Pathways: the optimal route for senior professionals to become ICAEW chartered accountants

As a result, achieving this highly respected designation is increasingly becoming a goal for numerous professionals in Vietnam.

To qualify as an ICAEW chartered accountant via the standard route, professionals must complete the ACA programme, which typically takes three to five years.

However, recently, some seniors in Vietnam have successfully attained this prestigious designation through the Pathways examination, which consists of five case-based questions. According to the ICAEW, the Pathways programme is a popular choice among high-level finance and accounting professionals worldwide for gaining ICAEW membership.

According to feedback from pioneering senior Vietnamese professionals who successfully passed the Pathways examination on their first attempts, this route is considered the optimal path for achieving the Chartered Accountant designation for those with more than ten years of experience.

This is because Pathways offers a time- and cost-efficient solution, and the exam schedule is flexible. Additionally, with the effective guidance of the ICAEW Vietnam, the chances of success for those taking the exam are quite high.

The best option for busy senior professionals

Le Viet Ha

Le Viet Ha, currently the director of Internal Audit, Risk Management, and Corporate Governance at GELEX Group, has recently earned the prestigious ICAEW Chartered Accountant designation through Pathways.

After more than four months of preparation and successfully passing the exam on her first attempt, the director believes that the Pathways scheme is particularly suitable for busy senior professionals because it allows them to control their own schedules.

Ha explained, "The ICAEW Pathways course currently offers three submission windows during the year in January, May, and September. Once applied, you have about four months to prepare, write, and complete the examination. During this period, I allocated my time effectively, evenly distributing it to perfect the answers to the exam questions. The flexibility of the exam schedule allows us to effectively balance our professional duties."

During the exam preparation process, Ha received substantial support from the ICAEW Vietnam. Ha was guided on how to accurately respond to questions in line with the exam's requirements and how to effectively showcase her experience to best demonstrate her capabilities, which helped her excel in the examination.

“This support was instrumental in enabling me to succeed on my first attempt and become a member of the ICAEW with just one exam,” the director remarked with a smile.

The appeal of ICAEW chartered accountant designation

Ha believes that the Pathways scheme is particularly suitable for busy senior professionals

Ha already commands an impressive resume, adorned with substantial professional experience and a collection of international certifications.

Inquiring about her continued pursuit of ICAEW membership, she detailed the strategic advantage it offers.

Holding the ICAEW Chartered Accountant designation not only opens doors to global standards but, crucially, ensures that members are continually updated with the latest industry trends and cutting-edge knowledge.

For Ha, it's about staying ahead in a fast-evolving professional landscape.

"For instance, in recent years in Vietnam, contemporary topics such as IFRS and ESG have captured the attention of organisations and businesses. The ICAEW has been a pioneer in collaborating with partners including government regulators and organisations to regularly update knowledge and share international experiences with experts from the UK and the region. This enables professionals to stay abreast of the latest market trends and societal movements,” said Ha.

Ha served as a distinguished judge at the ESG Challenge 2023

Ha also shared that at GELEX- a leading investment group, she is responsible for tasks related to corporate governance.

In 2023, Ha was honoured to be invited as a judge for the “Corporate Governance Towards Sustainable Development - ESG Challenge 2023”, organised by the ICAEW in collaboration with the State Securities Commission of Vietnam.

This new issue has become a top concern in Vietnam, where ICAEW's members have engaged professionally and promptly.

As Vietnam's financial services market undergoes significant legal reforms to align with international economic integration, holding an ICAEW ACA qualification is proving more critical than ever.

This premier, gold standard in accountancy not only provides the senior with a distinct competitive edge, it is also crucial for equipping the emerging generation of young professionals.

Ha noted, “Being involved in the recruitment process, I see many candidates with impressive resumes. However, having a prestigious qualification like the ICAEW ACA can be a significant differentiator that persuades employers.”

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