Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is the name of the organisation. ACCA is a worldwide accounting organisation that was founded in 1904 and provides “Certified Chartered Accountant” accreditation. The length of an ACCA course varies depending on the students’ educational background. The ACCA programme lasts three years for students who have finished their 12th grade, two to two and a half years for commerce graduates, two years for IPCC groups, and one year for B.Com and CA graduates.
According to the ACCA eligibility requirements, students must be at least 18 years old, have finished the 10+2, and have an overall score in math/accounting and English of 65%, as well as an overall score in all other disciplines of at least 50%. Students earning BCom, BBA, BMS, and other business- or commerce-related degrees may also apply for the ACCA course concurrently with graduation. The identical ACCA qualifying requirements are accepted and followed by all universities and institutes.
ACCA Course Details
Given below are the important details of the ACCA course program:
ACCA Full Form | Association of Certified Chartered Accountants |
Course Level | Professional |
ACCA Course Duration | 1-7 years |
ACCA Course Fees | INR 28,000 to INR 2,60,000 |
ACCA Exams | 13 exams |
ACCA Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 with minimum 65% aggregate in Maths/Accounts and English, and 50% in other subjects |
ACCA Admission | Merit and entrance exam based followed by interview round |
ACCA Career Prospects | Accountants, Auditors, Finance manager, Business Analyst, Taxation Expert |
ACCA Average Salary | INR 3.5 to 4 LPA |
Top ACCA Recruiters | PwC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG, Grant Thornton |
What is ACCA?
- With over 200,000 members and 600,000 students in over 180 countries, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, or ACCA as it is more often known, is a certification programme that is widely recognised.
- Students who desire to pursue a successful career in accounting greatly prize the ACCA, which is one of the most respected certificates in the sector.
- Since ACCA is one of the most recognised degrees, it is relevant to every nation.
- The ACCA is a high-level professional qualification based on worldwide accounting and auditing standards that is equal to receiving a full university degree.
- The student’s degree programmes, such as B. Com, BBA, etc., can be pursued concurrently with the ACCA course. It can even be added to the degree programme itself.
- The extremely flexible exam structure provided by ACCA makes it a desirable option for candidates seeking or already holding a graduate degree.
- 13 necessary tests for ACCA must be passed in a maximum of 7 years.
- Financial statements, managerial accounting, business taxation and regulations, audit, and business ethics are all covered by the ACCA certification.
- The ACCA syllabus is both industry-relevant and internationally recognised, giving students a fantastic opportunity to start a career in accounting and finance.
ACCA Eligibility
The following are the requirements for enrollment in the ACCA course:
- Students must be older than 18 years old.
- For students to be eligible for an ACCA course, they must at least have fulfilled the 10+2 requirement.
- Students must have received at least 65% in both English and Accounts/Mathematics.
- For students to be eligible for the ACCA course, all other subject grades must be at least 50%.
ACCA Admission 2023
There are two modes for admission into ACCA Course, which are as follows:
- Merit-based
- Entrance Exam Based
ACCA Entrance Exams
ACCA often does not demand entrance tests. To offer ACCA admissions, some colleges, on the other hand, administer entrance tests. The following is a list of the exams required for admission to ACCA courses:
ACCA exam | Conducting Body | Exam Mode |
CUET | Christ University | Online |
AIMA UGAT | All India Management Association | Online |
SET | Symbiosis University | Offline |
SUAT | Sharda University | Online |
Merit Based Admission Process
The detailed admissions procedure used by institutions like Apeejay Stya University in Gurgaon, which offers merit-based ACCA admissions, is provided below:
Step 1: Fill out and submit the application form in some colleges only accept online applications, while others accept both. Students must fill out the application form either online or offline.
Step 2: Upload documents: After filling out the required fields on the application form, students must scan and upload the necessary documents to the admissions portal for admission and verification.
The third step is paying the application cost, which differs from college to college. Then, by SMS or email, they will get their application number.
Step 4: Application review and shortlisting of candidates: The admissions staff at the university will choose applicants after analysing student applications to see whether they fit the requirements. These students will now be contacted in order to take part in group discussions and rounds of personal interviews (PI).
Step 5: Group discussions (GD) and individual interviews constitute.Some universities hold GD and PI rounds to find out more about the candidate’s background and character in light of the standards the university has for its students.
Merit Based Admission Process
The detailed admissions procedure used by universities like Christ University, Bangalore, which offers ACCA admissions based on entrance exam, is provided below:
First, complete and submit the application form.
Step 2: Upload the required files.
Step 3: Pay the application fee.
Step 4 : Register for the entrance exam in step four. The student must register for the entrance exam before the deadline if the institution to which they have applied does not automatically do so.
Step 5 : Candidate shortlisting in step five: The university will choose students based on the outcomes of the entrance exams. The persons who made the short list will be contacted for additional verification.
