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Planning your journey

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There are many ways to begin your ACCA journey. Our qualifications are flexible – you can learn in your own way, at your own pace. And you can take exams at a time that suits you.

Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way – whether it’s with world-class study resources, help with English or answering questions.

Here are some of the things to think about to help you plan your ACCA journey:

Find the starting point that's right for you

Where you start studying depends on the qualifications you already have.  If you don’t have specific university-entrance level qualifications, don’t worry - you’ll start at Foundations level. If you have a relevant degree, you may be able to start at a higher level – and you may be able to get exemptions from some exams.

Discover the right entry point for you

Find out if you're eligible for exemptions

Explore tuition and study options

There are many different ways to study for an ACCA qualification - you choose the right option for you. 

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Tell us where you’d like to study and we’ll show you all the tuition providers in your area.

Find out if you’re eligible to claim exemptions

We offer exemptions based on your prior learning. Exemptions help ensure you start with us at the level that's right for you - and getting an idea of what exemptions you might be eligible for takes less than five minutes. 

The ACCA Qualification is very well structured and allows gradual learning from foundation, through to intermediate, and then to advanced stage.

Ahmed Amor Alesry

Managing Partner, Ernst & Young, Oman

Plan your exam schedule

Decide when and where to take your exams, then book them online. Our exams are flexible – we offer four sessions each year, and if it’s an on-demand exam, you can take it at any time.

See all exam options

Access all the resources you need

We have fantastic resources and learning materials designed to help you prepare for each exam – from syllabus and study guides through to specimen papers and tips from the exam team.

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Learn how to balance work and study

Studying for an ACCA qualification can take a lot of time and dedication.  Learning how to balance your time is an important skill to develop, particularly if you have many things going on.

Visit our blog for study advice

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It's what we call global connections, all industries need finance professionals..

So if you have your sights set on a role in business, the film industry, sport or politics, a finance and accountancy qualification will help you get there. And where better to study than with the world’s most forward-thinking accountancy body?

For more information, you can send an email to  [email protected]  or get personalised support from   [email protected]

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When you study with ACCA, you can take your career in any direction. You open doors to the best and most interesting roles all over the world. And you become one of the sought-after finance professionals our fast-changing world needs.

It’s a rewarding and intense path – and we’re here to support you at every stage of your career

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ACCA Accelerate

The ACCA Accelerate program is a scheme that allows outstanding students with an aspiration and commitment to begin their professional qualification journey with us before completing their degree at an Australian and New Zealand institution.

This not only gives you a competitive edge to an exciting career in accounting and finance, but also allows you to utilise your knowledge of professional and technical skills you learn in your ACCA qualification to enhance your employability and excel at job interviews.

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Support for Students in Australia, New Zealand

The ACCA Australia & New Zealand office is based in Sydney. We are able to provide you with a range of information on the ACCA qualification, exemptions from completion of relevant degrees in Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Accelerate program which we offer in various universities across Australia and New Zealand.

Register your details and discover where an ACCA Qualification can take you today.

One of our expert advisors will be in touch to help you take the next step.

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For more information on how your information and rights are respected, please see our  privacy notice , or contact  [email protected]

Start Your Journey today

1. find your starting point.

Where you start your ACCA journey will depend on your existing qualifications. Start at the right level for you and begin your ACCA journey today.

Find your starting point

2. Check your exemptions

If you have relevant prior learning you may not need to take all of the exams (you may be exempt from some exams).

Check your exemptions

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Applying is quick and easy - and if you don't have all of your documents to hand you can save your application and upload them later.

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How to Get Started with ACCA

Starting an ACCA qualification is an exciting opportunity that can open doors to a rewarding career in accounting and finance . However, for new ACCA students, the initial steps can be overwhelming.

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  • 6 November 2023

A comprehensive ACCA guide for new students  

To help you get started on the right foot, this guide will provide you with valuable information on

  • How and when to register with ACCA  
  • How to apply for exemptions  
  • When and how to sit exams  
  • Insights into the qualification itself  
  • Tips on balancing work and study

Registering with ACCA  

Once you’ve decided to start the ACCA qualification, you need to register as a student. You can register before or after you start your first ACCA course, but we recommend you do this as soon as possible so that your registration is processed well before you book your first exam.  

