ACCA Applied Skills & Knowledge Exam Guide for 2025

Strategic professional exams refer to advanced-level assessments designed to test knowledge in areas such as management accounting, financial management, and strategic business leadership.

If an exam is ACCA-approved, it means that the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has recognized and accredited it as meeting its standards for professional certification.

Mastery of accounting techniques is crucial for passing strategic professional exams, as they cover complex financial scenarios and require a strong understanding of both theoretical and practical accounting principles.

Pass rates for strategic professional exams can be influenced by several factors, including the level of exam preparation, the effectiveness of study materials, and the complexity of the exam content.

Management accounting techniques are emphasized in strategic professional exams to maintain the strategic professional level as they are essential for making informed business decisions, analyzing financial performance, and developing strategic plans.

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Key Takeaways

• Entry requirements for ACCA exam

• Opportunities after completing the ACCA exam

• ACCA Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills - A Complete Guide

ACCA Qualification and Exam Structure

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is one of the top associations for Accountants in the world. It is a professional body that focuses on accruals and audits. As such, ACCA is devoted to improving the knowledge and skills of its members and other professionals who are committed to working in management services, accounting, and finance.

This ultimate guide covers a lot of knowledge on ACCA. Everyone who has applied to an ACCA course begins the journey by reading the details on the ACCA website. However, they often wonder about the ACCA exam structure and exam questions. Without a doubt, some of these topics will give you real challenges as you progress through the levels of Knowledge required for your ACCA qualification journey.

ACCA stands for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a global body for professional accountants, established in 1904. ACCA has more than 200,000 members and 486,000 students in over 180 countries. ACCA is one of the most prestigious internationally recognized qualifications in the world of finance and accounting, sought after by many employers worldwide. ACCA is a professional accounting qualification that provides a pathway to becoming a chartered certified accountant.

ACCA Exam Papers

The ACCA qualification comprises 14 papers divided into three levels:

1. Applied Knowledge
2. Applied Skills
3. Strategic Professional. 

The first two levels (knowledge & skills) are compulsory on all pathways and are designed to give you a strong foundation in core accounting topics. This blog discusses all the details regarding the Knowledge level as well as the skill level.

As you study for ACCA with the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills Exams, you will learn how to apply financial principles and techniques to real-world situations.

ACCA Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills - A Complete Guide:

The ACCA Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels are your first step toward becoming an ACCA affiliate. This level introduces our rigorous curriculum, which provides a unique combination of technical knowledge, ethics, and professional skills modules. By bypassing all exams at this level you will become an affiliate of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Applied Knowledge (AK) 

The Applied Knowledge (AK) exams provide essential knowledge and skills required by students pursuing a career in business and finance. This level of qualification has the potential to open up a wide range of opportunities in industry or practice. These papers cover the fundamental principles of business and finance and give you the technical skills you need to progress to the next level. They provide a foundation for further study (if required) in accountancy and finance at the relevant diploma or degree level. Subjects in Applied Knowledge are as follows:

1. F1-Accountant in Business (AB)
2. F2-Management Accounting (MA)
3. F3-Financial Accounting (FA)

ACCA Applied Knowledge exams are assessed by a combination of written exams and computer-based assessments (CBAs).

The details are as follows:

• Each exam lasts 2 hours and is worth 50% of the total marks for that paper
• They consist of multiple-choice Choice Questions (MCQs), objective test questions (OTs), and case study questions
• They can be taken throughout the year at more than 2,500 computer-based examination centers around the world
• The pass mark for each exam is 60

Applied Skills (AS)

The Applied Skills (AS) exams build upon the knowledge gained from the AK exams. This level of qualification will provide students with an opportunity to progress into more senior roles in finance and support functions within the business.

The ACCA Applied Skills exams are the second level of ACCA exams. These exams cover a range of accounting and business concepts, including financial reporting, management accounting, financial accounting, audit and assurance, and tax. Depending on your qualifications and career aspirations, you might find one or more of these topics particularly attractive to your personal interests or career goals.

The Applied Skills exams are the six exams you'll sit after you have completed the Applied Knowledge and Essential Skills levels, and they go into more detail on the three main skills required to be an accountant.

The six applied skills exams are

1. Financial Reporting
2. Audit and Assurance
3. Financial Management
4. Corporate and Business Law
5. Performance Management (Management Accounting)
6. Taxation.

Opportunities after completing the ACCA exam in 2025

There are several opportunities that students can explore after completing their ACCA exam. Most ACCAs are employed in the finance department of large international companies and corporations. They also work at a senior level in the financial sector and play an instrumental role in the future growth of these businesses, monitoring progress, reviewing policies and procedures, and developing strategies for future growth.

ACCA-qualified professionals are well respected across all sectors, as they have been accredited by one of the most well-known professional accounting bodies in the world. The job roles available to them are endless and range from a financial controller to an accounts manager, finance manager, or chartered accountant.

How long will it take to complete the ACCA exam?

The actual time taken depends on how quickly you can pass all 14 exams (nine of which are at the Applied Knowledge level and five at the Applied Skills level). The exams are taken in four separate sittings per year: June, September, December, and March. If you don't manage to pass all your exams the first time around, you have to wait for the next exam sitting.

You can choose to study for the qualification for full-time or part-time. The ACCA Qualification is designed to be flexible you can fit your studies around your working life and personal commitments.

Entry requirements for the ACCA exam

The ACCA Qualification is divided into three levels:

1. Applied Knowledge
2. Applied Skills
3. Strategic Professional. 

The Fundamentals level consists of two modules: knowledge and skills. The Knowledge module consists of three papers, which you can complete via self-study or classroom tuition. Alternatively, you can complete the Knowledge Module at university to obtain an ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RFQ Level 4). If you choose this route, the three papers in the Knowledge module are replaced by exams that are part of your university degree.

The skills level consists of two papers and must be completed via self-study or classroom tuition. It takes approximately six months to complete these papers.

Exemptions are available depending on your prior learning and experience. For example, if you have an accounting degree or another appropriate professional qualification, such as CMA, you may be able to apply for up to nine exemptions from some of our exams.

Read More :

• Best Training Institute in Bangalore for ACCA
• Job Opportunities After IFRS: An ACCA Complete Guide
• ACCA vs CFA vs FRM: Weighing Finance Course Options

Why choose the NorthStar Academy for the UK ACCA course?

If you are planning to take a career in accounting and have ambitions of working internationally or with leading international businesses, then ACCA qualification is key to your career development. So, if you are thinking of launching your career as an accountant in the UK or any other country, we suggest you begin your ACCA journey with the NorthStar Academy ACCA course.

Becoming a fully qualified accountant with an ACCA Professional Certificate is an exciting and worthwhile challenge. It is also one that will add real value to your life, both professionally and personally. Choose to study at NorthStar Academy!

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