ACCA Course in UAE: Fees, Salary and Eligibility

Key Takeaways:

• Students keen to pursue the ACCA course in the UAE need to understand the eligibility requirements
• Learn what is ACCA, ACCA exam patterns, and who should pursue the course in the UAE
• Students practising and pursuing ACCA exams end up with global accounting and IFRS expertise and a rising international career graph
• Gain insight into the ACCA course structure, allowing students to practise for the exam.

Comprehensive Summary on ACCA Course in UAE:

• Insight into the ACCA course in the UAE: Learn how pursuing the ACCA course in UAE can help in getting global accounting certifications.
• ACCA Exams: Get insight into what ACCA exams cover, including financial management, taxation, audit, and others.
• ACCA Eligibility: The common eligibility to sit for the ACCA exam is 12th grade and graduation with a commerce background.
• ACCA Online Course: Students can pursue the ACCA online course at their convenience.
• Course structure: Understand the overall course structure of the ACCA exam.
• ACCA Salary in UAE: An ACCA Certified professional in the UAE can get a competitive salary.

The number of finance professionals in the UAE is growing very fast. Students and professionals are opting for the ACCA course in the UAE these days because it is internationally recognised, easy to study, and provides excellent career prospects. The UAE is one of the perfect locations to complete the ACCA certification with its evolving business sector, global corporations, and tax haven status. Whether from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, ACCA qualified professionals are well accepted and are highly preferred across different sectors of the industry.

In this guide, you will know everything about what is ACCA, ACCA exams, ACCA course syllabus, ACCA course duration, ACCA course fees, ACCA career scope, and ACCA salary in the UAE.

What is ACCA?

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a leading international professional accounting organisation based in the UK and offers the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification and trains people for careers in finance, accounting, and auditing.

ACCA offers an adaptable path with high ethical standards for those without prior accounting degrees. Gaining skills can help aspirants to get a job in global finance companies with a top salary.

Key Highlights of ACCA

ACCA Eligibility Requirements

To gain the ACCA certificate and appear for the exam, aspirants need to fulfil ACCA eligibility. Students who completed 12th grade or graduation are eligible to pursue the course. Other ACCA eligibility criteria are the following:

• Commerce graduate from a reputed institute
• Strong fluency in the English language
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and communication skills
• Working professionals with experience

ACCA Course Structure & Exam Papers

ACCA offers various subject structures: Accounting, Financial Reporting, Business Finance and Financial Management. The candidates must achieve all 13 papers in the ACCA paper structure covered within the ACCA syllabus. These 13 tests consist of three levels: Strategic 

Professional, Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills.

Applied Knowledge (3 papers)

• Business and Technology (BT)
• Management Accounting (MA)
• Financial Accounting (FA)

Applied Skills Level (6 Papers)

• Corporate and Business Law
• Performance Management
• Taxation
• Financial Reporting
• Audit and Assurance
• Financial Management

Strategic Professional Level (4 Papers)

This is the highest level for the ACCA qualification. It deals with advanced finance, strategy and leadership.

Core papers

• Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
• Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)

Option papers (any two can be chosen)

• Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
• Advanced Performance Management (APM)
• Advanced Taxation (ATX)
• Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

Once ACCA exams and practical experience are achieved, candidates are entitled to membership status.

ACCA Course Duration in UAE

The ACCA course duration depends on the student’s educational background and exam progress.

Average ACCA Course Duration

Factors Affecting Duration

• Number of exemptions received
• Study schedule
• Exam preparation
• Working while studying

With proper planning, students can complete the ACCA course subjects in the UAE efficiently.

Why Study ACCA in the UAE?

The UAE, as a financial hub of the world, provides good prospects to finance and accounting professionals. There are several reasons why every student and professional may find pursuing ACCA in the UAE worthwhile.

Reasons for pursuing ACCA in the UAE

• Better job opportunities across the globe.
• More demands for accounting professionals in the world.
• Presence of multinational companies.
• Zero-income-tax economy.
• A good salary package is an advantage.
• International opportunities for learning & development.

The main hubs of the UAE, namely Dubai and Abu Dhabi, provide a wide range of career opportunities to ACCA-holders in banking, consulting, auditing, corporate finance, etc.

Who Should Pursue ACCA in the UAE?

To pursue ACCA in the UAE, students and professionals with specific eligibility can apply. Ideal candidates for the course are

• 12th-passed candidate with commerce
• BBA graduates and BCom
• Working finance professionals
• Professionals look to migrate to the UAE

ACCA Course Fees in UAE

The course fees for ACCA in UAE differ depending on the registration fees, exam fees, exemptions and the coaching institute charges.

Estimated ACCA Fees in UAE

The total ACCA course fees in the UAE may range between AED 15,000 and AED 40,000 depending on the learning provider and exemptions.

Source for Fees: ACCA Global

ACCA Online Courses in UAE 

Many institutions in the UAE are offering ACCA online courses, considering the working professionals and the students who are unable to pursue their formal studies. The UAE has a few of the renowned institutions providing online courses on ACCA.

1. Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS)

Why to opt for it: EIBFS provides one of the most comprehensive ACCA online course materials, virtual classrooms, and professional tutors and, most importantly, flexibility in study structure.

Fees and Duration: Fees range from AED 5,000 to AED 7,000 per paper. There is flexibility regarding ACCA online course duration, as students can study at their own pace.

