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Chetna Verma

Updated on 13th February, 2024 , 11 min read

ACCA: Full Form, Eligibilty, Course Details, Subjects, Certificate, Jobs, and Salary

Course

ACCA Full Form is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Formed in 1904, ACCA is a global accounting body that offers “Certified Chartered Accountant” certification.  ACCA course duration varies according to the level of education of the students. The course duration of the ACCA course is 3 years for students who have completed 12th, 2-2.5 years for commerce graduates, 2 years for IPCC groups, and 1 year for BCom and CA graduates.

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ACCA-Full-Form

As per the ACCA eligibility criteria, the student must be at least 18 years, and should have completed 10+2 with an aggregate score of 65% in mathematics/accounts and English, and a minimum of 50% aggregate in all other subjects. Among others, students pursuing BComBBA, BMS, and other commerce or business-related disciplines can also apply for ACCA courses alongside graduation. All colleges and institutes accept and follow the same ACCA eligibility criteria.

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ACCA Salary in India

ACCA Subjects

ACCA comprises 13 courses that are further divided into 3 levels, which are Knowledge, Skills, and Professional.  All three exams are computer-based (CBE). ACCA admission is based on both entrance as well as merit. Colleges like Apeejay Stya University admit students based on their exam score history. Many universities, like Christ University, have their own ACCA entrance exams. 

The ACCA course fees for top universities range from INR 28,000 to INR 2,60,000. Apart from this, students also have the option to combine the ACCA syllabus with BBA or BCom, which makes it a popular choice among commerce students. ACCA careers include Accountants, Auditors, Finance managers, Business Analyst, Taxation Expert, etc. The ACCA average salary ranges between INR 3.5- 4 LPA. Go through the complete article to learn more about ACCA course details, exams, admission, syllabus, subjects, jobs, career, salary, and more.

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 a minimum 65% aggregate in Math's/Accounts and English, and 50% in other subjects

ACCA Admission

Merit and Entrance exam followed by interview round

ACCA Entrance Exam

CUETSETSUAT

Top ACCA Colleges

Christ UniversitySymbiosis College of Arts and CommerceGlobal Centre for Entrepreneurship and Commerce

ACCA Career Prospects

Accountants, Auditors, Finance managers, Business Analysts, Taxation Expert

ACCA Average Salary

INR 3.5 to 4 LPA

Top ACCA Recruiters

PwC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG, Grant Thornton

Read More: Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (BAF)

What is ACCA?

  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, better known as ACCA is a universally recognized certification course with over 200,000 members and 600,000 students across 180+ countries.
  • ACCA is considered one of the most prestigious certifications in the field of accounting and is highly sought after by students who want to build a successful career in accounting.
  • ACCA is applicable to every country as it is one of the most respected qualifications.
  • Based on international accounting and auditing standards, the ACCA is a high-level professional qualification that is equivalent to earning a full university degree
  • The ACCA course can be taken parallel with the student's degree programs like B.Com, BBA, etc. More so, it can be integrated into the degree course itself.
  • Since ACCA offers a very flexible exam structure, it is an attractive choice for students pursuing or passing out graduation degrees.
  • ACCA consists of 13 required exams that must be completed in a maximum of 7 years.
  • The ACCA qualification is an all-inclusive qualification that includes financial statements, management accounting, business taxation and legislation, audit, and business ethics.
  • The ACCA syllabus is both industry-relevant and globally accredited, which provides an excellent opportunity for students to establish a career in accounts and finance.

ACCA Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the ACCA course are as follows:

  • Students must be at least 18 years old or above.
  • Students must have completed 10+2 as the minimum qualification to be eligible for the ACCA course.
  • Students must have achieved a minimum of 65% marks in Accounts/Mathematics and English
  • Students must have scored 50% in all other subjects to be eligible for the ACCA course.