Follow these steps:  

  • Visit the ACCA website and create an account.
  • Choose your qualification: If you have two A Levels and three GCSEs in five separate subjects including English and Maths (or equivalent qualifications), you can start the ACCA qualification. If you don’t have these qualifications, you can start the Foundations in Accountancy qualification and progress onto the ACCA qualification.
  • Once registered, you will receive your student registration number, and gain access to a student resources at MyACCA.
  • Share your registration number with your training provider so that they can update your records as soon as possible.

Understanding the ACCA qualification:  

ACCA is a globally recognised qualification that equips you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in accounting and finance. ACCA exams are held four times a year, giving you the flexibility to choose when to sit them.

Here’s what you need to know:  

  • ACCA fees: As an ACCA student you will pay a one-time registration fee, an annual subscription fee and exam fees. For detailed information about ACCA fees, please visit the ACCA website .
  • Exam sessions: The main exam sessions take place in March, June, September, and December. At Applied Knowledge Level and for the Corporate Law module, the exams are on demand, meaning you can sit at a time that suits you.
  • Exam format: ACCA exams are computer-based and comprise a combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and/or constructed response questions (CRQs).
  • Exam entry: There are early entry deadlines for each exam session, offering you a discounted exam fee. If you miss this early deadline there is a ‘late exam entry deadline’, which you’ll want to try and avoid since the cost is twice as much! First Intuition can support you send you reminders when it’s time to book an exam if you choose to study with us. Learn more about ACCA exam deadlines . 
  • Exam results: Results are typically released within eight weeks of the exam date at Applied Skills and Strategic Professional level. Results for on-demand exams at the lower levels are released on the same day as the exam. Find out about key ACCA dates .

Insight into the ACCA qualification:  

Understanding the ACCA qualification will give you a clear perspective on the journey ahead. Here are key points to consider:  

  • Structure: The qualification cosists of three levels – Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional level. Each level has a set of exams and an ethics module to complete.
  • Practical experience: To become an ACCA member, you must fulfil the practical experience requirement, which involves gaining relevant work experience alongside your studies. Find out more about ACCA PER .
  • Ethics and professional skills (EPSM) module: The ACCA EPSM module is a compulsory module that emphasises ethical behaviour and professional skills development. The EPSM module takes around 20 hours to complete and involves an assessment, which you must pass before applying for ACCA membership. Based on recent ACCA data, completing EPSM before Strategic Professional exams increases pass rates by up to 25%.
  • Exemptions: If you have a relevant degree or qualifications, you may be eligible for exemptions from certain ACCA exams, reducing how long it takes to qualify. Find out more about ACCA exemptions and whether you’re eligible with ACCA’s Exemption Calculator .

What ACCA exemptions are available?  

Exam exemptions are available if you have a relevant prior qualification or degree. If you think you’re eligible, you can use the ACCA exemption calculator to find out whether you qualify for exemptions. This tool asks for information on your study history including your institution, graduation year and course name, to ensure you start studying at the level that’s right for you.  

Should I accept my ACCA exemptions?  

When deciding whether to claim exemptions, consider the following factors:  

  • ACCA has a rigorous process for awarding exemptions to ensure that your prior learning aligns with the necessary skills and knowledge for the ACCA qualification.  
  • Exemptions save you from studying topics you’ve already learned, which is good if you recently obtained a qualification such as AAT , and the knowledge is still fresh in your mind.
  • However, if you’re contemplating claiming exemptions based on qualifications you completed many years ago, or if you have been working in a non-accounting field for a while, it might be more beneficial to take the exams. Avoiding exemptions and completing exams instead will allow you to refresh your knowledge so that you’re in a better position to pass higher-level exams, which delve deeper into the subject matter.

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Balancing work and study  

Many ACCA students will need to study whilst working full or part time, which requires effective time management and commitment. Follow these tips to help you balance work and study effectively:  

  • Create a study plan: Schedule your study hours wisely, considering your work commitments and personal life. Allocate specific time slots for studying and stick to your schedule.
  • Use available resources: Take advantage of the study materials and resources provided by ACCA, and consider enrolling onto an ACCA course to support your learning. By studying with an ACCA approved training provider, like First Intuition, you’ll benefit from structured courses and expert tutor guidance. Find out more about First Intuition ACCA courses .  
  • Break your studies down: Divide your course material into manageable chunks and set specific goals for each section of the syllabus. Tackling smaller portions of the course one bit at a time will help you stay focused towards your exam.  
  • Get organised: Make a study planner either on paper or using digital tools, depending on your personal preference. Use to do lists to prioritise your tasks, and set goals against your calendar, with dates to work towards for your mock assessments and real exams. This will keep you accountable and give you the focus you need to succeed.
  • Find support: Look for a study companion online, using social media study groups. Find like-minded ACCA students studying at the same level as you, so that you can work through course material at the same pace and offer tips and advice to each other. Reach out to a student on the same course as you to find out if they’re looking for someone to study with. Working with others can enhance your chance of passing, as you aren’t tackling the course content alone.
  • Maintain a healthy work-life balance: Studying for a professional qualification can be challenging! Book time in each week for exercise, relaxing and spending time with friends. Taking breaks from studying will recharge you and bring more focus to your next study session.

