualification, combining expert tuition, relevant workplace experience and unrivalled support and guidance.

As a result, Chartered Accountants are highly trained. They are much more than simply ‘the numbers people’ – Chartered Accountants play a fundamentally important role in business. They think strategically, solve complex problems, manage risks and think outside the box. With an ability to manage complex information, make sound decisions and keep a cool head, Chartered Accountants play a pivotal role in helping their organisations achieve success.

If you’re looking for an extraordinary career, becoming a Chartered Accountant is the perfect place for you to start.

WHAT IS A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT?

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If you want your career to be challenging, rewarding and exciting, becoming a Chartered Accountant offers all this and more. Chartered Accountants don’t just work for accountancy firms; they work in every sector of business. Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant will give you a wealth of business expertise, and not just in accountancy and finance.

Becoming a Chartered Accountant opens doors. You’ll be in demand at home, and around the world. You’ll have both the ability and the opportunity to explore and excel in any area of business you choose. The career opportunities are endless.

As a Chartered Accountant, you could potentially work anywhere. You can make your mark in global financial centres, at big accountancy firms, for government bodies or in cutting edge technology companies. For those with an entrepreneurial streak, becoming a Chartered Accountant will give you the skills to manage and run your own business.

Whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go, becoming a Chartered Accountant is your passport to success.

To discover the varied and exciting careers you can have as a Chartered Accountant, read our CA stories at becomeaca.icas.com

WHY SHOULD I BECOME A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT?

THE CA QUALIFICATION UNLOCKS SO MANY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS SECTORS AND COUNTRIES

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>>INDY HOTHI CA ECONOMIC ADVISORY, EY, LONDON

My role as a senior economist for EY in London involves advising the public and private sector organisations on the economic, social

and fiscal impact of their operations and polices and has included working on high-profile reports for the Premiere League and the UK Government.

“The CA qualification has been absolutely invaluable on so many fronts, from advising corporate and Government clients in my role at EY to being able to provide pro-bono services to charities & causes which I am extremely passionate about. The strength of the CA qualification should not be underestimated as it unlocks so many different opportunities and challenges across sectors and geographically.

“The CA has equipped me with the technical knowledge, business acumen, experience and confidence to effectively add value in my current role at EY, use my expertise and commercial insight to support charitable organisations and start my own social enterprise to support artists.

“Being an economist with the CA designation has led to a number of clients requesting my presence on their teams due my financial accounting knowledge. I have had the opportunity to drive a number of large scale projects which have featured prominently in the news, for example the UK hosting the Rugby World Cup. This is something I would not have been able to do without the CA qualification and the experience I gained over the training programme.

“The skills gained on the CA programme have also allowed me to setup a social enterprise to support artists from developing countries. Without the CA qualification I do not believe I would have had the technical skills, expertise or confidence to undertake this endeavour.”

Indy was the winner of One Young CA in 2015 and represented ICAS at the One Young World Summit in Thailand.

INDY HOTHI CA ECONOMIC ADVISORY, EY, LONDON

ECONOMICS SOAS, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

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When it comes to Chartered Accountants, CAs are in a world-class of their own.

By choosing to study with ICAS, you’ll train to become a CA. The CA qualification is exceptional. It’s prestigious and internationally respected. When you become an ICAS CA you’ll join an elite group of highly regarded business professionals.

Being able to use the letters CA after your name speaks volumes. No other Institute, training body or membership organisation in the UK can use the designation ‘CA’ – it is an exclusive privilege for our members only.

As an ICAS CA you’ll be instantly recognised and respected as a world-class business professional. No matter where you go in the world, employers and peers will appreciate who you are: a dynamic, capable, forward-thinking and versatile business professional.

CA – TWO LETTERS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

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I am a Business Analyst Director in the Home Entertainment division at Warner Bros. Our group’s role within the studio is to analyse the financial and

business impact of new strategies within producing and selling video and games products on physical and digital platforms.

“One of the main reasons I decided to do the CA qualification was the opportunities that would come later in my career. I wasn’t necessarily expecting to be sitting on the Warner Bros. studio years after taking my exams, but I was hoping for some varied and global experiences.

“Whether it be a secondment to Amsterdam whilst at EY, helping to launch broadband and talk products at Sky plc, or moving to California with Warner Bros., I feel lucky to say that my career to date has given me exactly that.

“The CA qualification played a huge part in being considered for those opportunities. Its reputation and the recognition it receives around the world really does differentiate you from other candidates looking to achieve similar aspirations.

