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! Suppose 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 recognized 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, 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, Deloitte). Most of these companies hire ACCAs at positions similar to a Chartered Accountant. After ACCA, the average starting salary is anywhere between INR 6-8 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-rounded 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

ACCA duration depends upon your educational background and also on the way you choose to study for the course. Here’s a breakdown:

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

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 of as many as 4 out of 13 ACCA papers after graduation. Generally, a B.Com graduate will be exempted from 4 papers, although this may vary for a BBA graduate where an exemption of 3 papers is available. With these exemptions, you can complete this course in approximately 2 to 3 years.

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 completed 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 qualification 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.

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

Follow the steps given below to apply for exemptions from your ACCA institute account. 

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

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 flexibility and global recognition that the ACCA course offers prepare one for many careers in the finance sector. Knowing the time and money investment, you can accordingly plan and act in tune with your professional objectives and goals.

The ACCA qualification is recognized 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.

FAQ’s on ACCA Course Duration

How much does ACCA cost in India?

It varies from the number of papers you need to take and the level of study. On average, the total cost for the ACCA qualification ranges between ₹1,50,000 to ₹3,00,000 lakhs.

What is the ACCA course duration in the UK?

ACCA course duration in the UK is estimated to take around 3-4 years to complete. This period entails studying regularly to enable a student to pass the needed exams and complete the requirements regarding professional experience without any possible exemptions. It may change depending on the exemptions one might receive. 

In India, what is the duration of the ACCA course?

While in India, it is the same duration as that of the UK; that is, 3 to 4 years. This accounts for finishing off all the levels of the exams, together with the professional experience. It may vary depending on the number of exemptions received by you. 

Does India demand ACCAs?

Yes, the demand for ACCA professionals is gradually gaining momentum in India. Since financial regulations are becoming more complex, together with their global scope of operation, ACCA qualification holds importance for employers from every sector. So, it is a promising career option if you wish to build a future in finance. 

Partham Barot is an ACCA-certified professional. showcasing his expertise in finance and accountancy. he’s revolutionising education by focusing on practical, real-world skills. Partham’s achievements underscore his commitment to elevating educational standards and empowering the next generation of professionals.

Siddhant Khanvilkar

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