ACCA Course Details: Eligibility, Fees, Syllabus, and Career Opportunities (2025 Update)

ACCA Course Details

• ACCA Complete Form: ACCA stands for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a prestigious global accounting and finance certificate.

• Course Duration - Usually the course will take around two to three years depending on how long it takes the learner to get qualified and pass their exams.

• Eligibility - To apply, students must have completed 10+2 with at least 65% in English, Mathematics, and Accounting.

• Job Possibilities - Once qualified, people can work as an auditor, a financial analyst or a tax consultant in any business!

• Salaries in India range from ₹6 lakhs - ₹12 lakhs per year depending on ability and experience.

ACCA is an internationally recognized qualification leading to successful futures in accounting, finance, and business management. It has a representative membership of over 241,000 and more than 542,000 students with ACCA in 178 countries. This gives ACCA students internationally relevant knowledge around cutting-edge topics and practical skills that are highly sought after by leading accounting firms, multinational corporations, and financial organizations around the world ACCA Course Details.

Regardless of where you plan to take a career in audit, taxation, consulting, or financial management, you will have a great competitive advantage, good salary prospects, and you will be working internationally with an ACCA qualification.

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What is ACCA?

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, or ACCA, is one of the world's most prominent professional credentials in accounting and finance. It is a popular choice for students who want to develop a successful worldwide career.

While accounting used to be synonymous with piles of paperwork and ledgers, the accounting profession has evolved greatly from the days of book-ledger entries. Today, accounting-heavy companies have turned to technical advancements and streamlined processes that use sophisticated technological systems that look nothing like the accounting profession once did.

The ACCA program prepares learners for the opportunities offered by modern technology, as well as the chance to take off as finance and accountancy continue to evolve. Having more than 200,000 members and well beyond 600,000 students located in 180+ countries, ACCA is widely known as a reputable and global accounting qualification.

How to Develop a Career in Accounting with ACCA Global

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is one of the highest qualifications allowing students to be job ready to face the demanding challenges of the current financial market. ACCA is a worldwide body that enables students to learn and manage their knowledge to stay informed and aware of current industry practices and standards.

Studying ACCA opens the job opportunity for a career in accounting in a vibrant and flexible capacity due to its structure, which accommodates career pathways to accountancy consistent with the dynamic nature of the profession. ACCA was formed on 30th November 1904 in the UK by its 8 eminent founding accountants and has seen enormous growth, going from a national body, and members turning it into an internationally recognized qualification.

ACCA is in over 180 countries, including India, and it is continuing to grow rapidly, with over 200,000 members and 600,000 globally and numerous others, accounting for one of the most reputable qualifications for those pursuing a career in finance.

What are the Advantages of Completing the ACCA Qualification?

Joining the ACCA program has a variety of benefits for aspiring people in finance. Firstly, it is internationally recognized, making it easier to build an international career. Secondly, it increases student employability, providing them with the skill set top employers are looking for.

The ACCA qualification has a strong emphasis on understanding global accounting and auditing standards, including a robust depth of understanding to support any industry perspective. It is a flexible qualification with the potential to provide professionals many career options and paths including careers in auditing, taxation, consulting and financial management. Thirdly, students become part of large global network of professionals as well as peers, thus providing networking opportunities and potential growth.

ACCA Course in India

• Qualification: ACCA is an abbreviation for the Association of chartered certified accountants, which is a global accounting and financial qualification.

• Recognition: One of the most widely recognized qualifications in the world, and it is highly valued by the majority of Indian employers, including international corporations and large financial institutions.

• Eligibility: Anyone who has passed his or her 10+2 can apply, and those with a degree in business, finance, or a related sector would be excused from the exam.

• Course Levels: The course is structured into three levels: applied knowledge, applied skills, and strategic professional.

• There are 13 tests in all, although exemptions will be granted based on previous qualifications.

• Examinations are held four times per year: in March, June, September, and December.

• Format of Examination: All papers are computer-based examinations.

• Continual Professional Development: As an ACCA member you are required to participate in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plus career support and worldwide networking available.

• Benefits of Membership:apart Global recognition Job opportunities Study Resources Global connections and the ability to study at masters level All these are some of the benefits that you may enjoy while being an ACCA member.

Alright, so here’s the real deal with getting into ACCA for 2025

You gotta have your Class 12 done and dusted, with at least 50% overall. But hold up — they want you to score at least 65% in the biggies like Accounts, English, and Math. No shortcuts on those.

Didn’t quite hit those marks? Relax, you’re not out of luck. There’s this Foundation in ACCA Diploma thing you can jump into, and that’ll open the door to the main ACCA course later. So yeah, the dream isn’t dead yet.

So, how long does this whole ACCA thing actually take?