Step 6 : Only those applicants who have been shortlisted will be contacted for personal interviews and document verification. Candidates that are judged eligible will be admitted to the course.
ACCA Syllabus
The syllabus for ACCA is divided into 13 exams and 3 course levels, which are:
- Knowledge
- Skills
- Professional
The detailed ACCA subjects for each level are given below:
ACCA Subjects: Knowledge Level
|
|
ACCA Subjects: Skills Level
|
|
ACCA Subjects: Professional Level
Compulsory ACCA Subjects |
Optional ACCA Subjects (Any 2) |
|
|
Candidates must present proof of 36 months of pertinent experience after completing all 13 ACCA tests. applicants should also complete the Ethics and Professional abilities Module, which helps applicants develop all the abilities that companies look for.
ACCA Exams
Given below is the list of the ACCA papers, which candidates must clear to earn ACCA certification:
- Audit and Assurance (AA)
- Taxation (TX)
- Performance Management (PM)
- Financial Reporting (FR)
- Financial Management (FM)
- Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
- Advanced Taxation (ATX)
- Advanced Performance Management (APM)
- Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
- Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
- Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
- Advanced Taxation (ATX)
- Corporate and Business Law (LW)
ACCA Exemptions
Depending upon the qualifications, there are certain exemptions for ACCA Exams for students, which are listed below:
Qualification |
Number of Exams |
ACCA Exemptions |
12th Pass | 13 | None |
Commerce Graduate | 9 | BT, MA, FA, LW |
CA IPCC (both) | 8 | BT, MA, FA, TX, AA |
CA | 4 | BT-FM (9 subjects) |
ACCA Course Comparison
This section compares the ACCA course to related programmes like CA, CS, and CPA in terms of prerequisites, length, cost, eligibility, admission, and other important elements.
ACCA vs CA
A globally recognised accreditation for accounting education is the ACCA. Similar accounting credentials are offered in India by the ICAI through the Chartered Accountancy (CA) programme. Knowing the differences between ACCA and CA can help you decide which is the better option for you.
Features |
ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered Accountants) |
CA (Chartered Accountant) |
Qualification Type | Professional | Professional |
Aim | Provides technical expertise in accounts and finance for superior management roles in the domain of accountancy | It prepares students to work in taxation and auditing firms by educating them on the concepts of accounts and taxation. |
Certifying Agency | Association of Certified Chartered Accountants provides ACCA certification. | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) administers CA certification. |
Course Duration | 1-7 years | 5 years |
Course Fees | INR 65,000 to 2,50,000 | INR 20,000 to 2,50,000 |
Examination Type | 13 exams in CBE mode | 3 exams |
Eligibility | 10+2 with minimum 65% in Accounts/Maths and English, 50% in other subjects | 10+2 with 4 months study period, or
BCom with minimum 50% marks |
Admission Process | Merit and entrance based | Entrance Exams |
Top Colleges | Christ University, Symbiosis College of Art and Commerce, Apeejay Stya University | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Noida, Indian Institute of Finance and Accounts, Pune, International School of Financial Studies, Secunderabad, etc. |
Career Options | Accountant, internal auditor, compliance officer, business analyst, risk manager, treasurer, business consultant, chief financial officer (CFO), etc. | Accountants, Auditors, Financial Officer, Finance Manager, Taxation Expert, Investment Advisor, etc |
Average Salary | INR 3.5-4 LPA | INR 6-8 LPA |
ACCA vs CS
The Company Secretary (CS) degree focuses exclusively on the financial and legal aspects of a corporation, whereas the ACCA course prepares students to be financial officers and accountants. The two courses are thoroughly compared here in terms of prerequisites, length, prices, admission requirements, and more:
Features |
ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered Accountants) |
CS (Company Secretary) |
Qualification Type | Professional | Professional |
Aim | Provides technical expertise in accounts and finance for superior management roles in the domain of accountancy | It prepares students for the top-level jobs in the company. It trains the students in taxation, legal laws, regulations, banking, etc. |
Certifying Agency | Association of Certified Chartered Accountants | Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) |
Course Duration | 1-7 years | 3 years |
Course Fees | INR 65,000 to 2,50,000 | INR 10,000 to INR 50,000 |
Examination Type | 13 exams in CBE mode | 3 exams |
Eligibility | 10+2 with minimum 65% in Accounts/Maths and English, 50% in other subjects | 10+2 |
Admission Process | Merit and entrance based | Entrance Exam |
Top Colleges | Christ University, Symbiosis College of Art and Commerce, Apeejay Stya University | ICSI |
Career Options | Accountant, internal auditor, compliance officer, business analyst, risk manager, treasurer, business consultant, chief financial officer (CFO), etc. | Company Secretary, Legal Manager, Executive Officer, Director, etc |
Average Salary | INR 3.5-4 LPA | INR 4-8 LPA |
ACCA vs CPA
The tabled form below details the distinctions between the ACCA and Certified Public Accountants (CPA) programmes in the USA based on factors including prerequisites, tests, length, costs, typical salaries, and more:
Features |
ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered Accountants) |
