The Student Room Group

Will my A levels affect my chances in getting a ACA qualification

Im currently studying for a degree in Accounting and Finance with a plan to do a graduate scheme in ACA, but I have achieved a generally bad/low A levels of CCD. Would this A levels be a major/relevant factor in trying to work for an ACA qualification. Especially how important it is compared to a degree
Im currently studying for a degree in Accounting and Finance with a plan to do a graduate scheme in ACA, but I have achieved a generally bad/low A levels of CCD. Would this A levels be a major/relevant factor in trying to work for an ACA qualification. Especially how important it is compared to a degree


No, according to ACA's entry requirements: 2 A level passes (grades A*-E) plus 3 GCSE passes at grades A-C/grades 9-4 (https://www.icaew.com/regulation/qualifications/aca-entry-routes)

The grades are bad but they are still passes, which is what ACA is looking for. Your degree would be sufficient to give you exemptions for modules in the ACA qualification (see the following: https://apps.icaew.com/cpldirectory)

What I would be concerned is how would your A Level grades affect your employment prospects and whether firms would accept you. It's usually the employer who gives more weight on the A Level grades than ACA. I would strongly recommend getting as high grades as you can in your degree to help with the situation, as I have seen people with bad A Level grades turn things around with very good university degree grades.
(edited 2 years ago)
Reply 2
Original post by MindMax2000
No, according to ACA's entry requirements: 2 A level passes (grades A*-E) plus 3 GCSE passes at grades A-C/grades 9-4 (https://www.icaew.com/regulation/qualifications/aca-entry-routes)

The grades are bad but they are still passes, which is what ACA is looking for. Your degree would be sufficient to give you exemptions for modules in the ACA qualification (see the following: https://apps.icaew.com/cpldirectory)

What I would be concerned is how would your A Level grades affect your employment prospects and whether firms would accept you. It's usually the employer who gives more weight on the A Level grades than ACA. I would strongly recommend getting as high grades as you can in your degree to help with the situation, as I have seen people with bad A Level grades turn things around with very good university degree grades.

Considering the chances of a levels do be getting in the way of finding an employer, would considering to just build up my accounting career with just a bachelors be plausible (im kinda put my head in the worst case scenario of working and doing ACA later on)
Considering the chances of a levels do be getting in the way of finding an employer, would considering to just build up my accounting career with just a bachelors be plausible (im kinda put my head in the worst case scenario of working and doing ACA later on)


Yes, I think that's plausible, but you might want a second opinion from other people.
Reply 4
Which year of university are you in?
Reply 5
Original post by ajj2000
Which year of university are you in?

Currently i am in year 1
Im currently studying for a degree in Accounting and Finance with a plan to do a graduate scheme in ACA, but I have achieved a generally bad/low A levels of CCD. Would this A levels be a major/relevant factor in trying to work for an ACA qualification. Especially how important it is compared to a degree
hey i am currently doing my ACCA K level but I have a science background for my a levels. I had now chose to do ACCA which is interesting for me but I had very very low grades for my A level chemistry bio and psychology and do you think that might be an issue?

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