Here, your time is mainly spent completing an on-site statutory audit, as well as office-based work such as researching clients and other ad hoc projects. You’ll train to become an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) completing a 3-year (minimum) training contract.
In addition, you’ll complete Institute exams and work experience requirements. It’s a challenging course, but once qualified, your skills and qualification will be recognised and valued in practice, industry, commerce and the public sector worldwide.
The ACA study programme is taught in tuition and revision blocks for each exam entry. To start with, you’ll attend college for two weeks or so for the tuition phase. You will then be back at work, on client engagements, for the intervening period, as well as home studying to boost your tuition work. Finally you’ll attend a revision phase at college just before sitting your final exams.
The on-site audit you’ll be involved in will ensure that the financial statements you work on show a ‘true and fair’ representation of the company’s position and meet all regulatory guidelines and financial accounting standards.
This is a brilliant way to launch your career, giving you in-depth understanding of commercial reality, and the chance to hone your client relationship skills.