Everything You Need to Know About ACCA Course & Fees in India

What is ACCA Course?

ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a professional accounting qualification that is recognized and respected globally.
The ACCA course is a program of study that covers various topics in accounting and finance, including financial reporting, management accounting, auditing, and tax.
The ACCA course typically includes a combination of self-study and classroom instruction and culminates in a series of exams that must be passed to earn the ACCA designation.

Upon completion, students can work in various fields such as accounting, audit, tax, consulting, and financial management..

Key summary of ACCA course

• The ACCA qualification is recognised in over 140 countries in the world.
• ACCA Course duration comprises of three levels, it can take between INR 150K to INR 300K to complete the course
• Individuals can earn high paying jobs and go on the path to become a CFO or a partner in a Big accounting firm.

Index of What is ACCA

• Course syllabus
• Course fees
• Course after 12th
• Course after Bcom
• Course fees after CA
• Career opportunities after ACCA
• Steps to complete your qualification

Why ACCA Course?

There are many reasons why people choose to pursue the ACCA course qualification. 

• The ACCA qualification is recognised in over 180 countries with 200,000 members and over 500,000 students.

• ACCA's partnerships with organisations such as NASBA, AICPA, CPA Australia, IFAC and IESBA help open up doors for students and members worldwide.
•  It is a comprehensive qualification covering all aspects of international accountancy and finance to prepare you for a wide range of roles in becoming a CFO.
• There are 13 exams to complete, which gives you plenty of choices when deciding what kind of finance roles you want to specialise in
• Finally, becoming a member gives you additional status and recognition within the profession.

Who should pursue? 

The ACCA course is suitable for anyone who wants to pursue a career in accounting or finance. It is especially beneficial for those who want to work in a global environment, as employers recognise and respect the Qualification.

The eligibility requirements are completion of high school (or equivalent) with a score of 65% in subjects including English and Maths or Accounts and a minimum of 50% in other subjects.

Students who have cleared class 10 examinations, or do not qualify as per the aforementioned criteria, can register for the ACCA Course via Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) route.

ACCA Syllabus and duration

You need to complete three levels and professional skills module to obtain your ACCA qualification.

The three levels are:

1) Applied Knowledge exams
2) Applied Skills exams, and 
3) Strategic Professional exams

The three levels consist of 15 ACCA subjects as described below:

Level 1: Applied Knowledge Level

(completion: six to nine months, estimated cost in India for Knowledge level is  INR 47,000)

The Applied Knowledge level exams provide students with a broad introduction to the world of finance and develop their essential understanding and techniques in accounting. 

The Applied Knowledge level ACCA exams are:

1) Business and Technology (BT) 
2) Financial Accounting (FA)
3) Management Accounting (MA)

Break up of Estimated cost at knowledge level: Total 47K INR (Exam fees INR 25K + BPP online course with books INR 22K)

Level 2: Applied Skills

(completion: 15 months to 24 months, estimated cost in India for ACCA applied skills level is INR 123,000)

Applied Skills exams develop strong, broad, practical finance skills required of future strategic professional accountants in any sector or industry. The exams include various question types, including multiple-choice and application, to ensure you are equipped for the real world of accounting.

These exams are: 
4) Corporate and Business Law (LW)
5) Performance Management (PM)
6) Taxation (TX)
7) Financial Reporting (FR)
8) Audit and Assurance (AA)
9) Financial Management (FM)

Break up of Estimated cost: Total 123K INR (Exam fees INR 78K + BPP online course with books INR 45K).

Students can also opt-in for the Oxford Brookes BSc degree in Applied Accounting post completion of the Applied skills level. Read our blog to see how you can benefit.

Level 3: Strategic Professional

(completion: 12 months to 18 months, estimated cost in India for ACCA strategic level is  INR 105,000)

The Strategic Professional level exams develop your unique blend of technical, ethical and professional skills. You can specialise in areas that best suit your career ambitions. These exams are:

Mandatory subjects

10) Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
11) Strategic Business Leader (SBL)

Optional subjects (students will have to write any two of the below)

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

Break up of Estimated cost: Total 105K INR (Exam fees INR 73K + BPP online course with books INR 32K) 

14) Ethics and Professional Skills Module - students should have successfully completed this module before they are awarded the qualification. Estimated cost in India is INR 7,400

ACCA course fees in India?

The total cost of doing the ACCA course can vary depending on the country you study and your starting level.  We break down the cost basis the educational background to give you a realistic estimate.

Break up of Cost is given as table for the following

• If you start after 12th
• If you start after B.com
• If you start after CA IPCC
• if you start after CA

Generally speaking, the cost will include 

• Initial registration and exemption fees
• Tuition and registration fees
• Study materials
• Exams and assessment fees

The costs will vary if you get exemptions from certain subjects. Exemptions help save time and effort in taking exams. If you are eligible for exemptions, you may need to pay exemption fees in place of exam fees. An approved partner can help save you costs on the exemption fees.

The tables below give you an estimate of costs from your starting point for India.

