- The ACCA qualification has 13 exams across three levels - Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional - plus the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM) and 36 months of practical experience (PER)
- Exams run in four sittings a year (March, June, September, December), with Applied Knowledge available on demand
- Most students qualify in 2.5 to 4 years, and ACCA is recognised in 180+ countries.
What Is the ACCA Course?
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a globally recognised professional accountancy qualification awarded by ACCA in the UK. It trains students in accounting, audit, tax, financial management and business strategy through 13 exams, an ethics module and practical experience. ACCA members work in finance roles across more than 180 countries.
ACCA is a strong alternative or complement to the Indian CA qualification, valued by multinational firms, the Big Four and KPOs. Its syllabus is regularly updated to cover practical and theoretical industry knowledge, skills and professional ethics, which is part of why it is one of the fastest-growing accountancy bodies worldwide.
What Is the Structure of the ACCA Course?
The ACCA course has 13 exams across three levels: Applied Knowledge (3 exams), Applied Skills (6 exams) and Strategic Professional (4 exams). Alongside the exams, students complete the Ethics and Professional Skills Module and 36 months of practical work experience. Each exam needs 50 percent to pass, with no negative marking.
| Level (2026) | Exams | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Knowledge | BT, MA, FA | On-demand computer-based, 2 hours |
| Applied Skills | LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM | Session CBE (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec) |
| Strategic Professional | SBL, SBR + 2 of AFM/APM/ATX/AAA | Session CBE, case-study based |
Students may receive exemptions from some Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams based on prior qualifications such as a relevant degree, but no exemptions are available at Strategic Professional level - all four of those papers must be sat and passed.
How Long Does the ACCA Course Take?
Most students complete the ACCA qualification in about 2.5 to 4 years, depending on exemptions, study pace and how many exams they sit per session. Applied Knowledge papers are on demand, while Applied Skills and Strategic Professional run in four sittings a year. The 36-month practical experience requirement can run before, during or after the exams.
How Much Does the ACCA Course Cost?
ACCA costs include a one-time registration fee, an annual subscription of around GBP 140, and per-exam fees. Applied Knowledge exams cost roughly GBP 80 to 115 each, Applied Skills about GBP 100 to 150, and Strategic Professional papers more. Total exam fees across the qualification typically run to a few thousand pounds, before tuition and study materials.
Because fees are charged per exam and subscriptions recur each year, finishing sooner reduces total cost. Always confirm the current fees on the official ACCA website before registering, as rates are reviewed annually and vary slightly by country.
Chartered Accountant (CA) course in IndiaRead →What Jobs Can You Get After the ACCA Course?
ACCA members work as accountants, auditors, tax advisers, financial analysts, management accountants and finance managers, progressing to roles such as financial controller and CFO. Major recruiters include the Big Four (Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, EY) and multinationals. ACCA's global recognition makes it especially valued for international finance careers.