ACCA Course Duration – After 12th, Graduation & CA

Are you looking forward to a vibrant, globally recognised career in finance and accounting? The ACCA qualification may be your stepping stone for achieving this! Imagine you are just out of 12th grade, holding a graduation degree, or already are a Chartered Accountant. In that case, the ACCA institute offers a versatile and internationally recognised route towards achieving the status of an ACCA.

But before you start preparing for ACCA exams, you may tend to think about how long is ACCA course duration after graduation, what is the general ACCA duration and fees are, etc. Let’s delve into the duration and cost of ACCA courses at each level of your academic and professional life.

There are numerous professional courses that allow you to work as an expert in the field of accounting and finance. The ACCA course, which is offered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) body in the UK, is an internationally recognised course. 

With the ACCA qualification, you can work in over 180 countries in companies like BDO, Grant Thornton, Morgan Stanley, and the Big 4 (EY, PwC, KPMG, and Deloitte). Most of these companies hire ACCAs at positions similar to a Chartered Accountant. After ACCA, the average starting salary is anywhere between INR 6 and 8 lpa.  

ACCA Overview

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a prestigious global certification that sets you apart in finance and accounting. With a syllabus designed according to international standards, the ACCA course equips you with all-round knowledge of financial management, taxation, and auditing, among other relevant areas.

However, the real USP of ACCA lies in its flexibility; whether you are just out of school, a graduate, or already a Chartered Accountant, there are multiple ways you can enter this field based on your educational background.

ACCA: Why Should You Choose It

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is more than a professional qualification; it’s a gateway to a successful career in accounting and finance. Here’s why choosing ACCA might just be the best thing that can happen to your career:

Global recognition: ACCA is globally recognised, making the certification worth it if you wish to work in your own country or abroad. ACCA members and affiliates are spread throughout the world, meaning your qualifications will always be recognized and valued no matter which country you work from.

Comprehensive Curriculum: ACCA offers a strong base that covers all areas of accounting and finance. This includes financial management, management accounting, and strategic business leadership. You will be equipped with a deep-seated understanding of the area, which prepares you for higher roles in the industry.

Flexibility and Accessibility: ACCA in itself is a flexible program, enabling one to create a balance between studies and work or other commitments. You can opt for part-time or full-time study, online resources, or whatever suits you best.

Career Opportunities: With an ACCA qualification, you will have many career openings. Whatever area of the finance sector you aspire to be in whether it is auditing, taxation, financial management, or consulting, the strong foundation is laid by ACCA.

Professional Development: ACCA is committed to ongoing professional development. Members are given a plethora of resources, including training programs, workshops, and networking opportunities that will keep you updated with industrial trends and improve your skills.

ACCA Course Duration

The duration of ACCA will depend on your educational background and how you choose to study for the qualification. Here is a brief overview: 

ACCA After 12th Grade

After 12th grade, the ACCA duration can go up to 3 to 4 years. There are no exemptions for students after 12th grade, so you have to take all 13 exams to pass the course. You also need to complete 3 years of required work experience which can be obtained simultaneously with the studies.

ACCA After Graduation

The ACCA course duration after graduation will be calculated after knowing the exact number of exemptions availed by you. You are eligible to get an exemption for as many as 4 out of 13 ACCA papers after graduation. Generally, a B.Com graduate will be exempted from 4 papers, although it may vary for a BBA graduate, for whom an exemption of 3 papers is available. With these exemptions, you can complete this course in approximately 2 to 3 years.

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ACCA After Chartered Accountancy (CA)

ACCA After CA Foundation 

You are not eligible for exemptions if you have passed your Foundation CA but haven’t completed your graduation. In case you have finished your graduation and passed your Foundation CA exams, you will be eligible for the same exemptions as described for graduates.

ACCA After CA Inter

Those of you who have completed Inter CA (IPCC) can get as many as 5 exemptions from the ACCA papers. Graduates holding a B.Com in addition to IPCC get as many as 6 exemptions. These could help complete the certification in roughly two years, together with proper preparation.

ACCA After CA Final 

If you have completed your CA and passed the Final CA exams, you will probably be eligible for exemptions of 9 out of the 13 ACCA papers: exemptions of all papers from the Knowledge and Skills levels. You will be able to finish the remaining ACCA exams in about 6 to 8 months after the exemptions.

Fees for ACCA Courses 

The overall cost of pursuing the ACCA qualification is determined by factors such as the number of papers required to be attempted based on your previous level of education. In general, estimates depend on registration fees, examination fees per paper, annual membership subscriptions, and exemption administrative fees. 

