Chartered Accountants (ACA) Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Irish Tax Institute (AITI)
Duration
3/3.5 years (Dependent
on exemptions based on educational
background)
3 years
3 years
No. of exams
10.5 Cap 1 law is a 0.5 on demand
assessment sat ahead of main exams.
13
12 Exams + 2 PSAs
Exam structure
  • CAP 1 (4 exams + Law)
  • CAP 2 (4 exams)
  • FAE (1 Core & 1 Elective
  • Applied Knowledge (3 exams)
  • Applied Skills (6 exams)
  • Strategic Professional (2 Core exams & 2 Electives)
  • Part 1 (4 Exams),
  • Part 2 (4 exams + 1 Professional Skills Assignment),
  • Part 3 (4 Exams + 1 Professional Skills Assignment)
Flexibility
Structured and no flexibility to alter sitting.
Exams sat consecutively over one week timeframe.
Very flexible. Students do not have to sit an exam at every sitting if circumstances allow. One exam per sitting – dependant on exemptions

Structured and no flexibility to alter sitting. Exams sat consecutively over one week timeframe.
Exam sittings
  • 2 sittings a year.
  • Summer and Autumn. Summer is firm main sitting with Autumn allowance for resits.
  • 4 sittings a year available – March, June, September, December.
  • Please note sitting are dependent on busy periods in a department.
  • 2 sittings a year.
  • Summer and Autumn. Summer is firm main sitting with Autumn allowance for resits/late joiners.
Exam support
Additional house support sessions led by experts.

The firm financially supports courses hosted by external providers led by experts + additional support videos.
In-house exam preparation sessions.
Lecture commencement
Lectures commence in September / October each year.

Dependant on exam sitting. Classes would typically commence 12-13 weeks prior to the exam.
Lectures commence in October each year for the Autumn course.

FAQs

Grant Thornton offers the following to support success;

  • Training Progression System (TPS)
  • Exam placement bonus; bonus for 1st attempt pass
  • Financial support
  • Dedicated team available all year around
  • Study Support
  • Extensive course resources

Grant Thornton is a Platinum Approved Employer.

Start dates depend on type of course you are enrolled in. Professional Education will send a communication once registrations have opened or commenced depending on the professional body.

Although you are staying in October you will be required to attend lectures are most will commence before you start your employment with the firm.

Yes, you would be entitled to a day off for your graduation ceremony.

Download our exam guide for ACA, ACCA, and AITI Programs

Looking to fast-track your path to becoming a Chartered Accountant or tax expert? Our cheatsheet covers everything you need to know about the ACA, ACCA, and AITI programs.

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