Estimated Course fees after 12th:  INR 314,000 

Estimated course fees after B.com​ : INR 257,000

Estimated course fees after IPCC : INR 213,000

Estimated course fees after CA : INR 149,000

* the exam and assessment fees and tuition fees has been assumed that you will pass the exams in one attempt. 

How hard is it to complete the ACCA syllabus?

Completing the ACCA syllabus can be challenging, with a pass rate of less than 50%. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to pass. With the right amount of dedication and hard work, it is possible to succeed in this program.

It requires a lot of self-discipline and commitment; you'll need to be able to stick to a study schedule, go through the entire syllabus and keep up with the reading and problem sets.

Additionally, the topics covered can be pretty challenging, so you'll need to be prepared to work hard and understand the concepts.

There are a few tips that you can do to increase your chances of passing the course:

1. Ensure you fully understand the material covered in each section.
2. Attempt as many practice questions as possible to get familiar with the format and style of the computer based exam.
3. Seek guidance from a qualified tutor who can help you better prepare for the exam.
4. Read all technical articles. These are written by the examination team staff.

If you're willing to put in the time and effort, you can complete the course.

How long is the ACCA course duration?

There is no one definitive answer to this question as the time required to complete can vary depending on a number of factors, including previous qualifications and job commitments. However, most people tend to take between 2-4 years to become fully qualified.

One of the significant benefits of taking the ACCA syllabus is that it can be done alongside working full-time. This means that you can gain valuable experience in your chosen field while studying for your exams.

Job stability is also essential when progressing through the different stages of the course, as having a consistent income will help you focus on your studies and provide financial strength.

Steps to get started with ACCA course

To get started with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), you can follow these steps:

1. Determine your eligibility for ACCA exams: Before you can begin studying, you must ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements. This includes having the necessary academic qualifications and professional experience and complying with the ACCA's rules on language proficiency and ethical conduct. Check our ACCA exemptions calculator to know more.
2. Register with the ACCA: To register with the ACCA, complete the online application form. You will need to provide personal and contact information and your academic qualifications and professional experience. 
3. Start studying:  ACCA provides a range of study materials, including syllabuses, study guides, exam papers, and online resources. You will need to buy the ACCA approved books. Consider joining a study group or hiring a tutor to help you prepare for the exams. Eduyush offers ACCA-approved books and BPP training to help you pass the exams. 
4. Register for the exams: When you are ready to take them, you will need to register on the ACCA's website. You must choose an exam centre based on location and availability and pay the exam fees.
5. Take the exams: You can take the ACCA exams at over 500 locations in more than 180 countries. You must arrive at the exam centre at the designated time and bring the required identification documents. You will also need to adhere to the ACCA's rules on conduct during the exam.
6. Receive your results: The ACCA will release your exam results online within six weeks of the exam date. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate of achievement. If you do not pass, you will receive feedback on your performance and guidance on preparing for the next exam.
7. Complete the practical experience requirement: In addition to passing the ACCA exams, you will also a minimum of three years of practical experience to earn the ACCA qualification. This experience should be relevant to the ACCA's professional standards and ethical guidelines and must be verified by an ACCA-approved employer or supervisor.
8. Receive your qualification: Once you have passed the ACCA exams and completed the practical experience requirement, you will be awarded the ACCA qualification. You will receive a certificate of achievement and will be able to use the designatory letters "ACCA" after your name.

Career opportunities after ACCA course

Earning the ACCA qualification can lead to many high-paying career opportunities in accounting and finance. Some potential high-paying roles for ACCA-qualified individuals include:

1. Chief financial officer (CFO): High-performing individuals can become CFOs, responsible for managing a company's financial operations. CFOs typically have a high level of financial expertise and are involved in strategic decision-making at the highest levels of an organization. CFOs are often among the highest-paid executives in a company.
2. Financial controller: You may work as a financial controller, overseeing a company's financial reporting and control systems. Financial controllers typically have a broad range of financial skills and are responsible for preparing financial statements, managing budgets, and developing financial strategies.
3. Management consultant: You may also work as a management consultant, providing advice and guidance on financial and strategic matters to businesses and organizations. Management consultants often work on a project basis, and their fees can be high depending on the size and complexity of the project.
4. Investment banker: You may also work as an investment banker, providing financial advice and services to businesses and governments. Investment bankers may be involved in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and financial restructuring. Investment banking is typically a high-paying career, with salaries reaching six figures.
5. Partner in a public accounting firm: Individuals who work in public accounting firms may have the opportunity to become partners in the firm. Partners are responsible for managing the firm's clients and operations, and they typically have a high level of financial expertise and business acumen. Partners in public accounting firms often earn high salaries and receive a share of the firm's profits.

It's important to note that the specific career opportunities and earning potential for ACCA-qualified individuals will depend on various factors, including the individual's level of experience, the industry they work in, and their job location.

Summary

ACCA is a globally recognised qualification that offers accountants the opportunity to develop their skillset and knowledge. The exams are rigorous, but with the right training and support, you can pass them and achieve your career goals.

Eduyush offers a range of ACCA courses and support services to help you prepare for the exams. Speak to one of our counsellors today to find out more about how we can help you enrol on an ACCA course and start your journey towards becoming a qualified accountant.