Well, it’s not exactly a sprint—think more like a marathon with a couple snack breaks. Most folks wrap it up in about 2 to 3 years, but honestly, it depends on how fast you hustle and if you’ve scored any exemptions from previous studies. There are 13 exams staring you down (yeah, unlucky number and all), split between the basics and the big-league professional papers.

The stuff you’ll be chewing through? All the accounting usuals: hardcore number crunching, financial voodoo, audits, tax headaches, and, of course, a side of professional ethics to keep you out of jail. By the end, if you survive, you’re basically set up to work pretty much anywhere on the planet. No pressure or anything.

Alright, let’s break this ACCA beast down. Here’s what you’re actually signing up for:

Applied Knowledge

• There’s 3 exams here. Not too scary, right?

• Each one’ll eat up, what, 50-60 hours of your life? Multiply that out, you’re looking at 150-180 hours all in.

• People usually bash through this bit in 6 to 9 months—unless you’re a procrastination pro.

Applied Skills

• Now it gets real: 6 exams. Six! Not for the faint-hearted.

• Each one wants, like, 70-80 hours of revision (yeah, right…).

• All together, it’s 420-480 hours. That’s a lot of late-night coffee runs.

• Most folks take about a year to a year and a half here, but hey, maybe you’re a superhero.

Strategic Professional

• Four exams, but here’s the twist: 2 are must-dos, and you pick your other 2 from a list. Like a sad, stressful buffet.

• These ones? 90-100 hours each. Oof.

• So, 360-400 hours in total. At this point, you’re basically living in your study notes.

• Plan for another 12-18 months. You’ll know the inside of your favorite café like the back of your hand.

Grand Total

• Add it up: 13 exams, somewhere between 930 and 1,060 hours of your precious youth.

• Most mortals finish in 2.5 to nearly 4 years (30-45 months, if you like to count in months for some reason).

Alright, let’s break down the whole ACCA PER thing—no corporate mumbo-jumbo.

So here’s the deal: To actually get your shiny ACCA membership, you can’t just ace the exams and peace out. Nope, you gotta grind through 36 months (yep, three whole years) working in something remotely close to accounting, finance, or audit. Doesn’t matter if you bounce around between jobs or stick it out at one place, just rack up the hours. You can even do it before, during, or after your exams. Super flexible, honestly.

And hold on—there's more! It's not simply about punching in and out.

You’ve also got to prove you’re not a total rookie by ticking off some “Performance Objectives” (POs). There’s five “Essential” ones (think: ethics, communication—basically, don’t be a jerk and learn to talk to people). Then you pick four more “Technical” ones that match what you actually do at work. Stuff like audit, financial reporting, or management accounting. You know, the real nuts and bolts.

• Oh, and don’t forget—you’ve gotta keep your PER record up to date in ACCA’s MyExperience thing. Not exactly thrilling, but kinda essential. Plus, your actual work experience? Yeah, that has to get an official stamp of approval from your workplace mentor. Usually, that’s someone higher up like your boss or some finance bigwig. No skipping that part, sorry!

How Many ACCA Exemptions Can You Get?

When you join ACCA, not only are you starting a journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant, you may also be eligible for exemption from specific exam papers based upon your current qualification. There are numerous exemptions available to you as a graduate with a commerce degree, and for postgraduates, (M.Com), those who are students completing the inter-CA, and those who are fully Chartered Accountants.

If you have only completed Class 12, you will not be eligible for exemptions. However, you can enter the program through the Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) route and be on your way to the full qualification.

So don’t worry if you are a graduate who have not enrolled in or started ACCA immediately after school, you may actually be entitled to some exam exemptions based on your higher education background which will enable you to progress through the course faster.

It is a primary necessity to understand how exam exemptions work before registering for the ACCA program.

• Class 12 Pass Students: Students pursuing the ACCA program directly after Class 12 will have to attempt all the ACCA exams with no possibility of exemptions.

• Commerce Graduates (B.Com): Candidates who have completed their B.Com might possibly have around 5 exemptions.

• CA IPCC Students: Candidates who have passed the CA Intermediate (IPCC) might also have around 5 exemptions too.

• Qualified Chartered Accountants: Many active Chartered Accountants (CAs) will opt for ACCA and have possibilities of up to 9 exemption opportunities.

ACCA Exemptions Based on Qualifications:

• Students who join straight after Class 12 will need to write all 13 papers - there are no exemptions.

• B.Com Graduates - Can write 9 papers, are exempt from FA, BT, MA and LW.

• M.Com Graduates - Will need to write 9 papers. Get the same exemptions as B.Com (FA, BT, MA and LW)

• Qualified Chartered Accountants (CA) - Will only need to write 4 papers, and receive exemptions for nine subjects (i.e., BT through FM).

