Why the UK works for finance professionals

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The United Kingdom has a long and varied history as a cultural and economic leader, attracting talented professionals from across the globe. With diverse public and private sector opportunities and strong demand for accounting expertise, your hard-earned qualification will open doors here.

Whether you're drawn to London's dynamic financial hub, the historic charm of Edinburgh, or thriving regional centres like Manchester and Birmingham, you'll find excellent career prospects alongside rich cultural experiences.

Your career move to the UK starts here.

ACCA Qualification recognition

ACCA members and students living in the United Kingdom have indeed found many pathways to success, but it is one diverse market for members to break into.

In the UK Certified Public Accountants Association (CPAA) represents public accountants in the UK and beyond. Their aim is to support, train and regulate accountants in public practice, helping members to deliver quality service and grow their firms.

The CPAA knows the industry like no other and is well recognised and respected by the government, trade bodies and the business community.

Education evaluation

Academic recognition and further study

If you plan to sit for UK CPAA exams, join an accredited professional body, or continue your education at a UK college or university, you may need your previous qualifications evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation organisation.

ACCA members in the UK have successfully used several evaluation services for:

The preferred evaluation organisation depends on your specific purpose. Check with UK ENIC or your chosen educational institution for guidance on which service to use.

ACCA students: university partnerships

If you're an ACCA student seeking a bachelor's or master's degree from a UK-accredited institution, ACCA has established partnerships with numerous universities. These allow you to earn your degree while gaining ACCA exemptions. 

  • Bachelor's of Science with the University of London

    Completion of some ACCA exams also provides the opportunity for ACCA students to apply for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree with University of London. The BSc Professional Accountancy programme with University of London opens for applications in December 2025.

    View eligibility criteria for the BSc Professional Accountancy with University of London

    Download more information and an overview of the formal recognition held by the ACCA Qualification.

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    Immigration information

    Unfortunately ACCA cannot provide a student visa or work permit due to local laws and regulations. If you are looking to live and work in the United Kingdom, there are some resources that you should familiarise yourself with to help you be successful.

  • Helpful immigration and work visa resources

    Use the following links to access current information:

  • Study in the UK

    Are you looking to study in the United Kingdom to further your education? Be sure to review the rules and regulations that regulate international students. Please note that plans to study the ACCA Qualification outside of a college or university does not make you eligible for a student visa.

    You should check out the Department for Education website for services and information.

    You apply for school places through your local authority, but for general information about schools visit the gov.uk website.

  • The immigrant visa process

    If you are a foreign national and wish to live permanently in the UK, you must first obtain an immigrant visa. Learn more about the process and how to immigrate based on family or based on employment. Visit the gov.uk website to find out more.

    Please note that ACCA cannot advise on matters regarding immigration to the United Kingdom. We recommend you consult the above resources and/or an immigration attorney or specialist if you need additional guidance.

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    Finding a job

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    • Helpful immigration and work visa resources

      Use the following links to access current information:

    • ACCA Careers

      Our UK-wide ACCA job roles and locations and sectors over 30,000 within the UK are largely within accounting and public practice, as well as the financial services and corporate sector. They include Business Analysts, Finance Controllers, Payroll Administrators, Finance Directors and Trainee Accountants.

      We also have a large array of employers for whom you could work, including PwC, KMPG, Deloitte, EY, Barclays Bank and Accenture. Our breadth of jobs available means that you are sure to find the perfect role with ACCA Careers. Visit ACCA Careers.

    • Approved Employers

      Consider looking for employment at a global or local ACCA Approved Employer. The following are locally approved employers:

      IBM, Apple, IQEQ, Bank of England, Next PLC, Bank of Ireland, PwC, KMPG, Deloitte, EY, Barclays Bank, Accenture, GSK, Department of Transport, Roche, Grant Thornton, Fin-eX Consultants, Shell Business Operations Kuala Lumpur, PRIMARK, Northern Trust. Search for ACCA Approved Employers.

    • Recruitment agencies

      Reed

      A local resource, Reed can be a great secondary resource along with ACCA Careers. Visit the Reed website.