Find more tips on how to plan your ACCA studies here .

Conclusion  

Starting your ACCA journey can be an exciting experience that leads to a successful career in accounting and finance.

By following the tips and advice above, you’ll be on the right track.  First Intuition are here to support you from the beginning of your ACCA qualification. Contact our friendly team now for advice on how to get started, your exemptions and which study method is right for you.

Starting your ACCA qualification? Find more useful articles below:

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ACCA Syllabus Changes

We have put together some guidance to help you add structure to your ACCA studies.

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Plan your acca exam journey.

Kim Smith FCCA explains the factors you should consider when planning your ACCA exam journey.

I have been looking after OpenTuition’s General ACCA Forum for more than three years, and the most frequently asked questions concern exam progression – e.g. which exam(s) can be done when – choosing a next exam or exam combination – and other related questions, such as when to complete the Ethics and Professions Skills Module (EPSM). 

It is important to remember when reading this article, which covers a wide range of related issues, that every student faces a unique set of circumstances; there is no “one size fits all” pathway to exam success and you should be best placed to decide on your next course of action. 

Plan your ACCA Exam Journey

When to Plan 

Ideally , you will have planned your progression from the outset of your ACCA journey.  Setting the milestone for which exam(s) you will sit at each exam session will help you measure your progress in achieving the target of ACCA Affiliate status. If you have not, then now is the time to make a plan for the exams you have remaining.

Getting Started

Let us start by considering a student with NO exemptions who will have to sit the following:

ACCA Exams

* Although LW is an Applied Skills exam, it is only of two hours duration (i.e. the same as the Applied Knowledge exams) as shown in the following relationship diagram ( Figure 1 ). 

Exam progression rules : Exams must be taken in modular order; however, you can attempt the exams within each module in any order.  If you wish to enter to sit exams in the next module, you must also enter for all outstanding exams in your current module.

Exam format: ALL ACCA exams are computer-based exams – “CBE”.  It is important, however, to distinguish between:

“On-demand” CBE – BT, FA, MA and LW-GLO and LW-ENG only

“Session” CBE – everything else in the “exam sessions” – i.e. according to the published timetable ACCA Exam Timetables  

Relational Diagram of ACCA Exams

Implications of the Relational Diagram for Exam Order

Two-hour computer-based exams.

BT For a student with no exemptions, BT introduces a wide range of topics which “set the scene” for understanding businesses and a lot of the terminology that will feature in the other Applied Skills exams.  It also underpins SBL.

FA Although FA requires no underpinning knowledge, some terms will have been introduced in BT. It is important to note that FA underpins not only FR, but also AA. 

MA Unless students have knowledge of basic bookkeeping from prior learning, it will be preferable to study FA before or alongside MA. MA underpins BOTH PM and FM.

LW LW does not directly underpin any exam and requires no prior knowledge. As LW is an Applied Skills exam, if you have any outstanding exams in the Applied Knowledge module, you would have to enter for them also.  As it is only a two-hour exam, of which 70% of the marks are for objective test questions, it makes sense to pass this exam before embarking on the three-hour Applied Skills exams. 

A note about LW variants: As well as English (ENG) and Global (GLO), ACCA currently offers 12 regional versions of the LW exam.  However, only ENG and GLO exams are available on-demand.  Therefore, unless a regional variant is preferable for employment prospects, students may prefer to choose ENG or GLO for the additional flexibility it offers in choosing when to sit it.  

Three-hour Applied Skills Exams

In one sense, as long as all the Applied Knowledge exams have been passed or you are exempted, the order in which to sit the Applied Skills exams does not matter. However, there are some points to note:

TX-UK The “exam year” for TX-UK runs from the June session to the following March (i.e. it is an exception to the “1 September to 31 August” exam year that applies to all the other syllabuses.  Therefore, as each year’s Finance Act(s) always bring changes to rules and tax rates and allowances, it is preferable to avoid sitting TX-UK for the first time at a March sitting, unless confident of passing.

