ACCA Course Details | Full-form, Syllabus, Fees, Eligibility

Pursue an ACCA course for a globally recognized certification in accounting and finance. Enhance career prospects with ACCA qualification. Explore this article for more details.

Discover ACCA course structure, syllabus, paper formats, exam registration, career options, & expert tips to crack ACCA with CA Exam Test Series guidance and support. 

ACCA is the oldest and most credible qualification globally for creating the much-needed strategic accounting infrastructure critical for business growth, regardless of scale and industry.

The ACCA full form is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Established in the UK in 1904, it is the world's largest and oldest accounting association. It is also the world's first and quickest entryway into the critical functions of financial and management accounting.

ACCA holds a network of around 117 offices and has 500,000 members and students in nearly 180 countries in the world. This organization, after finalizing this qualification, awards the Chartered Certified Accountant title. The ACCA course not only assists you in being prepared for the financial and any management aspects of business, but you are also trained to work anywhere under the globe's sun and become qualified, valued professionals in the marketplace.

The ACCA subjects are categorized into three levels: knowledge, skills, and professional. Students can take several exemptions under the ACCA based on their education. Students with BCom or MCom will have to sit for nine exams instead of 13, and students with CA will have to sit for four exams instead of 13.

The ACCA Exam is held 4 times a year, which includes the March Session, June Session, September Session, and December Session. The average ACCA course fee is around INR 1,70,000. The whole fee structure is in GBP, and thus the exchange rate of the rupee comes into play. After completing ACCA, the salary for students will range between INR 7 and 8 LPA. 

Highlights of the ACCA Course

Full Form Association of Certified Chartered Accountants
Course Duration 1-7 years
Course Fees INR 28,000 to INR 2,60,000 Learn More:
Exams 13 Exams
Levels 3 (Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, Strategic Professional)
Frequency of Exam Exams are conducted quarterly (March, June, September, and December)
Eligibility Criteria 10+2 with a minimum 65% aggregate in Maths/Accounts and English, and 50% in other subjects
Career Prospects Accountants, Auditors, Finance Managers, Business Analysts, and experts
Exam Formate Computer-based exams for all levels
Average Salary INR 3.5 to 4 LPA
ACCA Course Fees 28,000 INR- 2,60,000 INR
Recruiters PwC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG, Grant Thornton
ACCA Membership Benefits Global recognition, enhanced career prospects, access to extensive resources and support, networking opportunities with professionals worldwide, and opportunities for further education.

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What are the Benefits of Pursuing ACCA?

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with a global community of over 200,000 ACCA members and stay updated on industry trends.
  • Personal Growth: Achieving ACCA certification boosts confidence, enhances credibility, and opens up new personal and professional opportunities.
  • Globally Recognized Certification: ACCA is recognized in over 180 countries, making you a sought-after professional worldwide.
  • Career Advancement: ACCA opens doors to senior roles in finance, accounting, and management with higher salary potential.
  • Competitive Edge: Stand out from the competition with a certification that demonstrates your expertise, commitment, and professionalism.
  • Flexibility and Portability: ACCA certification allows you to work across industries, countries, and roles, providing unparalleled flexibility.

Why Study the ACCA Course?

Students get numerous benefits after doing the ACCA course. The significant advantages are as follows:

  • With a globally recognized certificate, students can access possibilities in all of these nations. The possibility of employment in more than 180 markets and accreditation from 80 international organizations.
  • The big four MNCs have a high demand for ACCA. Students get the opportunity to work in senior positions that are strategically significant. It's among the least expensive options for earning an international professional qualification.
  • ACCA provides specialized help through 100 locations worldwide, albeit being administered from the UK. Additionally, it includes tax and local law instruction, making the course applicable in every nation.
  • Students can earn their ACCA certification and graduate with a great deal of freedom in the program.

