You can build a successful ACCA career across audit firms, finance companies, software businesses, and from small to big-level businesses. Aspirants often believe that success in an ACCA career can be ensured only in the Big 4; this is a misconception. This blog is focused on breaking that myth with the recent conversation between Owais Mirchawala and Usman Arif, Assistant Manager of Finance at UDL Distribution Pvt. Ltd., in the recent episode of the ACCA Alumni Series. This is a perfect guide for ACCA students without a Big 4 offer, part-qualified students who feel behind, graduates planning their first finance job, and people who left ACCA in the middle.
Do you need the Big 4 for a Successful ACCA career?
Working at the Big 4 can push your career growth, but it is not compulsory. It is a fact that the Big 4 gives you a recognized name, structured training, and a strong beginning for your next role. But the route is not always open. When Usman was part-qualified, firms hired part-qualified candidates. By the time he reached that stage, they wanted fully qualified ones. Competition from other qualifications, such as the local chartered accountant route, also impacts the market. You can check out the guide “how to join the Big Four after ACCA“ to understand what it takes to be hired by these firms.
The table compares the main routes.
| Career Path | Key strength | Best fit |
| Big 4 firm | Recognized name, structured training | Students with an offer who can give it full effort |
| Another audit firm | Audit experience | Students who miss the Big 4 but want audit work |
| Company finance role | Budgeting, controlling, analysis | Students who prefer business-side finance |
| Software or technology firm | Finance in a technology business | Students open to a non-audit path |
| Smaller company | Responsibility and Accountability | Students who want experience quickly |
During his early days, Usman took a different career path. Unlike his friends, he does not focus on just one and is now an assistant manager in finance. His advice is to take a Big 4 opportunity if it comes and give it full effort. If it does not come, other doors will open.
Hear it from Usman himself. In this episode of the ACCA Alumni Series, he explains how he took a different route to Assistant Manager Finance.
How long does ACCA take to complete?
If you are already working and pursuing ACCA part-time, it can take three to four years, and sometimes longer. The exact pace depends on your exemptions, work hours, family responsibilities, and how many papers you sit per session. ACCA holds four exam sessions a year, in March, June, September, and December. Plus, you must have 36 months of relevant work for the practical experience requirement. For better clarity, check the ACCA official site for exemptions if you hold any degree and then plan accordingly. To see how exemptions can shorten your path, read our ACCA course duration guide for the UAE.
Does ACCA Duration Impact Your Career?
It does not matter a lot. During the conversation with Sir Owais Mirchawala, Usman said employers ask whether you are qualified and whether you are a member, and nobody asks how many years it took. Students often worry about how fast others finished, while employers always care about one thing: what you can do for them. ACCA’s employer survey reported satisfaction at 83.2% in 2025-26, up from 82.3% the year before, supporting a look beyond the Big 4. Two students can finish in two years and in ten, and the qualification looks the same on both CVs.
How to Land the First Job in ACCA?
At the initial level, you will have to apply widely, add one practical skill such as Excel or an accounting package, use your network, and accept a small starting salary. Experience will take your career. Next, update your CV with every project, set a weekly application target, and plan your first salary so it does not delay your exams.
Usman says jobs exist, but many pay little at the starting phase. He asks students to remember how their parents started: his father began with a single printing machine and built a business over time. Sir Owais adds that pay generally grows fast after the first few years.
Never wait for the perfect role. Freelance work, a small business, or an internship all build a base. Unpaid internships are normal in many countries, and ACCA allows work experience to count toward your practical experience requirement, so your first job can count twice. Job markets differ by country, as our guides to ACCA careers in the UAE show.
How can referrals and LinkedIn help you get hired?
Many students believe a reference can only come from family. Sir Owais explains during the session that it can also come from a network you build yourself, including on LinkedIn. Companies hire people they can trust, the way you would ask for a recommendation before hiring a driver for your home. Present yourself as an accountant on LinkedIn with a clear headline, message one person in your field each week, post monthly about something you learned, and attend one event each quarter.
The Learning from Usman’s ACCA Journey
Usman started ACCA in 2017 and began working around 2019 or 2020. He was held back several times due to one paper. He finally qualified in the last paper in 2024. As the only son in his family, he carried pressure to earn while studying, and many of his friends finished in two and a half to three years. Usman took four to five years to finish ACCA, but he kept working, and presently he is Assistant Manager of Finance at UDL Distribution, with six to seven years of experience.
He advises aspirants that if something is not coming at your time, keep working and wait. If you left your qualification half finished, go back and complete it, because gaps are allowed when money is tight. And never feel shy about a small first salary.
Bottom Line
The Big 4 is one route, and it is worth taking if it opens for you. If it does not, your path is still open. Finish your qualification, build experience, grow your network, and start somewhere. If you want online ACCA classes and LMS access while you build work experience, explore Mirchawala’s ACCA courses and enrol online!
Frequently asked questions
When can ACCA students apply to the Big 4?
There is no hard and fast rule for applying to Big. It varies by firm and market, and the rules change. If you have passed all ACCA exams or are pursuing one, check each firm’s careers page for the stage it accepts.
Can I work while studying ACCA?
Yes, many students work while pursuing their course. If you gain work experience in a relevant field, it can be counted toward the practical experience requirement. Before you join any job, confirm what qualifies on ACCA’s website.
Is an unpaid internship worth it?
If you are getting real work experience, an unpaid internship can offer you multiple opportunities. The second advantage might be a reference. If you are financially weak, look at paid options first.
