The ACCA Qualification
All over the world, employers seek out ACCA members to lead their business to sustainable success.
That’s because they know that ACCA members are strategic thinkers with high ethical integrity, strong financial know-how and the right business acumen.
To become an ACCA member, you have an exciting journey ahead: The ACCA Qualification. Work out where you start your journey and take a look at our Start Your Journey chart in the related document at the bottom of this page.
This journey will take you through a combination of exams, ethics and experience. Which means you’ll enter the workplace ready to make a difference in today’s fast-paced business world.
When you qualify, you…
- Become a member of the world’s most forward-thinking accountancy body – the ACCA letters after your name are globally recognised and show employers that you work to the highest professional and ethical standards.
- Open doors to opportunities all over the world – the ACCA Qualification is respected globally, and will help you to open doors wherever your career path may take you. It also gives you the flexibility to branch out into new areas and develop new skills throughout your career.
- Make the world a better place – Ethics are absolutely fundamental to your studies and the whole ACCA approach. Which means that when you go out into the world, you’ll be able to set and maintain the high standards the organisations you work with need to move into the future.
- Get support throughout your journey – you get access to world-class resources, forums, insight and advice all the while you’re studying and throughout your professional life.
- Develop your skills – you’ll have opportunities to learn new skills and gain many other qualifications along the way – including a BSc and an MSc.
What does it comprise of?
Applied Knowledge exams
An exceptional introduction to the world of finance and accounting, these exams provide students with a broad understanding of essential accounting techniques.
- Accountant in Business (AB)
- Management Accounting (MA)
- Financial Accounting (FA)
Applied Skills exams
Building on your existing knowledge and understanding, Applied Skills develops strong, broad and practical finance required of future strategic professional accountant in any sector or industry.
- Corporate and Business Law (LW)
- Performance Management (PM)
- Taxation (TX)
- Financial reporting (FR)
- Audit and Assurance (AA)
- Financial Management (FM)
Strategic Professional
These exams provide students with the unique blend of skills, real-world focus and specialisation options which will super-charge careers and develop strategic, forward-thinking professional accountants. Strategic Professional exams are comprised of both Essentials and Options exams.
Essentials
Students will take both these exams which provide them with the skills they need to make an immediate impact with employers.
- Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
- Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
Options
These exams offer the unique opportunity to specialise in areas of greatest relevance to a chosen sector or career path.
- Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
- Advanced Performance Management (APM)
- Advanced Taxation (ATX)
- Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
Learn more about this course here
Foundation Level Qualifications
FOUNDATIONS IN ACCOUNTANCY
Our foundation level qualifications comprise certificates and diplomas, as well as a technician level qualification. Exams and awards include:
ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2)
- FA1 Recording Financial Transactions
- MA1 Management Information
ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3)
- FA2 Maintaining Financial Records
- MA2 Managing Costs and Finance
ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4)
- FAB Accountant in Business
- FMA Management Accounting
- FFA Financial Accounting
Students resident in Scotland will receive award certificates for the Scottish regulated titles.
FOUNDATION DIPLOMA
The Foundation Diploma is designed exclusively for students in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Exams include:
- FA1 Recording Financial Transactions
- MA1 Management Information
- FA2 Maintaining Financial Records
- MA2 Managing Costs and Finance
- FAB Accountant in Business
- FMA Management Accounting
- FFA Financial Accounting
FOUNDATIONS IN PROFESSIONALISM
‘Foundations in Professionalism’ is an online, interactive module. It will help you understand what it means to act professionally and ethically at work. You will need to complete this module in order to receive certificates for the awards you complete.
You can complete Foundations in Professionalism before or after completing your Foundation-level exams, at your own pace. You only need to complete the module once, no matter how many foundation-level awards you achieve.
Please note: the Foundations in Professionalism module and your work experience can be completed before, at the same time or after taking your exams.
CERTIFIED ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN (CAT) QUALIFICATION
We also offer a technician-level qualification – the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification.
To achieve this award, you will need to complete foundation-level qualifications and also:
One year’s relevant practical experience in an accounting role to show you can use your knowledge from the exams in the workplace.
The ‘Foundations in Professionalism’ module
Two additional specialist exams as follows:
- FTX – Foundations in Taxation
- FFM – Foundations in Financial Management
- FAU – Foundations in Audit
FOUNDATION CERTIFICATES IN TAXATION, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND AUDIT
You can complete the FTX, FFM and FAU exams individually, and if you complete the Foundations in Professionalism module alongside any one of these exams, you will be awarded a certificate in that subject.
So if you want to work (or already are working) in tax, financial management or audit and want certification for your skills, these certificates are perfect for you.
Students resident in Scotland will receive award certificates for the Scottish regulated titles.