Notes about TX variants:  There are currently 20 variant TX exams but only eight variant ATX exams.  Therefore, unless a regional variant is required or otherwise preferable, choosing a variant for which there is an ATX exam also will, literally, keep your options open. Also, variant TX/ATX exams are available only in December and June exam sessions, so there is less flexibility in sitting them.

AA It is a common misconception that AA assumes FR knowledge.  This is incorrect ; AA assumes a good understanding of bookkeeping topics (FA) and the examinable documents of FA, excluding group accounting topics.

FM As FM introduces the tax implications of techniques introduced in MA, a basic grasp of taxation (especially capital allowances) is useful, though not vital.

One of the factors that is particularly relevant to the Applied Skills exam order should be your choice of two Options, as all build on the assumed knowledge of the corresponding Applied Skills exam.  Of course you may want to keep your options open for as long as possible – and you should also be prepared to change your planned choice if your circumstances change – but, ideally, you should aim to have as short a gap as possible between studying for an Option and sitting the relevant Applied Skills exam(s).  Otherwise, you should expect to have to refer back to and revise, as necessary, underpinning skills. 

See the ACCA article Making the best Options choices for other factors relevant to your choice of Options. 

See later for further considerations about sitting more than one exam. 

Strategic Professional

In accordance with the exam progression rules, if you wish to enter to sit a Strategic Professional exam but have not completed the Applied Skills module, you must also enter for all outstanding exams in the Applied Skills module.

The EPSM can be started any time from when you become eligible to enter for Strategic Professional exams (i.e. toward the end of completing the Applied Skills exams). ACCA strongly recommends that students complete the EPSM before attempting any of the Strategic Professional exams.

If there is such a thing as an optimal order in which to sit the Strategic Professional exams, it really depends on whether you plan to sit AAA – if yes, then you need to studying (if not sitting and passing) SBR before AAA.  Only if you are on a career path to becoming a registered auditor in the UK and/or Ireland should you consider sitting SBR-UK rather than SBR-INT (as the scope of examinable documents for the UK syllabus is more extensive). 

If not choosing AAA, you can reduce the gap between sitting Options and the underpinning Applied Skills exams by planning to sit both SBL and SBR after Options.   If choosing ATX, then unless TX was one of your last Applied Skills exams, you will most likely be looking at a new Finance Act (or equivalent for variant exams).  Remember that only ATX-UK is available in every exam session; variant ATX exams are only available in December and June.

The main benefit of planning to sit SBL as your last exam is that you can study for Options and SBR closer to sitting Applied Skills exams.  Although SBL is the only four-hour exam and, arguably, requires different skills, it should not be a difficult exam for someone who has already passed their chosen Options.

Sitting More than One Exam

As the Applied Knowledge exams are available on demand, the question of planning to sitting more than one exam at a time is relevant only to the Applied Skills and Strategic Professional session exams.

Before you Book

Students are advised to think very carefully before entering for more than one exam in a session – especially for first exams.  As professional exams are likely to be very different to anything you have encountered before, it is important to familiarise yourself with what you are letting yourself in for – before you register for exams – as follows:

Bookmark this page ACCA Study support resources and select an exam from the ACCA Qualification drop down menu, for example, Performance Management (PM) .  As a minimum you should look at the links to the following:

  • Introduction to …. 
  • Planning your study – see Download the ACCA study planner template (PDF) in section 5. Ensure you have a study plan.  

Bear in mind that only YOU can plan how you will use your time and therefore know if you really have time to prepare for more than one exam in the same exam session.  Even our prize-winning students have commented how tough they found studying for two exams.

Also, and especially if you have an exemption from an underpinning exam (as shown in Figure 1 above) you should attempt the “Self-check quizzes to get you ready”, which have been tailored to relevant assumed knowledge.  The fresher your memory of assumed knowledge, the more quickly you might expect to be able to grasp the new topics.

If you have time to prepare for more than one exam, what is the best combination?

“Best Combination”

After the September 2021 exam session, OpenTuition conducted a survey to explore the “best” combination. 

