Global Business Services qualifications FAQs

The suitability of the Global Business Services (GBS) qualifications and the ACCA qualifications is based on a number of factors: role, process area, prior experience and prior qualifications.

The table below shows the typical minimum qualifications needed by role and process area. The decision whether to study a GBS qualification or a standard ACCA qualification should be based mainly on prior experience – someone who has worked in a GBS organisation for many years may not benefit much from a GBS qualification.

For the Certificate in GBS there are no formal entry requirements, though English language is required to be able to undertake the qualification. It’s recommended students have a level of accountancy knowledge equivalent to FA1/MA1.

For the Diploma in GBS, the standard ACCA entry requirements apply.

For the Advanced Diploma a student will be required to have either completed or be exempt from the Accountant in Business (AB), Management Accounting (MA) and Financial Accounting (FA) exams or equivalent.

The syllabus specifically aims to introduce the learner to the business model of shared services and outsourcing. This is particularly in relation to financial operations, and how such models differ from, and offer efficiency benefits over, traditional central function based service provision. It also aims to teach some of the key business skills needed in a GBS environment.

Both Diploma and Advanced Diploma in GBS contain the same syllabus content as the Certificate in GBS.

In addition, they both include two extra GBS modules: creating a successful GBS organisation and managing a successful GBS organisation.

The Diploma in GBS also includes Accountant in Business (AB), Management Accounting (MA), Financial Accounting (FA) and Foundations in Professionalism.

The Advanced Diploma in GBS also includes Performance Management (PM), Financial Reporting (FR), Financial Management (FM) and the Ethics and Professional Skills Module.

For the Certificate in GBS, we expect 20-30 hours of online study. There is no face-to-face training available.

For the Diploma and Advanced Diploma in GBS, we expect 30-40 hours of online study for the GBS content. Study time for the standard ACCA exams that form part of these qualifications is the same as when studying as a normal ACCA student.

Additional study materials are not required for the GBS content as the online learning covers all areas needed.

Study materials for the standard ACCA exams are available from all normal sources.

The Certificate in GBS and the Advanced GBS modules of the Diploma and Advanced Diploma are 100% online and therefore can be studied anywhere, and at any time.

For the standard ACCA exams, the normal study options apply.

Certificate in GBS - 6 months
Diploma in GBS - 12 months
Advanced Diploma in GBS - 24 months

In practice, given the pilot nature of the diplomas, a candidate who fails to complete within the specified timeframe could go on to do the additional components but we would not be able to guarantee that they will get a diploma at the end (if it were withdrawn). In practice, this looks very unlikely, but this could be the case.

Given the above indication that, as long as the product is not withdrawn, we will continue to issue out certificates where a student has completed the required elements outwith the specified timeframe we will not provide time limit extensions for the exam components of the GBS Diploma or GBS Advanced Diploma. Extensions will be considered for the e-voucher component of the qualifications only and this will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

The assessment is delivered online as part of the training course and can be attempted at any time and as often as required.

Yes, up to a maximum of two out of three exams.

All students must pass Financial Accounting (FA) to receive the Diploma in GBS.

All students must pass Financial Management (FM) to receive the Advanced Diploma in GBS.

Yes, you as the employer or the candidate will need to pay for exemptions for the Diploma in GBS.  

Exemption fees helps us with the continuous process of rigorously assessing and accrediting a global network of professional and academic bodies and their awards, so that each student can start the qualification at the point that’s right for them. 

For the Advanced Diploma in GBS exemptions from any of Performance Management (PM), Financial Reporting (FR) and Financial Management (FM) are already included in the price. Exemptions for the Applied Knowledge exams do not need to be paid for when doing the Advanced Diploma in GBS. They only need to be paid for if the candidate decides to continue studying with ACCA after completing the Advanced Diploma in GBS.

No. There are no exemptions for the GBS content for someone who already holds the Certificate in GBS. It is up to the student to decide if they wish to repeat the training material for the first five modules, however they will need to complete the assessments for all the modules. They can choose to click directly to the individual module assessments and the end of course assessment. The end of course assessment will include material from all of the modules.

The qualifications have been designed to ensure that a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in GBS candidate has retained the knowledge from the Certificate in GBS, as the additional GBS content relies on this prior knowledge.

Yes, however if the Diploma was completed a long time ago and the GBS material has changed significantly, we would then suggest they resit the GBS content to ensure they are current, though this would not be mandatory.

It is not currently possible to do the Advanced GBS modules separate from the Diploma in GBS or the Advanced Diploma in GBS. This will be reviewed in the future based on employer need and will potentially form part of phase 2 of the project.

A candidate will need to complete the three remaining Applied Skills level exams: Corporate and Business Law (LW), Taxation (TX) and Audit and Assurance (AA), pass the Strategic Professional Level and complete their Practical Experience Requirements (PER).

If a candidate is already registered as an ACCA student, and, as part of the pilot, they wish to transfer to GBS, then as long as that individual has NOT already sat an exam and they have NO outstanding debt, then they should be allowed to transfer to GBS. The transfer is on the basis that the student transfer is aligned to the characteristics of the GBS programme, i.e. managed via the employer and ACCA (B2B).

Please contact Student.RegistrationEscalations@accaglobal.com to find out more and if you are eligible to a group discount.

Payment is based on an invoice issued by ACCA. Licences are only provided after payment.

Resits must be paid for - these can be paid for by either the candidate or the employer.

No, however candidates can register for the Diploma in GBS, and upon successful completion, then register for the Advanced Diploma in GBS and receive an exemption from the GBS components (modules A-E).

Yes, the candidate would be able to continue with the course as it has already been paid for.

Please contact GBS.Support@accaglobal.com and we will be happy to help.