ACCA Course Duration: Explore Levels, Eligibility, Exams, and Global Career Opportunities
Published on: January 27, 2025
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a globally recognized professional body for accountants specializing in financial reporting, management, audit, and international taxation. The ACCA qualification offers flexibility and can be pursued after the 12th grade or graduation, making it ideal for aspiring professionals.
The course comprises three levels—Knowledge, Skill, and Professional—and requires passing 13 exams and 36 months of practical experience. On average, the qualification can be completed in 2-3 years. ACCA exams are conducted quarterly, with flexible options for Knowledge-level papers.
Students in Class 10 can start the course by registering through the FIA route. Students after Class 12 must meet minimum marks in specified subjects or follow the FIA route if they don't meet eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria vary, but commerce graduates directly qualify for the Skill Level.
The qualification is recognized worldwide in 180+ countries, making ACCA a sought-after career path with high earning potential and diverse job opportunities.
Course structure
To qualify for ACCA membership, candidates must pass 13 exams. However, the initial 4 exams can be exempted if one holds a degree. The course also requires candidates to have practical experience for at least 36 months and achieve specific performance objectives.
Ethics and Professional Skills Module
This module supplements your technical knowledge by helping you develop the ethical and professional behaviors needed to complete your Strategic Professional exams and prepare you for a successful career as a trusted and confident professional accountant. It should be started after the Applied Knowledge exams have been completed and before commencing the Strategic Professional exams.
- To qualify for ACCA membership, candidates need to complete a minimum of 36 months of relevant work experience and achieve specific performance objectives which is called the Practical Experience Requirement. Students can start their practical training after qualifying for the skill level.
ACCA Course Duration :
The course duration majorly depends upon the pace of clearing the exams and the paper exemptions on prior qualifications but it generally takes :
On average, the ACCA can be completed within 2 – 3 years
The ACCA exams are held four times yearly: March, June, September, and December. Each session on these important ACCA dates offers opportunities to sit for Skill Level and Professional papers. The papers of Knowledge Level exams may be available as remote on-demand exams, i.e., candidates can appear for the exams anytime once their portions are completed.
ACCA Course Duration after graduation
Students who have completed their graduation can pursue ACCA courses from the Skill Level onwards bypassing the Knowledge level. The number of paper exemptions available to them also depends upon the university from which they acquire their graduation or post-graduation. Students who have completed other professional courses such as CA, CMA, or CS are exempted from appearing on the Knowledge Level and Skill Level papers but must mandatorily attend the Professional Level papers.
ACCA Course Eligibility
After Class 10 - FIA Route
Students who have completed the FIA route can join ACCA, but they must complete the Knowledge level papers before progressing to the skill level.
After Class 12
Students must have completed their higher secondary education (10+2) with:
- A minimum of 65% in Mathematics or Accounting and English.
- An overall aggregate of at least 50% in other subjects
Note: Students who do not meet the above criteria must register through the FIA route
Eligibility for Graduates
Graduates from commerce-related fields (e.g., B.Com, BBA) are eligible to pursue ACCA from the Skill Level. The number of paper exemptions available to them depends on the university from which one graduates. Graduates from other disciplines (e.g., BA, B.Sc.) can also apply but must first obtain the ACCA Foundation Diploma
ACCA Course Fees
The course fee for ACCA is approximately Rs. 2.5 lakhs (excluding coaching fees), but this can change depending on the foreign exchange rate and the number of attempts.
ACCA salary in India
The salary of an ACCA – is Rs. 7 LPA which can rise up to Rs. 32 LPA depending on experience and knowledge. The high Initial Average Salary – Rs. 15 LPA
Global recognition of ACCA
ACCA professionals are globally accepted in over 180+ countries including established financial centers like the UK, and Singapore, and emerging markets in Africa and the Middle East
FAQs
1. What are the responsibilities of an ACCA?
The responsibilities of ACCA include Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, Audit and Assurance, Taxation and Consultancy
2. What are the job positions of an ACCA?
The job positions of an ACCA include being an Auditor, Chief Financial Auditor, Financial analyst, etc
3. Can an ACCA work in India?
Yes, ACCAs can work in India since it is a globally recognised profession in more than 180+ countries.
4. How long does it typically take to complete the ACCA qualification?
Most trainees qualify in about 2-3 years but it depends upon an individual’s pace of clearing papers and prior exemptions
5. When does ACCA conduct the exams?
ACCA conducts exams four times a year, specifically in March, June, September, and December for Skill and Professional Level. The papers of Knowledge Level exams may be available as remote on-demand exams, ie, candidates can appear for the exams anytime once their portions are completed.
6. How do I register for the ACCA exam?
You can register for your exams on the ACCA website using your username (ACCA ID) and password
