Gaining relevant work experience is an important part of the CA qualification. All CA students must achieve a minimum of 450 days relevant work experience during the training contract. Every CA student records this in their personal online Achievement Log.
The Achievement Log is competency-based and you will self-assess when you are competent in a particular area. The Achievement Log is signed off by your ‘Counselling Member’ (generally your line manager with responsibility for your training).
During your training contract, you must meet a set number of competencies in core areas:
- Accounting
- Information Technology
- Communication and Influencing
- People, Teamwork and Leadership
- Personal Effectiveness
You must also meet a set number of technical competencies which will be dependent on your contract / work. In addition, specialist competencies will also be required. Each year you’ll provide a reflective statement on the technical and non-technical skills you’ve gained. ICAS reviews the Achievement Log during and on completion of your training contract.
How to access achievement logs
To access achievement logs please click the 'My profile hub' tab, which is located at the bottom of your screen on the community bar. Then click on the 'My Achievement Log' link on the left of your profile hub. If you are asked to login please close the window and try the link again. For more assistance, download our guide to logging in to your achievement log.
ICAS will review first year logs on a sample basis and email the selected student and their training principal. Students must however ensure their achivement log is being signed off by their reviewer within 1 month of the end of each year of their training contract.
For second year students, ICAS sends an email reminder that logs must be ready for ICAS review (year 1 & 2 sign off done by firm reviewer) 6 weeks before the relevant deadline.
Your achievement log is a record that demonstrates that you have obtained relevant practical experience and is a key requirement for admission to membership.
Students in their final year must ensure that their achievement log is ready for ICAS final year review within one month of their training contract ending. If you are using the electronic log there is no need to submit this as ICAS will be able to review your log once your final year sign off has been done by your reviewer. You must ensure that all competencies and all the annual sign off's have been approved by your reviewer.
There is no need to wait until the admission process is complete. The earlier that a log is ready for ICAS review, the quicker ICAS will review it and if re-work is required, this can be done in time before an Oversight Board Meeting (see meeting dates at the bottom of the page) where students are put forward for CA membership.
ICAS does not send a reminder to students in their final year as the deadline is outlined clearly in the CA Student handbook.
For students completing the electronic log, the Final Certificate of Service is signed off by your counselling member as part of the final year review on-line. If you require a copy please download this below. The
final certificate of service can be updated by typing in the highlighted
fields, however please note that the signature section cannot be typed in and
must be manually signed off by your Counselling Member, once this has been done
it can either be posted to ICAS for the attention of the Achievement Log
Administrator or it can be emailed to logbooks@icas.org.uk.
Contract Start
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Deadline (ready for ICAS review)
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Jan - Apr 2010
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31-May-12
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May - July 2010
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31-Aug-12
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Aug - Dec 2010
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31-Jan-13 (unless specifically agreed with the firm as follows)
PwC = 6-Jan-13
EY = one month after the students contract has lapsed 2 years
KPMG = (TBS and LLP) = 24-Dec-12
Deloitte = 24-Dec-12
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Jan - Apr 2011
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31-May-13
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May - July 2011
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2-Sept-13
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The following document provides additional information to students working in industry with regard to the achievement of competencies in relation to differing experience, internal referencing and proposing new competencies where applicable.
2013 Oversight Board agenda dates and deadlines
Oversight Board Meeting Agenda Date
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Deadline for Blue forms to Central Registry
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Deadline to receive logs and turnaround (no rework required and assuming blue form already received by student)
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18 January 2013
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9 January 2013
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3 January 2013
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15 March 2013
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1 March 2013
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15 February 2013
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21 June 2013
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7 June 2013 |
24 May 2013
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2 August 2013
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31 July 2013
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17 July 2013
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13 September 2013
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11 September 2013
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28 August 2013
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25 October 2013
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11 October 2013
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27 September 2013
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13 December 2013
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11 December 2013
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27 November 2013
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Achievement log guides
Audio Guide
The link below will take you to a recorded online training session which explains how to log in to the achievement log site and complete your achievement log. It also explains how your firm and ICAS will review your log and what to do if you need to extend your training contract or if you leave your firm. ICAS advises students to listen to this recording before entering data on their electronic log as it will speed up the process.
Written Training Guides
If you require further information regarding Achievement Logs please email logbooks@icas.org.uk or phone +44 (0)131 347 0298.