ACCA Exams: Exam List and Effective Preparation Tips

Are you currently preparing for your ACCA exams or planning to begin soon? Well, this guide can help you ensure you complete the ACCA exams successfully!

In this blog article, you will find:

• ACCA exam list and timetable.  
• Best tips for an effective ACCA exam study plan.   
• A glimpse into an effective ACCA exam order you can follow to reduce stress.·        
• Best ACCA online courses, with a specific focus on the UK.

 

Introduction to ACCA Exam

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a globally recognised accounting body offering the ‘Certified Chartered Accountant Certification”. 

 

ACCA’s reputation transcends borders. The ACCA certification is a globally recognised qualification that can help you achieve a successful career in accounting and finance across the globe.

 

After passing the ACCA exams you become an ACCA member, offering you a respected credential in the accounting world. The ACCA exam covers diverse areas, from business ethics and law to technical topics like auditing and financial reporting.

 

Importance of Qualifying ACCA Exam

The ACCA online courses and exams equip you with the required qualifications and expertise in international accounting and auditing, increasing your employability.

 

Here’s what you gain with ACCA certification after completing the ACCA exams:

• Globally recognised certification: Become eligible to work as an ACCA-certified professional anywhere in the world.
• Advanced skill set: Develop skills in international accounting and auditing standards.
• High salary: Job recruiters prioritise ACCA certification, often offering higher salaries if you are qualified.
• Leadership path: The ACCA qualification can pave your way to top executive positions like CFO or Finance Director
• Joining the elite: ACCA certification is the key to joining the ranks of highly compensated professionals working at leading firms such as PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thronton, and more.

 

ACCA Exam Syllabus and Timetable

The ACCA exam syllabus consists of 13 subjects divided into 4 levels.

Here’s a quick look at the basic ACCA exam structure:

 

Module No.	ACCA Levels	ACCA Exam Module	Number of Exams
1	Fundamental Level	Applied Knowledge	3 Exams​
2		Applied Skills	6 Exams
3	Professional Level	Strategic Professional Essentials	2 Exams
4		Strategic Professional Options	2 Exams (from a choice of 4)

1. Subjects covered in the Applied Knowledge Level

• Business and Technology -BT
• Management Accounting -MA
• Financial Accounting-FA

2. Subjects covered in the Applied Skills Level

• Corporate and Business Law -LW
• Performance Management-PM
• Taxation -TX
• Financial Reporting -FR
• Audit and Assurance-AA
• Financial Management- FM

3. Subjects covered in the Strategic Professional Level

• Strategic Business Leader -SBL
• Strategic Business Reporting- SBR

4. Two of the four optional papers

• Advanced Financial Management -AFM
• Advanced Performance Management -APM
• Advanced Taxation -ATX
• Advanced Audit and Assurance-AAA

Now let’s take a quick look at the ACCA exam timetable.

September 2024 - ACCA exams schedule (2-6 September)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Audit and Assurance-AA	Taxation- TX	Financial Reporting- FR	Performance Management-PM	Financial Management-FM
Advanced Audit and Assurance-AAA	Strategic Business Leader-SBL	Strategic Business Reporting-SBR	Advanced Performance Management APM	Corporate and Business Law-LW
			Advanced Taxation- ATX	Advanced Financial Management- AFM
				Financial Reporting FR*

*Additional options in selected Indian exam centres only.

(Source: ACCA Global)

December 2024 - ACCA exams (2-6 December)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Audit and Assurance (AA)	Taxation (TX)	Performance Management (PM)	Financial Reporting (FR)	Financial Management (FM)
Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)	Strategic Business Leader (SBL)	Advanced Performance Management (APM)	Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)	Corporate and Business Law (LW)
		Advanced Taxation  (ATX)		Advanced Financial Management (AFM)

*Additional options in selected Indian exam centres only.

(Source: ACCA Global)

How Long Does the ACCA Exam Take?

ACCA has recently implemented changes to its time limit rules, offering a more flexible pathway for you to achieve the full qualification.

 

Under the new regulations, if you completed the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels, you might require only four or fewer exams to become qualified ACCA members. This significantly reduces the overall completion time.

