Qualifications

Wherever you join us, studying for professional qualifications is likely to be a big part of your first few years. The qualification you choose depends on the business area you join and the route you decide to take. You will need to choose between the Generalist or Specialist Route depending on the business area you’re interested in.

Take the Career Opportunities Tour to understand the differences between the Generalist and the Specialist joining route.

Generalist Graduate joining route qualifications

Applicable for:
Assurance, Tax and Financial Advisory

Institutes: 
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland (ICAI)

Typical Qualification Period:
You'll typically qualify within three years of joining.

Why these institutes?
Popular, widely respected and broad-based, these qualifications give you an excellent grounding in all aspects of accounting, audit and assurance, business finance, business strategy, financial management, financial reporting, law and taxation.

Generalist HEADstart joining route qualifications

Applicable for:
Assurance

Institutes: 
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants - ACCA

Typical Qualification Period:
You should complete this qualification within four years.

Why this institute? 
Popular, widely respected and broad-based, this qualification gives you an excellent grounding in accounting, audit and assurance, business finance and strategy, financial management, financial reporting, law and taxation.

Specialist HEADstart joining route qualifications

Applicable for: 
Tax

Institutes: 
The Association of Taxation Technicians - ATT
The Chartered Institute of Taxation- CIOT

Typical Qualification Period
You should complete the ATT qualification within three years, after which you may get the opportunity to complete the CIOT qualification.

Why these institutes?
ATT- A specialist tax technician qualification that gives you a good grounding in personal taxation, business taxation, accounting, ethics and law.
CIOT- This qualification develops knowledge of general taxation, interaction of taxes and ethics. You can also choose an option paper that allows you to specialise in an area of Tax that matches your practical work experience.

Specialist Graduate joining route qualifications

Applicable for:
Actuarial

Institutes:
Institute of Actuaries

Typical Qualification Period: 
You will qualify as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries within four years. The industry average is six.

Why this institution? 
This qualification develops detailed expertise in statistical modelling, economics, finance and financial reporting, financial mathematics, actuarial mathematics, communications, pensions and benefits, investment and asset management, life insurance and general insurance.

Specialist- PwC Legal joining route

Applicable for:
PwC Legal

Institutes:
Professional Skills Course (PSC) with The College of Law
Institute of Chartered Secretaries Association (ICSA)

Specialist- Consulting joining route

No professional qualifications required