“My career has moved away from traditional accounting, having trained as an auditor at EY, into commercial finance for a time and now within strategy. Being able to refer to the technical knowledge I gained early in my training is invaluable.

“Having the letters CA after my name and the credentials associated with the qualification absolutely helped me achieve my career aspirations.”

NICHOLAS STANNARD CA BUSINESS ANALYST DIRECTOR, WARNER BROS., CALIFORNIA

BUSINESS STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

THE CA QUALIFICATION PLAYED A HUGE PART IN BEING CONSIDERED FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES

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>>NICHOLAS STANNARD CA BUSINESS ANALYST DIRECTOR, WARNER BROS., CALIFORNIA

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>>WHO IS ICAS?We are the professional body for CAs. ICAS was the first ever professional accountancy body, created by Royal Charter in 1854. With over 21,000 members working in the UK and internationally, we have a truly global reach. Our members work in public practice, but also across every conceivable sector of industry, as well as in the public sector and in education.

Our members don’t just work for the Big Four. They work for some of the world’s most prestigious organisations and best known global brands. Choose to train with us and you can join them.

Our statistics speak volumes about what it means to be a CA.

CAs don’t just work for accountancy firms; they work in every business sector and for some of the best known global brands.

Here’s just some of the other industries ICAS Chartered Accountants (CAs) work in:

ICAS CAs WORK AROUND THE WORLD IN MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES.

OUR VALUESINTEGRITY

WISDOMINNOVATION

SERVICEWORKING TOGETHER

8.7% RETAIL

7.8% FOOD & DRINK

10% OIL & GAS

21% FINANCIAL SERVICES

66% OF OUR CAS WORK IN BUSINESS.

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>> THERE ARE OVER 21,000 CAs WORLDWIDE.

ICAS is a founding member of both Chartered Accountants Worldwide and Global Accounting Alliance – groups of the leading institutes of Chartered Accountants from around the world.

These organisations support, develop and promote the reputation of the Chartered qualification and the vital role that CAs play throughout the global economy. Through the CA qualification, you will become part of these expert global communities.

80%

CAsOF FTSE 100

COMPANIES EMPLOYOUR MEMBERS WORK AS

CEOs,

FDs,CFOs, COOs,

BOARD MEMBERS

ENTREPRENEURS.

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SOME OF THE CITIES OUR MEMBERS WORK IN

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You’re smart, so you’ll have no doubt have looked at other options for becoming a Chartered Accountant. So why should you choose ICAS?

It’s simple.

ICAS is the best choice you can make if you want to train to become a world-class Chartered Accountant. Right from the start, ICAS offers you expert professional qualifications and support to help start your extraordinary career.

AN OUTSTANDING REPUTATION.We’ve been around for a long time, 160 years in fact, so when it comes to training CAs we know exactly what we’re doing. When it comes to producing exceptional CAs our track record speaks for itself. Some of the world’s most prominent and successful business leaders did their CA training here with us. Now you can too.

DEVELOPED BY EXPERTS.We don’t just rely on our reputation. The CA qualification is one of the most highly regarded professional accounting qualifications out there, and we’ve developed it from scratch. We are one of the only chartered accountancy bodies to create our own syllabus, teaching materials and exams, for all our students. This gives the CA qualification a great deal of credibility and prestige in the wider business community. We regularly consult with employers to ensure the CA qualification remains both current and relevant to the needs of today’s businesses.

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WHY TRAIN WITH ICAS?

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE.When you train with us, the technical skills you’ll learn will become the foundation of your professional career. Our hands-on approach combines expert tuition with practical application to ensure you can get to grips with complex accounting and financial activities easily. You’ll also learn invaluable skills about how to lead and manage others, and advise clients with credibility and confidence. The common thread throughout the CA is our commitment to ethics, so you’ll be trained to make informed decisions and uphold the highest ethical standards.

COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT.We know that studying to be a CA is tough. With ICAS, you can rest assured that we’ll be with you every step of the way throughout your studies and beyond. We are committed to supporting our students and helping them achieve high pass rates at all levels of the CA curriculum.

A GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY.The CA is more than just a professional qualification. When you qualify as a CA with ICAS, you’ll be in great company. Through ICAS, you’ll become part of a close global network of more than 21,000 like-minded business professionals.

