You can study ACCA in Canada, but ACCA papers will not get you a study permit. IRCC issues permits for programs at a designated learning institution (DLI), an approved college or university, and ACCA says it cannot provide a student visa. You can get the permit through the Canadian program that can also help you obtain ACCA exemptions.
Key takeaways
- You cannot get a study permit by pursuing ACCA in Canada as an international student.
- At the University of Toronto Scarborough, BBA Accounting Specialist graduates are exempt from all nine Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams.
- From 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show CAD 23,448 a year for living costs, plus first-year tuition.
- ACCA’s agreement with CPA Canada ended on 30 April 2021, and then public accounting roles require the provincial CPA route.
ACCA in Canada for International Students
ACCA is a professional qualification in Canada, though several sites call it a degree. The ACCA career scope in Canada is excellent. Company finance roles look more open to ACCA holders than regulated ones, because ACCA presents public accounting as the regulated area.
ACCA salaries in Canada are rapidly rising. Part-qualified or affiliate professionals earn CAD 55,000 to 80,000 a year. Newly qualified ACCA members can easily reach up to CAD 80,000 to 110,000. At the Finance Manager level, salary ranges from CAD 100,000 to 145,000. Those who reach finance director or CFO roles can expect CAD 140,000 to 250,000 or more.
If you are still at college, see the guide to a career in ACCA before graduation.
The IRCC Requirements
IRCC asks for a letter of acceptance from a DLI, a school approved by a province or territory to host international students. Since 8 November 2024, the permit names the school, so switching means a new application. Students taking only an online program in Canada are unlikely to be granted a permit, so online classes alone make a weak application. Here, aspirants can consider pursuing a program offline and pursuing ACCA online to get enough time and a balanced routine.
Which Canadian Schools Offer ACCA exemptions?
ACCA lists nine partners: Algonquin College, Centennial College, Douglas College, George Brown College, Humber College, Seneca College, Sheridan College, the University of Manitoba and the University of Toronto Scarborough. The exact number of exemptions varies. Toronto Scarborough exempts BBA Accounting Specialist graduates from all nine Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams. The University of Manitoba said when it announced its accreditation that Bachelor of Commerce students can receive seven, with more planned. ACCA gives no counts for the other schools, so use its exemption calculator before moving on your career.
How to Check a Canadian Program before Applying?
The right approach is to pick a program at one ACCA in Canada of the nine partner schools, enter it in ACCA’s exemptions calculator, check the school on IRCC’s DLI list, and confirm the program accepts international students. Take first-year tuition from the school’s fee page and add CAD 23,448 for living costs, and gather the proof of funds IRCC lists.
It suits students who want a Canadian program with ACCA exemptions and can cover the first year in full. It will not suit anyone hoping ACCA exams alone will secure a permit. Anyone aiming for public accounting in Canada should plan for CPA from the start. If you are unsure how hard the exams are, read the key challenges of ACCA first.
What do ACCA’s Fees in Canada come to in Rupees?
ACCA registration fee is £89 (₹11,300), and the 2026 student subscription is £140 (₹17,700 ). An applied skills exam costs £151 (₹19,100) on time and £387 late. Strategic Business Leader costs £268 and Strategic Business Reporting £191. Exemptions cost £86 at Applied Knowledge level, and £114 at the Applied Skills level, and the page also shows lower figures without explanation. It gives no fee details for Applied Knowledge exams, because it varies as per the exam centre or remote exam route.
How much Money do you need for Tuition and Living Costs?
There is no fixed cost; the tuition fee depends on the school and program. As one benchmark, Seneca College, an ACCA partner, charges international students CAD 9,372.02 for the first semester of its two-year accounting diploma in 2026 to 2027, plus about CAD 662 for books. That includes health insurance billed once a year, so a full first year is a little under CAD 18,750 before books. Add living costs, and the total is roughly CAD 42,200, close to ₹28 lakh at ₹67 per Canadian dollar, plus flights and ACCA fees come on top.
There is no mention of Seneca programs carrying an exemption. Plus, Seneca’s fee page also does not mention ACCA. So take it as a tuition benchmark, not a confirmed ACCA route.
Source: BookMyForex
Is ACCA Recognised in Canada, and do you still need CPA?
Recognition is mixed. ACCA says certain regulated roles in Canada, public accounting among them, require CPA membership, and provincial rules govern use of the ACCA designation.
ACCA vs CPA Canada: The Key Details
ACCA and CPA Canada once had a mutual recognition agreement. It ended on 30 April 2021. Nothing has changed since the agreement ended. ACCA members can apply to CPA through the route for the International Federation of Accountants bodies, and the provincial CPA body assesses each case. Some training sites still call the old agreement active, so check ACCA and CPA Canada directly.
Bottom Line
ACCA can sit alongside a move to Canada, but the Canadian program carries the permit. Pick a partner school, check its designation and exemptions, and add tuition to CAD 23,448 for living costs before you apply.
If you are an aspirant in India and want to start ACCA now while you research the route, Mirchawala’s Hub of Accountancy runs live online ACCA classes, with demo classes before you enroll.
What do Indian students ask before choosing ACCA for Canada?
Can I get a Canadian study permit for ACCA alone?
No. ACCA says it cannot provide a student visa, and permits are issued for programs at a DLI. The reason ACCA is a professional qualification, not a degree, is that students looking to pursue ACCA in Canada need to first pursue a degree program there and can take online ACCA coaching at an institute like Mirchawala.
How much does ACCA in Canada cost for Indian students?
ACCA’s own fees are paid in pounds: about ₹11,300 for registration and ₹19,100 for a standard Applied Skills exam at ₹126.65 to the pound. Canadian tuition and living costs are the bigger bill, close to ₹28 lakh for a first year in the Seneca example.
Do I need CPA Canada after ACCA?
It is required only for regulated roles, and ACCA names public accounting as one. You can apply through the International Federation of Accountants route, which the provincial CPA body assesses.
Do Canadian universities give ACCA exemptions?
Yes, some universities offer exemptions. Toronto Scarborough exempts BBA Accounting Specialist graduates from nine exams, and Manitoba has said seven. ACCA’s exemptions calculator shows what a specific program covers.
Can I study ACCA online from India before moving to Canada?
Yes. ACCA-approved learning partners run online classes, and Mirchawala’s ACCA courses are taught live online by the teachers on the ACCA faculty page. That does not replace the immigration route.