In summary, the Survey-results-best-combination  shows:

At Applied Skills Level:

At Strategic Professional Level, a majority of students for all exams except AAA responded that they are better taken “standalone”. For AAA, 42% responded standalone and 30% for combination with SBR.  However, with pass rates for AAA around 32% and as a former AAA examiner I suggest that even this combination is not to be recommended.  It is all too easy, especially at the revision phase, to devote more time to SBR “computations” than to practise preparing full answers to AAA “narrative”.

As one student commented “ACCA exams are a marathon, not a sprint”.  The best way in which you can “fast track” yourself to success is not to overreach by, for example, sitting more than one exam in a session, but rather plan a sure and steady route to your goal of Affiliate status.   

Reader Interactions

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February 20, 2022 at 7:27 am

All information about ACCA exams is available on ACCA’s www – e.g. the exam timetables are here https://www.accaglobal.com/an/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/exam-timetables.html

Please use space in “comment” boxes for comment – for questions PLEASE use a suitable forum – e.g. the ACCA General forum if your query does not relate to a specific exam https://opentuition.com/forum/acca-forums/general-acca-forums

February 19, 2022 at 2:10 pm

good afternoon i’m taking applied knowledge exams for june and i want to take all three at the time. my question is does the three course have different days to write the exams or i have to take exams in one day .

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Choosing the right starting point

We have a range of entry points so if you're an employer or a student, you or your trainees can progress their journey towards ACCA membership regardless of existing qualifications or work experience.  

Whether you're looking to take your first steps towards a career in finance, or you're a finance professional looking to develop the strategic leadership capabilities to take your earning potential to the next level - ACCA has a right starting point for you.

The ACCA Qualification

If you have two A Levels and three GCSEs in five separate subjects including English and maths  (or equivalent qualifications) , you can start your studies at the ACCA Qualification, which is ranked at Masters level and on completion you'll become an ACCA member.  

The ACCA Qualification is the world leading accountancy qualification for aspiring financial professionals - providing students with the skills, knowledge and values to have successful careers and lead the organisations they work with into the future.

In order to achieve the ACCA Qualification, students have to:

  • complete a maximum of 13 exams, depending on prior experience and qualifications
  • complete an Ethics and Professional Skills module
  • evidence three years of practical work experience within a relevant role.

This means that students can complete the ACCA Qualification in a minimum of three years.

Foundations in Accountancy Qualifications

If you don't have these qualifications, you can start at our Foundations in Accountancy qualifications and then progress onto the ACCA Qualification if you wish. These awards are broadly equivalent to GCSE level and a degree or HND programme.

Explore our qualification options

Employers trust ACCA professionals

When students complete the ACCA Qualification they’ll become an ACCA member.  Joining our network of over 200,000 members and unlocking their potential to work in any sector, anywhere in the world. 

Based on international accounting standards and independently benchmarked for quality, employers know that the ACCA Qualification produces forward-thinking finance professionals. With over 110 years of experience, we work with a network of over 7,400 Approved Employers and over 80 accountancy partnerships around the world.

Our career navigator explains the  job roles and sectors they can work in .

Helping students and organisations unlock their potential

For students to maximise their chances of success we strongly recommend they study through an Approved Learning Partner (ALP).

Our tuition providers are continually assessed by ACCA for the quality of their course delivery and there are a variety of flexible online and face-to-face tuition options to suit any individual or organisation.  

For students studying our Foundations in Accountancy Qualifications or starting the ACCA Qualification at its earliest level, we have an award-winning online tuition platform ACCA-X to support you with your studies.

Explore tuition options now

Flexible exams to fit around your schedule

We run a flexible exam schedule so that students can progress towards their goals at whatever pace they wish. Many of our exams are available on-demand, or during our four exam sessions every March, June, September and December.  

Find out more about our exam dates

Applying for ACCA membership as a member of another professional body

If you’re a finance professional who already holds a recognised professional accountancy qualification, you may be eligible for accelerated entry to ACCA membership.

Find out more about applying from another professional body

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Welcome to the ACCA Career Navigator

Helping guide your career journey, every step of the way

For ACCA members and future members, we’ll help you discover the diverse range of career destinations open to you, alongside the learning and skills required to secure your next role.

acca start your journey

You’ll typically have a minimum of 3 years’ experience gained during your journey to qualification, and ideally some post-qualification experience.

Or  explore capabilities  to succeed at Proficient level 

As an ACCA member/fellow, you'll have considerable post-qualification experience and will typically manage a team or function, or be strongly progressing in a specialism.

