A lot of Indian students want to give a career in accounting a jump start right after Class 12. ACCA after 12th is one of the best options. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is an international academy for professional accountants. More than 180 nations recognize it. Students can start their ACCA course just after their Class 12. If your dream is to be in companies or shall set up abroad for a finance job, then your path is straight. ACCA allows students from commerce backgrounds to apply after 12th grade. You don’t need a college degree to begin. But you must meet the ACCA eligibility after 12th. ACCA gives a great pathway to job profiles as an auditor, a financial analyst, and an accountant in large MNCs.
What is ACCA?
ACCA stands for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a UK-based global professional organizing body for accountants. ACCA helps students build strong accounting and finance knowledge. The course comprises practical training and theory.
You can pursue ACCA after 12th if you have done commerce with basic credits in English and Math. It involves 13 papers spread into three levels called Knowledge, Skill, and Professional.
| ACCA Course Structure | |
| Level | No. of Papers Description |
| Knowledge | 3 Basic concepts of accounting |
| Skill | 6 Intermediate subjects |
| Professional | 4 Advanced financial and auditing |
Apart from that, students also need to complete an Ethics module and three years’ work experience (PER) to receive full ACCA membership.
Why to Choose ACCA?
After the 12th it is one of the very first steps given towards international accounting. It has worldwide acceptance, flexible exams, and great job opportunities. Many Indian students have taken up ACCA to build their international career.
Global Recognition and Career Scope
It supports graduating students to gain employment in MNCs, Big Four firms, or the running of their own practice.
- The ACCA qualification is accepted in 180-plus countries.
- Most multinational companies prefer candidates certified with ACCA.
Cost and Flexibility
- Lower in cost than other international courses like CPA and CFA.
- You can study at your pace.
- Exams happen 4 times a year: March, June, September, and December.
Work + Study Together
Many Indian students choose to pursue ACCA along with their graduation (like in B.Com.) It also saves time in some way. Internships can also be pursued along with studies of ACCA.
Why does ACCA suit Indian students after Class 12?
- It offers early exposure to accounting with international grains.
- ACCA is for those who seek international job roles.
- You get deep knowledge of IFRS, auditing, taxation, and financial management.
If you want to work globally in finance, then your next question should be: how to do ACCA after 12th. Let’s delve into that next.
ACCA Course Duration After 12th
The duration of ACCA course after 12th depends entirely on how fast a candidate clears the exams. Most students end up taking anywhere from 2.5 to 3 years. Also, the training can be done alongside study. Planning your timeline will help you peg yourself on the runway much faster into ACCA qualification.
Course Duration Breakdown
- ACCA comprises a total of 13 papers.
- Generally, most people take around 2-3 years to complete all exams.
- 3 years’ experience has to be submitted to the institute as per what the institute says.
You can start working or go for an internship during your course, and this work will also count toward your ACCA Training.
Fast Track Options
- These days, students opting for a full-time course can do ACCA in 2.5 years.
- While if you enter for Graduation + ACCA, it may take anywhere around 3-4 years.
- Some colleges in India are now offering integrated courses of ACCA + B.Com.
Hence, the answer to the question, “Can I do ACCA after 12th and finish it early?” is – Yes, you can. A well-laid plan coupled along with dedication can get you an ACCA affiliate even before turning 22.
ACCA Eligibility After 12th
Provides you with the insight on whether you can join straight out of school. Students belonging to a commerce stream, having the required marks, can join directly. Others must prefer the Foundation route first.
Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students
- You need to pass Class 12 examination from any recognized board.
- The minimum eligibility marks are 65% in English and Math/Accounts.
- The minimum eligibility marks are 50% in other subjects.
If you do not meet these marks, then the Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) route would be the one to follow.
Understanding Foundation Route
You can consider this route when you have a low Class 12 score and not belong to the commerce background. The FIA route includes clearing basic papers, then applying for the primary ACCA course. Many students wonder, “How to do ACCA after 12th if I have a science or arts background?” – You can apply through the Foundation course.
Key Highlights are:
- You may start directly if you are a commerce student with 65% or above in English and Mathematics.
- All the others shall undergo the Foundation route.
- No entrance test exists for the Foundation course.
- ACCA can be pursued by anyone from any stream, but it is most apt for persons coming from Commerce background.
Due to such wide eligibility, ACCA after the 12th option is excellent for Indian students.
ACCA Course Details After 12th
The ACCA course details after 12th would help students to understand the entire structure of the qualification before they go into it. The course is divided into three levels, with a total of 13 papers. It covers topics like accounting, taxation, audit, and financial management. In addition, students must complete practical training and ethics modules to be fully qualified.
Levels and Papers
The ACCA course details after 12th show how real knowledge in respective areas is attained preparing one for global finance jobs.
- Knowledge Level (3 papers)
- Business & Technology (BT)
- Management Accounting (MA)
- Financial Accounting (FA)
- Skill Level (6 papers)
- Corporate and Business Law (LW)
- Performance Management (PM)
- Taxation (TX)
- Financial Reporting (FR)
- Audit and Assurance (AA)
- Financial Management (FM)
- Professional Level (4 papers)
- Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
- Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
- Optional (Any 2 from):
- Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
- Advanced Performance Management (APM)
- Advanced Taxation (ATX)
- Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
- Additional Requirements
- Ethics and Professional Skills Module (online)
- 3 years of Practical Experience (can be done with an internship)
Exemption Application Procedure in ACCA Examinations
Sometimes students inquire about it. If you study for B.Com or CA Intermediate, then you may be eligible for exemptions from papers.
What are Exemptions?
Exemptions are granted to candidates so that they do not need to take ACCA exams on subjects which they have already studied either at college level or on some professional courses.
Who Can Apply?
- For B.Com graduates
- Those who passed CA Foundation and CA Inter
- MBA (Finance) candidates
Steps Involved in Applying:
- Open the ACCA Global website.
- Open the exemption calculator page.
- Upload your mark sheets and documents.
- ACCA will come back to you with the list of exams you are exempted from taking.
- Pay the exemption fee corresponding to the number of papers you are exempted from.
Key Points:
- There are no exemptions available after the Professional level papers.
- You can receive exemptions only if the syllabus of your degree fits the requirements exactly.
- Always check the ACCA website for the latest guidelines.
While this may not be for those doing ACCA right after 12th, this is useful for ACCA done after graduation.
ACCA After 12th FAQs
1. Can I go straight into ACCA after my class 12th?
Yes, there is a direct path into ACCA after 12th if you have 65% in English and Maths, respectively, and a passing score of 50% in any other subjects. Usually, students of commerce directly qualify for direct entry.
2. Which is better: CA or ACCA?
The CA course is best for those aspiring to work under Indian jurisdiction, and the ACCA course is apt for those wishing to mint foreign portfolios. ACCA favors flexibility and international exposure.
3. Is ACCA unemployed in India?
No, ACCA-qualified candidates are in demand in many top MNCs and Big Four firms in India. The scope of jobs also increases with the demand for global accounting standards.
4. Can I have ACCA after 12th without maths?
You can, but then you will have to qualify with at least 65% in English and either Maths or Accounts.Otherwise, choose the Foundation route and pursue ACCA.
5. What is the salary of ACCA professionals in India?
An ACCA fresher in India gets paid somewhere between ₹5 to ₹8 LPA as per his/her skills and company. With experience, they go beyond ₹12 LPA.
