FAQs

Most trainees qualify in 3-4 years. However, we have a 10 year time limit to complete the qualification should you choose to take longer.

To qualify as an ACCA member you need to pass (or be exempt from) 14 exams, complete at least 3 years full-time equivalent of relevant, supervised training (fulfilling the competency requirements) and complete an on-line ethics module.

Most trainees qualify in 3-4 years. However, we have a 10 year time limit to complete the qualification, should you choose to take longer.

No. You can start studying ACCA without any prior accountancy knowledge. The ACCA Qualification will provide you with all the skills and knowledge you need to work as an accountant in any sector, anywhere in the world.

If you have an accountancy degree, you may be eligible for exemptions from some of the ACCA examinations. To check your eligibility, visit the exemptions database opens in a new window.

ACCA offers exemptions from the ACCA Qualification to students who have completed other relevant qualifications. This means you can start your studies at a level that is consistent with the knowledge and skills gained from prior learning and provides you with the quickest route to ACCA membership.

To check your eligibility, visit the exemptions database.

There are colleges and universities all over the world, as well as distance learning providers, that offer tuition for ACCA qualifications. We operate a registration and accreditation scheme for tuition providers. For further information visit the How and where to study opens in a new window pages.

As part of your ethical development, you will be required to complete an online Professional Ethics module, developed by ACCA. This will give you exposure to a range of ethical perspectives, and includes several self-tests to reflect on your own ethical behaviour and values.

Practical experience is gained through working in an accountancy-related position. ACCA allows you to work for any company in any sector. However, it is your responsibility to secure your employment.

To become qualified, you need to demonstrate that you have completed 36 month's full-time equivalent practical experience. This is done by completing your online My Experience record that is signed by your workplace mentor. Your workplace mentor must be a qualified accountant.

Part time and temporary work will count on a pro-rata basis but it is sometimes difficult to get sufficient breadth and depth of experience to count towards the 13 performance objectives you need to achieve.

ACCA recognises experience gained before, during or after your studies. This means if you have prior relevant experience (such as a previous job or a placement during university) it can count towards your three years practical experience requirement.

There are several professional accountancy bodies in the UK. All bodies offer a similar quality of qualifications to maintain consistency throughout the industry.

The syllabi of the bodies share similarities but have distinctive differences, mainly relating to areas of specialisation.

ACCA has a broad syllabus which gives you knowledge and skills in all areas of accounting before enabling you to specialise at the final stage. This allows you to work in all sectors, all over the world and be in control of how you achieve the qualification. You choose where to work, how to study and how long it takes.

The ACCA Competency Framework (hyperlink) is an online, interactive tool which demonstrates the different competencies developed through all elements of the ACCA Qualification (exams, ethics module and experience requirement) and links these competencies to jobs in finance.

Please see Dates and Fees for full details of current exam and subscription fees.  

Exam entry is available all year round, and for each exam session there are three closing dates. But don’t worry. We’ve made it easy to remember, because 8 is the date, in all cases.