“YOUR 2026 GUIDE TO ACCA: CLEAR PATHWAYS AND LIMITLESS CAREER”
ACCA is amongst the top shortlisted qualifications for accounting or finance aspirants in the UK; it has a huge global community consisting of members as well as students. As more and more students are getting attracted to this competitive qualification, the community is growing stronger. There are numerous career advantages that this accounting credential brings to the table; hence, students across the globe prioritize it. Are you someone thinking of escalating their accounting career with the ACCA course ? For someone exploring this qualification, it can be quite confusing to understand the complete structure without any guidance.
Therefore, to address the mentioned issue, we came up with this informative digital guidebook that will in-depth discuss ‘what is ACCA’ and how it impacts your career. The blog is quite comprehensive, covering all the academic and professional aspects of opting for the ACCA course in Sri lanka, Pakistan, UK, India or other countries, ensuring all your queries are addressed.
WHAT IS ACCA?
The first question that pops up when you learn about this highly popular qualification is ‘What is ACCA’; indeed, the question is very obvious for someone who has just started exploring their options. ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a global accounting credential highly valued in more than 180 countries around the world; it has a very comprehensive curriculum and is considered to be the most competitive one. The career this qualification offers is quite promising, as ACCA is much more credible in the global job market, which means employers seek skilled ACCA professionals worldwide.
ACCA COURSE STRUCTURE
Along with exploring what ACCA is, you must also know the structure of the certification; the ACCA course in the UK consists of thirteen papers divided into three levels. Each level consists of multiple papers covering different areas of finance and accounting; these levels are named Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and the Strategic Professional. To get a better insight into the academic levels and ACCA modules, check the table below:
| APPLIED KNOWLEDGE
(fundamental level) |
APPLIED SKILLS
(Intermediatory level) |
STRATEGIC PROFESSIONAL
(Advanced level) |
| Financial Accounting | Financial Management | Strategic Business Reporting |
| Management Accounting | Performance Management | Strategic Business Leadership |
| Business & Technology | Financial Reporting | SELECTIVES: (ANY 2) |
| Taxation | Advanced Taxation | |
| Audit & Assurance | Advanced Audit & Assurance | |
| Corporate & Business Law | Advanced Performance Management | |
| Advanced Financial Management |
ACCA’S ACADEMIC REQUIREMENT
The qualification is very comprehensive and diverse when it comes to the exams, and students are expected to achieve success in all thirteen exams. But that’s just one part of the academic requirements of ACCA; the qualification expects you to complete other academic obligations as well, such as gaining PER and completing EPSM.
| ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS | DETAILS |
| ACCA exams | Complete all 13 modules successfully |
| PER (Practical Experience Requirement) | Gain 36 months of experience in a relevant role |
| EPSM (Ethical, Professional, & Social Modules) | Complete EPSM modules |
ACCA FEE STRUCTURE
Students assume that the qualification will be much expensive just because it is globally recognized, but the ACCA qualification is affordable for students from different societal backgrounds. Here is the usual ACCA fee structure for 2026; the changes can be made in this structure, therefore, students can also check through the official website of ACCA Global for updated ACCA course fees.
| FEE COMPONENTS | TYPICAL COST |
| Initial Registration Fee | £89 |
| Annual Subscription Fee | £140/yearly |
| Exemption Fee | £98 for each Applied Knowledge exam
£123 for each Applied Skills exam |
| Exam Entry Fee | The fee for Applied Knowledge & Strategic Professional exams varies depending on several factors; however, exams from the Applied Skills level cost around £168 |
ACCA CAREER PROSPECTS
ACCA brings to you a very wide range of career opportunities from diverse industries and sectors; professionals can work locally as well as globally. ACCA members who are skilled, have experience, knowledge, and expertise to perform in the practical world are valued by thousands of the top employers, including MNCs, Financial institutions, Big Four accounting firms, and other large corporations. ACCA professionals have a very progressive career; hence, their roles range from entry-level roles to senior positions. These professionals’ typical roles include assistant accountant, audit associate, management accountant, tax associate, finance analyst, finance manager, financial accountant, CFO, internal auditor, finance director, etc.
PAYSCALE FOR ACCA PROFESSIONALS
The salary packages normally offered to ACCA professionals are quite competitive; however, they can vary widely depending on an individual’s expertise, employer, and position/role. Here is an estimated breakdown of the pay scale for ACCA professionals in the UK.
| CAREER STAGE/ ROLE | TYPICAL SALARY RANGE |
| Entry-level Roles | £25,000-35,000 |
| Part-Qualified Professionals | £45,000-74,000 |
| Senior/ Managerial-level Roles | £60,000-100,000+ |
| Executive or Leadership Positions | £92,000-148,000+ |
CONCLUSION
Through this blog, you might have learned more than just ‘what is ACCA’; it is a ladder to success in the competitive finance world. Through strategic planning and determination, ACCA can prove to be the best academic decision you could make for a secure career. It not only benefits you academically but also focuses on building you professionally. Hence, if you are an aspirant giving it a second thought, you should kickstart your journey now.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Q1: What is the ACCA course duration in the UK?
Ans: Not specified as it depends on the student (how fast he is to crack his exams and complete other academic requirements); nonetheless, it normally takes 3-4 years to complete this qualification.
Q2: Why choose ACCA over accounting degrees in the UK?
Ans: The qualification of ACCA in the UK can be your best pick amongst other accounting degrees for various reasons such as global recognition, career stability, diverse professional pathways, academic & professional flexibility, etc.
Q3: Can I get a work Visa in the UK through the ACCA qualification?
Ans: Yes, you can have as many employers in the UK sponsor a work Visa for a skilled ACCA professional; to avail such opportunities, you must have a strong skillset and expertise in the practical world.
Q4: Can I pass ACCA in first attempt?
Ans: Yes, the students who pass ACCA in the first attempt treat every day as examination day and prepare
