The path to earning the ACCA certification in Saudi Arabia is a very fulfilling one, with multiple job options in accounting, finance, and company management, and also worldwide recognition. Although ACCA courses generally last two to four years, the exact ACCA course duration varies depending on several variables, such as your educational background, exemptions, study style, and capacity to manage work and personal obligations.
Depending on your study style, prior academic credentials, and work experience, the amount of time needed to finish the ACCA certificate varies greatly. Individual schedules can vary depending on exemptions, study speed, and personal obligations, even though a student can finish the qualification in two to four years.
Here is the breakdown on how much time it takes to finish the ACCA course in Saudi Arabia in different situations and schedules.
For Full-time Students
Full-time students can appear for multiple exams per quarter (March, June, September, and December) and can finish the ACCA certificate in two to three years. This method enables quicker success.
Practical Experience: To avoid delays in fulfilling the 36-month Practical Experience Requirement (PER), many full-time students complete part-time jobs or internships in finance or accounting while they are enrolled in classes.
For Part-time Students
For working individuals who want to balance their ACCA studies with their careers, part-time learning is the best option. In order to spread out the qualification over a longer length of time, students take fewer exams in every session. For them, the total ACCA course duration varies from three to four years.
Part-time students get the flexibility to manage their work and study both and take one or two tests at a time. This method allows for advancement without overwhelming schedules, even though it lengthens the course duration.
Practical Experience: To achieve the 36-month Practical Experience Requirement (PER) throughout their studies and prevent delays after their ACCA exam, the majority of part-time students work in suitable professions during this time.
Exempt Students
Depending on your academic background, exemptions can cut down on the number of exams needed to complete the ACCA program. Depending on exemptions, the estimated time frame is one to two years.
For example, graduates in accounting may be exempt from up to nine papers, meaning they only need to finish the Strategic Professional level, which, with careful planning, can be finished in as little as a year.
Exemptions from Applied Knowledge or Applied Skills papers may be granted to other degree holders, allowing them to complete more quickly than those who do not.
Key Facts around ACCA Course Duration
Understanding the deadlines and regulations is essential when you are moving to obtain your ACCA certification in Saudi Arabia. You must remember when you have to complete a specific exam and when your passes may expire. This is essential to advancing through the ACCA program without encountering any obstacles.
- Exams for Strategic Professionals: You get seven years to complete the remaining Strategic Professional exams after passing your first one. Any passes you obtain after that initial one will expire if you don’t. Additionally, you will receive a converted pass for the Strategic Business Leader exam if you have already aced the P1 and P3 exams. In accordance with the pass expiry regulations, this converted pass will expire on the same day as the later of your two initial exams.
- Completion of the Degree: Within ten years after passing your first ACCA exam, you need to complete the Oxford Brookes BSc in Applied Accounting if you plan to pursue it in addition to your ACCA certificate. You risk losing your chance to get the degree if you miss this deadline.
- Strategic Professional Exam: You get five years to complete the Strategic Professional examinations if you registered before January 1, 2016, and you were granted exemptions from all Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams. If you want to apply for an audit qualification and an ACCA practicing certificate, this is compulsory.
Understanding these deadlines and regulations is essential to a successful ACCA journey. You will need to obtain your ACCA qualification and any associated degrees if you follow these rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the scope of ACCA in Saudi Arabia?
Ans: ACCA professionals in Saudi Arabia are sought after in industries such as oil & gas, finance, construction, and consulting. The high-paying roles in these sectors and the country’s tax-free income benefit make it an attractive destination for ACCA professionals.
Q: What is the ACCA course duration in Saudi Arabia?
Ans: In total, the examinations are 5300 learning hours and take on average between 3 and 4 years to complete. In addition, 36 months’ work experience and a Professional Ethics Module must be completed.
Q: Can I finish ACCA in 2 years?
Ans: You can finish ACCA in two years with dedication, smart preparation, and efficient exam scheduling. If you want to start a career in accounting, you’ve probably heard that ACCA is the best way to get there.