Or  explore capabilities  to succeed at Expert level

As an ACCA Fellow you'll have vast post-qualification experience and are likely to be a senior leader, perhaps in a C-suite level or entrepreneurial role.

Or  explore capabilities  to succeed at Leader level

  • If you're a member
  • If you're a student
  • If you're thinking about a career in accountancy
  • Discover what capabilities you need to stay ahead in your current role.
  • Explore the multiple career paths and roles that you could pursue in the future.
  • Keep on track, ready for the next opportunity, by exploring the latest learning to boost your career ambitions.
  • Connect to live job opportunities and careers advice with a real-time vacancy feed from our sister site, ACCA Careers.

acca start your journey

  • Plan your journey to ACCA membership and beyond by exploring the multiple career paths and roles you can follow using the skills you’re acquiring from ACCA.
  • Drive your career forward by using the Career Navigator to learn the job application language to impress employers with the skills and value you offer.
  • Learn about entry level, and apprenticeship or internship opportunities via vacancy feed from our sister site ACCA Careers.

acca start your journey

  • Discover the ACCA Qualification and where it could take you – the capabilities it instils and the roles it prepares you for immediately after becoming qualified. 
  • Learn about entry level, and apprenticeship or internship opportunities via vacancy feed from out sister site ACCA Careers.
  • See into the future - far past life as a newly qualified ACCA member. Be inspired by the various roles, sectors and career paths at each rung of the accountancy career ladder - from Proficient, to Expert, to Leader.

acca start your journey

‘Today’s professional accountants enjoy a huge range of roles across every sector. At ACCA, we’re helping them be the forward thinking, sustainable business and finance professionals the world needs, with the right capabilities to drive positive change.’

Helen Brand OBE, Chief Executive, ACCA

'For anyone at the start of their accountancy journey, the ACCA career navigator is a great way to explore the multiple career opportunities that they can pursue with the skills they’ll gain from the ACCA Qualification.'

Ciara Phillips, ACCA student, Morgan Stanley, UK

'As professionals, knowing what capabilities we need today, and in the future, is essential to ensuring we’re prepared and ready to respond to whatever challenges or opportunities lie ahead.'

Sanjay Rughani, CEO of Standard Chartered, Tanzania, chair of IFAC’s Professional Accountants in Business Committee, chairman of the CEO roundtable, Tanzania

'The career navigator will be a great resource for benchmarking the capabilities of finance professionals, and for them to access relevant learning and development to stay ahead.'

Sinead M Gogan, Chief HR officer, Deloitte, Ireland

Ready to begin your career journey?

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acca start your journey

Why choose ACCA?

Start your career with an ACCA qualification.

acca start your journey

Careers in finance

Explore careers in finance and understand how ACCA can help you gain the latest skills employers want as part of the career navigator.

acca start your journey

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acca start your journey

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acca start your journey

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School leaver or graduate, let us offer you the right start to your career.

Studying with an ACCA Approved Learning Partner provides support and guidance to prepare you for exams and improve your chances of success.

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Exam fees and costs, the acca career navigator - for the journey ahead.

Wherever you are on your journey, our navigator guides your route – acquire new skills, explore career destinations and opportunities and grow your talent.

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How to Start ACCA?

How to Start ACCA

I have been asked this question a lot these days by potential ACCA students. ACCA is becoming more and more recognized and is intriguing a wider range of students which is a good thing as global qualifications like ACCA should be pursued for a better career. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of misconceptions that need to be addressed. In this article, I will provide you with the basic information that you need to know before starting your journey with ACCA.

What is ACCA

ACCA Stands for Association of Chartered Certified Accountancy and is a Global body of Professional Accountants. Some major Subjects covered by ACCA program are:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Management
  • Cost Accounting
  • Ethics and Business Law

ACCA has 3 Modules namely Fundamental, skill, and Professional. The fundamental level has 4 papers: AB(Accountant in Business), MA(Management Accounting), FA(Financial Accounting), and LW(Corporate and Business Law).

The Skill level has 5 Papers including PM(Performance Management), TX(Taxation), FR(Financial Reporting), AA(Audit & Assurance), and FM(Financial Management). All of the subjects mentioned are compulsory in fundamental and skill level.

The Professional Module of ACCA has 6 Papers: 2 compulsory and 4 optional in which the student has to pass 2 in order to qualify the professional module. The Subjects in Professional Module are: SBR (Strategic Business Reporting) SBL (Strategic Business Leader) AFM (Advanced Financial Management) APM (Advanced Performance Management) ATX (Advanced Taxation) AAA (Advanced Audit & Assurance).