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) |
Qualification Type | Professional | Diploma |
Aim | Provides technical expertise in accounts and finance for superior management roles in the domain of accountancy | Recognized globally to offer numerous opportunities in accountancy. |
Certifying Agency | Association of Certified Chartered Accountants | American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) |
Course Duration | 1-7 years | One year or less |
Course Fees | INR 65,000 to 2,50,000 | INR 3,75,000 to 4,00,000 |
Examination Type | 13 exams in CBE mode | 4 exams in online mode |
Eligibility | 10+2 with minimum 65% in Accounts/Maths and English, 50% in other subjects | MCom or equivalent degree |
Admission Process | Merit and entrance based | Merit based |
Top Colleges | Christ University, Symbiosis College of Art and Commerce, Apeejay Stya University | EduPristine, IIKMFE Financial Education, PIRON School of Business and Management, Academy of Commerce, etc |
Career Options | Accountant, internal auditor, compliance officer, business analyst, risk manager, treasurer, business consultant, chief financial officer (CFO), etc. | Management accountant, budget analyst, financial analyst, internal auditor, comptroller, professor, VP of Finance, and Chief Financial Officer, etc. |
Average Salary | INR 3.5-4 LPA | INR 6.3 LPA |
ACCA Scope
ACCA professionals are in high demand both domestically and internationally, including in India.
The famous companies Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and others are hiring graduates with an ACCA degree.
The profiles that are open to ACCA-qualified students in India include accounting advisory, risk advisory, corporate finance, audit and assurance, internal audit, taxes, and investment advisory, among others.
These job offers are on par with those made to Indian CAs who have the same title, profile, and remuneration.
Higher Studies after ACCA Course
- After completing their ACCA course, students have the choice of continuing their study in India or abroad. After completing the ACCA course, students have several options for higher education, including:
- Globally accessible postgraduate degree in finance called “Chartered Financial Analyst” (CFA USA).
- The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA UK) provides training and certification in management accountancy and allied subjects with an emphasis on accountants who are already working in the industry. Additionally, it provides members with ongoing training and help.
- Many people regard the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) exam to be the most difficult finance exam in the world. It is the only chartered professional organisation in the UK devoted to training, developing, and regulating actuaries based both in the UK and globally.
- Practically every major bank and corporation in the world seeks candidates with Financial Risk Management (FRM US) certification, the highest credential for risk managers. It is only provided to those who can demonstrate that they have the abilities and know-how required to anticipate, handle, and adjust to urgent risk circumstances.
ACCA Careers
- Students who earn a chartered account that is ACCA accredited are equipped for senior management jobs and can quickly advance to more senior roles like Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
- The initial ACCA pay might range from INR 3.5 to 4 LPA, and there are excellent potential for lucrative opportunities in the future.
- After completing an ACCA course, one can choose from up to 18 different employment profiles, each of which offers a variety of positions. Nevertheless, there are several career paths available in the field of accounting.
ACCA Jobs and Salary
ACCA Salary in India
Given below is a list of ACCA job profiles and ACCA salary in India in a tabular form:
ACCA Jobs |
Job Description |
Average Salary |
Auditor | The role of an auditor is to review and verify the accuracy of financial records of the company. | INR 3 LPA |
Financial Accountant | Financial Accountants are responsible for keeping financial statement records, maintaining accounts, and supervising tax payments. | INR 3 LPA |
Finance Officer | Finance Officer manages activities related to accounting which involve bank reconciliations, receivable and payable accounts. | INR 3 LPA |
Account Executive | Account Executive responsibilities include advertising, marketing, and financing with close comprehension of client requirements. | INR 3.5 LPA |
Account Manager | Accounting Managers creates and implements systems for collecting, reviewing, confirming, and reporting specific categories of financial data. | INR 5.5 LPA |
Chief Financial Officer | CFO is a senior level positions that is responsible for handling the financial activities of the firm. | INR 3.5-4 LPA |
Business Analyst | Business Analysts analyses a company or industry, records its operations, systems, and procedures, and evaluates the business model and how it integrates with technology. | INR 3.5 LPA |
ACCA: Top Recruiters
Here is a list of the top recruiters that hire ACCA course graduates:
- Ernst & Young (EY)
- Deloitte
- Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG)
- Pricewaterhousecoopers (PwC)
- Grant Thornton
- BDO
Conclusion
An ACCA professional can work as a management consultant, financial planner, and other positions in addition to being an accountant. Aspects of Chartered Accountancy such as Accounting, Financial Reporting, Auditing, Taxation, Business Finance, and Financial Management are covered by the ACCA course.
