ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has 13 exams across three levels. Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams are held in four sessions a year (March, June, September, and December), while applied knowledge exams can be booked on demand.
This is your comprehensive guide to the ACCA Exams in the UAE. It provides a detailed overview of the process, ACCA exam fees, important dates, exam schedules, and more. So keep scrolling if you are an ACCA aspirant!
Blog Structure
- Introduction
- Key Takeaways
- Who Is ACCA in the UAE For?
- What Is the Primary Objective of ACCA?
- What Is the ACCA Exam Format?
- How to Register for ACCA Exams in the UAE
- What Is the ACCA Fee Structure?
- What Are the ACCA Exam Dates and Schedule?
- Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Introduction
The ACCA exams are designed to be difficult. This is the key reason that makes this qualification so esteemed. Employers from across the world value the diligence and commitment students like you do to obtain this credential.
The ACCA certification in the UAE is highly respected and provides students with a strong foundation in management and financial accounting. As a result, businesses in the region greatly value individuals who possess the ACCA certificate. Many of the biggest companies in the United Arab Emirates actively hire ACCA-qualified professionals.
If you have decided to pursue your ACCA career in the UAE, you should have an understanding of the ACCA subjects, exam structure, and format. This article will help you take your initial step, the first step, and bring every detail you should know about the ACCA exam.
What Is the Primary Objective of the ACCA Exam?
The ACCA exam is a challenging assessment that checks accounting and financial knowledge and abilities. It aims to evaluate the skills of applicants expecting to earn an ACCA qualification and work as professional accountants.
Next, we will explore the ACCA exam’s format and structure.
What Is the ACCA Exam Format and Structure?
Every ACCA exam paper is designed to test your learning and the ability to use your knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Different Levels
| Different Levels | ACCA Exam Papers | Overview |
| Applied Knowledge Level | Business and Technology (BT)
Management Accounting (MA), Financial Accounting (FA) |
These ACCA exam papers build the foundation and check the candidates’ basic financial and business principles knowledge. |
| Applied Skills Level | Corporate and Business Law (LW),
Performance Management (PM), Taxation (TX), Financial Reporting (FR), Audit and Assurance (AA), Financial Management (FM) |
These are more complex exams, that check deeper knowledge and skills in analyzing and interpreting information. |
| Strategic Professional Level | Strategic Business Leader (SBL),
Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) |
These are the most advanced exams in ACCA. |
Apart from the above papers, aspirants need to choose any of the two papers out of the four optional papers:
- Advanced Financial Management (AFM),
- Advanced Performance Management (APM),
- Advanced Taxation (ATX),
- Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
So, these are the 13 ACCA exam papers you need to qualify to become an ACCA-qualified professional. You can get exemptions based on your previous qualifications and experience. To become an ACCA member, you must also complete the Ethics and Professional Skills module (started after the Applied Knowledge exams and before the Strategic Professional exams) and 36 months of approved practical experience.
This was the complete ACCA exam format and structure. Now, we will move to learn about the ACCA fee in the UAE.
How Do You Register for ACCA Exams in the UAE?
- Create a myACCA account on accaglobal.com and register as a student.
- Submit your academic certificates for an exemption assessment
- Pay the one-time £89 registration fee and the annual subscription.
- Book Applied Knowledge exams on demand at an approved exam centre, or book Applied Skills and Strategic. Professional exams for a session before the standard entry deadline.
What Is the ACCA Fee Structure and Total ACCA Cost in the UAE?
The cost of earning an ACCA qualification varies according to your academic level. Here, we have discussed the exact ACCA fee structure with a thorough explanation of the costs associated with each module or learning cycle, ranging from the Applied Knowledge to the Strategic Professional levels.
All students, regardless of their educational background or institution, must pay these fees to ACCA. Students must pay ACCA four different kinds of fees.
Initial registration: The initial ACCA registration cost must be paid by each student who joins ACCA. At the moment, this cost is £89. Before you register for your first ACCA exams, you must pay this cost.
Exam fee: You must pay an exam fee to register for an ACCA exam anytime you wish to take one. Depending on the exam or exams you choose to administer, as well as when and how you wish to appear for them, this cost varies.
Exam fees for ACCA students in the United Arab Emirates are now as follows:
Applied Skills exams cost about £155 each (around AED 761). Strategic Professional exams cost about £274 each (around AED 1,345).
Applied Knowledge exams are booked on demand at approved computer-based exam centres; in this instance, the exam fee is determined by the centre. It often falls between roughly AED 700 and 830.
Annual subscription:
Each ACCA student must pay an annual subscription fee in addition to the original registration and exam fees. For 2026, ACCA students in the UAE will pay an annual ACCA subscription fee of £140 (about AED 687). If your previous qualifications earn exemptions, ACCA charges £86 per Applied Knowledge exemption and £114 per Applied Skills exemption.
