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  1. About Us

    Find out about who we are and what we do here at ICAS.

  2. Find a CA

    Search our directory of individual CAs and Member organisations by name, location and professional criteria.

  3. CA Magazine

    View the latest issues of the dedicated magazine for ICAS Chartered Accountants.

  4. Contact Us

    Get in touch with ICAS by phone, email or post, with dedicated contacts for Members, Students and firms.

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  1. About us
    1. Governance
  2. Members
    1. Become a member
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    5. Careers support
    6. Mentoring
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    15. Newly admitted members 2022
    16. Newly admitted members 2023
  3. CA Students
    1. Student information
    2. Student resources
    3. Learning requirements
    4. Learning updates
    5. Learning blog
    6. Totum Pro | Student discount card
    7. CA Student wellbeing
  4. Become a CA
    1. How to become a CA
    2. Routes to becoming a CA
    3. CA Stories
    4. Find a training agreement
    5. Why become a CA
    6. Qualification information
    7. University exemptions
  5. Employers
    1. Become an Authorised Training Office
    2. Resources for Authorised Training Offices
    3. Professional entry
    4. Apprenticeships
  6. Find a CA
  7. ICAS events
    1. CA Summit
  8. CA magazine
  9. Insight
    1. Finance + Trust
    2. Finance + Technology
    3. Finance + EDI
    4. Finance + Mental Fitness
    5. Finance + Leadership
    6. Finance + Sustainability
  10. Professional resources
    1. Anti-money laundering
    2. Audit and assurance
    3. Brexit
    4. Business and governance
    5. Charities
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    7. Corporate and financial reporting
    8. Cyber security
    9. Ethics
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    11. ICAS Research
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  11. CPD - professional development
    1. CPD courses and qualifications
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  12. Regulation
    1. Complaints and sanctions
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    3. Guidance and help sheets
    4. Regulatory monitoring
  13. CA jobs
    1. CA jobs partner: Rutherford Cross
    2. Resources for your job search
    3. Advertise with CA jobs
    4. Hays | A Trusted ICAS CA Jobs Partner
    5. Azets | What's your ambition?
  14. Work at ICAS
    1. Business centres
    2. Meet our team
    3. Benefits
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    5. Imagine your career at ICAS
  15. Contact us
    1. Technical and regulation queries
    2. ICAS logo request

Apprenticeship route

Follow the professional apprenticeship route to becoming an ICAS Chartered Accountant (CA), for a government-funded way to boost your career.

The apprenticeship route offers master’s-degree-level training, is government-funded and delivers the renowned CA qualification.

As an ICAS CA you’ll unlock some of the most powerful and rewarding positions in business and accounting, in the UK and abroad.

  • master's-degree-level course
  • 1-3 years’ training
  • boost your career
  • government funded

Follow the Scottish RGU apprenticeship route to an extraordinary career

Learn more


Why should I become a Chartered Accountant?

By training to become an ICAS Chartered Accountant (or CA for short), you’ll be on the fast track to unlock some of the most powerful and rewarding positions in business, accounting and industry, in the UK and internationally.

  • Qualify for more than accountancy
  • Use the prestigious CA letters after your name
  • Unlock international opportunities
  • Enjoy competitive salaries and job security
  • Join a global business community
  • Access ICAS’ unrivalled professional support

Learn more

How is the ICAS CA qualification structured?

The ICAS CA is widely viewed as one of the most prestigious accounting qualifications in the world.

The advanced syllabus delivers technical expertise in accounting and finance whilst instilling wider business acumen and an overall commercial awareness. It consists of three levels:

  • Test of Competence
  • Test of Professional Skills
  • Test of Professional Expertise and Business Ethics

CA syllabus diagram

Assessment is by examination (UK only) and, in addition, candidates must complete, and have validated, 450-750 days of relevant practical experience.

The qualification is credit rated at Level 11 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and is recognised nationally and internationally as sitting at the level of a Masters degree.

Learn more

What are the other routes to becoming a Chartered Accountant?

There are various ways to become an ICAS Chartered Accountant (CA), with options for school leavers, graduates, professionals and apprentices:

  • School-leaver route
  • Graduate entry for university graduates
  • Professional entry for experienced finance professionals
  • Accountancy Professional apprenticeships

Learn more

Where can I view the ICAS 'Become a CA' brochure?

Our Become a CA brochure gives you more information on ICAS, why you should become a CA, and all the training steps required to become a CA.

View the brochure

Why you should become an ICAS Chartered Accountant (CA)

Learn why becoming a Chartered Accountant will lead to an extraordinary and rewarding career in business and beyond.

How to become a Chartered Accountant (CA)

Find out how to become a CA, including the options for school leavers, graduates, professionals and apprentices.

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© ICAS 2022

The mark and designation “CA” is a registered trade mark of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), and is available for use in the UK and EU only to members of ICAS. If you are not a member of ICAS, you should not use the “CA” mark and designation in the UK or EU in relation to accountancy, tax or insolvency services. The mark and designation “Chartered Accountant” is a registered trade mark of ICAS, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and Chartered Accountants Ireland. If you are not a member of one of these organisations, you should not use the “Chartered Accountant” mark and designation in the UK or EU in relation to these services. Further restrictions on the use of these marks also apply where you are a member.

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