Are you interested in a career in accounting and finance? If yes, then you might have heard of the ACCA term being sprinkled all over. So, what is ACCA course all about? Who can pursue it, and what are your career options after being a qualified member? This blog is the answer to all your burning questions.
In this blog, we will understand what is acca course and its scope. We will also touch base on the acca syllabus structure and exam details.
The ACCA course is an international accounting qualification. It trains candidates in areas like financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting.
Why Choose ACCA? Because it brings –
- Global Recognition – Accepted in over 180 countries.
- Professional Growth – Opens doors to senior finance roles globally.
- Flexibility – Suitable for students, graduates, and professionals.
What Is The Duration Of ACCA Course
ACCA typically takes 2-3 years to complete.
- Full-Time Students – Complete it faster with regular studies.
- Part-Time Students – Flexible schedules allow professionals to study while working.
What Is ACCA Full Form
The ACCA full form is Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
ACCA Meaning in Accounting:
- Recognized as a top-tier qualification for accountants.
- Prepares professionals for roles like auditors, tax consultants, and financial analysts.
- Its full name in commerce signifies expertise in global accounting standards.
What Does The ACCA Syllabus Cover?
Wondering about the ACCA course syllabus details? Here’s a quick overview:
ACCA Course Structure
The ACCA exam syllabus has three levels:
- Applied Knowledge (Basics)
- Business & Technology
- Management Accounting
- Financial Accounting
- Applied Skills (Intermediate)
- Corporate & Business Law
- Performance Management
- Taxation
- Financial Reporting
- Audit & Assurance
- Financial Management
- Strategic Professional (Advanced)
- Essentials: Ethics, Corporate Reporting, Strategy
- Options: Advanced Taxation, Performance Management, and Audit
Focus Areas of Each Level
- Applied Knowledge – Builds accounting fundamentals.
- Applied Skills – Focuses on practical business applications.
- Strategic Professional – Develops leadership and decision-making skills.
Key Benefits:
- Real-world focus.
- Prepares for managerial roles.
- Can be studied by beginners and experienced professionals.
What Are The Subjects In ACCA?
The ACCA course has 13 subjects spread over three levels: skills, knowledge, and professional.
What Is The Pass Mark For ACCA Exams
ACCA had computer-based and theoretically based questions. However, for each paper, the passing mark for exams is 50%.
What Is The Pass Rate For ACCA Exam
The pass rate for the ACCA exam is around 45-55% on average. So, it is moderately difficult but easier in comparison to CA.
The pass rates keep on changing for each paper every year. For instance, the pass rate for skills level in 2024 was an average of 48.4%.
What Is The Eligibility For ACCA Exam?
To enroll in the ACCA program, candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements. These eligibility criterias can vary slightly depending on your location.
The following are the general requirements for eligibility for ACCA exam:
- Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
- Educational Qualifications –
- At least five subjects at the secondary level, including English and Math.
- 65% in two subjects and 50% in others.
- Accepts A-levels, IB, or Advanced Diplomas.
- Non-qualifying students can pursue the FIA route.
- At least five subjects at the secondary level, including English and Math.
Eligibility for Global Aspirants
For international students, ACCA accepts qualifications based on national educational systems. For instance:
- UK – A-Levels (2 subjects) and 3 GCSEs with Maths and English.
- USA – High School Diploma or an equivalent qualification.
- Australia – Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
- Canada – High School Diploma with required grades.
Candidates holding degrees in finance, accounting, or business may qualify for exemptions from certain ACCA papers, reducing the time needed to complete the program.
What Is The Eligibility For ACCA In India?
The minimum eligibility for ACCA course in India is as follows:
- Students must have completed Class 12th from a recognized board
- Students must score at least 65% in Accounts or Mathematics and English and 50% in other subjects.
