What is a Chartered Accountant (CA)?
A Chartered Accountant (or CA for short) has trained with ICAS to reach the highest professional accountancy level and qualified for a successful career in business and beyond.
What’s the difference between an accountant and a Chartered Accountant?
In order to become ‘chartered’, an accountant must have trained with ICAS to reach the highest professional level, undertaken a minimum 450 days of rigorous training, followed our programme of expert tuition, and passed examinations in accountancy and business.
For a Chartered Accountant the hard work doesn’t end upon qualification. ICAS CAs commit to a process of continuous professional development that’s designed not only to advance their careers, but to ensure their professional skills and knowledge remain up-to-date no matter what industry or technology developments the future brings.
ICAS acts as an industry regulator to ensure the highest standards are met. Our Chartered Accountants and their firms are also bound by a Code of Ethics, which upholds a duty to consider the public interest and maintain the reputation of the accountancy profession over and above any personal self-interest.
What does a Chartered Accountant (CA) do?
Chartered Accountants (CAs) don’t just work for accountancy firms. That’s because the ICAS CA is a complete qualification informed by a broad-scope business syllabus.
Through a mix of study and practical workplace experience our CAs gain technical expertise in finance and accounting, alongside broader business skills in management, analysis, communication, presentation and ethics. As a result, ICAS Chartered Accountants are employed at the highest levels not only as accountants, but in a range of business-related roles.
Some of the main areas in which ICAS Chartered Accountants are employed include:
- Private accountancy practice
- Corporate finance
- Audit
- Tax accountancy
- Business management
- Forensic accountancy
- Entrepreneurship
CA – an ICAS exclusive
Did you know that not all Chartered Accountants are equal? That’s because in the UK only Chartered Accountants who have qualified with ICAS can use the professional designation of ‘CA’ after their name.
The CA is an identifier that carries real weight throughout the international business community, commanding respect and opening doors of opportunity for our members, no matter where their careers might take them.
How to become a Chartered Accountant
You can become a Chartered Accountant (CA) by following one of a range of ICAS training routes, which includes options for school leavers, graduates, professionals and apprentices.
To study with ICAS you don’t need to have a degree or any previous accountancy or finance experience, and you’ll earn a competitive salary whilst you train.