ACCA Syllabus

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) credential is a globally acknowledged qualification. It is mostly intended for accountants and is known for upholding strict standards. You can work in a variety of business and financial roles after obtaining this certification. The goal of this post is to provide you with the clearest understanding of the ACCA certification framework. It is essential to have a clear understanding of the ACCA syllabus before making the final decision on whether or not you have the qualifications, skills, and knowledge to appear for this exam. So let us take a detailed look at the ACCA Syllabus.

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ACCA Syllabus: Introduction

You may have a higher chance of pursuing an international job if you pursue the ACCA certificate. Globally, the accounting group has over 7,400 ACCA-approved employers, including large corporations such as Accenture, American Express Services, and 3i Group PLC. If you want to work in finance abroad, the ACCA degree is a fantastic option. ACCA graduates currently have significant financial responsibilities in 179 different countries. Through its career platform, ACCA jobs, ACCA also provides placement services with thousands of openings in leading international finance businesses.

A solid foundation in accounting concepts, strategic thinking, professional skills, ethics, and commercial acumen may be developed with the aid of the ACCA course. These traits can make you a valuable asset to several leading financial companies. What is the best part? Numerous governments and countries seek the financial and economic advice of ACCA.

As we said this is an important certification and the platform organising this exam holds the highest and strictest standards. So, it is very essential to have good knowledge of the ACCA syllabus, the Structure and phases of the exam, the pattern of questions, the assessment process and the marking scheme.

Structure of the ACCA Qualification

The structure of the ACCA exam is very straightforward. There are 3+1 phases for this test.  Thirteen exams are distributed under these levels. A brief explanation of the three levels of ACCA is given below.

Applied Knowledge Module

This is the first level of ACCA certification. Fundamental principles in accounting and finance are taught to applicants at the Foundation Level of the ACCA qualification program. The following three topics are covered at the Foundation Level:

Business and Technology (BT)

Recognize the corporate environment and the ways that technology affects it.

Management Accounting (MA)

Understanding the fundamentals of management accounting, which include planning and control.

Financial Accounting (FA) 

Grasp the foundations of financial accounting and reporting.

Who is eligible for this level? Starting at this level is open to anyone. This is where you should start if you have never worked in accounting before. You can work as a trainee, bookkeeper, or trainee accountant after finishing this level.

Applied Skills Module

The second phase of ACCA qualifying is this. This level covers more advanced accounting and business topics, building on your foundational knowledge. The Skills Level layer comes next. This level, as its name suggests, equips candidates with a range of abilities based on their foundational knowledge. Topics coming under this level are listed below.

Business & Corporate Law (LW)

Learn the laws that govern how businesses operate.

Performance Management (PM)

Comprehend decision-making and management accountancy.

Taxation (TX)

Learn the principles of taxation and know how to use them.

Financial Reporting (FR) 

Learn more about the standards for financial accounting and reporting.

Audit and Assurance (AA)

Study the methods and concepts of auditing.

Financial Management (FM)

Learn how to manage the financial resources of a business.

Those who have completed the Applied Knowledge level or who possess the necessary training or experience are eligible for this level. You can apply for positions as an internal auditor, trainee business analyst, or finance trainee after finishing this level.

Strategic Professional Module

The Strategic Professional Level is the last ACCA qualification level. This is the most crucial level since it imparts professional qualities like management and leadership, which are crucial in the business sector, in addition to accounting knowledge. There are two kinds of subjects at this level. Subjects that are required fall within the first group, and applicants can select their areas of specialization from the second set. This is the top tier, where advanced professional skills and strategic thinking are prioritized. The mandatory subjects are listed below.

Strategic Business Leader (SBL)

Develop your strategic management and leadership abilities.

Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)

Learn about advanced company analysis and financial reporting.

Some elective subjects are also there from which you have to choose two. They are listed below.

• Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
• Advanced taxation (ATX)
• Advanced Performance Management (APM)
• Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

The Applied Skills level is the prerequisite for this level, which is meant for students who are ready to take advanced professional exams. You can get employment in senior financial jobs after finishing this level. Once you complete every level, you can also join the ACCA as a member. In the United Kingdom, passing the Strategic Professional Examination is regarded as earning a master’s degree.