Additionally, the following qualifications are also eligible:
- Commerce graduates (B.Com, BBA, or M.Com)
- Finance professionals such as CA IPPC, CA inter or CA-qualified students
- CS and CMA-qualified students
- Diploma holders in Accounting/Finance
- Working professionals
Don’t meet the above criteria? Don’t worry. Register for the Foundation Diploma offered by ACCA. This program acts as a preparatory step before progressing to the ACCA qualification.
ACCA Course Fees Details
The demand for skilled ACCA professionals is increasing in India and globally. However, understanding the associated costs is crucial for effective planning. Below is a breakdown of ACCA course details and fees in India:
Initial Fees
Fee Type | Amount (£) | Amount (₹) | Description |
Initial Registration | £89 | ₹9,945 | One-time fee to enroll as an ACCA student. |
Annual Subscription (2025) | £137 | ₹15,318 | Yearly fee to maintain active student status. |
Re-registration | £30 | ₹3,330 | Applicable if student status lapses and needs reinstatement. |
ACCA exam fees
- Applied Knowledge level: There are three papers on this level: Business and Technology (BT), Management Accounting (MA), and Financial Accounting (FA). The exam fee for skill level is £120, i.e. approx ₹13,000 per paper.
- Skills Level – There are six subjects in skill level: Business law, performance management (PM), financial reporting (FR), audit and assurance (AA), financial management (FM), and taxation (TX). The exam fee per paper is £143, which becomes ₹15,974 in India.
- Professional Level has four subjects, two of which are elective. The exam fee is £252 per subject, i.e. approximately ₹28,157 for each paper.
ACCA full course fees for each level:
Level | Total Fees (₹) |
Applied Knowledge | ₹50,169 |
Applied Skills | ₹1,10,822 |
Strategic Professional | ₹1,11,518 |
Note: These estimates include initial registration, annual subscription, and exam fees.
Exemption Fees
Some subjects are exempted if you have previous qualifications like CA, CA inter, CMA, etc. In that case, you have to pay exemption fees.
Exam Level | Exemption Fee (£) | Exemption Fee (₹) |
Applied Knowledge | £86 | ₹9,605 |
Applied Skills | £114 | ₹12,730 |
Additional Costs
Besides this, students usually opt for additional study material like ACCA Books, practice papers and revision courses. Study material from Kalpan or BPP can cost you around INR 12,000-20,000 per level. Coaching programs for ACCA also range from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000, depending on – the provider, mode of study and support. One such affordable yet reliable choice for ACCA coaching is Ikka Classes.
At Ikka Classes, we understand that the financial commitment to pursuing ACCA can be daunting. That’s why we offer budget-friendly ACCA courses with a consistent 92% to 100% success rate in ACCA exams at both Fundamental and Professional Levels.
Our unique approach includes:
- 1-on-1 doubt sessions with qualified ACCA experts and rankers.
- Small batch sizes (up to 10 students) to ensure conceptual clarity.
- In-depth understanding and 100% clarity of concepts.
- Offline and online batches are available to suit your convenience.
- Unlimited practice sessions on our CBE system.
- 100% placement assistance to kickstart your career.
By choosing Ikka Classes, you increase the likelihood of clearing ACCA on your first attempt with a high score.
You can visit our website to learn more about our offerings and how we can assist you in achieving your professional goals.
What Are The Career Opportunities After ACCA?
Now, that you know what is meant by ACCA and what are acca course details and fees, let us get to the important part – Career.
What is the work of ACCA, and what roles and positions is ACCA entitled to work on? Don’t worry, we won’t leave you hanging.
Here are the potential career roles you can grab by completing the ACCA qualification:
- Financial Analyst – As a financial analyst, you will be responsible for reviewing financial data and helping companies make informed decisions. In short, you have to evaluate the financial health of companies.
Your work responsibilities would cover:
- Analysing company data and financial statements.
- Creating financial models for investors
- Preparing presentations & reports
- Helping with the decision-making process
Salary: As a financial analyst, you can earn an average salary of 4,00,000 – 11,00,000 per annum.