ACCA Modules Table

The number of examinations to qualify ACCA varies with the educational background of the student. A student with 10 or 12 years of education would have to first complete FDA (four introductory papers) in order to become eligible for the remaining 13 (previously 14) papers of ACCA.

ACCA Exemptions

However, if a student has an accounting background, ie B.com; an exemption is given for FDA and the student would be enrolled directly in the ACCA program. ACCA also has exemptions for BBA and MBA in Accounting and Finance ( Read our article on starting ACCA after MBA ). For masters, the exemption is extended to 7 papers ( the first four FDA papers and 3 ACCA papers; F1, F2 & F3 ).

Exemptions also vary with the college/university from which you have completed your previous qualification. ACCA has ranked different colleges & universities and have an automated exemption calculator on their official site.

Exemptions are only given for FDA ( fundamental level ) and skill level. There are no exemptions for strategic professional examinations. For detailed information regarding ACCA exemptions, here’s the official exemption calculator .

Procedure for starting ACCA

If you have scored minimum 50% marks in Metric or intermediate, you can register for ACCA. For equivalent qualification or graduate, additional 5% relaxation is given and the eligibility comes down to 45%.

ACCA is different than traditional diplomas and certifications in that ACCA gives the options to either enroll in a college or prepare for examinations completely on your own. ACCA does not differ in enrolled and unenrolled students and does not consider the ranking or standard of the college/university that you’ve attended. If you score at least 50% marks in each paper of ACCA, they will welcome you to their club.

BUT, you must register yourself with ACCA before you apply for examination. There are 2 ways to do that. Normally, if you get enrolled in a college, the college administration will collect your documents and will apply for your registration charging you the official registration fee and sometimes a commission.

If you are planning to do ACCA on your own, you can apply online using the official website of ACCA. All you need to do is to upload your documents as an evidence for meeting their demands and make an online transaction to complete the process. However, you can also visit their office for a much easier registration and detailed guidance from team ACCA.

ACCA Full Fee Structure

The registration Fee of ACCA is 45 Pound sterling (United Kingdom’s Currency). It is a one-time fee and is payable at the start of ACCA.

The fee for the 3 Applied Knowledge/Fundamental level is 84 Pounds per paper and one has to repay the fee every time he fails to score 50% Marks. The total fee required to clear the module is 252 (84+84+84)

In Applied Skill Module including paper LW(Corporate % Business Law), the per paper fee is 111 Pounds hence the total fee required to clear the module is 666 pounds .

The Fee Structure for Professional Module is as follows:

  • Paper SBR(Strategic Business Reporting) 147 Pounds
  • Paper SBL(Strategic Business Leader) 206 Pounds

And Per Paper Fee in the optional Papers is 147 Pounds. The total Fee for Professional Module becomes 647 Pounds (147+147+147+206).

On the assumption, if a student passes all the examinations in a single go, the total examination cost would be 1610 Pounds (45+252+666+647).

It’s noteworthy to mention here that ACCA also has an annual fee of 112 Pounds that is payable each year throughout your journey with ACCA.

In addition, tuition fee should also be taken in consideration when calculating the total cost of ACCA. The tuition fee varies with the difficulty level and/or the duration of the course and standard of teaching.

Before starting ACCA, I recommend you go through a detailed process of research on different online platforms and meet a few ACCAs to get to know about their experience and to seek professional guidance from them. Best of luck!

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I'm Fahad Zar, a skilled Chartered Accountant and Digital Marketing enthusiast. Through my captivating blog, I aim to empower the youth with both academic knowledge and innovative online business strategies for a brighter future!

How can you Start ACCA after your MBA? Simply Explained

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COMMENTS

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  9. Begin your accountancy journey

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  12. ACCA career navigator

    Welcome to the ACCA Career Navigator. Helping guide your career journey, every step of the way. For ACCA members and future members, we'll help you discover the diverse range of career destinations open to you, alongside the learning and skills required to secure your next role. Select your starting point, now or future, to start exploring ...

  13. Our qualifications

    Studying with an ACCA Approved Learning Partner provides support and guidance to prepare you for exams and improve your chances of success. Find a learning partner. Go further with ACCA. Discover how the ACCA Qualification has helped our members across the globe realise their full potential.

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