ACCA Qualification - Become a Chartered Accountant
When you choose to study with ACCA, you choose a future full of possibilities.
When students complete the ACCA Qualification they’ll become an ACCA member. Joining our network of over 200,000 members and unlocking their potential to work in any sector, anywhere in the world.
It’s a rewarding and intense path – and we’re here to support you at every stage of your career.
All over the world, employers seek out ACCA members to lead their business to sustainable success.
That’s because they know that ACCA members are strategic thinkers with high ethical integrity, strong financial know-how and the right business acumen.
To become an ACCA member, you have an exciting journey ahead: The ACCA Qualification. Work out where you start your journey and take a look at our Start Your Journey chart in the related document at the bottom of this page.
This journey will take you through a combination of exams, ethics and experience. Which means you’ll enter the workplace ready to make a difference in today’s fast-paced business world.
Get your accountancy career off to a great start with our Foundations exams
What will I learn?
If you don’t have the relevant qualifications to start the ACCA Qualification, then our Foundations exams will prepare you. They provide an exceptional introduction to the finance sector and teach some essential skills and techniques that will allow you to hit the ground running in your career.
What opportunities could it lead to?
Despite being at the start of your journey, there are still a range of roles you could undertake such as trainee bookkeeper, administrator and trainee accountant.
What will it involve?
There are four foundation awards available:
- ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2): Want to start at the very beginning? This optional RQF Level 2 Diploma consists of two essential courses: Management Information; and Recording Financial Transactions.
- ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3): Need a little bit of background first? This optional RQF Level 3 Diploma consists of two valuable courses: Maintaining Financial Records; and Managing Costs and Finance.
- ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4): The RQF Level 4 Diploma consists of three papers: Accountant in Business; Management Accounting; and Financial Accounting. You also need to take the online ethics module, Foundations in Professionalism. Completing this Diploma enables you to move onto the ACCA Qualification with exemptions from the Applied Knowledge exams.
- Certified Accounting Technician: To qualify as a Certified Accounting Technician, you’ll need to take all three foundation awards plus two additional exams. Choose from Tax, Audit, or Financial Management. You’ll also need to undertake one year of practical experience in a relevant finance role.
What is Foundations in Professionalism?
To gain any of our Foundations awards and receive a certificate, you must complete the online ethics module, Foundations in Professionalism in addition to the required exams. The module can be completed before, at the same time, or after your exams and you only need to complete it once.
How long will it take?
After taking your first RQF Level 2 Diploma, you can progress through the RQF Level 3 and 4 Diplomas within a year. All the exams are available as on-demand computer-based assessments, so you can set your own pace.
Am I eligible?
Yes. Our Foundations exams are designed for those who don’t have any relevant qualifications.
Take the first step in your journey towards ACCA membership
What will I learn?
Our Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams provide you with the essential building blocks needed for a successful career in Finance and Accountancy.
Applied Knowledge
The Applied Knowledge exams are an exceptional introduction to the world of finance and accounting, providing you with a broad understanding of essential accounting techniques.
There are three Applied Knowledge exams:
- Accountant in Business
- Management Accounting
- Financial Accounting
To start studying for our Applied Knowledge exams you must be qualified to University-entrance level. And once you’ve completed these three exams you’ll be awarded the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4) and be eligible to start our Applied Skills exams.
Applied Skills
The Applied Skills exams build on your existing knowledge and understanding developing strong, broad and practical finance skills.
There are six Applied Skills exams:
- Corporate and Business Law
- Performance Management
- Taxation
- Financial Reporting
- Audit and Assurance
- Financial Management
To start studying for the Applied Skills exams you must have either completed the Applied Knowledge exams, have achieved the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4) or have a relevant accounting or finance qualification at degree level.
Once you’ve completed the Applied Skills exams you can move on to our Strategic Professional exams.
What opportunities could it lead to?
Studying these exams gives you a wide range of opportunities to choose from, such as finance trainee, trainee business analyst and internal auditor.
On completion of the Fundamentals level, students can progress to our Professional level.
How long will it take?
Completing both the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams could take you as little as 12 to 18 months.
To gain the ACCA Qualification and become an ACCA member, you also need to complete our Strategic Professional exams and three years’ relevant work experience. If you study while you work, you could complete everything in just three years.
Entry requirements
To find out where you can start your ACCA journey and view the entry requirements, select your country of residence from the list below.
You may also be able to claim some exam exemptions. Find out if you qualify for exemptions.
If your qualification is listed as 'sufficient' then you’ll be able to start the ACCA Qualification with our Applied Knowledge exams. You may also be able to claim some exemptions based on your prior learning. Find out if you qualify for exemptions.
Don’t have the relevant qualifications? Don’t worry. You can start with our Foundations exams.
Complete the final step of the ACCA Qualification with our Strategic Professional exams and you’ll be on your way to adding ACCA after your name.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn the dynamic skills and strategic vision that all great businesses and financial leaders need. Our Strategic Professional exams also give you the opportunity to specialise in areas that best suit your career ambitions.
What opportunities could it lead to?
Becoming an ACCA member unlocks the widest number of career opportunities, and gives you a mark of distinction that lets you drive your career to greater success. It could lead to very senior positions such as a financial manager, chief financial officer or a partner in a professional firm.
What will it involve?
Our Professional level requires you to undertake:
- 4 exams: This includes two compulsory modules which include Strategic Business Leader and Strategic Business Reporting. You then need to choose two further courses that suit your career ambitions from Advanced Financial Management; Advanced Performance Management; Advanced Taxation; or Advanced Audit and Assurance.
To become an ACCA member you’ll also need to complete:
- 1 ethics and professional skills module: We believe that finance professionals should be ethical and demonstrate the professional skills to make an impact immediately. This is why you’ll do an Ethics and Professional Skills module.
- 3 years’ work experience: in a relevant workplace role.
How long will it take?
If you combine your studies and work experience, you could gain your ACCA Qualification and be an ACCA member in as little as three years. However, we think your studies should fit around your life, which is why a range of flexible study options are available.
Am I eligible?
To complete the ACCA Qualification and become an ACCA member, you need to complete our Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams. However, your previous education may qualify you for some exam exemptions, such as having a relevant degree from an ACCA-accredited university. If your previous qualifications exempt you from all the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams then you can start your studies at Strategic Professional. Otherwise, you’ll need to start at either Applied Knowledge or Applied Skills.
