If you are going to do any "freelanced" work, you will need to be registered for Money Laundering purposes (it is now a legal requirement!)

- You have the choice - get a practice certificate with the IFA or register with the HMRC.  

If your "clients" need an accountants reference, you'd be better off with the IFA practice certificate, as you will not be able to use your ACCA letters.

I understand a number of "time bared" qualified accountants (like you) use this route. At a later date you may wish to be a "registered Auditor", which will require you obtaining your practice certificate via the ACCA. 

The IFA practice certificate will give you the experience and make sure you are monitored etc...  until you qualify for the ACCA practice certificate.  

d.family1@gmail.com wrote This is good news, does it mean I will not have to work for an ACCA approved practice in order to get the ACCA practice certificate and the IFA will provide me the experience and supervision I need for it, even if I only work as self - employed?

The answer to your question is "depends".....         The ACCA will have to be satisfied that the experience you have gained is enough...     Otherwise you could just pay for the practice certificate, do nothing for a couple of years and then expect the ACCA to accept it, which of course they will not!    The practice certicate makes sure you are within the law so that you can gain experience etc.......    There are other ways of making sure you are able to fulfill everything you need. But this you will only do by experience, talking and "working" with others on a self-employed basis etc, etc, etc which you would be able to without actually becoming employed directly by someone else's practice.

............. Nothing is automatic, but anything can be possible.