Key takeaways

  • You do not need a degree to become an accountant in the UK: AAT, ACCA, CIMA and ICAEW all have routes for school leavers and career changers.
  • AAT says students can start at any level, and recommends a good standard of English and maths.
  • ACCA's minimum entry for the full qualification is two A levels and three GCSEs, including English and maths; with no qualifications you start on its foundation level instead.
  • Completing ACCA's Foundations in Accountancy exempts you from all Applied Knowledge exams, so you start the ACCA Qualification at Applied Skills.
  • ICAEW says a degree is not required for the ACA, which usually takes three to five years and needs 450 days of work experience.
  • AAT holders training with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer can get credit for up to six ACA exams.
  • The Level 3 Assistant accountant apprenticeship typically takes 15 months, with up to £12,000 of government funding for training.
  • From 1 January 2026, government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships only covers apprentices aged 16 to 21 at the start, or under 25 for care leavers and those with an EHC plan.

You can become an accountant in the UK without a degree. The usual routes are an AAT qualification, an accountancy apprenticeship, or starting a chartered qualification (ACCA, CIMA or the ICAEW ACA) straight from school or work. Many people combine them: AAT first, then a chartered qualification with exam exemptions.

Do you need a degree to be an accountant?

No. None of the main UK accountancy bodies requires a degree. ACCA says you can begin “straight after school or college”, and ICAEW says you do not need a degree to train for the ACA.

What employers do look for is basic maths and English. The National Careers Service says employers hiring accounting technicians look for up to 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and maths.

The title “chartered accountant” is a different matter. ICAEW takes action against people who call themselves chartered accountants, or use ACA or FCA after their name, when they are not entitled to. See do you need a licence to be an accountant?

The main routes compared

Each body has its own starting point for people without a degree.

RouteEntry requirementLeads to
AATNone; start at any levelAAT membership (MAAT)
ACCA Foundations in AccountancyNoneACCA Qualification, skipping Applied Knowledge
ACCA Qualification2 A levels and 3 GCSEsChartered certified accountant (ACCA)
CIMA Certificate in Business AccountingNoneCGMA Professional Qualification
ICAEW ACANo degree needed; set by employerChartered accountant (ACA)

Route 1: AAT

AAT is the most common starting point without a degree. AAT says students can start at any level depending on their skills and experience, and recommends a good standard of English and maths.

The qualification runs at three levels: the Level 2 Certificate, the Level 3 Diploma and the Level 4 Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians. Passing Level 4 leads to full membership. Our guide to AAT levels covers units and fees.

Route 2: an apprenticeship

An apprenticeship lets you earn while you train, with the employer and government paying for the course. In England the main ones are:

  • Level 3 Assistant accountant: typically 15 months, up to £12,000 of government funding
  • Level 4 Professional accounting technician: the technician-level route
  • Level 7 Accountancy or taxation professional: the chartered-level route

From 1 January 2026, the Department for Education only funds Level 7 apprenticeships for people aged 16 to 21 at the start, or under 25 for care leavers and those with an EHC plan. If you are 22 or older, a Level 3 or Level 4 apprenticeship is the funded option. See accountancy apprenticeships.

Route 3: ACCA without A levels

ACCA’s minimum entry for the full qualification is two A levels and three GCSEs, or equivalent, in five subjects including English and maths. If you do not have these, you start with its Foundations in Accountancy (FIA), which has no entry requirements.

ACCA says completing FIA, which leads to the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business, exempts you from all the Applied Knowledge exams. You then move straight to Applied Skills. See our guide to ACCA exam fees for costs.

Route 4: CIMA for management accounting

CIMA’s Certificate in Business Accounting is open to anyone, regardless of education, background or experience. It has four subjects, each tested by a 2-hour objective test, and is a formal entry route into the CGMA Professional Qualification. CIMA grants exemptions at its discretion, and lists AAT students and members among those who may qualify.

Route 5: the ACA via AAT

You can train for the ICAEW ACA with an employer from school, though graduate schemes often ask for a 2:1. ICAEW says the ACA usually takes three to five years and needs 450 days of work experience.

The AAT to ACA route gives credit for up to six ACA exams, depending on the AAT units you passed at Levels 3 and 4. You must train with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer, and you may also claim up to 12 months of work experience. ICAEW says students on this route qualify in about two years on average. Read ICAEW entry requirements for detail.

Which route suits you?

  • If you have no qualifications, start with AAT Level 2 or ACCA’s FIA.
  • If you have A levels and want chartered status, go straight to ACCA, or look for an ACA training role.
  • If you are 16 to 21 and want to earn while you learn, look for a Level 3, 4 or 7 apprenticeship.
  • If you are 22 or over, AAT or a Level 3 or 4 apprenticeship, then a chartered route with exemptions.
  • If you want to work in industry rather than practice, consider CIMA.

What to do now

  1. Check your GCSE maths and English grades.
  2. Choose a starting body from the table above.
  3. Look for trainee or apprentice roles with employers who will pay for study.
  4. Register as a student and claim any exemptions before you book exams.

Frequently asked questions

Can I become an accountant without A levels?

Yes. AAT and ACCA’s Foundations in Accountancy have no entry requirements, and CIMA’s Certificate in Business Accounting is open to anyone.

How long does it take to qualify without a degree?

The ICAEW ACA usually takes three to five years, or about two years on average via the AAT to ACA route. A Level 3 Assistant accountant apprenticeship typically takes 15 months.

Do employers hire accountants without degrees?

Yes. Apprenticeships at Levels 3, 4 and 7 are designed for school leavers, and the National Careers Service lists college, apprenticeship and work-based routes into accounting technician jobs.

How many ACA exams can AAT exempt me from?

ICAEW says AAT holders can get credit for up to six ACA exams, if they train with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer.

How much does an accounting technician earn?

The National Careers Service gives a range of £24,000 for starters to £35,000 for experienced accounting technicians.

Sources

Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.