Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales. To achieve the ACA qualification students must complete a training contract combining work experience with study for the ICAEW exams. These comprise of the Professional Stage with 9 examined subjects including 2 devolved assessments which must be completed before commencing the Advanced Stage which comprises of 2 exams and a case study. During your studies you must also have completed 450 days of technical work experience. www.icaew.co.uk

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. To achieve the ACCA qualification you must obtain at lease 3 years practical work experience in addition to passing 14 exams (a maximum of 9 papers are available for exemption). The ACCA qualification is structured as follows; Fundamental Stage comprises of 9 papers and Professional Stage has 5 papers consisting of 3 compulsory plus two optional papers. www.acca.co.uk

Certified Accounting Technician (CAT). In association with ACCA the CAT qualification is a qualification in its own right, however completion of the exams will also provide exemptions from the first 3 papers in the Knowledge module of the ACCA. The CAT qualification is made up of 3 levels with a total of 9 exams. http://www.accaglobal.com/join/cat/

The Association of Accounting Technicians. A qualification supported by at least 4 professional accounting bodies including ICAEW and ACCA from whom you can secure exemptions should you chose to progress to Chartered Accountancy. The qualification has 3 stages Foundation, Intermediate and Technician, each level represents an NVQ qualification. Each level is made up of a combination of skills testing, assessments and examinations. They also offer a diploma route for people without access to practical work experience www.aat.co.uk

The Association of Tax Technicians. Founded in 1989 and with a membership of over 4,500, the ATT has become the leading professional body for those providing tax compliance services and related activities in the UK. Members are qualified by examination and practical experience to assist individuals and businesses in complying with their tax obligations. The syllabus is made up of two 3 hour Taxation papers. Plus a 1½ hour Accounting Paper and a 1½ hour Law Paper. The ATT offers a number of exemptions, visit their website for details. To use the Designated letters CTA you must pass the above exams and possess a minimum of 2 years practical experience www.att.org.uk

The Chartered Institute of Taxation is the leading professional body for taxation in the United Kingdom. Chartered Tax Advisors can be identified by the designatory letters CTA, ATII or FTII depending on the number of years post qualification experience and/or subject to a submission of a thesis. The CTA qualification comprises of 4 exams and a minimum of 6 months membership prior to sitting the first exam, you must also secure a certificate of eligibility to register for the exams. This is achieved in the completion of qualifications including ATT, ACA, and ACCA (a full list is available on the CIOT website) www.tax.org.uk