KNOWLEDGEAND TECHNICAL ABILITY TO COMPLETE COMPLEX ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

VALUESTO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND UPHOLD THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS

SKILLSTO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE, COMMUNICATE, ADVISE AND LEAD

AS AN ICAS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, YOU’LL BE TRAINED WITH THE:

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THE BEST THING ABOUT MY JOB IS THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS; TO MAKE ADIFFERENCE

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DANIEL MARTIN CA GENERAL MANAGER, ETIHAD AIRWAYS, ARMAGUARD VALUABLES MANAGEMENT LLC, ABU DHABI

I am General Manager of one of Etihad’s subsidiaries, Armaguard Valuables Management – a logistics company that specialises in the transport of high value

goods around the world. As GM, I’m responsible for the whole company, everything from overseeing the current finance to planning the strategy of the business.

“So far, my career has been varied. I trained as a CA through the graduate route, working in practice before moving into industry. After training and working at Deloitte, I moved to a new role as a Business Accountant at Celtic PLC. I was promoted to Group Financial Controller before taking the Head of Finance position at Etihad Aviation Group. It’s been mostly finance based roles but now I’ve now moved into a GM role, which is more of a Chief Executive type role. It’s been varied and it’s been dynamic and obviously not limited by geographical status.”

“I think the CA qualification definitely provides you with great building blocks and the tools needed to progress your career. Mostly people start in an auditing/banking type environment and also have their training and exams. At the time a lot of people might think ‘this is tough work, I’m not sure how this relates’ but the skillset that you develop from the training programme specifically does help you with later career paths.

“The interesting thing about ICAS is that it’s the oldest institute and it’s amazing how people from all the other institutes are aware of it – and the fact that an ICAS CA is the only UK chartered accountant who can use the designation after their name.

“There are CAs all over the world, not just the UK, and that network helps you expand your career opportunities. There is also an instant respect of the CA, which enables opportunities to present themselves when people immediately understand your background. You are valued as part of any team – it’s all about the skills you can bring to the table.

“With the CA you can be finance based and have the skillset that it takes to move over into a commercial environment. The beauty of that is not just advising, but actually implementing your decisions.

“People have the perspective that the CA is purely numbers and ‘a bit boring’. That is just not the case. There’s hard work involved in gaining your qualification but once you’ve achieved that, the opportunities are limitless.”

DANIEL MARTIN CA GENERAL MANAGER, ETIHAD AIRWAYS, ARMAGUARD VALUABLES MANAGEMENT LLC, ABU DHABI

TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE

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MORE THAN JUST A QUALIFICATIONThe CA qualification opens the door to an incredible range of ICAS member benefits and opportunities. Wherever you are in the world, we’re here to support you throughout your lifetime as a CA.

Just take a look at what’s on offer.

PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY. As a CA, you’ll join a global community of CAs across a wide range of sectors and professions. The CA qualification has an excellent reputation and reflects an incredible amount of hard work and commitment. Those who are members of ICAS all share a close connection because of that. At ICAS, we also help you connect with other members so that you can learn from their experiences and build the knowledge and connections needed to develop your career. We have built up more than 20 communities across the globe where our members can access these networks and events.

CAREER SUPPORT.Whether you’re looking for a career move, searching for a mentor or want to develop your skills, we’ve got all your career needs covered. Our innovative virtual, global mentoring programme can match you with the right mentor to help you make all the right career moves. What’s more, the ICAS Professional Development programme offers everything from courses to webinars, workshops to conferences – all designed to take you further in your career.

TECHNICAL UPDATES AND NEWS BRIEFINGS.When you become a CA, keeping your technical knowledge current is essential. With our ongoing programme of technical updates, in-depth analysis and commentary, we do the hard work for you. Our expertise ensures your skills remain up-to-date, regardless of your specialism or industry sector.

EVENTS AND CONFERENCES.ICAS runs a packed programme of exciting events designed to encourage our members to connect, network and learn. Our highly popular annual ICAS conference has developed a reputation for a top-class speaker line up, and that’s just for starters. You can network with like-minded colleagues at our CA dinners around the world, drop in to a masterclass on a special interest topic, come to a speed mentoring event or see the latest exhibitions – in some of the UK’s most exciting venues. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

THE CA IS AN EXTREMELY WELL-RECOGNISED AND VALUED QUALIFICATION

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>>LAILA GIWA CA HEAD OF FINANCE, SKULLCANDY, ZURICH

Professionally, the CA qualification has broadened my horizons. I learned a great deal whilst training for my qualification and I continue to

learn a great deal post qualification, both because of the career choices I have made but also because being a CA requires me to continue to challenge myself and ensure that I keep up to date.

