ACCA Qualification

Professional body qualification

ACCA Qualification

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)

Needed to become an ACCA member (chartered certified accountant). It is not a legal requirement for most accounting jobs.

Awarding body

ACCA

Level

Professional qualification (the body's own levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, Strategic Professional)

Where it applies

Global, including the UK

Exams

Up to 13 exams: 3 Applied Knowledge, 6 Applied Skills and 4 Strategic Professional (2 compulsory plus 2 of 4 Options). Exemptions can reduce this.

Entry

• ACCA sets its own entry requirements and offers exemptions for some prior qualifications — check ACCA before you register.

Also required

• Ethics and Professional Skills module
• 36 months' relevant practical experience, which can be before, during or after your exams (part-time is pro-rated)
• 9 performance objectives signed off by a practical experience supervisor

Exemptions

Relevant degrees and qualifications, such as AAT, may give exemptions from some exams. ACCA charges a fee per exemption (some Foundations exemptions are free).

Continuing development

Members must keep up continuing professional development (CPD) under ACCA's rules.

Outside this area

ACCA is recognised in many countries; recognition for specific roles depends on local rules.

Assessment and registration fees

• ACCA's UK fee page shows the December 2026 session only, with standard entry (closes 2 November 2026) and late entry (closes 9 November 2026). No early-entry price is listed.
• Fees from training providers (tuition) are separate and are not set by ACCA.

Membership and subscriptions