You can also connect with Vihaan Education for ACCA Courses. You can buy their lectures at best prices. Also, they are having India’s leading faculties with Google drive & Live classes at best discounted prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the fullform of ACCA ?
The official name of the international accounting organisation that grants the “Certified Chartered Accountant” designation is Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
2. What is ACCA?
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is referred to as ACCA. Aspects of chartered accountancy such accounting, auditing, financial reporting, taxation, business finance, and financial management are covered in the 13 exams that make up the ACCA programme.
3. What is ACCA qualification?
For those interested in finance, the ACCA certification is the most esteemed and widely recognised certification. It equips students with the information, abilities, and morals necessary for fulfilling careers in accountancy and finance.
4. What is the eligibility criteria for ACCA ?
According to the ACCA eligibility requirements, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have finished the 10+2, and have an overall grade point average of 65% in Math/Accounts and English and 50% in all other disciplines.
5. What is ACCA salary?
The average ACCA pay in India is 8 LPA, and it can go up according on your experience and level of skill.
6. How many papers are in ACCA?
The 13 tests of the ACCA course are broken down into Knowledge, Skills, and Professional exam levels.
7. Is ACCA worth it?
Yes. Accounting professionals who want to enhance their careers in the field should take the ACCA tests. Employers all across the globe value the ACCA certification since it is a globally recognised credential. The best firms, including EY, Deloitte, and KPMG, employ ACCA-qualified applicants. Therefore, taking the ACCA professional examinations is a smart option to advance your accounting and finance career.
8. Is ACCA hard?
Yes, ACCA tests are difficult and demanding, but this is what gives the certification a high level of respect around the globe. Employers are aware of the level of commitment and seriousness needed from applicants to get the qualification, which shows how dedicated you are to your line of work.
9. Which is better CPA or ACCA?
On a global basis, ACCA and CPA are both quite well-known. Students can choose which is a better alternative for them based on their future plans, background, job interests, jurisdiction, chosen nation, and other important aspects.
10. Can I do MBA and ACCA together ?
Yes, you can combine your MBA studies with an ACCA course. In fact, ACCA preparation combined with may enable students to hone their managerial abilities as well. Students can therefore broaden their employment options to include commercial management and executive positions.
11. Does ACCA have scope in India?
Yes. The scope of ACCA is expanding quickly in India. Professionals with an ACCA degree are getting high-profile jobs abroad and being hired by MNCs in India. Candidates who are ACCA qualified have a variety of professional opportunities both domestically and abroad.
12. Is ACCA a certificate or degree?
A professional degree that is acknowledged all around the world is the ACCA. It is offered by a company that has a long history of dependable service and is well-known on a global level. ACCA Certificates are awarded at official convocation ceremonies that take place all around the world.
13. What are the 13 subjects in ACCA?
Business accounting, management accounting, financial accounting and management, corporate and business law, performance management and analysis, taxation, financial reporting, audit, and assurance are some of the advanced topics covered by ACCA courses.
14. Can I finish ACCA in 2 years ?
Yes. All ACCA tests can be passed in two years. The ACCA holds four exam sessions each year. A maximum of four exams per session are allowed, for a total of eight exams per year. As a result, passing all of the ACCA exams in two years is feasible.
15. How often are ACCA exams conducted?
Exams F1, F2, F3, and F4 are popular and can be taken at any time during the year. Four times a year, in the months of March, June, September, and December, tests for grades F5 to P7 are given.
16. How many exams can a candidate take in each session?
Students are allowed to take a maximum of 4 tests over the course of an academic year, dispersed over a maximum of 8 separate exam cycles. Any mix of computer-based and paper-based tests is available to students.
17. How many exemptions can one get for ACCA exams ?
A maximum of nine applied knowledge and applied skills tests can be granted, according to ACCA global. For the strategic professional tests, there are no exceptions, though.
18. How many papers of ACCA are exempted after MBA?
Candidates are exempt from nine examinations, which make up the first two levels of the ACCA course, if they complete an MBA. For ACCA qualification, MBA applicants just need to show up for Professional Exams.
19. Is ACCA better than a degree?
Comparatively to a degree, ACCA covers advanced accounting techniques and methodologies. Furthermore, ACCA is superior to a degree because it is an internationally recognised professional accounting qualification.
20. Is ACCA a high paying job?
ACCA gives you the opportunity to make significant professional advancement whether or not your organisation is among the most well-known in the sector. Even as a recent ACCA graduate, you may count on earning between INR 4 and 6 LPA in compensation.
21. Is ACCA recognized in Canada?
Direct recognition of the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is not yet available in Canada. Prior to April 2021, CGA Canada and ACCA had a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), which permitted ACCA members to be admitted to CPA Ontario. The same did, however, expire in April 2021.