“The CA is an extremely well-recognised and valued qualification, and having this on my CV means a lot. When people see this on your CV they see that you have worked hard, that you are professional, that you will uphold a certain standard. It opens doors which it would be much harder to open without.

“As head of finance, EMEA and India, at Skullcandy my role is to manage finance for the whole of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. My team make sure the numbers are right, that we get them on time and that we have got the right assurances.

“If you are thinking about becoming a CA, I would say research what subjects the CA covers and what career paths CAs have gone on to have. From doing this you will realise that being a CA involves so much more than bookkeeping. It covers a multitude of subjects which are designed to turn you into a well-rounded business professional. With that it brings a multitude of opportunities.

“ICAS feels like a family. Members are able to call upon each other if in need of professional support or advice and I have really have found this to be true. It’s great to have this large network of professionals globally who are part of this prestigious club, who worked very hard to get there and who uphold certain ethical and professional standards. It makes me very proud to be a CA.”

LAILA GIWA CA HEAD OF FINANCE, SKULLCANDY, ZURICH

LAW UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX

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HOW CAN I BECOME A CA?Depending on your current circumstances, there are a number of ways you can become a CA with us. For starters, you don’t need to have been to university if you want to be a CA. Here’s a quick overview of the main routes to becoming a CA.

THE DIRECT ENTRY ROUTE. One of the great things about the CA qualification is that you can start your CA training straight from school. You also don’t need to have any previous knowledge of accountancy or finance to study with us, as we make sure that you’ll cover all the bases in your training. What you do need are some good A-level/Higher results under your belt – along the lines as what you’d need to get into university.

It normally takes five years to complete the CA qualification through the direct entry route. You’ll study with us at the same time as getting some hands-on practical experience with an ICAS authorised employer (known as an ATO or Authorised Training Office). Entry requirements for training vacancies with ICAS authorised employers vary so it’s worth checking with our individual employers.

The direct entry route is an ideal choice if you’re an ambitious school leaver who wants to get into the real world of business straightaway.

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THE GRADUATE ENTRY ROUTE. Lots of our students come straight to us to become CAs when they finish university. It doesn’t matter what degree you’ve studied, as we don’t require you to have any previous experience in accountancy or business. Our students come from varied and diverse backgrounds. All you need is a good university degree that meets our entry requirements. We welcome international students too – just check that your degree classification meets our UK requirements.

The graduate route to becoming a CA usually takes three years and is organised in the form of a training contract with an ICAS authorised employer (known as an ATO or Authorised Training Office). Entry requirements for training vacancies with ICAS authorised employers vary so it’s worth checking with our individual employers.

>> >>THE PROFESSIONAL ENTRY ROUTE.

If you’ve already gained experience working in a financial role, or are an experienced university graduate, then the professional entry route to becoming a CA could be for you. This is a highly flexible way to become a CA, as you can study and sit your exams with ICAS at different times to suit you. We even offer a combination of weekend and online learning so you can study for the CA qualification without giving up your current job.

THE PATHWAYS ENTRY ROUTE. The pathways route allows members of an approved accounting body the opportunity to become a member of ICAS and use the exclusive ‘CA’ designation. As a CA you will join a network of leading, global business professionals and have access to a wide range of ICAS services and benefits.

>>START YOUR EXTRAORDINARY CAREER TODAY. To find the route or training vacancy that’s right for you, visit becomeaca.icas.com.

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STEPS TO BECOMING AN ICAS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

Secure a training contract with one of our ATOs, dependant on your chosen route.

SECURE A TRAINING

CONTRACT

2

RELEVANT, PRACTICAL

EXPERIENCE

3Demonstrate key

competencies and learnings and

record in your Achievement Log.

PROFESSIONAL STUDY

Study and pass the three levels of the CA

qualification along with a dedicated business ethics assessment.

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MEET THE ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

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YOU ARE NOW ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ICAS MEMBERSHIP AND BECOME A ONCE YOU’VE BEEN ADMITTED TO MEMBERSHIP, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO ADD THOSE ALL-IMPORTANT LETTERS TO YOUR NAME. >>

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WHAT IS A TRAINING CONTRACT?

WHERE CAN I TRAIN?