- Tax consultant – ACCA professionals can also work as consultants, advising businesses on financial strategies, tax planning, and improving their financial processes. You will work with clients to ensure they pay the correct amount while finding ways to save money on their taxes.
The key responsibilities of a tax consultant are:
- To help people and organizations pay their taxes.
- Developing strategies to minimize the tax burden for clients.
- Stay up-to-date with changes in tax laws and regulations.
Salary: You can expect to earn 6,00,000 – 18,00,000 per annum in India.
- Management accountant – As a management accountant, your job is to help senior management understand the financial situation and make wise decisions.
Your work responsibilities would include:
- Preparing budgets and monitoring spending.
- Analyzing costs to find ways to save money.
- Providing internal financial reports to help management make decisions.
- Working with different teams to improve business processes and policies.
- Advising on current business asset valuations and investments
Salary: As a management accountant, you can earn an average salary of 5,00,000 – 12,00,000 per annum in India.
- Financial controller – As an ACCA-certified person, you can also work as a financial controller. You have to oversee the finance department and ensure that the company’s financial records are accurate and compliant with laws.
Your work responsibilities would include:
- Preparing financial statements and reports for management.
- Ensuring compliance with financial regulations like GAAP and IND AS.
- Managing cash flow and budgeting processes.
- Leading the finance team and coordinating with other departments.
Salary: As a financial controller, you can expect to earn an average salary of 8,00,000 – 20,00,000 per annum in India.
Industries where ACCA professionals are in demand:
- Public accounting Firms
- FinTech Organisations
- E-Commerce Firms
- Advisory Sevices
- Manufacturing firms
- Government Agencies
Benefits Of Becoming An ACCA
The following are the important benefits ACCA brings to help you grow your career:
- Structured Syllabus offering Comprehensive Knowledge
The ACCA course syllabus is structured and prepared to provide not just an overview but deep insights and understanding of every financial concept. With ACCA subjects and syllabus designed to build expertise, you will gain practical and theoretical knowledge for areas of- Finance
- Business Law
- Taxation
- Business Ethics
- Audit & Assurance
In short, taking up the ACCA course means that you are getting a well-rounded education that covers all fundamental areas of accounting.
- Offers Competitive Salaries
The eligibility for ACCA course in India is so high that MNCs, Big 4, and every financial consultancy firm is demanding an ACCA.
Infact, reports reveal that ACCA-certified professionals often command higher salaries compared to their non-ACCA counterparts. All it takes is the right skill set and knowledge. With that, you can position yourself for lucrative roles in reputed organizations. - Brings Global Recognition and Career Mobility
The ACCA course serves as a passport to a global career. ACCA’s international recognition (in almost 180+ countries) allows you to work in multiple countries without needing to requalify, providing you with unmatched career mobility. None of your university degrees can match the level of prospective employers available in ACCA. - Provides Flexible Study Options
The beauty of the ACCA syllabus structure is that it allows you to study at your own pace. You can select your own subjects from options, study part-time at your job, and appear for exams anytime in four attempts. Which other degree offers this much flexibility that allows you to balance studies and work? ACCA does that for you. - Boasts Strong Alumni Network
Being part of the ACCA community means joining a global network of professionals. The ACCA qualification connects you with like-minded individuals. You can connect and get guidance, mentorship, and job leads throughout your career. - Study Resources For Free
For those who want to save on coaching can also study for free from ACCA Study Hub. It has standard questions, quizzes, mock tests and revision lectures for each subject.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Is ACCA
Acca course full form is Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). It is a globally recognized qualification that covers a wide range of topics, including financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, law, auditing, and financial management.
So, what is the job of acca? Well, an ACCA-qualified person can take the following career paths:
- Financial Accountant
- Management Accountant
- Corporate Finance Manager:
- Auditor
- Tax Advisor
- Financial Analyst