What is ACCA? Eligibility, Exams & Careers

What is ACCA? Eligibility, Exams & Careers

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a globally recognized accounting qualification. It opens doors to lucrative careers in finance, accounting, taxation, and management worldwide. However, many aspirants are often confused about ACCA course eligibility, requirements, and criteria.
 In this blog, we will explore the eligibility requirements for ACCA, educational and age criteria, exemptions, career prospects after ACCA, and the importance of additional certifications to boost your profile. We will also include informative tables and FAQs to make it easier for you to understand.

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Educational Requirements for ACCA

To register for the ACCA course, candidates must meet certain educational criteria. The eligibility depends on whether you are a school-leaver or a graduate (ACCA after 12th complete guide).

Candidate Type

Minimum Qualification

Remarks

School-leavers

10+2 (Intermediate)

Must have mathematics and English at school level

Graduate (Commerce)

Bachelor’s degree

May receive exemptions for some ACCA papers (ACCA Exemptions Guide)

Graduate (Non-Commerce)

Bachelor’s degree

May need to complete foundation-level papers before ACCA (Foundations in Accountancy Route)

Key Points:
 Candidates must be at least 17 years old to start ACCA (ACCA Registration Process Guide).
 School-leavers without a commerce background can take the Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) route before ACCA (ACCA Course in India Step-by-Step).


ACCA Registration Process

Once eligibility is confirmed, the next step is registration (ACCA Registration Complete Guide).

Step

Description

Step 1: Create Account

Register on the ACCA official website

Step 2: Submit Documents

Provide educational certificates, ID proof

Step 3: Pay Fees

Annual subscription + exam fees (ACCA Fees & Exam Info)

Step 4: Receive Confirmation

Registration confirmation via email

Note: Early registration helps in planning exams strategically to avoid delays (ACCA Updates 2025-26 Syllabus).


ACCA Exemptions

Graduates or students who have already studied accounting subjects may be eligible for exemptions from certain ACCA papers. Exemptions save time and reduce exam pressure (Why Do ACCA After CA).

Qualification

Papers Exempted

Remarks

BCom (Accounting)

F1-F3 or Applied Knowledge Papers

Depends on syllabus match (BCom vs ACCA Guide)

CA / ICWA / CS

F1-F9 or Fundamentals & Essentials

Full/partial exemptions based on curriculum (CA vs ACCA Salary Guide)

Other Commerce Degrees

F1-F2 or F1-F3

Case-to-case evaluation by ACCA

Tip: Always check the latest ACCA exemption table on the official ACCA website before applying (ACCA Exemptions Calculator).

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Age & Language Requirements

ACCA does not have strict age limits, but candidates must be 17+ years. English proficiency is important because:

Requirement

Detail

Minimum Age

17 years

Language Requirement

Must be proficient in English

Exam Medium

English (both online and offline) (ACCA Online Exam Guide)

Candidates with limited English can consider English preparatory courses to improve exam performance (Top Institutes for ACCA Coaching in India).

ACCA Papers & Levels

The ACCA course is divided into three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional (ACCA Syllabus Overview).

Level

Number of Papers

Core Subjects

Applied Knowledge

3

Business & Technology, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting

Applied Skills

6

Corporate and Business Law, Performance Management (ACCA AFM Exam Tips), Taxation, Financial Reporting, Audit & Assurance, Financial Management

Strategic Professional

4 + 2 optional

Essentials: SBL, SBR; Options: AFM, APM, ATX, AAA

Important: Students may take exams in any order, but foundational knowledge is recommended before Strategic Professional (ACCA Exam Preparation Guide 2025).


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ACCA Practical Experience Requirement (PER)

Apart from passing exams, candidates must complete 36 months of relevant work experience to qualify for ACCA membership (ACCA PER Explained).

PER Requirement

Details

Minimum Duration

36 months (3 years)

Relevant Roles

Accounting, Audit, Tax, Finance, Management

Performance Objectives

9-13 objectives across Technical & Professional Skills

Tip: Candidates can gain PER while studying or after exams. Practical exposure enhances employability and salary potential (Career Options After ACCA).


Additional Courses to Boost ACCA Career

To stand out in the competitive finance sector, candidates can pursue additional certifications along with ACCA (Top 10 Skills to be a Successful ACCA).

Additional Course

Benefits

Salary Impact

CPA (USA)

International accounting knowledge

+20-25% salary boost (CMA USA vs ACCA)

CMA (USA)

Management accounting & strategic finance

+15-20% increase in managerial roles (CMA USA vs ACCA Job Outlook 2025)

EA (US)

US tax expertise

+10-15% in taxation roles (ACCA Certification in India Guide)

IFRS Certification

International Financial Reporting Standards

+10-12% in multinational roles (Diploma in IFRS Guide)

Data Analytics / Excel

Advanced analytical skills

Better promotions & roles (ACCA AI Skills 2025)

Pro Tip: Combining ACCA with global certifications accelerates career growth (MBA with ACCA Benefits).

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8. ACCA Salary & Career Prospects

ACCA qualification significantly improves career prospects in India and abroad (ACCA Salary in India 2025).

Role

Average Salary in India (per annum)

Experience Required

ACCA Accountant

₹5-7 Lakh

0-2 years

Finance Manager

₹12-18 Lakh

3-5 years

Taxation Specialist

₹8-12 Lakh

2-4 years

Audit Manager

₹10-15 Lakh

3-6 years

CFO / Financial Controller

₹25-40 Lakh

8+ years

Global Opportunity: ACCA members can work in UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia, and other countries (ACCA Career Scope 2025).

ACCA Registration Fees & Exam Fees

Understanding the cost structure helps in planning the ACCA journey efficiently (ACCA Exam Dates & Fees 2025).

Fee Component

Approximate Cost (INR)

Registration Fee

₹25,000

Annual Subscription Fee

₹15,000

Exam Fees per Paper

₹5,000 – ₹10,000 depending on level

Foundation/ FMA Fees

₹3,500 – ₹5,000

Tip: Early planning reduces the financial burden (Top ACCA Institutes in India).

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ACCA Study Options

Students can choose between self-study or tuition based on their learning preferences (ACCA Study Plan 2025).

Study Mode

Benefits

Drawbacks

Self-study

Flexible schedule, cost-effective

Requires discipline and motivation

Tuition/Coaching

Structured learning, doubt clearing support

Higher cost, fixed schedules

Online Learning

Learn anytime, interactive resources

Less peer interaction

Pro Tip: Combining online resources with coaching often leads to better exam results (Best ACCA Coaching Options).

Conclusion

ACCA is a globally recognized qualification that opens doors to high-paying roles in finance, accounting, and taxation. Understanding the eligibility criteria, exemptions, exams, and practical experience requirements is crucial before starting the journey.
Additionally, pursuing global certifications like CPA, CMA, or EA, along with ACCA, significantly enhances your career prospects (ACCA with MCom Benefits).
Still confused about which finance course is right for you? Join our exclusive webinar where industry experts will personally guide you through CMA USA, CPA, ACCA, and EA helping you make the smartest career choice.
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