If you’re studying via the direct or graduate entry routes, getting a training contract in place is your first step towards becoming a CA. We work in partnership with a wide range of ICAS authorised employers (ATOs) to offer our students an exciting array of employment opportunities. Our range of authorised employers is incredibly diverse so whatever your career aspirations, there’s something for everyone.

Our dedicated recruitment website advertises the latest training contract opportunities. You’ll find opportunities to train in public practice with top accountancy firms, or you might choose to work in the public sector, with a multinational or a smaller start up business.

Find a CA training vacancy that fits your career aspirations at becomeaca.icas.com.

You can train and study for the CA qualification anywhere in the UK. Where you attend classes depends on your where your employer is based or where you are working. You can attend classes and complete your exams with us in a host of training centres across the UK.

No matter where you do your training, you’ll have the same ICAS experience. We work hard to make sure that our high standards of teaching and student support are consistent across all our teaching locations.

GLASGOW

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I work for Specsavers Optical Group as the International Tax Manager. The role entails a wide variety of different responsibilities

including preparing transfer pricing documentation and benchmarking reports, assisting with the tax consolidation, monitoring the global tax compliance of the group as well as keeping up-to-date with any advancements in legislation in the territories where we are based.

“Working for Specsavers I have a great work-life balance. No two days are the same and I am also lucky enough to have travel opportunities, supporting the international finance teams with all things tax related.

“Without the CA and ITP I would not have had the necessary qualifications, experience or confidence to apply for this role.

“Being able to tell people that I’m a chartered accountant gives me an immense amount of pride. I worked hard for my qualification and it wasn’t a walk in the park – but the rewards and benefits are well worth it.

“Now I’m a member I get daily emails keeping me up-to-date with relevant news and have the opportunity to attend continuing professional development courses and various conferences as well as social events.

“Qualifying as a CA provides you with a global passport for your career. I find it strange that the accountancy profession still has this stereotype of being boring. The people I met whilst studying and through my jobs are the polar opposite of this.

“Becoming a CA takes a lot of hard work and as such comes with respect and prestige within the industry. I have no doubt that because it was on my CV, I was considered for my current role.”

NICKI EASTLAKE-BENT CA ITPINTERNATIONAL TAX MANAGER, SPECSAVERS

BIOCHEMISTRY AND PSYCHOLOGY ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

QUALIFYING AS A CA PROVIDES YOU WITH A GLOBAL PASSPORT FOR YOUR CAREER

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>>NICKI EASTLAKE-BENT CA ITP INTERNATIONAL TAX MANAGER, SPECSAVERS

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WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DOES ICAS OFFER? The CA is our highly respected and best known qualification.

However, we’ve also got other flexible, highly relevant qualifications in both tax and audit which may right for you depending on your career aspirations.

THE ICAS TAX PROFESSIONAL (ITP)With the ITP we’ve turned our attention to the world of tax. Developed in close partnership with leading tax practices and jointly delivered in partnership with tax training experts Tolley Tax, the ITP will equip you with everything you need to succeed as a tax professional. Like the CA qualification, the ITP is a highly professional, relevant qualification, which will give you:

• A breadth of knowledge across all key tax areas

• Deep tax expertise

• Skills development in advising clients and making recommendations

You can choose to study the ITP qualification as a ‘bolt-on’ alongside your CA studies or on it’s own – it’s up to you.

If you’d like to find out more about the ITP qualification, visit icas.com and search ‘ITP’.

THE INTEGRATED QUALIFICATION (IQ)Launched in 2015, the Integrated Qualification is an exciting new qualification in corporate and public sector audit. To develop the IQ, we’ve partnered with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to give you a combination of ICAS training and specialist CIPFA modules. IQ graduates can use both the CA and CPFA designations. As with all our qualifications, the IQ offers a flexible range of training options.

If you’d like to find out more about the Integrated Qualification, visit icas.com and search ‘IQ’.

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RACHEL CORSIE CAPROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER, SEATTLE REIGN FC, SEATTLE

I AM PROUD OF WHAT I ACHIEVED BECAUSE I KNOW HOW HARD I WORKED FOR IT

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For me, the CA is a qualification with an excellent reputation and also reflects an incredible amount of hard work and commitment. I am very proud

to have gained that recognition and know that those who are members of ICAS all share a close connection because of that.

“I qualified as a CA and now professionally play in defence for Seattle Reign Football Club, one of the world’s top women’s football team.

