ICAEW ACA CPD Requirements 2026 — Complete Guide for Members
ICAEW members must maintain professional competence through CPD relevant to their role. This guide explains ICAEW CPD requirements for 2026, the principles-based framework, and how to evidence your learning.
ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) uses a principles-based approach to CPD. All ICAEW members — whether ACA-qualified, FCA, or holding another ICAEW designation — must complete CPD that maintains their professional competence. This guide explains what ICAEW requires, how to plan and record your CPD, and how to prepare for a CPD audit.
ICAEW CPD Requirements in 2026
ICAEW does not specify a fixed number of CPD hours. Instead, ICAEW requires that members: complete CPD that is relevant to their current or intended role; maintain competence in areas where they provide professional services; develop new skills as their role evolves; and be able to demonstrate their CPD to ICAEW if asked. ICAEW recommends that members aim for approximately 40 hours per year as a benchmark, but the actual requirement is competence-based.
The ICAEW CPD Framework
ICAEW's CPD guidance is structured around a continuous development cycle: Reflect (identify your development needs), Plan (set learning goals), Develop (undertake CPD activities), and Apply (use what you have learned in practice). This is similar to CIMA's approach but with an emphasis on applying learning in practice as the ultimate measure of effective CPD.
What Counts as ICAEW CPD?
ICAEW recognises a broad range of CPD activities: structured courses, workshops, and e-learning; professional reading and technical publications; attending conferences and seminars; in-house training; coaching and mentoring; on-the-job learning from stretch assignments; and peer discussion and professional networks. The activity must be planned, purposeful, and documented with evidence of outcomes.
Recording ICAEW CPD
ICAEW provides a CPD record template and the online My CPD tool in ICAEW's member portal. Record each CPD activity with: the date and duration, the activity type and provider, the learning objectives, what you learned, and how you applied it or plan to apply it. ICAEW CPD records are the foundation of any audit response — they should be maintained throughout the year.
ICAEW CPD Audits
ICAEW conducts periodic CPD monitoring — a sample of members is asked to submit CPD records. ICAEW also has a CPD compliance declaration process. Members who cannot demonstrate adequate CPD may be required to complete a remedial development programme. ICAEW takes CPD obligations seriously as part of its public interest commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can online CPD courses count for ICAEW? Yes. Online courses with completion certificates fully count for ICAEW CPD. The key requirement is that the learning was relevant to your role and you can document the outcome.
I recently qualified — do I have different CPD requirements? ICAEW recommends that newly qualified members begin CPD immediately. There is no phased introduction — the competence-based requirement applies from qualification.
Further Reading
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