Level 7 Accountancy or Taxation Professional apprenticeship — 2026 funding change

The dominant route into chartered accountancy is an employer training agreement combining paid work, exams and a logbook of experience toward a body’s qualification (ACA / ACCA / CA / CIMA). In England, apprenticeship routes parallel this: Level 4 (Professional Accounting/Taxation Technician, often AAT-aligned) and Level 7 (Accountancy or Taxation Professional, Skills England standard ST0001) — the degree/master’s-equivalent route mapped to the ACA/ACCA/CIMA chartered qualifications. The funding rules changed: from 1 January 2026, government funding for the Level 7 apprenticeship is limited to apprentices aged 16-21 at the start (or under 25 with an EHCP and/or care-leaver status); older starters are no longer government-funded and must use employer/self funding or a Level 4 plus top-up. Apprentices who started before 1 January 2026 are funded through to completion. Verify the age/eligibility wording before publishing any “how to train” guide.