“I had always been strongest in maths, economics and business subjects at school and so I felt those were areas I wanted to pursue. I also wanted to study a degree that led into a profession directly and so accounting and finance seemed the best fit for me.

“The CA qualification brings with it a great sense of achievement. Professionally, it is something that helped me to progress and develop whilst working within practice. It helped give me an excellent knowledge platform. Alongside this, it absolutely demands self-discipline, determination and ambition to complete the demands of the qualification and these are valuable and transferable skills to all aspects of life. These values are ingrained in me now and I like to think I demonstrate them daily, even now that I not currently in the business or finance world.

“When I am too old to play football, I hope to utilise my qualification and skills gained to find my way back into business.

“It is important for anyone considering to become a CA, that they understand its demands and are prepared to commit to all that is required.

“It is, without doubt, my greatest achievement to date, and anyone thinking of taking the journey to become a CA I wish them all the best. The hard work is absolutely worth it!”

RACHEL CORSIE CA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER, SEATTLE REIGN FC, SEATTLE, USA

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY

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I AM ABLE TO USE MY CA SKILLS WHILST MAKING A POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT BOTH IN THE UK AND OVERSEAS

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>>RACHEL SINGH DAVIES CACFO, SHELL FOUNDATION, SHELL INTERNATIONAL LTD, LONDON

I joined Shell in 2009 as a financial controller, progressing to leading my corporate team in 2011. In 2014, I chose to forgo promotion in the corporate

business and moved permanently to Shell Foundation as a Social Business Manager. I’ve always had a passion for sustainability and development and had always taken an active role in the Shell Foundation, offering pro-bono services to the foundation. This enabled me to use my technical CA background to set up efficient finance functions and build long-term operational forecasts to financial sustainability for a variety of social enterprises.

“Shell Foundation’s goal is to catalyse the innovation and scale-up of disruptive new models and technologies that can ultimately transform the lives and livelihoods of many millions of people. This was a non-finance role, identifying, financing and working with social enterprises directly to maximise their social and environmental impact and accelerate their sustainability journey.

“As Social Business Manager, I was responsible for six partner enterprises and also oversaw the development of Shell Foundation’s launch in China, including supporting their first Chinese social enterprise.

“The diverse social objectives of these partners included sustainable electricity to off-grid communities in India, to improving the sustainability of the cotton supply chain benefitting smallholder farmers in the developing world.

“In 2015 I became Shell Foundation’s CFO and I am now responsible for managing all social investments and its $450 million endowment fund, which by the end of 2015 had created over 55,000 jobs; reduced carbon in the environment by over 10 million tonnes; and is believed to have benefitted the lives of nearly 48 million people. With Shell Foundation’s support, their partners have also been able to raise over $5 billion of additional financial support.

“I’ve always enjoyed being a CA and I use the varied skills the qualification taught me on a day to day basis. Now I am able to use these skills whilst making positive social impact both in the UK and overseas, but still keeping a strong business focus. I am now in my dream role, and I am constantly surprised and excited about everything I can achieve.”

RACHEL SINGH DAVIES CA CFO, SHELL FOUNDATION, SHELL INTERNATIONAL LTD, LONDON

PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

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20 >>THE CA QUALIFICATION IN DETAIL

TEST OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

TEST OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

TEST OF COMPETENCEPRINCIPLES OF AUDITING & REPORTING

FINANCIAL REPORTING

BUSINESS LAW

ADVANCED FINANCE

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

ASSURANCE & BUSINESS SYSTEMS

FINANCE

TAXATION

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

PRINCIPLES OF TAX

BUSINESS ETHICS

RELEVANT PRACTICA

L EXPERIENCE

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>>QUALIFICATION ACCREDITATIONICAS is recognised by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Partnership as a Credit Rating Body. The CA qualification is credit rated at the same level as a Masters Degree with a total of 480 SCQF credit points. SCQF recognition offers employers a quick and easy way to recognise and compare the CA with other equivalent or international qualifications.

TC – TEST OF COMPETENCE

The building blocks of the CA qualification.

Here you’ll get to grips with basic concepts in accountancy and finance. You’ll develop core knowledge across a key areas including:

• Business Law• Business Management• Finance• Financial Accounting• Principles of Auditing and Reporting• Principles of Tax

Depending on your previous level of study, you may be eligible for TC exemptions. You can find the full list of TC exemptions on icas.com by searching ‘Exemptions’.