Candidates must clear five subject areas. At least two of those five subject areas must be English and either Mathematics or Accounts, and at least 65% in English and Mathematics or Accounts. For the other three subjects, larger than 50%. Applicants who have taken the CA Final may also receive additional exemptions, depending on the marks achieved. If they've achieved 40 marks or more in any specific CA Final papers, they may submit for exemptions for those papers for ACCA.

ACCA Course Levels

The ACCA program composed of three important stages: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional, all preparing learners to build progressively with respect to applying their technical expertise, ethics, and professional capabilities.

The Applied Knowledge stage introduces the knowledge required to understand business and accounting fundamentals. With a forward step, the Applied Skills stage develops knowledge relating to areas like taxation, auditing, and financial management skills.

The last stage, Strategic Professional, deepens expertise and improves capability for leadership and strategic decision-making to prepare learner for senior organizational responsibility in the finance sector.

• Applied ACCA Knowledge Level

• Applied ACCA Skills Level

• ACCA Professional Level

ACCA Knowledge Level

The first stage is about establishing a strong foundation in finance and accounting, and by this stage, a candidate will have completed three papers before proceeding to the next stage.

Applied Skills Level

The second stage incorporates practice and strategy and enables students to apply what they have learned in the Knowledge Level with concepts in a real-world context.

Professional Level

The third stage equips learners with advanced professional skills and strategic elements that make professionals valuable in leadership roles in accounting and finance. To complete the program, candidates must work for 36 months in a relevant work environment in addition to completing the exam modules.

ACCA Syllabus 2025 - Levels & Subjects

1. ACCA Knowledge (Fundamentals)

• BT - Business & Technology → Business environment, management, and technology.

• MA - Management Accounting → Costing, budgeting, and financial analysis.

• FA - Financial Accounting → Double-entry, accounting principles, and financial statements.

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2. Applied Skills (Core Finance Skills)

• LW - Corporate & Business Law → Business law, contracts, and corporate governance.

• PM - Performance Management → Decision making, performance analysis.

• TX - Taxation → Tax systems and computing liabilities.

• FR - Financial Reporting → IFRS, preparing & interpreting reports.

• AA - Audit & Assurance → Auditing principles, assurance, auditor role.

• FM - Financial Management → Investment appraisal, funding, and risk management.

  
  

3. Strategic Professional (Advanced & Senior Roles)

• Options (Choose 2 of the following 4 options):

• AFM - Advanced Financial Management

• APM - Advanced Performance Management

• ATX - Advanced Taxation

• AAA - Advanced Audit and Assurance

Process to get ACCA Admission (India, 2025)

Step 1 - Verify You Eligibility

Foundation Route (FIA ):

There is no formal previous education requirement. In case you are a new starter or you do not qualify for direct entry by higher education qualifications you can commence your studies direct.

Direct Entry (ACCA Qualification):

• 10+2 with 65% in Math / accounts and English and minimum 50% in remaining subjects

• Graduates (B.Com,BBA or equivalent) may receive some exemptions

• Additional exemptions may apply to holders of CA, CMA or MBA

  
  
  
  

Step 2 Prepare your Documents (clear scanned copies)

• Proof of academic qualifications: the certificate and mark sheets for Class 10 and Class 12 and graduation for equivalencies.

• Identification: government issuance ID (passport, Aadhaar or drivers license).

• A passport photo (as per ACCA specifications).

• Proof of proficiency in the english language (only if required for your own case, which is the desire, anticipate, and probably normal behaviour in most potential international circumstances).

Step 3: Apply Online

• You start from creating an account or log in (myACCA site) to your existing account.

• Choose your route to enter (FIA or ACCA Qualification).

• Complete your personal and educational details and upload your required documents.

• For exemption claims, if applicable provide the documentary transcripts/ credentials as evidencing the exemption claimed.

In 2025, the ACCA exams are offered four times a year and candidates may select whichever session best suits their needs. The exam sessions occur in March, June, September, and December. Each exam has two parts, Section A consists of objective-type questions, and Section B includes long answer or scenario-type question. Each module is worth 100 marks, and candidates must have at least 50% to pass. ACCA does not have negative marking; if a candidate answers a question incorrectly, their score is not diminished.

Conclusion

ACCA qualification provides access to an excellent career in finance and accounting with international recognition, versatile career options and a well-rounded syllabus that prepares practitioners with a skill set that is currently in demand.

It may be a route for you if you have aspirations to work for top tier companies, need a flexible international opportunity, or seek further growth and a career in finance. The use of ethical considerations at high standards, and practical knowledge, ACCA may add to your career opportunities while making you more successful in an ever-changing financial landscape.

In 2025, ACCA is a comprehensive, globally recognized qualification—especially when it’s pursued through a focused and supportive partner like iProledge. From eligibility to placement, fees to future scope—you will clearly know the entire journey easily.