What Is ACCA?
ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a professional qualification in accounting and finance.
It teaches students about accounting, taxation, auditing, financial management, and business.
How Many Exams Are There In ACCA?
ACCA has 3 levels and a maximum of 13 exams. The number of exams a student needs to pass may be lower if they receive exemptions.
| ACCA Level | Number of Exams | What You Learn |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Knowledge | 3 | Basic accounting and business concepts. |
| Applied Skills | 6 | Accounting, taxation, auditing and finance. |
| Strategic Professional | 4 | Advanced accounting and business decision-making. |
Names of the Subjects:
| Applied Knowledge | Applied Skills | Strategic Professional | Optional Subjects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business and Technology(BT) | Corporate and Business Law(LW) | Strategic Business Leader(SBL) | Advanced Financial Management(AFM) |
| Management Accounting(MA) | Performance Management(PM) | Strategic Business Reporting(SBR) | Advanced Performance Management(APM) |
| Financial Accounting(FA) | Taxation(TX) | And any 2 optional subjects | Advanced Taxation(ATX) |
| Financial Reporting(FR) | Advanced Audit and Assurance(AAA) | ||
| Audit and Assurance(AA) | |||
| Financial Management(FM) |
How Long Does It Take To Complete ACCA?
The time required depends on how quickly a student passes the exams and whether they receive exemptions.
| Stage | Approximate Time |
|---|---|
| Completing the exams. | Around 2 years |
| Completing the full qualification. | Atleast 3 years |
| Studying alongside college or a job. | Depends on the student’s schedule. |
Students may finish the exams in around two years. However, passing the exams alone does not make someone an ACCA member. They must also complete the other requirements.
What Are The Other Requirements?
Apart from passing the exams, students must complete the following:
| Requirement | What Does It Mean? |
|---|---|
| Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM). | An online module that teaches professional behaviour and ethical decision-making. |
| Practical Work Experience. | 36 months of relevant work experience in accounting, finance, auditing or a related field. |
| Performance Objectives | Students must complete the required work-related objectives and get them verified. |
Example:
A student working in an accounting firm may gain relevant experience by helping prepare financial reports, checking accounts, or working on tax matters, provided the work meets ACCA’s requirements.
Work experience can be gained before, during, or after the exams.
Can You Get Exemptions From ACCA Exams?
Yes! Students who already have certain qualifications may not need to take some ACCA exams.
| Qualification | Possible Exemption |
|---|---|
| Relevant accounting or finance degree. | May recieve exemptions from certain exams. |
| Other eligible qualifications. | Exemptions depend on the course and ACCA’s rules. |
| Work experience alone. | does not automatically provide exam exemptions. |
Relevant degree includes:
- B.com(Bachelor of Commerce) - Depends on the university, course syllabus, and graduation year.
- B.com(Honours) - Depends on the subjects studied and ACCA’s assessment.
- BBA(Bachelors of Business Administration) - Depends on the course content and institution.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance - The degree and university must meet ACCA’s requirements.
- MBA(Master of Business Administration) - Depends on the programme and subject covered.
- CA Qualification - Depends on the professional qualification and ACCA’s rules.
- Other relevant diplomas or professional qualifications - The qualification must be assessed or recognised by ACCA.
Students cannot get exemptions from the Strategic Professional exams.
The number of exemptions depends on the student’s qualification and eligibility.
https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/help/exemptions-calculator.html
One Important Update for 2027
ACCA is also redesigning its qualification from 2027.
This means the exam structure will change for students moving into the new qualification.
So, if you are planning to start ACCA in 2026 or 2027, it is important to check which exam structure applies to you.
Conclusion
ACCA is a professional qualification for students who want to build a career in accounting and finance. It has three levels and up to 13 exams.
Students may complete the exams in around two years, but they generally need atleast three years to complete all the requirements for ACCA membership. The total time depends on their exam progress, exemptions, and work generally.
References:
https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/getting-started/acca-qualification-structure.html
https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/practical-experience-per.html