The ACCA duration varies from one candidate to another depending on their academic qualifications, exemptions, and study pace. Students may take an average of 2 to 3 years to complete the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course, but it depends on the circumstances. ACCA is a global accounting qualification that offers access to different career opportunities in finance and accounting. In this article, we will discuss the duration, eligibility criteria, exemptions, and syllabus regarding the ACCA course for Indian students in detail.
What is ACCA?
ACCA is a globally recognized, UK-based professional body of professional accountants. It offers a qualification accepted in more than 180 countries; India, one of those countries, equips students with the knowledge and skills to progress into careers in accounting, finance, taxation, and management consulting.
ACCA Exam Details
The ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification involves 13 papers across three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. Here is the detailed breakdown of the exam structure, subjects, passing criteria, and other essential details.
| Particulars | Overview | Subjects | Exam Type |
| Applied Knowledge | 3 Exams | BT, MA, FA | Computer-Based (CBT) |
| Applied Skills | 6 Exams | LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM | Computer/Paper-Based |
| Strategic Professional | 4 (2 compulsory + 2 optional) Exams | SBL, SBR, + (AFM/APM/ATX/AAA) | Computer/Paper-Based |
| Total Exams | 13 | Across all levels | CBT/Paper-Based |
| Passing Marks | 50% per exam | The minimum required to pass | – |
| Exam Sessions | 4 per year | March, June, September, December | – |
| Exemptions | Up to 9 exams | Based on prior qualifications | – |
| Practical Experience | 36 months | Required for full ACCA membership | – |
What is the Seven Year Rule?
The seven-year rule applies to the Strategic Professional levels under ACCA. After passing the first Strategic Professional paper, you are given seven years to complete all the papers required for affiliate status. Excess passes after the seven-year deadline will expire if you do not pass your Strategic Professional papers within that time. You should pay to sit for those papers again to qualify.
For instance, Suppose you passed Advanced Financial Management (AFM) in December 2016. The pass in the case of that exam will lapse if you do not clear all your Strategic Professional exams by December 2023. If the exam expires, you must re-attempt AFM to complete your ACCA qualification.
Exams from Foundations in Accountancy, Applied Knowledge, and Applied Skills levels never expire. Only the seven-year rule applies to Strategic Professional exams.
Why is this Rule in place?
ACCA sets this rule so that, Every student gets a fair opportunity to complete the qualification within a reasonable time. The employers get professionals with updated knowledge, as accounting and finance standards change with time. Students remain devoted and complete exams on time. Many companies even have internal company policies that necessitate employees to complete ACCA in a certain amount of time.
How do I know if I’m affected?
If your first available exam session for eligibility was before December 2015, then you were permitted a 10-year limit for the full qualification in ACCA from the registration date. After your 10-year limit is over, any Strategic Professional exam results older than seven years will expire.
You can check your my ACCA account to see when your exam results will expire. If you’re not sure where you stand, then it’s best to confirm this with the ACCA directly.
Impact of syllabus Changes
All examination passes and exemptions earned before September 2018, under the syllabus in place before this date, will be converted to Strategic Professional passes and retained at the same expiry date.
Candidates who have passed the P1 and P3 exams will also be awarded a converted pass for the Strategic Business Leader exam. The expiry date for converted passes will be the date of the latter of the two exams.
What do I Need to do if I’m Affected?
Plan your ACCA exams according to the four sittings you are allowed to attend in one year, March, June, September, and December. Try to pass at least two exams a year for proper completion of the qualification in minimal time, ensuring an appropriate schedule and progress in balancing work and study to get the certificate finally.
This might require better preparation by joining tuition providers that guide students with professional help. For further assistance, ACCA has various materials, including study material, practice exams, and online tutorials, to make the study material more profound and build confidence before exam times. So, this increases the performance even further.
Maximum extension: One year (four exam sessions). Only one extension request is allowed per student. The expired results cannot be renewed once they expire. Converted exemptions will not be extended.
What to do If My Last Session Expires?
You may request an extension if you haven’t sat your ACCA exams within the given timeframe for reasons that could not have been foreseen and are beyond your control. Requests for an extension are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by ACCA; however, approval is not assured.
Extensions are granted in exceptional circumstances, such as critical illness or bereavement requiring long-term care. The maximum allowed extension is up to one year and covers four exam sessions. Each student may apply for an extension only once.
It is worth noting that exam results are not reinstated after passing. Also, any exemptions that may be transferred from other qualifications will not extend beyond the original validity period.
ACCA Duration
The ACCA duration differs for each student based on their educational background, the number of exemptions they are granted, and the speed at which they attempt the exams. In general, it takes 2-4 years.
ACCA Duration After 12th
If you begin your ACCA right after completing your 12th grade in India, then it will take you around 3 to 4 years. The time includes finishing all 13 exams while studying for your undergraduate degree. Most students opt to study for their ACCA in parallel with their college degree, so it is flexible for young aspirants.
ACCA Duration for Undergraduates
Most start their ACCA journey after doing their 12th standard. They do all 13 papers while earning their undergraduate degree in 3 years and hence gain professional skills and ethics early on in their life cycle.
ACCA Duration for Graduates
You will have up to 5 exemptions if you hold a B.Com/BBA degree. This will reduce the number of papers that you have to clear. Therefore, you can finish ACCA in just 2 years with the help of these exemptions, making it an intelligent choice for commerce graduates who wish to obtain an international qualification quickly.
ACCA Duration After MBA
MBA graduates will take 1 to 2 years to complete, as some exemptions allow ACCA and waive up to 5 papers in the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels. Prior experience in finance or accounting reduces the period even further, just to a mere 1 year. ACCA would enhance opportunities for an MBA professional in global career paths.
ACCA Duration for Professional
If you already have some professional qualifications, such as a CA, you may complete ACCA much faster. You may also qualify for up to 9 exemptions, so you may even finish the course in a very short time. Your previous experience and knowledge will make it easy for you to pass the remaining exams.
ACCA Duration for CA Inter
If you have passed CA Inter, you may pass ACCA within 1.5-2 years, after which you are eligible for a maximum of 5-6 exemptions according to your subject streams. Having planned your studies structuredly will clear the rest of the papers with ease. End.
ACCA Duration for CA
If you are a qualified CA, you can complete ACCA in 6 months to 1 year because you may get up to 9 exemptions. You will be left with fewer papers to clear; hence, the process becomes faster. ACCA, therefore, remains a good choice for CAs looking to expand their career worldwide.
ACCA Duration FAQs
1. How many years is ACCA for an Indian student?
For the 12th pass, it is 2.5 to 3 years, while for the commerce graduate, it takes around 1 to 2 years with the exemption.
2. How many exemptions do I get in ACCA?
It entirely depends on the qualification. In the case of B.Com, there are up to 5 exemptions. For CA Inter, the exemptions are up to 6 and for CA Final, exemptions up to 9.
3. How many ACCA papers are there in total?
There are 13 ACCA papers, and they are divided into three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional.
4. Can I Finish ACCA In 1 Year?
This, too, is improbable since completion of ACCA is unattainable in one year due to the requirement of rigorous study, practical experience, and ethical modules that take at least multiple years.
5. What is the duration for CA Inter + B.Com graduates under the ACCA program?
CA Inter + B.Com students typically require taking 7 papers, which may take around 1.5 years to complete the ACCA course. As there are 6 exemptions for ACCA, the period is less in comparison.