ACCA Entrance Exams

Generally, ACCA does not require entrance exams. However, there are some colleges that conduct entrance exams to grant ACCA admissions. Here is a list of the entrance exams for ACCA course admissions:

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

ACCA Admission 2024

There are two modes for admission into the ACCA Course, which are as follows:

  1. Merit-based
  2. Entrance Exam Based

Merit-Based Admission Process

acca-admission-merit-based

 

Given below is the step-by-step admission process followed by colleges like Apeejay Stya University, Gurgaon that offer merit-based ACCA admissions:

  • Step 1: Fill and Submit Application Form: Students must fill out the application form either online or offline, as some universities only accept online applications while others accept both.
  • Step 2: Upload documents: Following completion of the application form's mandatory fields, students must scan and upload all relevant documents for admission and verification to the admissions portal.
  • Step 3: Application Fee: Students should pay the application fee, which varies from college to college. They will then receive their application number through SMS or email.
  • Step 4: Review of Applications and Shortlisting of Individuals: After reviewing student applications to see whether they meet the requirements, the university's admission team will select candidates. Now, these students will be contacted to participate in group discussions and personal interview (PI) rounds.
  • Step 5: Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews: GD and PI rounds are conducted by some institutions to learn more about the candidate's character and background in relation to what the university expects from its students.

Entrance Exam-Based Admission Process

acca-admission-entrance-exam-based

Given below is the step-by-step process admission process followed by colleges like Christ University, Bangalore that offers ACCA admissions based on entrance exam:

  • Step 1: Fill and Submit Application Form.
  • Step 2: Upload the necessary documents.
  • Step 3: Pay the Application Fee.
  • Step 4: Register for the Entrance Exam. If the institution to which the student has applied does not automatically register the student, it is the student's duty to register for the entrance exam before the deadline.
  • Step 5: Shortlisting of candidates: Based on the results of the entrance exams, the university will narrow down the candidates. For additional verification, the shortlisted individuals will be contacted.
  • Step 6: Document Verification and Personal Interviews: Only the candidates who have been shortlisted will be contacted for personal interviews and document verification. Admission to the course shall be given to the candidates who are deemed eligible.

ACCA Syllabus

The syllabus for ACCA is divided into 13 exams and 3 course levels, which are:

  1. Knowledge
  2. Skills
  3. Professional

The detailed ACCA subjects for each level are given below:

ACCA Subjects: Knowledge Level

  • Business Accounting 
  • Financial Accounting
  • Management Accounting 

ACCA Subjects: Skills Level

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

ACCA Subjects: Professional Level

Compulsory ACCA Subjects

Optional ACCA Subjects (Any 2)

  • Strategic Business Leadership
  • Strategic Business Reporting
  • Advanced Financial Management
  • Advanced Performance Management
  • Advanced Taxation
  • Advanced Audit and Assurance

After passing all 13 ACCA exams, candidates must document 36 months of relevant experience. Additionally, candidates should finish the Ethics and Professional Skills Module, which aids in the development of all the skills required by employers.

ACCA Exams

Given below is the list of the ACCA papers, which candidates must clear to earn ACCA certification:

  1. Audit and Assurance (AA)
  2. Taxation (TX) 
  3. Performance Management (PM)
  4. Financial Reporting (FR)
  5. Financial Management (FM)
  6. Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
  7. Advanced Taxation (ATX)
  8. Advanced Performance Management (APM)
  9. Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) 
  10. Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
  11. Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
  12. Advanced Taxation (ATX)
  13. 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)

Please take note that these are only preliminary information. To learn more about eligibility and exemptions based on your present qualifications, visit ACCA Global.

