Accountancy’s awash with acronyms.
So I’ve put together a little guide to help you
make sense of the main qualifications.
ACA - One of the main accountancy qualifications. Usually takes
three years to get. People with this qualification call themselves
Chartered Accountants.
ACCA - The other main accountancy qualification here in the UK.
Again normally three years, but leads to the slightly different
title of Chartered Certified Accountant.
CIPFA - The main accountancy qualification for those in
public sector finance. Like ACA and ACCA, this one normally takes
three years.
CTA - Specialist qualification for tax. Usually takes three
years and makes you a Chartered Tax Adviser.
FIA - Specialist qualification for actuaries. Most
graduates here take four to five years to become FIA qualified, so
this is definitely a serious commitment. As you pass papers,
though, you’ll pick up other useful qualifications along the
way