Our Foundation-level awards are made up of certificates and diplomas that you can obtain as you progress through the exams. Here are the exams you will need to take and the awards you can achieve on the way
ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2)
The ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2) is awarded on the completion of exams Recording Financial Transactions (FA1) and Management Information (MA1), and also Foundations in Professionalism.
The ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2) is suitable for those aspiring to work or already working in:
- a junior accounts clerk/junior bookkeeper role in an SME
- a range of junior accounting administration roles within an accounting department of a larger organisation or financial shared service centre.
The ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2) is broadly equivalent to GCSE level.
Exams
- FA1 Recording Financial Transactions
- MA1 Management Information
ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3)
The ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3) is awarded on the completion of exams Maintaining Financial Records (FA2) and Managing Costs and Finance (MA2), and also Foundations in Professionalism.
The ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3) is suitable for those aspiring to work or already working in:
- Accounting administration roles in small, medium or large enterprises in private practice, the corporate or public sectors.
- Various roles in financial or cost and management accounting within an accounting department of a larger organisation or in financial shared services or Global Business Services (GBS) centres.
The ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3) is broadly equivalent to 'A' level.
Exams
- FA2 Maintaining Financial Records
- MA2 Managing Costs and Finance
ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4)
The ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4) is awarded on the completion of the exams Business and Technology (FBT), Financial Accounting (FFA), Management Accounting (FMA) and Foundations in Professionalism.
The ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4) is suitable for those aspiring to work or already working in the following types of roles:
- basic bookkeeping
- trainee accountant in a commercial organisation or accounting practice
- accounts clerk in public sector.
The ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4) is broadly equivalent to HND level/ the first year of a degree.
Exams
- FBT Business and Technology
- FFA Financial Accounting
- FMA Management Accounting
Certified Accounting Technician (CAT)
ACCA has retained the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification as part of the foundation level qualifications. In order to obtain the CAT Qualification, students will need to complete the following:
- FA1, MA1, FA2, MA2, FBT, FFA and FMA exams
- two of the three specialist exams; FAU, FFM and FTX
- a practical experience requirement
- Foundations in Professionalism.
Students completing the CAT Qualification can claim exemption from exams FA1, MA1, FA2 and MA2 based on practical experience.
On completion of the CAT Qualification, students may then progress onto the ACCA Qualification if they wish to do so, starting at the Applied Skills exams. They can also count the four essentials competences and one year's work experience gained to achieve the CAT Qualification towards the three years' work experience and 9 performance objectives required for the ACCA Qualification.
There is a certification fee for this award, payable when CAT holder status is granted. See fees and charges for details.
Video guide: Apply for CAT holder status
[00:05]
Have you recently completed all the requirements to become a certified accounting technician?
Congratulations. You can now submit your application to become a certified accounting technician holder and receive your official certificate.
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From the help and support page of your My ACCA portal, select the I am a student box.
And then choose other qualifications from the available list.
Select certified accounting technician.
Then select apply for certified accounting technician.
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Now choose the option most relevant to your request.
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Read the information on this page, and when you're ready to apply, select the application link on screen.
Take a moment to review the eligibility criteria, and when you're ready, select start application.
[01:08]
Check your personal details are up to date, and you can change this information by raising a case with us.
You can also update your contact details and add a secondary address, which can be added to your invoice and receipt if needed.
Then select save and continue to move on.
[01:29]
From the drop down box, select which route you completed to meet the practical experience requirements.
If you obtained your practical experience from the Foundations Practical Experience Requirement route, then choose this option.
Alternatively, if you're an ACCA member and are applying for the Certified Accounting Technician status, then select the ACCA and FCCA member option from the list.
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If you're claiming exemptions based on your practical experience, you can choose the relevant exams from the dropdown box.
Please note, we only offer exemptions based on practical experience for the following FIA exams:
FA1, Recording Financial Transactions
MA1, Management Information
FA2, Maintaining Financial Records
MA2, Managing Costs and Finance
[02:30]
If you gained your practical experience from the FPER route, and have gained your experience from an ACCA approved employer, you will have the option to download and complete the approved employer FPER confirmation form.
You can then upload the completed form to your application.
[02:51]
Now select save and continue to move on.
[02:55]
Take a moment to confirm how you would like to receive correspondence and communications from us.
If you'd like to receive information from third party organisations, and if you'd like to appear on our list of past finalists.
[03:10]
Before submitting your application, read through our terms and conditions and select I accept underneath each box.
[03:22]
Lastly, review the information you've entered.
And when you're happy, select submit.
Please note, the price shown on screen is for illustration purposes only.
When you're ready to pay for your application, select pay now.
[03:39]
Choose if you would like to pay by debit or credit card, or if you're making the payment by Alipay.
Enter your payment details on screen, and then select the pay button to finalise your application.
[03:55]
Your application to become a certified accounting technician has now been submitted.
You can check the status of your application from the application page of your My ACCA portal.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Additional requirements
Foundations in professionalism
We believe good accountants should be professional and ethical and so we’ve included ethics at every level of our qualification. This is why students need to complete an online module in order to achieve Foundations level awards.
The module has been designed to help you understand what it means to act professionally and ethically at work. Once you complete the module you will receive certificates for all the awards you complete.
Students resident in Scotland will receive award certificates for the Scottish regulated titles.