Ethics and Professional Skills Module

There is an Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM) in addition to the three levels. The ten sections that comprise the Ethics and Professional Skills module include an end-of-module evaluation question intended to assess your level of learning. The official ACCA website states that completing this level would take about 15 hours. The goal of this module is to provide every accountant with a strong sense of ethical behaviour and professional skills. It emphasizes the following:

• Ethical judgment and decision-making.
• The ethics and professionalism of accountants.
• Interpersonal skills and effective communication.

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ACCA Syllabus

It is very important to understand the syllabus of an exam before starting your preparation. ACCA is no different. Let us look at the different papers in ACCA certification and topics coming under each section. The ACCA syllabus is provided in PDF format here for your convenience.

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Exams and Assessment Methods

You might be wondering what the format of ACCA exams is. Are they computer-based or written exams? What are the types of questions asked? Are they multiple-choice, case study or long-form analytical questions​? We answer all those questions in this section.

• Exams for the ACCA are entirely computer-based.
• Since there are time limits for every section of the exam, time management skills are essential.
• To pass the test, you must receive a minimum total pass grade, which is usually 50%. However, certain tests may require a minimum grade for each section.

The ACCA test structure varies depending on whether you are taking a Fundamentals Skills examination or an Applied Skills Examination. It is critical to check the format before beginning your preparations.

Fundamentals Skills Exams

There are two sections in this exam.

Applied Skills Exams (LW, TX, FR, PM, FM, AA)

There may be some variations in the ACCA test format for Applied Skills examinations among subjects. Nonetheless, they often adhere to the same exam structure:

Practical Experience Requirements (PER)

You also need to fulfil the Practical Experience Requirement to become an ACCA member. Getting appropriate work experience in accounting or finance-related professions is part of this. A minimum of three years (36 months) of supervised experience must be obtained. Achieving ACCA objectives related to the knowledge and abilities you learned throughout your studies is also required.

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ACCA Exam Schedule

Every year, the dates of the ACCA exams change, therefore it’s important to verify the most recent test schedule and dates on the official ACCA website. All ACCA tests are administered in four sessions over four months each year, with no defined schedule in place (March, June, September and December). The ACCA tests are available for take on-demand or during this session-based exam schedule. During the four ACCA test sessions each year, you are only allowed to try eight papers in total; however, there is no such limit for on-demand examinations. Results for ACCA on-demand tests are released in less than 72 hours, whereas session-based exam results are released after six weeks.

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Study Resources and Tips for Success

Some study tips for clearing your ACCA exam are discussed below.

• Make a study schedule and stick to it. To keep track of your study time and notes, use calendars and apps.
• ACCA provides several items, including study materials, practice examinations, and online forums.
• Collaborate with other students preparing for the ACCA exam. Here you can discuss challenges, exchange notes, and inspire one another.
• Never hesitate to join online support groups or ask tutors for help.
• The EPSM is important. Your academic and professional success will increase if you understand ethical issues.

Now we know all the specifics of exam ACCA syllabus and exam format. We have also discussed some tips for exam preparation. But can we do it alone? To whom we can turn for support? This is where a mentor and well-prepared study materials come into play. And where can we find good mentors and good quality study materials for ACCA exam prep? The answer is no other than the Entri app!

Entri Elevate is presently offering an ACCA course that is well-curated for student success in the ACCA exam. They provide live and recorded sessions provided by expert mentors and good quality study materials. Entri ACCA course also has AI-integrated learning and live doubt-clearing sessions. This is not something that all ACCA coaching platforms offer. Entri Elevate ACCA course combines the benefits of both online and offline coaching. You can never go wrong choosing this. Besides all these, the Entri Elevate ACCA course also offers placement assistance to its students. So, we can say without a doubt that joining the Entri Elevate ACCA course is better than joining most offline coaching centres or even preparing alone.

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ACCA Syllabus: Conclusion

Aspiring accountants may confidently traverse the ACCA path by knowing its relevance, structure, main subjects, optional papers, test format, practical experience requirement, and accessible study materials and assistance. Success in the ACCA qualification is attainable with commitment, persistence, and efficient test preparation, opening the door to a fulfilling career in the accounting industry.

The road to ACCA qualifying calls for commitment, perseverance, and tolerance. However, it provides a fulfilling profession in accounting and finance because of its flexible structure and well-known worldwide. Reaching your professional objectives begins with understanding the ACCA certification framework, regardless of your level of experience or desire to progress in your career. The detailed ACCA syllabus provided in this blog will help you to begin this journey.