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How to become an accountant

Accountants record, check and explain an organisation's money — preparing accounts, managing budgets, advising on tax and helping people make financial decisions.

You could work in an accountancy practice, a business's finance team, the public sector or a charity.

Many accountants study for a professional qualification such as ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW's ACA while they work, but you do not need to be chartered to work in many accounting jobs.

  • Multiple routes
  • Professional study common
  • Earn while learning possible

4 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AWork + study

    Sixth form, then a trainee job with professional exams

    For those who want to start earning after sixth form or college and study for a professional qualification alongside a job.

    Starting requirements

    • A-levels or another Level 3 qualification are often asked for, but each employer sets its own requirements
    • ACCA and CIMA set their own entry requirements — check them before you register
    • A trainee or junior finance job, ideally with study support

    Pathway outline

    1. Finish A-levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification
    2. Apply for a trainee accountant or finance assistant job
    3. Register as a student with ACCA or CIMA
    4. Pass the exams in stages while you work
    5. Build at least 36 months' relevant experience (ACCA) or 3 years' (CIMA)
    6. Apply for membership
    Estimated duration
    3 years or more
    How we estimate this

    ACCA's minimum practical experience is 36 months and CIMA's is 3 years. Exams run alongside, at your own pace, so many people take longer.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £2,938 to £5,452Plus: ACCA Applied Knowledge exam fees are set by each exam centrePaid up front by you: At least £2,938 to £5,452Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From your first trainee job, usually straight after sixth form or college.

    Evidence checked 12 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Accounting apprenticeship after school or college

    For those who want to earn a wage, have their training paid for and gain a qualification on the job.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training
    • Apprenticeship vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for an accounting apprenticeship job, such as Level 3 Assistant accountant
    2. Work and train; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the apprenticeship and its end-point assessment
    4. You could move on to a Level 4 Professional accounting technician apprenticeship
    5. You could progress to ACCA or CIMA, where you may be able to claim exemptions
    Estimated duration
    15 to 33 months to technician level
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Level 3 Assistant accountant at 15 months and Level 4 Professional accounting technician at 18 months. Chartered membership takes longer.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £24,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 12 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CUniversity

    University degree, then professional exams

    For those who want a broader university education first, with the possibility of exemptions from some professional exams.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements, which vary by course
    • Some accounting and finance degrees give exemptions from professional exams — check the course and the professional body
    • After graduating, a graduate scheme or trainee role, ideally with study support

    Pathway outline

    1. Study for a degree in accounting, finance or another subject
    2. Check which professional exams you could be exempt from
    3. Join a graduate scheme or trainee role
    4. Pass the remaining professional exams
    5. Complete practical experience: 36 months (ACCA), 3 years (CIMA) or 450 days under a training agreement (ICAEW ACA)
    6. Apply for membership
    Estimated duration
    About 6 years or more
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years (some include a placement year), then at least 36 months' experience for ACCA. ICAEW training agreements normally last 3 to 5 years.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £32,308 to £34,822Plus: ACCA Applied Knowledge exam fees are set by each exam centrePaid up front by you: At least £2,938 to £5,452Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students work part-time or take a paid placement year.

    Evidence checked 12 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route DCareer change

    Career change: entry finance role with part-time study

    For those already working in another field who want to move into accounting without stopping work.

    Starting requirements

    • An entry role such as accounts assistant, purchase ledger clerk or payroll administrator
    • Experience from another job can count in your favour — employers decide
    • Adults can also apply for apprenticeships; only some funding, such as Level 7, has age limits

    Pathway outline

    1. Start in an entry finance role, such as accounts assistant
    2. Study AAT Level 3 or Level 4 part-time (often evenings or online)
    3. Build experience and responsibility at work
    4. You could go on to ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW, possibly with exemptions
    5. Apply for membership once exams and experience are complete
    Estimated duration
    About 1 year for AAT Level 3; longer to chartered status
    How we estimate this

    AAT describes Level 3 as around a year. AAT has not confirmed a duration for its new Level 4, and chartered membership needs at least 3 years' experience.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £3,015 to £6,115Paid up front by you: £3,015 to £6,115Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    You keep earning, although an entry finance role may pay less than your current job.

    Evidence checked 12 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

  • ACCA and CIMA are different professional pathways. Not every accountant needs either, and being chartered is different from being able to work in accounting.
  • A degree may offer benefits beyond professional exam exemptions; compare opportunities, not just fees.
  • ACCA currently has up to 13 exams. From September 2027 its redesigned qualification needs one Options exam instead of two.Source: ACCA, FAQs on the future ACCA Qualification (opens in a new tab) · checked 12 Oct 2026

Questions people ask

Do I need a degree to become an accountant?

No. You could start through an apprenticeship, a trainee job after A-levels, or an entry finance role with part-time study. A degree can give exemptions, graduate schemes and broader learning, so compare opportunities, not just fees.

Is ACCA or CIMA better?

Neither is better for everyone. ACCA covers a broad range of accounting, including practice and audit; CIMA focuses on management accounting in businesses. Many employers accept either, but requirements vary.

Sources

Evidence checked 12 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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