School Pupils

There are two main routes into CA training. You can choose either the university route or the vocational route - where you start working after leaving school and at the same time study towards the AAT qualification.

• University Route

  • FAQs

• Vocational Route

  • FAQs

University route

The majority of ICAS students come into CA training through the graduate entry route. Students are recruited straight from university, and have one of a variety of degrees ranging from history, to arts and languages, to science, law or accountancy.

The three year training programme combines classroom-based study and exams, with supervised work-based training in employer offices.

A career in accountancy can open up a wide range of opportunities, starting with where you want to train. As a graduate you can train either within a public practice accountancy firm - ranging from small practices to large multi-national firms, or within one of our employers based in industry or commerce.

University entrance requirements vary and you should check this through their individual prospectuses. As a guide, however, if you want to study accountancy you should sit Higher or A Level Mathematics and English. A good benchmark to aim for is 280 UCAS points.

These points are awarded as follows:

The Ernst & Young Degree

Ernst & Young, ICAS and Lancaster University have developed a unique degree programme where students begin studying for the CA qualification alongside the BSc (Hons) Accounting, Auditing and Finance degree and obtain practical work experience through placements at Ernst & Young.

For more information contact Lancaster University Management School online at www.lums.lancs.ac.uk

Frequently Asked Questions - University Route

• What subjects should I be taking at school?
  
  University entrance requirements vary and you should check this through individual university prospectuses. You don’t have to be taking accountancy as a subject.
  
• Will I need an Accountancy degree?
  
  Graduates with a degree in any subject can apply. However, depending on the degree subject taken, graduates can be exempt from some or all of the 5 exams at Test of Competence (TC) level.
  
• Do some employers only accept accountancy graduates?
  
  Although there are some employers who will only accept applications from Accountancy graduates, there are still a large number of organisations who accept non-accountancy graduates. In fact, 65% of our intake last year were non-accountancy graduates.
  
• Will I need an Honours degree?
  
  Employers will specify their own minimum entry requirements. Some employers only take Honours students, but others do take those with Ordinary degrees.

• When do I need to apply?

Some employers recruit on a year round basis, but many have deadlines as early as the Autumn of the preceding their student intake.

Vocational route

The alternative route into CA training is for students who decide to go from school directly into employment, rather than going to university. The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) provides a recognised professional qualification, in the form of the AAT Accounting Qualification. Following this qualification provides an opportunity to continue your professional development and qualify as a CA within five years, depending on your previous qualifications.

When doing your AAT training you will be working and gaining work experience at the same time. Depending on the entry level and method of study, you'll be expected to complete a minimum of 12 months work experience.

Moving onto CA training from AAT, you'll need to secure a training contract with one of the ICAS authorised employers. From here you're on the route to becoming a CA.

Frequently Asked Questions - Vocational Route

• What are the entry requirements for AAT?
  
  You can start training for the AAT accounting Qualification regardless of your age or previous qualifications. However, reasonable numeracy and literacy skills are desired.
  
  
• How many stages are there in the AAT scheme?
  
  The qualification consists of 3 levels which are the Foundation Stage (SVQ Accounting level 2), Intermediate (level 3) and the Technician stage (level 4).
  
  
• How do I study for AAT?
  
  There are many different methods of study available. The most popular are either day release classes at a Further Education (FE) College or through a distance learning provider.
  
  
  • List of Approved Assessment Centres (AACs) which provide AAT training in Scotland.

We have been advised by the AACs that the course will run if there is sufficient demand. The availability of the courses and programmes should be checked with the individual centres.

• When would I start my AAT?
  
  It is very much dependant on your employer and which method of tuition you decide to follow. FE Colleges will normally start their classes at the end of August / beginning of September each year and follow a traditional academic timetable. Distance learning programmes are more flexible and therefore enrolment can generally take place anytime.
  
  For more information please contact AAT ( www.aat.org.uk )

• How do I find an employer who will support me while I study?

You can study the AAT qualification while working for any type of employer - from industry to the public sector. For further information please visit www.aat.org.uk/jobs .

• What exemptions are available?
  
  Students who hold certain UK qualifications can start their studies at either the second or third level of the AAT qualification. These qualifications include HNC/D in Accounting and Higher Accounting. Full details are available in the "Student Guide to the AAT accounting qualification in Scotland which can be requested by emailing CA education .

Contact AAT

For further information on the AAT contact:

Association of Accounting Technicians
140 Aldersgate
London, EC1A 4HY
Tel: 0845 863 0802

E-mail: studentservices@aat.org.uk
Website: www.aat.org.uk