Key takeaways
- All three main UK chartered routes, ICAEW ACA, ACCA and CIMA, are built to be studied alongside a job, and each requires paid work experience to qualify.
- The Next Generation ACA has 14 exams and needs 450 days of professional work experience with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer.
- ACCA requires 36 months of relevant experience and 9 performance objectives, and says working and studying together could mean qualifying in three or four years.
- CIMA's self-tailored route has 9 on-demand objective tests and 3 case study exams, and takes about four years on average.
- An independent ACA student pays an annual student fee of £216 plus VAT, exam fees of £99 to £297 and £35 per subject for learning materials.
- If your employer is not an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer, ICAEW says becoming one is easy and free.
- Once you pass your first ACCA Strategic Professional exam, you have seven years to pass the rest.
Yes, you can become a chartered accountant while working full time; in fact every main UK route expects it. ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA all require years of relevant paid experience alongside the exams, so most students study in the evenings and at weekends while they work. Expect three to five years, depending on the body, your exemptions and your employer’s support.
Which chartered routes can you study while working?
All three main bodies combine exams with on-the-job experience. This table sets out the core requirements as each body states them in November 2026.
| Body | Exams | Experience needed |
|---|---|---|
| ICAEW ACA (Next Gen) | 14 exams | 450 days |
| ACCA | 13 exams plus ethics module | 36 months, 9 objectives |
| CIMA (CGMA) | 9 tests plus 3 case studies | 3 years |
The ACA is the strongest fit for practice and audit. ACCA and CIMA are popular with people already in industry finance roles. Our guides to the ACA, ACCA and CIMA compare them in more depth.
How does the ACA work if you already have a job?
You need your experience to be with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer. ICAEW’s Next Gen ACA training process lists 14 exams, at least 30 units of Specialised Learning and 450 days of professional work experience.
If your current employer is not authorised, ICAEW says it can become one and that this is “easy and free”. You can also register as an independent student and start the exams, but you still need the experience with an authorised employer to qualify.
How does ACCA fit around full-time work?
ACCA is the most flexible of the three for people in an existing job. ACCA says the quickest way to qualify is to work and study at the same time, which could take as little as three or four years.
You need 36 months of relevant experience and 9 performance objectives, signed off by a practical experience supervisor. There is no time limit on the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams. After your first Strategic Professional pass, you have seven years to finish.
ACCA is changing its structure from 2027, with June 2027 the last sitting of the current Applied Skills papers. Read the ACCA 2027 changes before you plan your exam order.
How does CIMA fit around full-time work?
CIMA’s self-tailored pathway is designed for working students. Its 9 objective tests are 90-minute computer-based exams you can book on demand, at home or at a Pearson VUE centre.
Each of the 3 levels ends with a three-hour case study, offered in February, May, August and November. CIMA puts the average completion time at about four years. You need three years’ verified experience, and you can log it from the first day of a relevant finance role.
What does it cost if you pay yourself?
Self-funding is possible, but many employers pay. ICAEW lists these costs for independent ACA students:
- annual student fee: £216 plus VAT
- exam fees: £99 to £297 per exam
- learning materials: £35 per subject
- fees for any credit for prior learning
- tuition provider fees, paid to the provider
See our ACA exam fees guide for the full breakdown. ACCA and CIMA charge their own registration, subscription and exam fees.
How to plan study alongside a full-time job
A realistic plan matters more than speed. These steps help most working students:
- Pick the body that matches your job. Practice and audit point to ACA or ACCA; industry finance points to ACCA or CIMA.
- Check your employer’s status. For the ACA, ask whether it is an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer.
- Ask for support in writing. Fees, study leave and exam days are agreed with your employer, so record what is offered.
- Claim every exemption. A degree or AAT can remove several papers.
- Book one or two exams per session. Stacking too many is the usual cause of resits.
- Log experience from day one. All three bodies need it recorded and signed off.
Which route applies to you?
- If you work in an accountancy practice that trains ACA students, ask to join its training scheme.
- If you work in a finance role in industry, ACCA or CIMA lets you count that experience.
- If you have no accounting qualifications yet, start with AAT or an apprenticeship; see accountancy apprenticeships.
- If you want a funded Level 7 apprenticeship, check the age limits first, since funding rules for new starts changed in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do the ACA while working full time?
Yes. The ACA requires 450 days of professional work experience, so it is designed to be done alongside a job. The experience must be with an ICAEW Authorised Training Employer.
How long does it take to qualify while working?
ACCA says three or four years if you work and study together. CIMA’s self-tailored pathway averages about four years, and the ACA needs 450 days of professional work experience alongside 14 exams.
Can I study ACCA if my job is not in accountancy?
You can sit the exams, but you need 36 months of relevant experience signed off by a supervisor to become a member.
Will my employer give me study leave?
Study leave is set by your employer, not by ICAEW, ACCA or CIMA. Ask before you register and get any arrangement in writing.
Which is the quickest chartered qualification to do alongside work?
None is quick, but CIMA’s on-demand objective tests and ACCA’s lack of time limits at the early levels give the most scheduling freedom.
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.