      Michael Page

      Michael Page is a global recruitment agency, with offices throughout the United Kingdom, and a frequent speaker at ACCA events. Michael Page has helped ACCA members find employment in the past and still does. Visit the Michael Page website.

      LinkedIn Jobs

      LinkedIn serves as the job board of choice for many employers and job seekers in the United Kingdom. Be sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and check out what jobs are listed there! Visit LinkedIn Jobs.

    ACCA UK resources

    ACCA UK has two offices nationally throughout the UK with our main office in London. We are here to support our members, students, and affiliates throughout their ACCA journey in the UK.

    ACCA UK provides regular member communications via email and virtual meetings between members, students, and affiliates.

    We offer many programmes and resources to members in order to support their professional and personal journeys. 

  • Member networks

    Find out about our sector networks and our ACCA Link Up local community programme. 

  • Local UK CPD programming

    ACCA UK offers local CPD programming of interest to our members, students, employers, and stakeholders in the United Kingdom region.

    Our CPD sessions are offered on a monthly basis with a rotating theme:

    • soft skills seminars; 
    • technical/professional insights sessions; and
    • career coach training.

    CPD sessions are presented by experienced, high level professionals and supported by ACCA UK staff to answer any questions you might have. Access more information.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

  • How do I obtain a UK CPA?

    The association offers direct membership to those who are members of certain other professional bodies and organisations. Theses bodies have been selected as they have appropriate entry criteria, which are comparable to or exceed the standards of the association.

    We are willing to review other organisations. If you hold membership with another organisation not listed here and wish to gain membership of the CPAA please contact us as we will be able to review this organisation and you may be eligible for membership.

    If you are a member of an IFAC member body, regardless of whether it is listed below, you will be eligible for membership of the CPAA.

    • ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)  
    • AIA (Association of International Accountants)
    • AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)
    • CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
    • CIOT (Chartered Institute of Taxation)
    • CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy)
    • CPA Australia
    • CPA Canada (Chartered Professional Accountants)
    • CPA Ireland
    • ICAEW (Institutes of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales)
    • ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland)
    • ICPAP (Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Pakistan)
    • ICAP (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan)
    • ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland)
    • IFA (Institute of Financial Accountants)
    • IPA (Institute of Public Accountants)
    • ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria)
  • Can I continue to study ACCA in the UK?

    Yes, you can certainly continue your studies towards the ACCA Qualification while you are residing in the UK.

    We do not have any in-person study options, but you can find a list of testing locations on our exam availability and booking page. If you require support, contact us. 

  • Are there any schools that will accept my ACCA Qualification towards a Master's in Accounting?

    Yes! There are several universities partnered with ACCA to teach and tutor the ACCA modules towards a Masters in Accounting. Find out more.

    Approved ACCA learning providers

    Find an approved learning partner

    Information on CBE (computer-based exams)

  • How can I sit an exam within the UK?

    You can find the latest information on booking your exam on our exam availability and booking page. If you require support, contact us. 

    Also, ACCA exams can be written or sat by its approved learning and partnered universities.

  • Are you able to help me obtain a work visa for the UK?

    Unfortunately, we are unable to assist you with this request but all relevant information about visas and immigration can be found at the UK immigration and work visas.

  • I recently moved to the UK. How do I get access to local events and information?

    We are happy to have you added to our local member database once you have made the transition to make sure you are included in future chapter events. Please fill out the information below and send to acca.uk@accaglobal.com.

  • Can you help me receive my ACCA transcript?

    ACCA UK does not handle transcript requests.

    You can download your transcripts by logging into myACCA.  If you require support, contact us.

  • Do you have a list of Foreign Credential Evaluation Services?

    Members and students often use foreign credential evaluation services to determine equivalency for sitting the CPAA. The result varies from person to person and the service as well, but often the ACCA qualification is not found to be 150 hours on its own. We cannot comment on specific cases but the ACCA UK office has developed a guide that can help members and students interested in moving to the UK. It talks about the evaluation services and which ones are most frequently used by members in the UK.

    Equivalency of ACCA (professional and academic)

    Visit the UK ENIC website to find out more.

    A member suggested sending along the course syllabi for each of the exams completed. This may give the evaluator additional information on what is covered throughout the ACCA exams. They can be found here in the student community.

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