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AAT Qualifications to ACCA: Your pathway to becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant

AAT to ACCA: Your pathway to becoming a chartered certified accountant

If you’ve completed your AAT qualification and want to advance your accounting career, ACCA is your natural next step. AAT provides a strong foundation in accounting and practical finance skills, and ACCA builds on that to take you further. With exemptions, global recognition, flexible study options and access to senior roles, ACCA can fast-track your journey to becoming a chartered accountant.

Exclusive discount for UK AAT members

Considering ACCA? Live in the UK? Register your interest to receive more information about the journey from AAT to ACCA. Plus, for a limited time only, enjoy 50% off your initial registration fee.

Register your interest
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Why choose ACCA after AAT?

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Every year, over 1,500 people progress from AAT to ACCA, making it a trusted and popular route to becoming a chartered certified accountant.

Progressing from AAT to ACCA is a powerful way to grow your career. It opens the door to more senior positions in finance, audit, management, consultancy and beyond – with the potential for significantly higher salaries. If you’ve completed AAT Level 4, you’ll also benefit from free exemptions from ACCA’s Applied Knowledge exams, giving you a head start on your qualification. ACCA also gives you the flexibility to specialise, gain global recognition, and access world-class support and resources.

Understanding different AAT levels

  • 01 Level 1

    Ideal for complete beginners, this optional short course is designed for those who are entirely new to the subject.

  • 02 Level 2 (Foundation Certificate)

    The first formal step in the AAT qualification provides a solid introduction to essential accounting principles.

  • 03 Level 3 (Advanced Diploma)

    Level 3 builds on the basics introducing topics like management accounting and financial reporting.

  • 04 Level 4 (Professional Diploma)

    The final level of the AAT Qualification prepares students for higher-level decision-making and technical accounting tasks.

AAT qualifications are structured across several levels. Each level develops your skills and confidence and prepares you for further progression, including becoming a chartered accountant with ACCA.

I chose ACCA because it’s the largest and most global professional body, and I believe it can take my career much further than other qualifications.

Joanne McCourt, CEO. Ebit Intelligent Procurement

Quoted during ACCA studies

Explore AAT to ACCA profiles

The ACCA Qualification explained

The ACCA Qualification takes you from foundational knowledge to strategic, senior-level expertise in accounting and finance. It includes three stages:

You’ll also complete the Ethics and Professional Skills module (EPSM) and gain 36 months of relevant practical experience to apply your learning in real-world environments.

Flexible study options

ACCA offers full-time, part-time, and online study routes with multiple exam sessions throughout the year, allowing you to balance work, study, and life commitments. Whether you're coming straight from AAT or returning to study later, ACCA supports your journey.

Learn more about study options

Did you know?

The ACCA Fast Forward programme was designed exclusively for UK AAT members.

ACCA Fast Forward is the flexible route to advancing your career in the UK. It builds on what you already know, allowing you to specialise in the sector or industry that suits you best. With study and exam options designed to fit around your life, it gives you the freedom to move at your own pace–on your terms.

Learn more about our Fast Forward programme

FIA vs AAT: Which route is right for you?

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If you’ve already completed AAT, ACCA is your natural next step. But if you’re just starting out and don’t yet meet ACCA entry requirements, Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) is a fantastic way to begin your journey. It provides a solid grounding in finance and accounting, covering content similar to AAT Levels 2–4.

FIA is highly respected by top employers for entry to mid-level roles. So if you want to start working straight away, it’s a strong standalone qualification. And if you choose to continue, it gives you a clear and confident head start toward the full ACCA Qualification.

FIA offers flexible study options and the chance to get started quickly. You can even study the first two exams at no cost through ACCA-X, our online learning platform, making it an accessible and affordable way to begin your journey. Plus, you’ll be studying with ACCA from the start – and finish fully qualified with ACCA.

Both AAT Level 4 and FIA’s Diploma in Accounting and Business can provide exemptions from ACCA’s Applied Knowledge exams – helping you fast-track your qualification.

