r/ICAEW

I have been approved as an ACA trainee in a middle sized firm with no accountancy or financial background whatsoever (all my education is related to Humanities) and I’m slightly freaking out with keeping up with it because of my lack of previous knowledge, I don’t have super strong Excel skills either. My employer is aware of these facts, just for the record. I’m trying to be optimistic because accountancy is not like astrophysics and I’m a fast learner.

Because of this job I had to plan moving to a different city and I’m finishing my masters exams so before starting the job I’ll barely have 1 week to prepare.

I’m looking for people who come from a similar background to tell me if I’m going to survive and how did you make it.

I am about to have final round interview with PE backed company in industry, funded by BGF.

Lots of stories about relating to PE backed companies, but these are american comments mostly so I'm not sure if that's 100% reflective of UK ones. I will be making my move out of audit and really want industry experience, but also don't want to be jumping from audit to another hell

Am I cooked if I haven’t started FCS revision yet?

Hi guys, just as the title says, I accepted an ACA grad scheme offer with a mid-tier accountancy firm (let’s say around top 20) back in October, but I’ve now also received and another offer from a larger firm (top 10).

Both roles start in September, but after visiting both, I strongly prefer the top 10 firm. The atmosphere felt like a much better fit for me, the commute is significantly easier, and overall it aligns more closely with my long-term goals. Both jobs start in September.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, and are there any consequences I should realistically expect at this stage?

Hey !

I am currently studying the tax certificate and am quite enjoying it. I work in a niche audit / assurance field and, while I enjoy it, I and will be looking for secondment opportunities after I qualify to stop me from pigeonholing myself into this one role. As I have enjoyed tax a lot, I am considering a secondment into my company’s tax team for a specific period.

I’m looking for any insights from people who work in tax as to how they find it, is it ‘enjoyable’ (not be bored too shitless on a regular basis) and would they recommend it as a career path.

Equally, if people have made the move from standard ACA / Audit role to tax, do you think it is necessary to do CTA after ? I enjoy studying but am conscious that towards the end of ACA kind of want to limit exams unless necessary.

Thanks in advance for any comments!

Hi everyone

I have my first Certificate Level exam coming up in 15 days. It is for Business Law. I started revising last week but there’s just so much content to cover in the WB while working too, that I haven’t managed to get far. I would love to be getting 90% on the mocks to ensure I pass the real thing, so should I just stop reading the WB and just focus on the QB? I only have knowledge on 1/5 chapters so far.

Anyone that has passed with flying colours, I would be grateful if you could give me the best revision tips you have!

Thank you!!!

Is there any active study group for july advance exams? I am massively struggling with motivation lol. If there is shoot the link would love to join and get my mind on track to study. Thanks in advance.

I tried booking FAR and AA but the website wouldn't continue when I clicked pay with card. It would say "There has been an error processing your request". I am insanely frustrated.

Spent 2 hours and 40 minutes in the live chat service ultimately to be told that the window has been closed and theres nothing we can do for you.

I'm so frustrated. Please advise if there's anything I can do.

Hi,

Currently in process of getting and OCD diagnosis. Could someone please let me know how much extra time is usually given for this?

Hi guys, I recently interviewed for a financial accountant role where they said it’s highly transactional (AR/AP) and processing invoices etc… the job description when applying had a mix of other things such as supporting month end/statutory accounts/consol (and ap/ar ownership). They said it’ll be like that for a few years and asked if I’m fine with that.

I guess my question is for those who qualified and joined as a financial accountant - were you responsible for AR/AP or mainly overseeing? And is it odd to hire a post qual accountant for this stuff rather than more complex/judgemental areas? The pay is decent just not sure if it’ll hinder my progress if all I’m doing is processing invoices.

Would appreciate some thoughts on this as someone who’s looking to leave audit!