ACCA Fees in the UAE at a Glance
| Fee | Approx. AED |
| Registration | 437 |
| Annual subscription (2026) | 687 |
| Exemption: Applied Knowledge | 422 |
| Exemption: Applied Skills | 560 |
| Ethics and Professional Skills module | 398 |
| Applied Skills exam | 761 |
| Strategic professional exam | 1,345 |
| Applied Knowledge exam | 700–830 |
ACCA updates fees every year and exam fees differ by entry window. Confirm the final amount on the ACCA Global fees page before paying. Tuition fees are separate. For a full breakdown, read our guide to ACCA course fees in the UAE 2026.
This section provides a glance at important fees every student has to pay to take the ACCA exams in the UAE. If you are planning to move to India to pursue your ACCA career, do not forget to check the ACCA fee structure in India. Now that you are clear on ACCA exam fees, let’s check the ACCA exam dates and schedules.
What Are the ACCA Exam Dates for 2026 and 2027?
Keeping track of the 2026 ACCA exam dates for smart learning and the right learning approach. In this section, we will check the ACCA paper dates, exam entry deadlines, and particular ACCA test dates for December 2026. You can prepare ahead of time and prevent missing any important deadlines by adhering to the ACCA exam timetable and frequently consulting the ACCA exam calendar.
ACCA December Exam Dates: 7th – 11th December 2026
The ACCA exam results for December will be announced on 18th January 2027. The standard entry deadline for December 2026 is 2 November 2026, and late entry closes on 9 November 2026 at a higher fee.
| Session | Exam week | Standard entry closes | Results |
| December 2026 | 7–11 December 2026 | 2 November 2026 | 18 January 2027 |
| March 2027 | To be confirmed by ACCA | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
If you wish to learn more about exam schedules, check this guide: ACCA exam dates 2026.
Looking for ACCA Online Courses in the UAE?
If you wish to become a certified accountant and pursue your career in the same, enrolling in a reputed acca institutes in UAE like Mirchawala can help you achieve your career goal. A crucial component of the learning process, the expert ACCA tutors at Mirchawala will assist you in qualifying for the exam.
The ACCA course in UAE is well accepted and will provide you with numerous career opportunities in the accounting field. With the right guidance, you can ask any questions you may have regarding the exam or the accounting field and receive professional support.
To increase your chances, read the ACCA-focused articles to boost your knowledge in addition to the coaching.
Bottom Line
ACCA in the UAE means 13 exams (fewer with exemptions), the Ethics and Professional Skills module and 36 months of practical experience. The next sitting is December 2026, and the standard entry deadline is 2 November 2026.
This was a detailed overview of the ACCA exams. Do you still have doubts or questions? Check out our commonly asked questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is ACCA in demand in the UAE?
Ans: The need for people with ACCA qualification in Dubai is continuously increasing as more and more global companies establish regional headquarters in the UAE. After earning your ACCA certification, you can work in the UAE and earn a competitive wage as a skilled finance expert.
Q: What is the structure of the ACCA exams?
Ans: The three levels of the ACCA exams are Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. Every ACCA exam level in the ACCA exam structure assesses the candidate’s comprehension and practical application of the acquired knowledge.
Q: Which country pays ACCA’s highest salary?
Ans: ACCA practitioners in nations like the UK, Canada, and UAE can command far higher ACCA salaries. Get a better understanding of salary with this guide on ACCA salary worldwide.
Q: Where can I do an online ACCA course in the UAE?
Ans: The ACCA training programs at Mirchawala are designed to meet every one of the demanding ACCA qualifying standards. The online ACCA course sessions are tailored to accommodate both working professionals and students.
Q: When are the next ACCA exam dates in the UAE?
Ans: The December 2026 session runs 7–11 December 2026, with results on 18 January 2027. The standard entry deadline is 2 November 2026. ACCA will confirm March 2027 dates. Learn how to check your scores in our ACCA results guide.
Q: What is the F5 exam in ACCA?
Ans: Earlier, F5 was the code for Performance Management (PM) under the Applied Skills level. The paper covers management accounting, performance measurement, and decision-making. It is a session-based exam held in March, June, September, and December.
Q: How much does ACCA cost in the UAE?
Ans: You pay ACCA £89 to register, £140 a year in subscription, about £155 per Applied Skills exam, and about £274 per Strategic Professional exam, plus exemption fees if you claim exemptions. The exam center sets Applied Knowledge exam fees. Plus, students need to pay the tuition fees separately.
Ready to start? Explore Mirchawala’s online ACCA institute in UAE and watch a demo class before you enrol.
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