ACCA Course Duration 

The course is 2-3 years long. It comprises 13 exams, including both fundamental and professional levels, focusing on core accounting, financial management, and ethics. The complete ACCA course duration and details are as follows in the table:

Level Number of Exams Recommended Study Time per Exam Total Study Duration Typical Completion Time
Applied Knowledge 3 50-60 hours 150-180 hours 6-9 months
Applied Skills 6 70-80 hours 420-480 hours 12-18 months
Strategic Professional 4 (2 Essentials, 2 Options) 90-100 hours 360-400 hours 12-18 months
Total 13 210-240 hours 930-1060 hours 30-45 months (2.5-3.75 years)

Eligibility Criteria for ACCA Course 

This is a very popular course under ACCA, which stands for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Now the eligibility criterion for this one is quite broad and rich, and one must, therefore, refer to the eligibility criteria points regarding this course given below. 

  • You do not require any formal education to pursue the ACCA Foundation. It is open to all!
  • After completing the Diploma course for the ACCA Foundation, you can sit for the first ACCA certification exam.
  • If you have applied to ACCA after your 12th grade, then you require 65 percent in subjects like English, Mathematics, and Accounts and a 50 percent minimum in the remaining subjects.

ACCA Course Subjects and Syllabus 

The ACCA syllabus encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, spanning financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, audit, and financial management. By covering these fundamental areas, ACCA subjects empower students with a robust foundation in accounting and business acumen, preparing them for success in their professional careers.

ACCA Syllabus Exam Subjects Description
Applied Knowledge Business and Technology (BT) Business and Technology Introduction to business structure, governance, and management and the influence of technology on business operations.
  Management Accounting (MA) Management Accounting Basic management accounting principles include cost classification, behavior, and examining financial statements.
  Financial Accounting (FA) Financial Accounting Fundamentals of financial accounting, including double-entry bookkeeping and preparation of financial statements.
Applied Skills Corporate and Business Law (LW) Corporate and Business Law Essential elements of business law, including contract law, corporate law, and employment law.
  Performance Management (PM) Performance Management Management accounting techniques to support performance evaluation and decision-making processes.
  Taxation (TX) Taxation Tax systems, computation of tax liabilities, and tax planning.
  Financial Reporting (FR) Financial Reporting Preparation of financial statements following international accounting standards.
  Audit and Assurance (AA) Audit and Assurance Principles of auditing and the role of assurance engagements in governance and financial reporting.
  Financial Management (FM) Financial Management Key financial management principles include investment appraisal, business finance, and risk management.
Strategic Professional Essentials Strategic Business Leader (SBL) An integrated case study that combines governance, strategy, risk, and performance management.
  Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) Strategic Business Reporting Advanced financial reporting, including interpretation and analysis of financial statements for stakeholders.
  Options (choose 2 out of 4) Advanced Financial Management (AFM) Advanced financial management techniques, including investment appraisal, risk management, and business valuations.
  Advanced Performance Management (APM) Advanced Performance Management Advanced performance management techniques, strategic planning, and control.
  Advanced Taxation (ATX) Advanced Taxation Advanced tax issues, including international taxation and tax planning strategies.
  Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) Advanced Audit and Assurance Advanced auditing techniques, professional, and ethical issues. The role of the auditor in the context of corporate governance.

 

ACCA Exam Details 

ACCA Exam Details: Know the exam format, duration, and syllabus for all 14 papers. Understand the exam schedule, fees, and registration process to plan your ACCA journey effectively.

  Foundations Level Applied Knowledge Level Applied Skills Level Strategic Professional Level
Exam Duration 2 hours 2 hours 3 hours 4 hours
Passing Marks 50% 50% 50% 50%
Total Marks 100 100 100 100

 

ACCA Exemptions

The exemption from various ACCA exams is given to students who hold some kind of degree. Below are the ACCA exemptions.

