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Posted Feb. 4, 2026

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a chartered or certified accountant?

With more than 30,000 postgraduate programs accessible, our database has been utilised by countless individuals looking to improve their knowledge and boost their career prospects across all disciplines.

Our accounting masters degrees are particularly popular, with 102 UK universities offering postgraduate accounting programs at last count. But, do you need a postgraduate qualification to become a chartered or certified accountant in the UK? And if not, what other rewards can be reaped when pursuing masters study in this specific area of expertise?

Pursuing chartered or certified status in the UK

Routes to qualified accountant status vary from country-to-country, but here in the UK, accountants are often referred to as ‘chartered’ or ‘certified’. There is a clear distinction between both, yet as both are fully qualified professionals neither is officially better.

Your accountant status actually points to the professional body you qualified with, rather than your competence or seniority level. A chartered accountant for example is quite simply an accountant who qualifies with a UK chartered professional body, such as The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). A certified accountant would qualify with a body like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

So, do you have to become certified or chartered to practice?

You don’t have to become a chartered accountant to have a successful accounting career in the UK. It is however important to hold a recognised professional qualification and relevant experience. While not compulsory, becoming a chartered accountant is a route many choose thanks to the various professional, commercial and reputational advantages it can offer as The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) explains:

“From training to qualification, CAs can expect a competitive salary in a profession with a bright and stable future. Starting salaries for CAs compare favourably with those for sectors such as law, general management and banking. School leavers and graduates will receive a highly competitive salary whilst they train, as there will always be a demand for the skills of CAs in business.”

How do postgraduate accounting qualifications fit in?

With the traditional route to pursue certification or chartered status via bodies like the ICAEW, ICAS or Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), rather than through academia, it’s easy to overlook postgraduate accounting qualifications.

There are however countless benefits to studying accounting at masters level, with exam exemptions in some cases should you go on to qualify through a professional body post-graduation. It is important to note that a masters degree is never a prerequisite for chartered or certified status.

Why study a masters degree in accounting?

While not essential, a postgraduate qualification can still offer plenty of value depending on your circumstances and career goals.

You’ll develop a stronger technical foundation early in your career, with a masters providing a much deeper understanding and reducing the learning curve ahead of your first in-house role. As a result, you’ll be more employable. A postgraduate qualification really does give you the edge, especially in competitive graduate markets like financial services, corporate finance and advisory positions.

For already certified or chartered accountants looking to study postgrad, a masters will be valuable if you’re planning a change in specialism. A masters could also help support applications for visas, further study or international roles.

Convinced a postgraduate qualification in accounting is the right next step for you? Browse our masters degrees in accounting to find your perfect program.

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