ICAEW ACA Training on the Isle of Man

Train for the ICAEW ACA qualification on the Isle of Man with NXT-LVL Training. As an ICAEW Partner in Learning based in Douglas, we offer personalised local tuition. You can study face-to-face at The Nunnery, live online, on-demand, or as a blend of these, with marked mocks and dedicated tutor support, including guidance through the refreshed Next Generation ACA.

At NXT-LVL, you'll receive personalised attention from dedicated tutors who understand the demands of the ACA, with access to extensive study resources and structured support throughout your training.

• Four ways to study — face-to-face at The Nunnery in Douglas, live online (join in real time), on-demand recordings, or a blend of all three, plus comprehensive online support.
• Marked mock exams with personalised feedback to sharpen your exam technique.
• Direct tutor access — experienced tutors and early support if you start to fall behind.
• An ICAEW Partner in Learning — a locally owned, on-island team committed to building accountancy capability on the Isle of Man.

Entry requirements

Graduates with a degree (any discipline) can apply. School leavers can start with ICAEW’s CFAB (Certificate in Finance, Accounting, and Business), which forms the first six modules of the ACA.

Practical experience

450 days of relevant, supervised work experience under a training agreement with an ICAEW authorised training employer, which normally takes between three and five years.

Number of exams

14 exams over three levels (some exemptions may apply).

Specialised Learning

Specialised Learning is one of the three components of the ACA. Students complete a minimum of 30 units, each around an hour, on an interactive e-learning platform across four categories. It must be completed by the end of the training agreement, and is available only to students who started on or after 1 July 2025 or who have been switched across.

Professional skills and experience

The updated ACA embeds ethics, sustainability and technology across the syllabus. Alongside the exams and work experience, students develop professional skills and experience across five competency areas. These are Communication, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership and Professionalism, each assessed against a three-stage proficiency model.

The ACA has three components: the business, finance and accountancy exams; Specialised Learning; and professional skills and experience.

Certificate Level (6 modules)

Provides the core foundations required for a career in accountancy and business.

• Accounting Fundamentals
• Assurance and Risk Fundamentals
• Business Insight and Performance
• Business Law
• Sustainability and Ethics
• Tax Fundamentals

Professional Level (6 modules)

Develops applied technical knowledge, commercial awareness and professional judgement.

• Fundamental Case Study
• Assurance, Risk and Reporting
• Corporate Reporting, Data and Assurance
• Business and Digital Strategy
• Corporate Financial Strategy
• Tax Compliance and Planning

Advanced Level (2 case studies)

Assesses strategic thinking and real-world decision-making at a senior professional level.

• Technical Case Study
• Strategic Case Study

ICAEW has launched a refreshed ACA qualification from 1 July 2025, designed to better prepare students for a rapidly evolving profession. This modernised qualification aligns closely with our approach at NXT-LVL, focusing on real-world skills, flexibility and long-term career development.

Transitional Arrangements - current students can complete the ACA through either the existing or updated qualification.

The Next Generation ACA focuses on three key pillars:

1) Technology:  Digital skills, data and systems thinking are embedded throughout the qualification. 

2) Sustainability: A new Sustainability and Ethics module at the Certificate Level reflects the profession’s growing responsibility in this area. 

3) Ethics: Increased emphasis on ethical decision-making across all modules.

For further guidance on how the Next Generation ACA may affect your studies or how NXT-LVL can support your journey - please get in touch with us or visit the ICAEW website.