Generally, the total cost a student will have to bear in completing the ACCA qualification is estimated at approximately ₹1,50,000 to ₹3,00,000. This range accommodates the varying number of exams, depending on whether you have any exemptions due to prior qualifications.

Source for ACCA Course Fees in India – Fees Chart (India) by ACCA Global

An Overview of the Steps Involved in Applying for Exemptions from the ACCA Exam

To apply for any exemptions from your ACCA institute account, follow the steps below. 

Understand Exemption Criteria: First, understand the exemption criteria from ACCA based on your previous qualifications and experience. ACCA gives specific details on exemptions, specifying which academic and professional backgrounds their policy can cover.

Gather Documentation: Necessary documents will be academic transcripts, certificates, or proof of relevant qualification or work experience; whatever the case may be to support this application for exemption.

Application Submission: Exemptions are to be applied for through the online portal of ACCA or by submission of the required forms to ACCA, attaching all supporting documentation and exempting fees wherever applicable.

Wait For Approval: ACCA will then consider your application and also the documents that you have submitted. You will also be informed about the exemptions granted or additional information required.

Plan Your Study Path: Based on the exemption that you receive, revise your study schedule for the remaining ACCA papers you will be required to sit for.

ACCA Exemption Fees

ACCA charges for an application for exemption, which are calculated on a per-paper basis. The fees paid are not refundable. For applied knowledge level exams you need to pay 84 pounds per exemption and for applied skills exams you need to pay 111 pounds per exemption. For more information about the fees please check ACCA fees.  

ACCA Paper Exemptions: Top Benefits

Less Study Time: Exemptions allow you to skip certain papers, reducing study time by a big margin, hence speeding up qualification.

Cost Saving: You are out of paying for the sitting of such papers and buying study materials, which may be expensive.

Focused Learning: With exemptions, you can put more effort into the remaining papers, and you can focus more on the papers you will have to take the exam for resulting in better learning.

Faster career advancement: Since you will obtain your ACCA qualification faster due to the exemptions, you will have a chance of early entry or moving up the ladder in finance and accounting which in return will give you higher salaries and better career prospects. 

ACCA at Zell Education

Zell Education is a Platinum Approved Learning Partner of ACCA. We offer training for students in online as well as offline modes. The online method of learning lets you have access to classes from any part of the world. Let’s take a look at some features of ACCA at Zell Education –

1. ACCA-Qualified Faculty Members
2. Interactive Learning Resources on a state-of-the-art LMS
3. Regular Mock Tests and Practice Exams
4. Exemption Fee Waivers
5. 100% Placement Assistance

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Conclusion

Knowing the ACCA course duration and fee structure will let you plan your future, be it after your 12th grade, after graduation, or after completing CA. The ACCA course provides one with the flexibility and international acknowledgement that equip one for different professions in the financial industry. Understanding the investment in time and money, you can thus schedule and behave according to your career aspirations and objectives.

The ACCA qualification is recognised in over 180 countries, including Canada, Singapore, and Australia. Training to become an ACCA is a great step to take if you are planning to expand your accounting and finance career internationally. Not only will you be able to start your career at a young age, but you will also be a part of a global network of highly qualified accounting professionals.

If you’ve made the decision to become a global CA and are contemplating your next move, we can help you take a step forward. Check out our Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course to learn more.

FAQs on ACCA Course Duration

What is the typical ACCA course duration?

The ACCA course duration can be flexible. It generally takes about 2 to 3 years to complete all exams and practical experience requirements.

Is it possible to finish the ACCA course in 2 years?

Yes, but it’s an aggressive timeline. You’d need to take multiple papers in each exam session and clear them on your first attempt.

Can I complete the entire ACCA qualification in just one year?

No, it is not possible to complete the ACCA qualification in one year due to the phased structure and exam sittings.

How many papers are there in the ACCA qualification?

There are a total of 13 papers to complete for the full ACCA qualification, split into three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional.

What is the 7-year rule in the ACCA qualification?

The 7-year rule states that you have seven years to clear the Strategic Professional level exams once you have passed your first Strategic Professional exam.

How many exam attempts are allowed for each ACCA paper?

There is no limit to the number of ACCA exam attempts. You can retake any paper as many times as you need to pass it.

What if I fail an ACCA exam paper?

If you fail an ACCA exam paper, you can retake it in the next exam session. Many students face setbacks, so it’s a common experience.

Current Role

Co-Founder & CEO at Zell Education

Education

• ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Finance (2011 – 2014)
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Financial Markets from H.R. College Of Commerce & Economics (2010 – 2013)

Location

Mumbai, India

Expertise

ACCA Certified