New ICAEW students have been automatically registered onto the updated ACA since July, while existing students can choose whether they want to move to the new qualification midway through their training.

Key to the changes is a revamped curriculum supported by a specialised learning platform, with new modules to reflect integrated ethics, technology and sustainability content.

The first students have already started to take the certificate-level exams under the redeveloped ACA programme. More than 100,000 students, employers and stakeholders were consulted on the changes to future-proof the ACA, which are the biggest updates to the qualification in 30 years.

The new ACA qualification was launched at a reception at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, bringing together leaders from across ICAEW membership and featured a panel discussion on changes to the qualification with speakers from RSM, Bupa, First Intuition and ICAEW.

ICAEW said the new e-learning platform was ‘ground breaking’, providing an ‘interactive and engaging e-learning content beings learning to life in a practical and engaging way’.

Employers and their trainees ‘will be able to choose from a wide range of courses, personalising learning to suit their needs…can be tailored to suit a variety of industries, roles and career aspirations’.

Another big plus that the online platform will be updated on a regular basis to reflect the latest developments and ensure the qualification remains as relevant as possible.

Alan Vallance, ICAEW chief executive, said: ‘In an era when businesses and society face complex challenges, the need for agile, ethical leadership has never been greater. We’ve worked with employers, students and educators to design a qualification that will equip future chartered accountants with the skills to lead now and in the future, across a vast range of careers.

‘We’ve incorporated integrated sustainability, technology and ethics content into the Next Generation ACA, alongside a specialised learning platform that will provide students with real-time insight into emerging trends and issues.‘

Speaking on the panel, Lottie Roberts, RSM associate director, early careers talent development, said: ‘The Next Generation ACA is not just an accountancy qualification. The depth of learning equips students to work within any business or organisation due to the depth and breadth of the syllabus.

‘The critical thinking, ethical foundations, sustainability understanding and technical knowledge allows any ACA student to thrive, giving them the tools they need for a long and varied career.’

The new ACA: key features

 There are three core components to the revised and refreshed ACA: 14 business, finance and accountancy modules; professional work experience; and a new specialised learning programme which can quickly adapt to cover emerging topics and skills needs.

Students will need to complete 30 specialised learning modules including any mandated by their employer.

The ACA remains the only professional finance qualification that embeds real workplace data analytics software in exams.

Vallance added: ‘The ACA has been my passport to a global leadership career and I’m proud to be an ICAEW chartered accountant. It is the qualification for the business leaders of tomorrow – and I wish every ICAEW student the very best of luck.’

Find out more about ICAEW Next Generation ACA

Pictured: Alan Vallance, Chartered Accountants’ Hall launch