  • Passing Class 12: Students who have passed class 12 will be exempted from the Foundational Diploma course of ACCA. This exam is for students who have no formal education.
  • Pass BCom or MCom: These students who pass will have an exemption from ACCA Knowledge exams including Business & Technology (BT), Management Accounting (MA), and Financial Accounting (FA). They also exempt the Corporate and Business Law Exam from the Skill Level Exam.
  • Clearing Chartered Accountancy: The students who would have cleared CA will have 9 papers exempted from the total of 13. Therefore, Skill Level as well as Knowledge Level will be completely exempt. Students will have to sit for only the 4 exams at the professional level. 
  • Clearing CA IPCC: Students who have cleared CA IPCC will have to appear for 8 exams in ACCA. Only 4 exams will be exempted, which are Business & Technology, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Taxation, Audit, and Assurance.

ACCA Course Exam Levels

The ACCA course is structured into three distinct exam levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. Each level builds on the previous one, progressively developing your accounting and finance skills. 

Applied Knowledge Level

  • Covers the fundamental principles of accounting and finance
  • Includes papers such as Accountant in Business (AB), Management Accounting (MA), and Financial Accounting (FA)

Applied Skills Level

  • Builds on the knowledge gained at the Applied Knowledge Level
  • Includes papers such as Corporate and Business Law (LW), Performance Management (PM), and Taxation (TX)

Strategic Professional Level

  • Focuses on strategic and professional skills
  • Includes papers such as Strategic Business Leader (SBL), Strategic Business Reporting (SBR), and two optional papers

Each level is designed to test your knowledge, skills, and professionalism, preparing you for a successful career in accounting and finance. 

ACCA Course Fees 

Planning to pursue ACCA? Understand the ACCA course fee structure, including registration fees, exam fees, and annual subscription fees, to help you budget and plan your ACCA journey effectively.

Particulars Fees (INR) 1GBP=90 INR
Initial Registration 2,700
Annual subscription 10,440
Knowledge Level 22,680
Skill Level 69,660
Professional Level 64,170
Total 1,69,650

 

ACCA Vs CA Course

Confused between ACCA and CA? Compare the two prestigious courses to determine which one aligns with your career goals. Explore differences in syllabus, duration, fees, and job prospects to make an informed decision.

Particulars ACCA CA
Signing Authority Overseas India
Recognition 180+ countries India, England, Wales, Australia and Middle East Countries
Duration 6-24 Months 5 Years
Attempts 6 monthly 3 monthly
Course Structure Knowledge Level, Skill Level, and Professional Level CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final
Eligibility Pass class 12 with 65% in Maths, Accounts, and English and 50% in the rest of the subjects Pass class 12
Registration Fee INR 7900 + subscription Fees of INR 11600 per year INR 9,000
Job Profile Accounting Advisory, Transaction Advisory, Treasury, Auditing Statutory Audit, Internal Audit, Investment Management, Direct and Indirect Tax

ACCA Scope

ACCA has a very large scope in the future as globalization is on the rise. Companies are providing services and products from all around the world. The major scopes for ACCA are described below:

  • ACCA is recognized by more than 180 countries, which makes it one of the most prized certifications. The majority of ACCA professionals from India seek employment in the UK, Australia, Singapore, and Germany.
  • Foreign companies working in India require a lot of ACCA professionals. They hire professionals who are qualified for international work and have knowledge of international accounting. They should be able to work on US GAAP and IFRS.
  • The job scope of an ACCA is equivalent to a CA. An ACCA professional also gets the opportunity to do the same kind of job in 180+ countries.
  • Government, educational institutions, and various businesses, both small and large, are in touch with ACCA. ACCA has 7500+ approved employers and 80 partnerships with accounting bodies.

Jobs After ACCA Course 

Salary after ACCA entirely depends upon the years of experience. ACCA students begin their careers with a salary of approximately INR 7 LPA, which turns out to be more than INR 15 LPA as experience increases. Below we mention some top recruiting companies that hire ACCA in accounting to finance fields: BDO, Grant Thornton, J. P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley.