TPS – TEST OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Going beyond technical knowledge.

Being a good CA is about much more than your technical ability. TPS equips you with essential practical skills and how to apply them in practice. It builds on core knowledge learnt at TC and prepares you for working with clients in the real work. Subjects studied at TPS include:

• Advanced Finance• Assurance and Business Systems• Financial Reporting• Taxation

TPE – TEST OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

Bringing it all together.

The final level combines everything you’ve learned at TC and TPS. Students work on a multi-disciplinary case study, advising on a complex, real life business scenario. This calls for strong professional judgement and utilises all the skills and expertise learned at TC and TPS.

BE – BUSINESS ETHICSA key part of the CA qualification.

In addition to studying ethics at different points throughout the three levels, Business Ethics is an important stand-alone subject and carries a separate assessment.

RPE – RELEVANT PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Developing your skills and knowledge with your employer.

To qualify as a CA, you’ll also need 450 days of relevant practical experience under your belt, gained at work with your employer and recorded in your achievement log.

The CA qualification is designed to make sure that you develop the necessary technical knowledge and skills, combined with professional skills in judgement, analysis, communication and presentation, to deal with a wide variety of complex and often unpredictable issues and situations.

These technical and professional skills will enable you to formulate and communicate professional solutions. You’ll also gain the necessary professional and ethical values to deal with and make informed judgements on complex, ethical and professional issues.

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THE CA QUALIFICATION BY LEVEL AND SUBJECTThe 11 exams of the qualification help you develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to be a world-class business professional. These exams are further supported by learning and assessment in Business Ethics and the integration of technical and non-technical skills through relevant practical experience achieved in the work place and recorded in the Achievement Log.

Find out more about the CA qualifications levels and classes below.

TEST OF COMPETENCE (TC) SCQF LEVEL 9

These six subjects provide students with the basic concepts and core knowledge in the areas of audit, accountancy, tax, finance, law and business management to enable students to progress to later levels. The TC exams test this technical knowledge.

The long-term average TC pass rate is 92%.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING 10 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The aim of the Financial Accounting course is to provide a knowledge of the mechanics of double entry bookkeeping and to be able to prepare an income statement and balance sheet. The course also covers the principles of accounting concepts.

FINANCE 10 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The TC Finance course covers three main subject areas – corporate finance, financial analysis and interpretation and economics. This will give you a thorough grounding in both the theory and practice of finance, and to provide an understanding of the operation of firms and the economy as a whole.

PRINCIPLES OF TAX EXPECTED SCQF LEVEL 9 AND 10 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The Principles of Taxation course will provide you with a working knowledge of the main UK taxes and how these are calculated, assessed and collected. The course covers basic calculations for income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax and VAT.

BUSINESS LAW 10 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The aim of the Business Law course is to give an introduction to the key areas of law which affect businesses. The focus of the course learning is on contract law and company law.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 10 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

Business Management provides you with knowledge of the various tools that management use on a day-to-day basis to operate a business, including budgeting, pricing and strategy. In addition, the course considers different methods of costing, focusing on the treatment of overheads with the aim of calculating a total cost per unit.

PRINCIPLES OF AUDITING & REPORTING 10 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The aim of Principles of Auditing and Reporting is to provide knowledge of how a business operates and is controlled. The course covers the process followed to perform an effective external audit of a company.

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TEST OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS (TPS)SCQF LEVEL 11

This stage is about combining your technical knowledge with communication skills and working with clients. We’ll teach you how to respond to specific client needs, how to prioritise issues and communicate effective solutions in a concise and professional manner.

There are four TPS subjects. The TPS exams test both technical knowledge and the ability to apply and communicate this to a client in a given scenario. Exams are held three times a year, in late June, late August and early December.

The long-term average TPS pass rate is 80%.

FINANCIAL REPORTING 20 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The aim of the Financial Reporting course is to develop a thorough understanding of and ability to apply appropriate principles in accounting for transactions and events using International Financial Reporting standards. You’ll learn how to prepare and construct final financial statements for both an individual company and groups, including relevant disclosure notes. You’ll also cover the key differences between International Financial Reporting Standards and UK Accounting Standards.

ASSURANCE AND BUSINESS SYSTEMS 20 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The Assurance & Business Systems course develops a knowledge of how a business is controlled and how to run an assurance engagement. The aim of the course is firstly, to enable participants to advise businesses on their internal control systems at the board level, over risk assessment and at the process level, as well as to advise on business risks faced by the business. Secondly, it is to enable participants to apply auditing and assurance standards and guidance to carry out an assurance or statutory audit engagement.