Key differences. AAT vs ACCA

AAT

AAT focuses on practical, technical accounting skills and suits those starting out in finance. As your AAT qualifications progress, so do your job prospects. Early levels can lead to roles like trainee accountant or finance administrator, while Levels 3 and 4 can open up advanced roles such as assistant accountant or financial supervisor.

ACCA

ACCA goes further by developing strategic thinking, leadership capability and advanced technical knowledge. While AAT prepares you for support-level roles, ACCA opens the door to more senior positions, global opportunities, and higher earning potential. Whether you're aiming to progress into more senior roles or explore new areas of finance, ACCA gives you the skills, flexibility and global recognition to succeed. Whether you aim to work in the corporate sector, public services, or start your own business, you'll be equipped to shape your career with top employers around the world.

Interested in exploring job roles and salary ranges based on your current experience and qualifications? Visit ACCA Careers’ Role Explorer tool to discover live salaries across a range of roles–from entry-level to senior leadership–and see where ACCA can take you.

Visit ACCA Careers

AAT to ACCA. The key benefits

Free exemptions

If you’ve passed AAT Level 4, you’ll benefit from free exemptions from ACCA’s Applied Knowledge exams, allowing you to start at the Applied Skills level.

Career advancement

Progressing to ACCA opens the door to more senior positions in finance, audit, management, consultancy and more – roles that come with higher salary potential.      

Develop subject expertise

ACCA builds on your existing AAT knowledge and skills. It helps you strengthen your technical expertise and specialise in areas such as audit, tax, or financial management. 

Global recognition

ACCA is recognised in over 180 countries, giving you international career opportunities.

Career support

Access dedicated resources, networking opportunities, and support to help you succeed.

Flexibility

Study full-time, part-time, or online – at your own pace.

Reduced AAT membership fees for UK students

If you’re a full or fellow AAT member studying ACCA in the UK, you can apply for a 50% discount on your AAT membership while you study.

AAT was a great grounding to obtaining the ACCA Qualification, not only giving generous exemptions from the earlier exams but also providing much of the underpinning knowledge required for the later exams."

Steve Edwards

Finance Partner, National Grid Electricity Distribution

Explore AAT to ACCA profiles
FAQs

You’ll pay a one-off initial registration fee (discounted in the UK only for a limited period), an annual subscription fee, and an exam entry fee for each paper. If you’ve completed AAT Level 4, you’ll get free exemptions from the Applied Knowledge exams. Tuition costs are additional.

See our fees and charges page for details of current pricing.

The time it takes to complete the ACCA Qualification after AAT largely depends on:

  • The number of exemptions you're eligible for
  • Whether you study full-time or part-time
  • How many exams you sit per exam session

Exemptions

If you’ve completed AAT Level 4, you will be eligible for exemptions from several ACCA exams, allowing you to progress more quickly.

Learn more about exemptions

Full-time vs part-time study

The length of time it takes to finish the ACCA Qualification will also depend on whether you study full-time or part-time (eg while working)

  • Full-time: expect to study for around 1.5 to 2 years
  • Part-time expect to study for around 2.5 to 4 years

Study effectiveness and personal learning style can also impact your timeline.

Exam sessions

ACCA offers exams four times a year, and you can sit:

  • Up to 4 exams per session
  • A maximum of 8 exams per year

If you're highly motivated and plan your study strategically, you may be able to fast-track your progress.

Yes. You can use experience from previous roles (before or after registering) to meet your performance objectives, as long as a workplace mentor can verify your progress. Experience older than five years may be less relevant.

How to apply. From AAT to ACCA

Ready to make the move? Applying is simple and takes around 10 minutes. Just fill out our online application form.

You’ll need to provide:

  • Proof of identification (e.g. passport, birth certificate or driver’s licence)
  • Evidence of your AAT qualification (Certificate or Statement of Achievement) 

Make sure to apply for your free exemptions by entering the details of your AAT qualification, so you start at the right level.

Learn more about how to apply

Ready to take the next step?

Ready to make the move? Applying is simple and takes around 10 minutes. Just fill out our online application form. You’ll need to provide proof of identification and evidence of your AAT qualification (Certificate or Statement of Achievement) 

Make sure to apply for your free exemptions by entering the details of your AAT qualification, so you start at the right level.

Apply now

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