A Complete Guide for 2026

Below are some of the most convincing reasons to pursue the ACCA online course and acquire this accreditation.

• The mark of recognition accompanying an ACCA accreditation traverses globally, equipping certificate holders with multiple opportunities in international F&A circles. This move decidedly propels their career towards newer verticals. The certification is acknowledged across more than 180 markets worldwide, along with 80 global organizations.
• ACCA accreditation can help individuals harbor ambitions for landing highly rewarding positions within renowned 'Big 4' financial companies.
• Despite its origin being in the United Kingdom, there's no confinement to solely acquiring knowledge and applying skills within the British financial environment through this certification. The ACCA has around 100 offices worldwide, empowering it to offer localized support to each student. From the best ACCA coaching institute to ACCA jobs, you can find everything within your home country or anywhere else.
• The ACCA course contains local tax rules and finance laws, making it relevant to each country.
• Another benefit of choosing the ACCA course is its adaptability. This program allows you to earn the certification, alongside graduating, as a basic necessity for eligibility in the ACCA exam is having passed high school.

Earning the ACCA credential necessitates passing the rigorous ACCA exam. This guide will further delineate eligibility criteria, exam structure, divisional levels, and syllabus for the ACCA online course.

ACCA Eligibility

The ACCA welcomes students and professionals from varying educational backgrounds to earn this certification. Therefore, unlike other international finance and accounting certifications, pursuing an ACCA course does not demand much from the applicants. The primary eligibility criteria for ACCA is

• 10+2 qualification or equivalent qualification with a minimum of 65% 
• Passing the ACCA examination
• A basic understanding of the English language

Nothing comes free in this competitive world. To attain this certificate, an examination is required to be passed that includes 13 separate tests. The ACCA online course occupies three levels. Each level consists of several subjects that will test your finance and accounting skills and knowledge from the foundational to the professional level. 

Levels in ACCA Course

• Applied Knowledge Level
• Applied Skills Level
• Strategic Professional Level

Each level of the ACCA course is divided into various subjects, as detailed belo

Applied Knowledge Level

• Business and Technology (BT)
• Management Accounting (MA)
• Financial Accounting (FA)

Applied Skills Level

• Corporate and Business Law (LW) 
• Performance Management (PM) 
• Taxation (TX)
• Financial Reporting(FR)
• Financial Management (FM)
• Assurance and Audit (AA)

Strategic Professional Level

It comprises four subjects. Two of these four subjects are mandatory, with the remaining being optional and may be selected from available choices.

Compulsory Subjects

• Strategic Business Leader
• Strategic Business Reporting 

Optional Subjects 

• Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
• Advanced Performance Management (APM)
• Advanced Taxation (ATX)
• Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

Facing these many exams might be intimidating for aspirants. However, careful guidance and comprehensive ACCA study materials can ease the process.  

The competition level, extensive syllabus, and exam pattern make it essential for you to take ACCA coaching to understand it all and prepare correctly. But, before starting with the preparation, expert mentors and teachers suggest having a brief knowledge of the exam pattern. The ACCA designs its exam papers strategically to test your knowledge and skills. As detailed below, they consist of questions in varying forms at each level.

Applied Knowledge Level

The first level of the ACCA examination consists of three subjects, and all three papers are 100% objective, or MCQs.

Applied Skills Level

• The Corporate and Business Law (LW) is 100% objective.
• Financial reporting (FR) is 50% objective and 50% subjective.
• Assurance and Audit (AA): 50% objective and 50% subjective.
• Performance Management (PM): 60% objective and 40% subjective
• Taxation (TX): 60% objective and 40% subjective
• Financial Management (FM): 60% objective and 40% subjective.

Strategic Professional Level

All four exams of this level are 100% subjective.

Understanding and preparing for such a diverse exam pattern requires choosing suitable ACCA study materials consisting of practice questions in the same format as in the ACCA examination.

Note: To pass any paper, you must score 50% or more in any individual paper.

Applied Knowledge Level Exams

For each exam you appear in this level, you have to pay a fee of £70.  

Applied Skills Level Exams

The Exam fee is £134 for each Skills Level subject.  

Strategic Professional Level Exams

For Strategic Business Leader (SBL), the exam fee is £238, and for the other subjects of Strategic Professional Level, it is £170 each. 

Surprisingly enough, if you have specific qualifications already under your belt, completing all 13 tests for an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) certification isn't mandatory! The ACCA recognizes your prior educational credentials and can potentially be considered as exemptions, reducing the number of exams you need to complete. 

The number of awarded exams depends on your specific qualifications. Also, to achieve exemptions, you must apply for them with initial registration and submit the required documents to prove your qualifications. Below are the exemptions offered by the ACCA. 

• The ACCA grants up to 5 exemptions to B. Com Graduates. 
• Up to 6 exemptions are offered to qualified CA Inter students or Autonomous college students.
• CAs, CPAs and CMAs can avail up to 9 exemptions.

Use the official exemption calculator to know your eligibility for exemptions in ACCA. 

ACCA certification paves career pathways to lucrative financial roles across global industries. With this qualification in hand, you may discover doors opening to acclaimed positions that come with high-paying remunerations within the finance and accounting sectors. 

 Some of these opportunities include- 

• Finance Controller
• Chartered Financial Accountant
• Management Accountant
• Corporate Treasurer
• Credit Controller
• Tax Specialist
• Financial Risk Manager
• Business Analyst
• Financial Advisor/ Planner

Standing out amongst global competitors within finance and accounting disciplines is by no means a walk in the park. You will face several challenges if you rely merely on conventional degrees. However, if you acquire an ACCA qualification, get ready to fast-track your career growth. Join NorthStar Academy's ACCA on line course today to learn under the guidance of industry experts and enter the fast-paced finance and accounting world.