ACCA PER

ACCA PER: Full Guide to Work Experience Requirements & Validation

ACCA PER refers to the Practical Experience Requirement set by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). It helps future finance professionals gain real-world experience before earning their full ACCA membership. In just 2-3 lines: ACCA PER is a compulsory part of becoming a fully qualified ACCA member. It involves recording relevant work experience and meeting specific performance objectives under supervision.

How to Successfully Complete Your ACCA PER?

Every ACCA student must complete ACCA PER to become a member. It proves that the student has applied what they learned in the exams in a real job setting. This section explains the journey to complete ACCA PER correctly.

Understanding ACCA Practical Experience Requirements

ACCA practical experience requirements demand at least 36 months of supervised work. The work must be relevant to finance, audit, tax, or accounting. Candidates must meet nine ACCA performance objectives. These include both technical and professional skills. The aim is to show the real application of accounting knowledge.

  • Students should work under a qualified ACCA Practical Experience Requirement suvisor who tracks and confirms the progress. The ACCA Practical Experience Requirement logbook records every objective. Without proper records and approvals, ACCA will not verify the experience.
  • Working professionals must use the MyACCA portal for submission. The portal includes space to describe work, select goals, and request supervisor feedback. Submitting incomplete or fake records leads to failure or delay.
  • Managing the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement timeline is essential. ACCA encourages regular updates in the logbook and early supervisor communication. This saves time and avoids missing the final submission deadline.
  • Completing the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement verification step confirms your experience. Supervisors validate the claims. ACCA then approves the logbook officially. Following all ACCA Practical Experience Requirement rules and the correct ACCA Practical Experience Requirement tracking system ensures success.

Key Performance Objectives Required by ACCA

The ACCA requires students to achieve nine key performance objectives. These objectives test whether candidates can do important accounting tasks well. These objectives help ACCA know if a candidate can be trusted in real work.

Types of ACCA Performance Objectives

ACCA divides performance objectives into technical and professional ones. Students must complete all five professional objectives and choose four out of ten technical ones.

TypeExamples
Professional SkillsEthics, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and adding value to work.
Technical SkillsTaxation, audit, reporting, financial management, and risk analysis.

Each performance objective needs a written explanation in the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement logbook. The explanation must show how the student used that skill in a job setting. Each explanation should link directly to daily work and be detailed. Candidates can find help from the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement guidance section on the website. It provides clear rules and ACCA Practical Experience Requirement examples to follow. Following those examples can help with writing better achievement statements. Completing these performance objectives with proper feedback from the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement supervisor helps increase the chances of a successful ACCA Practical Experience Requirement submission. ACCA checks every detail to make sure students meet all standards.

Role of a PER Supervisor in ACCA

A PER supervisor plays a central role in the ACCA journey. This person watches the student’s progress and confirms their experience. A strong supervisor relationship improves the chance of completing PER smoothly.

Who Can Be a PER Supervisor?

Not all managers or seniors can act as PER supervisors. ACCA states that a supervisor must be a qualified accountant, often a Chartered Accountant or ACCA member. This ensures the person understands the ACCA PER criteria.

  • The supervisor should have daily or regular contact with the student. They need to observe the student’s real tasks. They cannot approve work they did not see. For this reason, selecting the right person is the first key step.
  • The ACCA Practical Experience Requirement supervisor gives feedback and signs off on each performance objective. Supervisors must also give a statement during the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement verification. That’s why their role is not just about checking but also mentoring.
  • The ACCA Practical Experience Requirement support system encourages early discussions with supervisors. ACCA even provides emails and letters that students can send to request supervisor help. This keeps the process official and smooth.
  • Following the right ACCA Practical Experience Requirement rules helps both the student and the supervisor. Many failures happen because students do not involve their supervisor early. Tracking goals, logging experience regularly, and sharing it with the supervisor avoids last-minute issues.

Step-by-Step Guide to Logging ACCA PER in MyACCA

The MyACCA portal is where students must log their ACCA Practical Experience Requirement work experience. It is the only accepted method of submitting your experience to ACCA. This section explains each step to record your journey.

Using the ACCA PER Portal for Logging Experience

  1. Log into MyACCA: Go to the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement portal and sign in with your ACCA credentials.
  2. Update your job role: Add current employer, job title, and start date. You must work in a relevant role to start logging PER.
  3. Choose Performance Objectives: Select your five professional and four technical objectives.
  4. Write Descriptions: Explain each objective in around 200–300 words. Share real tasks, tools used, and how your work impacted the team or company.
  5. Submit to Supervisor: Once written, send to your ACCA Practical Experience Requirement supervisor for approval. They may return it with suggestions.
  6. Track Progress: The ACCA Practical Experience Requirement tracking tool inside the portal shows what’s done and what’s pending.

