Masimba's story

caba's services are of a very high quality, but the best part was simply that I felt supported, and that gave my confidence a well needed boost. I stopped feeling so alone.

I sometimes receive emails from caba making me aware that their services extend to overseas members, so when things became difficult for me, I decided to get in touch. I was living in the Middle East and going through an extremely stressful period in my life. I was feeling emotionally drained. I was faced with the sickness of a close family member and I was the only person able to look after them. I really struggled to maintain a full-time job and take on this caring role, so I had to leave my job in the hope of getting something else with more flexible working hours. Everything was very strained and I sensed that if I didn't get some professional support I might lose control of the situation.

The most difficult part for me was asking for help. I really didn't know what to expect from caba, but I was impressed by how quickly they reacted. They were respectful in gathering the facts about what I was facing and they offered suggestions on how I could manage my situation. I'm not exaggerating, but I was like a drowning man and caba were throwing me a life-line. I will never forget how it felt to know that someone cared.

caba put in place a support plan within a very short time frame. They provided counselling to deal with my personal situation and career coaching for getting my career back on track. I know this was the first time they arranged face-to-face career coaching in the Middle East and I was impressed with how they were able to respond to the needs of international clients. They also assisted financially with a grant as I was struggling with medical bills.

I was given access to an online support programme. I went through learning sessions and then an interactive part of the programme, where I would apply what I had learnt to my situation. I could also view useful videos of people talking about how they faced their own challenges using the techniques, which I found comforting. In most cases I could immediately see the benefit of what I was learning in my sessions and would feel more positive and confident that I could manage my situation successfully. This gave me an opportunity to process what I was dealing with and find solutions to my immediate challenges, while equipping me with useful techniques and strategies to come up with realistic solutions.

Overall, I would say that the support I received exceeded my expectations. I was facing a genuine tragedy and was really desperate when I reached out to caba. Without their support, I think my life could easily have fallen apart. I needed support to be able to care for my sick relative and get my career and finances back on track. The services they provide are of a very high quality, but the best part was simply that I felt supported, and that gave my confidence a well needed boost. I stopped feeling so alone. I am in a much stronger position now.

how caba can help

caba supports the wellbeing of past and present ICAEW members, ACA students, ICAEW staff members, and their spouses, partners and children up to the age of 25. For advice, information and support please:

training and events

view all training and events 

your questions answered 

Who is eligible for support?

We support past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), ACA students, ICAEW staff members, and the family and carers of members and students. 

  1. No matter where your career takes you, past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England Wales (ICAEW) are eligible for caba’s services for life, even if you change your career and leave accountancy 
  2. ACA students (ICAEW Provisional Members) who are either an active student or have been an active student within the last three years are eligible for caba's services 
  3. Past and present staff members of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's services for life, even if you leave either organisation. Please note, for former employees, our financial support is only available to those who have had five years continuous employment with either organisation 
  4. Family members and carers of either an eligible past or present ICAEW member, ACA student or past or present employee of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's support. We define a family member as a: 
    1. spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner 
    2. widow, widower or surviving civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner 
    3. divorced spouse or civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner 
    4. child aged up to 25. Please note, children aged between 16 and 25 are not eligible for individual financial support 
    5. any other person who is dependent on the eligible individual supporting them financially or are reliant on the eligible individual’s care 
    6. any other person on whom the eligible individual is reliant, either financially or for care 

You can find out more about our available support both in the UK and around the world on our support we offer page and by using our interactive eligibility tool

Are your services means-tested?

If you need financial support, we carry out a means test where we consider income, expenditure, capital and assets.  

*Please note none of our other services are means-tested. 

I’m an accountant, but not a member of ICAEW, can you still help?

Unfortunately not. We only support past and present ICAEW members, their carers and their families. If we are unable to support you, where possible we will point you to help elsewhere.

caba has supported me in the past; can I receive support from caba again?

We understand that circumstances change. If we’ve helped you in the past there’s no reason why we can’t help you again. You can contact us at any time. Please call us if you need our help.

view more questions



Not got the answer to your question?