Strategic Business Management top-up

• Who the Strategic Business Management top-up applies to Existing ACA students (those who started up to 30 June 2025 and have not been switched to the Next Generation ACA) must pass either the Strategic Business Management exam or complete the Strategic Business Management top-up. Next Generation ACA students (those who started from 1 July 2025 or have been switched) will not need to complete the Strategic Business Management exam or the top-up.
• What the Strategic Business Management top-up involves The Strategic Business Management top-up will be hosted on ICAEW’s Specialised Learning platform. It will consist of 15 hours of e-learning courses prescribed by ICAEW. If your organisation has been recognised for Specialised Learning please note this will not apply to the Strategic Business Management top-up. Full details of the e-learning courses and access will be provided in advance of the launch.
• When the Strategic Business Management top-up will be available The Strategic Business Management top-up will launch in Q1 2027 for existing ACA students who have not yet passed the Strategic Business Management exam. The last sitting of the Strategic Business Management exam is in November 2027. Students will need to either pass the Strategic Business Management exam before the final sitting or complete the Strategic Business Management top-up once available. There is no planned deadline for removal of the Strategic Business Management top-up. Once students have completed the Strategic Business Management top-up, it will be reflected in their online training file. To be eligible to attempt the Strategic Case Study exam, existing students must have already passed the Strategic Business Management exam or top-up, or be attempting the Strategic Business Management exam and Strategic Case Study in the same sitting.

Hello world,

I recently received an offer to join a Forensic, Risk and Assurance Consulting graduate scheme at a Big 4 firm in the UK, where I will be training towards the ACA, and I’d like your advice.

For context, I’m a final-year international relations and French student at a decent university. I initially considered a career in policy or public affairs, but given the current job market, the Big 4 was the only offer I received, and the economy doesn't allow me to turn it down (or rather, I am desperate to leave my part-time student bar job).

My main question is: is working in this sector really that bad? I’ve heard some absolute horror stories, but apparently, the exit opportunities are excellent, and I’m okay with using this as a stepping stone. As part of the programme, I could work in internal audit, risk assurance, GRC, investigations and compliance, etc. What kinds of roles and opportunities could I expect after qualifying? My understanding of the finance sector is limited, but I’ve heard that certain programmes can be restrictive. At this stage, I just want a stable career that offers a decent salary.

Any advice would be much appreciated!
TIA x

I’m sitting the above 2 exams in June with it being my first PL sittings. I’ve had college for both ( excluding Exam prep - i’m with Kaplan ) , with TCP tuition ending today and honestly it was ROUGH: I feel like I remember nothing. I genuinely am so worried especially for TCP but also FCS.

What way is best to revise for these? Or specifically with TCP just retaining knowledge and it all making sense. I’m not too familiar with how the marks work with PL apart from knowing you get carry on / follow through marks in your working which is obviously better than at CL. ATP I just want 55% no more and (definitely) no less 💀.

I’m genuinely so burnt out right now and this is all seriously making me think about my future in this career. Am I stressing too much?

Still haven’t started for FCS yet - is anyone else in the same position? TCP is taking all of my brain power and my employer aren’t even sending my to college for the exam - just revision

Hi all, little overwhelmed on how to prep for FCS as I’m from the old gen.

I’m on the old gen and sat certificates in 2022/2023. I really don’t remember much and I’m studying independently. I bought the BPP course for FCS, and the ICAEW content. I thought there would be a dedicated QB for FCS but seems like I was just sent the QB for the new gen cert papers? Is this all?

I’m not sure how to prep as I don’t really have time to go through allll the new gen cert exam content (sitting adv in July).

Anyone from the old gen who sat in March pls could you advise what you did to pass? Or anyone on new gen please give your tips as well!!

Specifically:
What specific topics did you go over?
What helped content wise?
How long did you spend on prep?

Much appreciated!

Hi,

I’m an audit associate in the midlands with 2 years experience and over half my exams done. I’m thinking my salary is a bit low and would like to see what people in similar roles are getting.

Thanks !

Failed BDS in March and got down with tech issues too. Struggling to focus on revision. The content is pretty straight forward but I'm so lost on how to approach the questions. Set to resit in June but it's just so much dread. Unsure how to prepare or feel prepared for this😬

Rough cost to employ someone who:

- aca qualified ICAEW

- Client manager

- Audit experience

I've just sat my first case study mock with FI on House Pride, but I'm a lone student so don't really have much comparison.

For those that don't mind sharing, what is a typical score that people tend to get back from the first mock? TIA