  • EY
  • Grant Thornton
  • PwC
  • Deloitte
  • KPMG
  • PepsiCo
  • HSBC
  • Accenture

ACCA Salaries: India and Worldwide 

The ACCA qualification can be one of the most sought-after career options, mainly because of the lucrative monetary benefits that it offers. Ranges of average ACCA salary in India vary from role to experience and country of work, among others.

Job Role India (INR) UK (GBP) Hong Kong (HKD) UAE (AED)
Management Accountant 6-12 lakhs 30,000 – 50,000 350,000 – 600,000 150,000 – 300,000
Financial Accountant 5-10 lakhs 28,000 – 45,000 320,000 – 550,000 140,000 – 280,000
Consultant 7-15 lakhs 35,000 – 60,000 400,000 – 700,000 160,000 – 320,000
Corporate Financial Expert 8-18 lakhs 40,000 – 70,000 450,000 – 800,000 180,000 – 360,000
Business Analyst 6-14 lakhs 30,000 – 55,000 350,000 – 650,000 150,000 – 300,000
Subject Matter Expert 7-16 lakhs 32,000 – 60,000 380,000 – 700,000 160,000 – 320,000
Tax Consultant 5-12 lakhs 28,000 – 50,000 320,000 – 600,000 140,000 – 280,000
Financial Advisors 6-13 lakhs 30,000 – 55,000 350,000 – 650,000 150,000 – 300,000
Auditor 5-11 lakhs 28,000 – 48,000 320,000 – 580,000 140,000 – 280,000

Conclusion 

ACCA qualification offers excellent career prospects in finance and accounting with international recognition, extensive career options, and a comprehensive curriculum tailored to equip professionals with skills currently in high demand. It may be an important stepping stone for you if you want to work with top companies, explore international markets, or enhance your skills in finance. 

With the use of quality ethical considerations and practical knowledge, ACCA enhances your career prospects while preparing you for success in a dynamic financial world. Start your journey with ACCA today and unlock a world of opportunities!

FAQs

What is the ACCA course?

ACCA is the world's oldest and most unique qualification for creating strategic management infrastructure. The ACCA Course Details is divided into three levels: knowledge, skills, and professional exam.

Who is eligible for the ACCA course?

The ACCA course is open to students from various educational backgrounds. For Class 12 students, a minimum of 65% in English, Mathematics, and Accounts and 50% in other subjects is required. Students with a graduate degree in any discipline can also apply.

What is the total cost of the ACCA program?

The total cost of the ACCA program is approximately INR 1,70,000. This includes registration fees, exam fees, and study materials. However, please note that fees may be subject to change.

What are the different levels of the ACCA syllabus?

The ACCA syllabus is divided into four main sections: Foundations in Accounting, Knowledge Level, Skill Level, and Professional Level. Each level builds on the previous one, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

What are the career opportunities after completing the ACCA course?

ACCA-qualified professionals can pursue various career opportunities in auditing, financial management, taxation, consulting, and industry. They can work with top companies, including the Big Four accounting firms, multinational corporations, and global consulting firms.

Which companies hire ACCA-qualified professionals?

Renowned companies like EY, Grant Thornton, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, PepsiCo, HSBC, and Accenture hire ACCA-qualified professionals. These companies recognize the value of ACCA certification and offer challenging and rewarding career opportunities.

Is the ACCA certification recognized globally?

Yes, the ACCA certification is recognized globally, with over 180 countries accepting the qualification. This makes ACCA-qualified professionals highly sought after by employers worldwide.

What skills does the ACCA course equip students with?

The ACCA course equips students with advanced technical skills in accounting, finance, and taxation. It also develops essential soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Can I pursue the ACCA course while working?

Yes, the ACCA course is designed to be flexible, allowing working professionals to pursue the qualification while continuing their jobs. Many ACCA students balance work and studies successfully.

How long does it take to complete the ACCA course?

The duration of the ACCA course varies depending on individual circumstances. Typically, it takes around 2-3 years to complete the course, assuming you attempt and pass all exams on the first attempt.