ACCA Course: Recommended Books

Given below is the list of the important ACCA books:

  • ACCA Approved Guides by Kaplan Publishing
  • ACCA Approved Textbooks & Work Books by BPP Learning Media
  • Revision Kits by Becker Professional Education

ACCA Top Colleges 

acca-top-colleges

ACCA Course is available in two forms. Firstly, in combination with BBA or BCom or secondly, individually. The top colleges that offer ACCA coursestop-levelanalyze are as follows:

College Name

ACCA Course Fees

ACCA Placements

Christ University

INR 2,20,000

INR 6,85,000

Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce

INR 28,000 to 68,000

INR 4,00,000

Sharda University

INR 1,64,000 

INR 11,00,000

Apeejay Stya University

INR 2,60,000

INR 4,68,000

Global Centre for Entrepreneurship & Commerce

INR 1,09,000

INR 7,00,000

Manipal University

INR 1,70,000

INR 6,20,000

Gitam Institute of Management

INR 90,000

INR 4,50,000

ACCA Course Comparison

In this section, we have compared the ACCA course with similar courses like CA, CS, and CPA in terms of qualification, duration, fees, eligibility, admission, and other considerable factors.

ACCA vs CA

ACCA is an internationally recognized accountancy course certification. In India, ICAI provides a similar accountancy qualification namely Chartered Accountancy (CA) course. Know the details of ACCA vs CA to choose which is a more suitable 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

The Association of Certified Chartered Accountants provides ACCA certification.

The 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 a minimum ofOfficers 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

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 Managers, Taxation Experts, Investment Advisors, etc

Average Salary

INR 3.5-4 LPA

INR 6-8 LPA

Know more: CA Salary in India

ACCA vs CS

While the ACCA course prepares candidates to be financial officers and accountants, Company Secretary (CS) course is all about financial and legal aspects of a corporation. Below is the detailed comparison of both the courses in terms of qualification, duration, fees, eligibility, admission, 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-levels 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 a minimum of 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

See Also: How to Become a Company Secretary

ACCA vs CPA

The tabulated form below mentions the difference between ACCA and Certified Public Accountants (CPA) course in USA on parameters such as qualification, examination, duration, fees, average salary 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 for offering 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 

  • The demand for ACCA professionals is rising quickly in India as well as worldwide and in India.
  • Students with an ACCA qualification can get employment at prestigious firms like Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, HSBC, Standard Chartered, and others.
  • Accounting advisory, risk advisory, corporate finance, audit and assurance, internal audit, taxation, investment advisory, etc. are among the profiles available to ACCA-qualified students in India.
  • These employment offers are comparable to those for Indian CAs with the same designation, profile, and compensation packages.

Higher Studies after ACCA Course

Students have the option of continuing their education in India or overseas after completing their ACCA course. After ACCA course completion, students can opt for higher studies options like:

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA USA), a postgraduate degree in finance that is available globally.
  • The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA UK) focuses on accountants who are currently employed in the field and offers training and certification in management accountancy and related fields. It also offers members continuous assistance and training.
  • Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to educating, developing, and regulating actuaries based both in the UK and internationally, and is considered by many to be the toughest finance exam in the world.
  • Financial Risk Management (FRM US), the top certification for risk managers, is sought after by practically every major bank and company in the globe. It is only given to people who can prove they have the skills and knowledge necessary to foresee, address, and adapt to pressing risk situations.

ACCA Careers

  • Students who get an ACCA-qualified chartered account are prepared for senior management roles and can easily climb up to senior positions like Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
  • The initial ACCA salary can range anywhere between INR 3.5-4 LPA with bright chances of profitable opportunities in the future.
  • There are as many as 18 job profiles that one can explore after the ACCA course, and each profile offers different positions. That said, there are numerous career options in the domain of accountancy.

ACCA Jobs and Salary

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 the 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

The Finance Officer manages activities related to accounting which involve bank reconciliations and 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 create and implement systems for collecting, reviewing, confirming, and reporting specific categories of financial data.

INR 5.5 LPA

Chief Financial Officer

CFO is a senior-level position that is responsible for handling the financial activities of the firm.

INR 3.5-4 LPA

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze a company or industry, record its operations, systems, and procedures, and evaluate the business model and how it integrates with technology.

INR 3.5 LPA

ACCA: Top Recruiters

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

ACCA full form is Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is the global accounting body that provides “Certified Chartered Accountant” qualification.

ACCA refers to Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. ACCA course includes 13 exams and covers aspects of chartered accountancy like accounting, auditing, financial reporting, taxation, business finance, and financial management.