 

Exams completed in the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skill levels are now permanently valid. This eliminates the prior pressure to complete all ACCA exams within a strict 10-year time frame. 

 

However, there is a time limit to complete the strategic professional-level exams. You will have seven years to pass Strategic Professional, calculated from the date you pass your first exam at this level.

 

According to ACCA Global, plan on investing an average of 2-3 years to complete all 13 ACCA exams. Many ACCA online courses in the UK recommend dedicating 2 months of study per subject.

 

Tips for Creating an Effective Study Plan for ACCA Exam 

These tips will help you prepare an effective ACCA study plan. 

 

1. Create a doable study plan

• Craft a revision timetable with short, focused study sessions and frequent breaks.
• Mix subjects throughout the day for variety.
• Set clear daily, weekly, and monthly goals to track progress.

2. Learning maps

• Use colourful learning maps such as mind maps or topic trees to visualise topics and identify connections.

3. Find your focus zone

• Locate a quiet study space that minimises distractions such as a library, café, or a quiet corner of your home.

4. Customise your learning approach

• Full-time students: Plan strategically to avoid overwhelm. Break down study sessions with breaks.
• Working students/families: Study efficiently whenever possible. Structure your sessions with breaks for reflection.

5. Past ACCA exam papers, do a lot!

• Regularly practise answering past ACCA exam questions.
• Before revising a subject, review past papers to get familiar with the format.
• After thorough revision, attempt past papers under timed conditions and self-mark.

6. Teamwork makes the dream work

• Form study groups with peers for support, motivation, and social interaction.

7. Recharge and refuel

• Take regular study breaks.
• Prioritise proper sleep, healthy eating, and exercise for optimal brain function and stress reduction.

8. Celebrate your wins

• Reward yourself for meeting revision targets (e.g., movies, hanging out with friends).

9. Short-term memory boost

• Focus on past papers and exam strategies closer to ACCA exam dates to solidify short-term memory.

 

ACCA Exam Order for Successful Completion

ACCA allows you to take up to four subjects per exam sitting and a maximum of eight per year. To plan your exam order, consider these factors:

• Workload: Do any exams clash with busy work periods?
• Personal life: Are there holidays or important events impacting your ability to
• study for a specific sitting?
• Learning style: What approach best suits how you learn?

Some common choices you can consider based on study preferences:

 

1. Two exams per sitting (fast-paced)

• Focus on 2 exams per exam window (June/December or March/September).
• Gives you 12-16 weeks to prepare for each exam.
• Lets you keep moving forward without waiting for results.
• Downside: Less time to focus on each subject.

 

2. One exam per sitting (deep focus)

• Take one exam at each exam window (all four offered).
• Allows for deep focus on a single subject at a time.
• Useful for tougher, higher-level papers.
• Downside: Might wait for results before starting the next exam.

3. Mix and match for flexibility

• Take varying numbers of exams per sitting (1-4)
• Adapt to your workload and personal life.
• Example: 1 in March,2 in June and 1 in December
• Offer focus and study breaks

 

Some additional exam order tips that might help you while attending the ACCA exam:

• Take exams in any order but consider connections for better understanding. For instance, take Financial Reporting (FR) before or with Audit and Assurance (AA).
• Take Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) before Strategic Professional Options, especially Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA).
• Complete studying the Ethics and Professional Skills module (20 hours) before Strategic Professional exams. Ideally, between Applied Skills and starting Strategic Professional exams.
• Finally, take Strategic Business Leader (SBL) last, as it is the final exam for apprenticeships.

Online Resources for ACCA Exam Preparation

ACCA online courses are one of the best ways to elevate your ACCA exam preparation. With some of the country’s leading ACCA tutors, great support, and flexible study modes, look no further than the London School of Business and Finance for your journey to ACCA qualification.

LSBF UK offers three ACCA study pathways to fit your needs:

• ACCA Campus Revision
• ACCA Online
• ACCA +Global MBA/Master in Finance and Investments

Studying for your ACCA with LSBF UK can help you cover all the necessary topics during the tuition phase with ample ACCA exam resources. This strategy can help you solely focus on revision when you start to prepare for your exams. You will also learn how to tackle standard questions in the ACCA exams that can help maximise your marks.