Accounting
Compare 15+ certifications with local pricing, salary data, and career-path recommendations.
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| Certification | Level | Cost | Differentiator | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant — ICAEW) | Aspiring UK chartered accountants | 180-205 | The premier UK chartered-accountant designation; gold-standard for City of London, Big-4, and FTSE corporate finance careers. Holds Mutual Recognition Agreements with US AICPA, CPA Canada, CA ANZ, and select global bodies. | View |
| ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) — UK | Internationally mobile accountants | £134 | Most internationally portable UK-origin chartered accountancy credential; ideal for cross-border careers and IFRS-focused multinational roles. | View |
| CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) | Management accountants | £85 | The leading UK management-accounting credential; industry-finance focus where audit-track ACA isn't required. CGMA joint designation adds US-side portability. | View |
| CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) | Public-sector finance professionals: NHS | 200-250 | The only UK chartered-accountant body specialised in public-sector finance; gatekeeper for public-sector audit signoff. | View |
| AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) | Entry-level bookkeepers | 112 | The leading UK accounting-technician qualification and the main entry path for school-leavers into accountancy careers. Strong apprenticeship integration with the Apprenticeship Levy. | View |
| ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) | Entry / mid-level UK tax professionals: tax-firm staff | 175 | The UK technician-level tax qualification; preferred stepping-stone to CTA. Strong fit for tax-firm staff and corporate-tax assistants. | View |
| CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser) | Senior UK tax advisers | 220 | The premier UK tax credential — gold standard for senior tax advisers. Effectively required for tax-partner roles at UK Big-4 and senior in-house tax leadership. | View |
| CIA UK (Certified Internal Auditor) | Internal auditors at FTSE 100/250 | 150-340 (varies by grade) | The globally recognised internal-audit credential; in the UK paired with CMIIA chartered status for FCA-regulated environments. | View |
| CISA UK (Certified Information Systems Auditor) | IT auditors at UK Big-4 | £575 | Dominant IT-audit credential in UK FCA/PRA regulated environments; complements ACA/ACCA for chartered-accountant IT-audit specialists. | View |
| CFE UK (Certified Fraud Examiner) | Fraud investigators at UK Big-4 | £295 | Globally recognised fraud-investigation credential; standard add-on for ACA/ACCA forensic accountants in UK litigation-support and SFO advisory roles. | View |
| ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) — CA | Aspiring Scottish chartered accountants | 180 | Oldest chartered-accountant body globally; high prestige in Scotland and globally. Equivalent in standing to ICAEW's ACA; mutual recognition with ICAEW. | View |
| Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) — practising in UK | Northern Ireland accountants and Irish-trained chartered accountants practising in UK; CAI is an all-island body covering both Ireland and Northern Ireland. | 350 | All-island Irish / NI chartered-accountant body; UK statutory-audit recognition for NI-based and Irish practitioners. | View |
| IFA (Institute of Financial Accountants) | Small-practice accountants serving SMEs | 245 | Alternative pathway for accountants outside chartered routes; serves SME-practice and self-employed accountants. | View |
| CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) — UK | CIMA-qualified UK management accountants seeking US-portable brand; US CPAs in UK seeking UK-friendly recognition. | £325 | Joint AICPA-CIMA designation for transatlantic management-accounting roles. | View |
| ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) | Self-employed bookkeepers and SME bookkeeping practitioners; alternative entry-level qualification to AAT. | 115-180 | Specialist bookkeeping body with AML supervisory authority; alternative to AAT for self-employed bookkeepers. | View |
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