ACCA provides knowledge about the concepts of CA along with additional information on UK laws, IFRS, and FAAP. Therefore, ACCA is a better option for students who desire to make a career in abroad. Moreover, ACCA is more flexible as compared to CA as it allows students to exempt one paper in each attempt.

The ACCA qualification is most prestigious and globally recognized qualification for finance aspirants. It trains students with the knowledge, skills, and values required to have successful careers in the domain of accountancy and finance.

The ACCA eligibility criteria allows students with a minimum of 18 years of age, who has completed 10+2 with 65% aggregate score in Maths/Accounts and English and 50% aggregate score in other subjects to apply for the course.

The average ACCA salary in India is 8 LPA, which can increase as per your experience and expertise level.

The ACCA course consists of 13 exams which are divided into 3 exam level namely, Knowledge, Skills, and Professional.

Yes. ACCA exams are worthwhile for accounting professionals wanting to advance their careers in the domain. Since, ACCA is a globally recognized certification, it is valued by employers all over the world. Top companies like EY, Deloitte, KPMG hire ACCA qualified candidates. So, it is good option to take ACCA professional exams to take the accounting and finance career to the next level.

Yes, ACCA exams are hard and challenging, but that’s what make the certification highly reputable throughout the world. Employers are aware of the level of dedication and seriousness required of students to earn the qualification, which demonstrates how committed you are to your profession.

Both ACCA and CPA are quite well-known on a global scale. Students can decide based on their future plans, background, career interests, jurisdiction, preferred country, and other considerable factors, which is a better option for them.

Yes, it is possible to study MBA with ACCA course. In fact, combining ACCA preparation with may allow students to work at their managerial skills as well. Hence, students can expand their career options to business management and executive roles as well.

Yes. ACCA has a fast-growing scope in India. Professionals with an ACCA degree are being hired by MNCs in India and obtaining high-profile positions abroad. ACCA qualified candidates have a wide range of career prospects at both national as well as international level.

ACCA is a professional degree, which is recognized worldwide. It is provided by an organisation with decades of reputable service that is recognised on a global scale. ACCA Certificates are presented during official convocation events held all throughout the world.

ACCA subjects include topics like Business Accounting, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting and Management, Corporate and Business Law, Performance Management and Analysis, Taxation, Financial Reporting, Audit and Assurance on an advanced level.

Yes. It is possible to pass all ACCA exams in 2 years. Each year, ACCA conducts four exam sessions. Students are permitted to take a maximum of four exams per session, for a total of eight tests per year. As a result, it is possible to finish all of the ACCA tests in two years.

F1, F2, F3, and F4 are in-demand exams and can be taken whenever you want during the year. F5 to P7 exams are held four times a year in the months of March, June, September, December.

During the course of a calendar year, students are permitted to take a maximum of 4 exams, spread throughout a maximum of 8 different exam cycles. Students can pick any combination of computer-based and paper-based exams.

As per ACCA global, a maximum if nine applied knowledge and applied skills exams can be awarded. However, there are no exemptions for strategic professional exams.

After MBA, candidates are exempted from 9 papers, which constitutes the first two levels of the ACCA course. MBA candidates only have to appear for Professional Exams to be ACCA qualified.

ACCA covers advanced accounting techniques and methods as compared to a degree. Moreover, ACCA is a globally recognized professional accounting qualification, making it better than a degree.

ACCA enables you to achieve enormous career progress despite the fact if your company is one of the most popular ones in the industry or not. Even as an ACCA fresher, you can expect a salary anywhere between INR 4 to 6 LPA.

ACCA certificate means you have CA knowledge as well as additional knowledge of UK Laws, FAAP, IFRS. Thus, students wanting a career abroad can choose ACCA as a better option.

Currently, ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is not recognized in Canada directly. Before April 2021, there as a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between CGA Canada and ACCA, allowing ACCA members to be admitted top CPA Ontario. However, the same expired in April 2021.

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