ACCA (UK)
ACCA — Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Market scope
Global accounting, audit and reporting. Big 4 and shared-service centres; recognised across the UK, Middle East, Singapore and 180+ countries. The primary route for reporting and audit careers outside the US.
Reality check
- Official fees
- ₹2.5L–₹3.3L
- GBP 30 registration, GBP 140 annual subscription over ~3 years, Ethics module and up to 13 exams (Applied Skills GBP 151, Strategic Professional GBP 191–268 in 2026); exemptions reduce the count but cost GBP 84–111 each
- Months to complete
- 24–36
- Pass rate
- ≈41–55% per paper at Applied Skills · 39–51% at Strategic Professional (June 2026); 60–85% at Applied Knowledge
- Training
- Required, flexible
- 36 months of practical experience, flexible and alongside a job
Recommend when: Flexible windows, exemptions for B.Com and CA, UK, Gulf and Big 4 roles
Hold back when: You need India statutory signing authority (that is the CA licence)
Official fees in INR (registration, exams, membership — coaching excluded), realistic months including any mandatory training, and the awarding body's published pass rate. Verify with the awarding body before you register.
- Who it is for
- Class 12 pass (65% in Maths/Accounts and English, 50% in others) or any graduate; global reporting and audit careers.
- Structure
- 13 exams in 3 levels — Applied Knowledge (BT, MA, FA), Applied Skills (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM), Strategic Professional (SBL, SBR + two of AFM, APM, ATX, AAA) — plus the Ethics & Professional Skills module and 36 months of practical experience. Redesign to 11 papers planned for 2027.
- Eligibility
- See above; B.Com typically earns 4–5 exemptions, CA Inter up to 6, CA up to 9.
- Duration
- 2–3 years (less with exemptions).
- Exam windows
- Knowledge papers on demand; others in March, June, September, December.
- Experience requirement
- 36 months (PER), can run alongside study.
- What comes next
- ATX option for taxation; US CPA later for US reporting.
Facts last reviewed: 2026-10-23
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