ADVANCED FINANCE 20 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The aim of the Advanced Finance course is to develop a thorough knowledge of the various techniques used by financial managers. The course builds on finance theories, calculations, markets and products in order to understand, evaluate and advise on corporate finance situations and the various major financial decisions that firms face.

TAXATION 20 SCQF CREDIT POINTS

The Taxation course develops a thorough understanding of the main UK taxes that affect businesses and individuals. The aim of the course is for students to have an understanding of the various taxes that apply in specific situations, enable them to calculate various tax liabilities and to advise/conclude on the tax implications of business scenarios and to communicate these in an appropriate professional manner.

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TEST OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE (TPE) SCQF LEVEL 11

TPE replicates the real working environment, simulating the type of assignments expected of a newly-qualified CA in the workplace. By preparing a business report containing relevant practical advice tailored to the specific background of the scenario provided you’ll develop your ability to analyse complex business scenarios containing a variety of technical issues and communicate effective solutions. TPE exams are held twice a year, in May and November.

Reflecting the workplace, the TPE exam is an open book exam and all students are required to use a laptop to prepare their TPE answer script. Students may bring any paper or electronic reference material into the exam which they think may assist them. TPE has 35 SCQF credit points.

The long term average TPE pass rate is 88%.

BUSINESS ETHICS (BE) SCQF LEVEL 11

Business Ethics is incorporated across the ICAS syllabus in individual subjects but also forms a stand-alone subject and assessment. You will be taught the nature of ethics and its significance in the business environment. You’ll also learn to identify and explain the consequences of unethical behaviour to an individual, the accounting professional and society.

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RELEVANT PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE (RPE) SCQF LEVEL 11

The relevant practical experience element requires 450 days of relevant practical experience demonstrating technical and non-technical competencies. This is recorded in the ICAS Achievement Log and is gained through the training contract agreement with an ICAS Authorised Training Office (ATO). RPE has 315 SCQF credit points.

>>BECOME A WORLD-CLASS BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL. To find out more about the CA qualification syllabus, visit becomeaca.icas.com.

START YOUR EXTRAORDINARY CA CAREERIf you’re ready to take the first step towards becoming a CA, our dedicated website becomeaca.icas.com is your next stop. You can find out more about the CA qualification, search the full range of ATOs and apply for a training contract with an employer that’s right for you.

We look forward to welcoming you to ICAS as you begin your extraordinary career with us.

@ICASaccountingicas.com

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JAGUAR LAND ROVER HMRC DELOITTE LLOYD’S BANK MORGAN STANLEY

BRITISH AIRWAYS MARKS & SPENCER EXPEDIA.COM

VIRGIN MEDIA BARCLAYS BANK JOHN LEWIS NETWORK RAIL

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CANCER RESEARCH UK CHANNEL4 COCA-COLA GOLDMAN SACHS IKEA JET2.COM MASTERCARD

MONEYSUPERMARKET BP HSBC BANK SSE DIAGEO SKY JP

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HEINEKEN SAINSBURY’S TESCO ROLLS-ROYCE BT

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ABS ASSURANCE AND BUSINESS SYSTEMS

AF ADVANCED FINANCE

ATO AUTHORISED TRAINING OFFICE

BE BUSINESS ETHICS

BL BUSINESS LAW

BM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

CA CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

CABLE CA BLENDED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

CAW CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS WORLDWIDE

FA FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

FR FINANCIAL REPORTING

GAA GLOBAL ACCOUNTING ALLIANCE

IQA INTEGRATED QUALIFICATION IN AUDIT

ITP ICAS TAX PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

POT PRINCIPLES OF TAXATION

RPE RELEVANT PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

SCQF SCOTTISH CREDIT AND QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK

TC TEST OF COMPETENCE

TOPPS TRAINING OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC PRACTICE SCHEME

TP TRAINING PRINCIPAL

TPE TEST OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

TPS TEST OF PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

ICAS ACRONYM EXPLAINER

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THE CA IS ONE OF THE BEST QUALIFICATIONS YOU CAN HAVE. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE A CA. ELEANOR

BURNS CATHE UNITED NATIONS NEW YORK

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CA House 21 Haymarket Yards Edinburgh EH12 5BHstudentservices@icas.com +44 (0)131 347 0186 icas.com