2. British University in Dubai (BUiD)

Why Choose BUiD? BUiD is one of the recognized centers for ACCA training with a focus on practical skills and applications. They offer online and hybrid learning.

Fees and Duration: The online course for ACCA is provided starting at an average fee from AED 20,000 to over AED 40,000. 

3. Kaplan Financial

Why Choose: Kaplan is an internationally recognized name for ACCA courses, and their online courses are ideal for those who require a framework for learning.

Fees and Duration: The ACCA course in Dubai with online courses available through Kaplan Dubai is between AED 5,500 to AED 7,500 per paper. An ACCA course is typically run for 4 months.

4. First Academy

Why Choose: First Academy delivers an online ACCA course with easy timing, experienced faculty and interesting study material.

Fees and Duration: First Academy fees in the UAE for ACCA vary between AED 4,000 to AED 6,000 per paper, and the duration of the course varies from 3 to 6 months.

5. Al Dar University College

Why Choose: Al Dar provides training in both an online and classroom setup, therefore providing a proper balance in your learning in relation to application.

Fees and Duration: Per-paper costs range between AED 4500 and AED 6500. The duration of the ACCA course varies from 3 to 5 months.

ACCA-Approved Study Materials and Books

ACCA provides study materials, which include textbooks, practice questions, and exam kits. It is highly recommended that one use study materials approved by ACCA to ensure that he or she studies the latest syllabus. Most tuition providers also provide additional study resources. including online lectures, revision notes, and mock exams, which will help students achieve their best in the exams.

ACCA Salary in the UAE

The mean ACCA salary in the UAE is AED 91,000, but with a large degree of increase expected as experience rises and industry varies, it may vary according to your role and the length of your service.

Source: Glassdoor

Career Paths for an ACCA-Qualified Professional 

Certification through ACCA opens different boundaries into a wide variety of areas in accounting, finance, and auditing and further extends into management. Some of these career paths related to ACCA include: 

• Financial Accountant: A Financial Accountant is responsible for the preparation of financial statements, control of accounts, and application of accounting standards.
• Management Accountant: A Management Accountant can deal with budgeting, forecasting, and financial advice on matters that affect business strategy.
• Internal Auditor: Shall review the internal controls, risk management processes, and regulatory compliance.
• External Auditor: An Auditor performing an audit or acting for audit firms and providing internal audit teams, especially concerning giving assurance over financial statements.
• Tax Advisor: The expert will help to advise on the ways of observing tax laws amongst individuals and businesses while minimising liabilities.
• Finance Manager: They will be responsible for the financial planning, reporting, and analysis of an organisation.
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): The Chief Financial Officer is an officer who oversees the financial operations of an organisation and has a high level of participation in the firm’s strategy.

Is ACCA Recognised in the UAE?

ACCA has a great relationship with the Accountants and Auditors Association of the UAE; it suits most finance, audit and management courses. Below are the reasons for ACCA’s immense recognition in the UAE.

• ACCA Professionals in high demand, ACCA pass-outs are very well sought after in the UAE as organisations often have requirements for job functions like accounting, finance, etc.
• Audit: In the UAE, the audit reports are signed and approved by an ACCA member.
• Key employers: EY, Deloitte, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Emirates, and KPMG are some key recruitment companies.

How Can Zell Help You?

Zell Education is the leading tuition provider in the UAE for all courses of the ACCA, offering highly experienced tutors, flexible learning options, and comprehensive study material. Its online ACCA course at Zell caters to the exact needs necessary to make the students confidently better prepared for exams. 

All the features included in their classes are highly focused on enhancing skills with personal attention in both theoretical and practical senses. Zell also provides mock examinations, revision sessions, and exam strategies that would help each one of them reach their goals of ACCA.

Conclusion

The ACCA qualification is one of the strongest credentials that can avail oneself of a wide scope of opportunities that this sector offers in the UAE. With its global recognition and comprehensive syllabus, there is also an increasing demand for qualified professionals, which makes it a viable option for building a successful career in accounting and finance in Dubai. Your dream to be an ACCA-qualified professional in the UAE could be achieved by selecting the right institute, knowing the financial cost involved, and then focusing on your studies.

FAQs on ACCA Course in UAE

How much does it cost for an ACCA in the UAE?

The total course fee for ACCA in the UAE typically varies from 15,000 AED to 40,000 AED, depending on the mode of learning and the number of attempts for each exam.

Do I have an option for studying ACCA in the UAE?

Yes, students can study ACCA through either live classroom coaching or online study platforms.

How much does an ACCA earn in Dubai?

An average fresh ACCA in Dubai will earn between 5,000 AED to 8,000 AED per month, depending on their level of experience.

Is ACCA respected in the UAE?

Yes, ACCA is regarded as highly qualified by some of the world’s largest companies, banks and accounting firms operating within the UAE.

Which one is better, CA or ACCA in the UAE?

Both qualifications carry a high level of value for the respective student. While ACCA provides greater opportunity for global career initiatives, CA prepares the student primarily for the Indian accounting practice.

How long is the ACCA course in the UAE?

The ACCA course can take between 1.5 to 3 years to complete, based on exemptions and your progress in completing the required exams.

Can I study ACCA online in the UAE?

Numerous education providers are offering ACCA online courses in the UAE, and such courses include live lectures, recorded video lectures, and study support.

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