Make sure all data entered follows the ACCA PER requirements 2025. Incorrect information or skipping steps delays approval. Submitting multiple objectives together often helps speed up the review. Also, follow the ACCA PER timeline. ACCA recommends reviewing progress every six months. If you wait too long, it becomes harder to remember details. If you change jobs, update your records immediately. Work at each company counts only if logged and verified. Maintain frequent contact with supervisors and save your entries regularly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Completing ACCA PER

Mistakes during ACCA PER submission can delay membership approval and even lead to rejection of logged experience. Students often overlook simple yet important steps, such as updating job roles or choosing the right objectives.

Most Frequent Errors in ACCA PER Submission

One major issue is submitting objectives without real work evidence. ACCA wants proof of actual work, not theoretical knowledge. Another frequent mistake is delaying communication with the ACCA PER supervisor, which can result in poor-quality reviews or rejections.

  • Candidates also fail to use the ACCA PER portal properly. Some forget to save progress or submit logs for supervisor feedback. Others misunderstand ACCA Practical Experience Requirement guidance and choose performance objectives that do not match their job tasks.
  • Another mistake is poor recordkeeping. Candidates often struggle during ACCA Practical Experience Requirement verification because they do not maintain records of their job roles, tasks, or feedback. Failing to follow ACCA Practical Experience Requirement rules can reset your progress, especially if ACCA finds inconsistencies.
  • Avoiding these mistakes can speed up the approval process and reduce unnecessary stress. Make sure to regularly visit the ACCA Practical Experience Requirement support page for updates on ACCA Practical Experience Requirement 2025.

Difference Between ACCA PER and Internship Experience

Many students think an internship or freelance work can fully satisfy the ACCA PER work experience requirements. While internships offer exposure, they don’t always meet ACCA’s criteria unless structured correctly.

AspectACCA PERInternship
PurposeMandatory for ACCA membershipOptional for skill-building
DurationMinimum 36 months1–6 months
AssessmentStructured with performance objectivesBased on supervisor feedback
SupervisorAn ACCA-qualified mentor is preferredAny company supervisor
Global RecognitionYes, internationally acceptedLimited, depending on the employer
FocusAccounting, audit, tax, financeVaries: finance, HR, marketing, etc.
  • Internship experience may lack proper supervision, depth of tasks, or alignment with ACCA performance objectives. If an internship is short-term or lacks documentation, it likely won’t meet ACCA PER submission standards.
  • ACCA PER demands 36 months of consistent, relevant, supervised work. The ACCA PER supervisor must verify real, meaningful responsibilities related to accounting or finance. Internships usually span a few months and may not cover complex financial tasks.
  • Internship roles must match ACCA PER goals and be entered in the ACCA PER logbook. Without validation, such experiences may be rejected.
  • By contrast, full-time jobs offer structured roles with opportunities to complete all nine objectives over time. Students must ensure that their internship follows the ACCA PER criteria before logging it into MyACCA.

Benefits of Completing ACCA PER Early

Completing ACCA PER early gives professionals a head start in both certification and job promotions. Most employers value certified ACCA members over affiliates.

Key Career Gains of Timely ACCA PER Completion

Students who complete PER alongside their exams often receive job promotions faster. They can apply for roles like Finance Manager, Internal Auditor, or Controller without delay.

  • Early completion helps in getting international placements, as employers in countries like the UK, UAE, and Singapore demand complete ACCA status. It also builds soft skills through interaction with the ACCA PER supervisor, improving team communication and confidence.
  • Timely PER completion also lets you focus on further studies like CFA or MBA without overlapping workload. Following the ACCA PER tracking system and submitting logs early helps avoid a backlog and stress near exam results or job changes.
  • Use of the ACCA PER portal regularly during employment reduces error rates and increases efficiency in approvals.

What Happens After Submitting ACCA PER?

After submitting your final ACCA PER logbook, ACCA starts the verification process. Knowing what happens next helps you prepare for membership and final validations.

Final Steps in ACCA PER Journey

Once a student submits all nine objectives and records 36 months of ACCA PER work experience, the supervisor reviews and approves them. The candidate then sends it for ACCA PER verification via the MyACCA portal.

  • ACCA may take several weeks to review the entries. If they find issues or mismatches, they can request more documents, extra supervisor validation, or logbook corrections.
  • After successful verification, ACCA emails confirmation. The student then proceeds to become a full member. The final step involves paying the membership fee and attending a virtual or live membership ceremony.
  • Those who complete all three requirements (Exams + PER + Ethics Module) become full-fledged ACCA members. Following ACCA PER guidance and logging accurately increases the chance of a smooth transition.

ACCA PER FAQs

  1. What is the PER requirement in ACCA?

36 months of relevant work experience validated by a qualified supervisor.

  1. How long does ACCA PER take?

It takes a minimum of 3 years to fulfill the 36-month requirement.

  1. Do ACCA check PER?

Yes, ACCA can audit your PER documents and supervisor statements.

  1. What is the per month salary of ACCA?

Entry-level salaries range between ₹25K to ₹60K/month in India, higher abroad.

  1. Can internship count for PER?

Yes, if it meets the professional and supervision standards set by ACCA.