What is ACCA?

In today’s fast-changing world of finance and accounting, having the right qualification can make all the difference. The ACCA is one of those qualifications that opens doors to rewarding roles across the world. It equips individuals with the practical skills, technical knowledge, and ethical understanding. These qualities help them excel in careers ranging from taxation and auditing to corporate finance and advisory roles.

In this blog, we will explain what ACCA is, its exam and course structure, why you should choose ACCA, top job roles and salary structures, and how it differs from other professional qualifications.

Table of Contents:

• ACCA Meaning and Overview
• What is ACCA Qualification?
• Why Choose the ACCA Qualification?
• Top ACCA Job Roles and Salary Structure
• ACCA Salaries in India vs Abroad
• ACCA Exam and Course Structure
• Essential Skills Needed in 2025 for ACCA Students
• Future Scope of ACCA in India
• ACCA Course vs. Other Professional Courses

ACCA Meaning and Overview

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a global accounting body that offers a range of professional qualifications. At present, it is a community of over 200,000 members and over 500,000 student members spread across 180 countries. While ACCA provides various certifications and qualifications, its most popular one is its flagship qualification, focused on accounting and finance. 

Now, let’s look at what the ACCA qualification actually is.

What is ACCA Qualification?

ACCA is a globally recognized professional accountancy certification offered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA Global), a UK-based accounting body. Its flagship qualification, known as the ‘Chartered Certified Accountant, builds expertise in finance and accounting.

To earn the qualification, candidates must clear the exams, complete the Ethics and Professional Skills Module, and gain relevant practical experience. The qualification covers auditing, taxation, accounting, and business ethics. It equips individuals with in-depth knowledge and skills in various financial disciplines. 

Why Choose the ACCA Qualification?

As a leading professional accountancy qualification, ACCA offers numerous benefits to professionals. This makes it a popular choice among individuals seeking a rewarding career in accounting and finance.

Here are some reasons why you should choose the ACCA qualification:

1. Increase Employability

Professionals with ACCA are skilled in strategic thinking, technical skills, and professional values, which makes them a top choice for employers.

2. Global Career Opportunities

ACCA has a worldwide reputation and its qualifications are recognized across 180 countries. This enables ACCA-trained professionals to work anywhere in the world.

3. Strong Professional Network

ACCA members join a global network of 200,000+ professionals. Students can connect through events, seminars, and ACCA’s online community, which provides opportunities for learning and career growth.

4. Attractive Salary Offer

Besides promising job opportunities, ACCA offers competitive salaries. The average ACCA salary in India is between ₹4 – ₹8 lakhs per year for freshers, which keeps increasing with experience.

Top ACCA Job Roles and Salary Structure

ACCA offers several job roles and career opportunities across different sectors and locations. Qualified professionals can work in corporate finance, public accounting firms, banking, consulting, and more in roles such as financial analyst, management accountant, auditor, tax consultant, etc.

Let’s take a look at the top ACCA job roles with salary structure:

Note: Salary range varies based on different factors, including location, industry, sector, company size, etc.

ACCA Salaries in India vs Abroad

One of the biggest attractions of the ACCA qualification is its global recognition. But the salary range for ACCA professionals varies significantly depending on where you work. Previously, we discussed the average salary package for different job roles in India. Now, let’s see how the pay scale differs in India vs abroad:

As you can see, salaries abroad are higher in absolute terms, but so is the cost of living. In India, ACCA professionals earn competitive packages while benefiting from lower living expenses.

Salaries abroad are higher, but so are living costs. The choice often depends on whether you want international exposure or to build a career in India’s growing finance sector.

ACCA Exam and Course Structure

The ACCA qualification is divided into three levels: applied knowledge, applied skills, and strategic professional level. Before attempting the three levels, students must meet the minimum eligibility criteria and then pass 13 exams. 

ACCA Eligibility Criteria For Indian Students

• Students must be 18+ years of age.
• Have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examinations.
• Have scored a minimum of 65% in Accounts, Mathematics, and English.
• At least 50% in other subjects.

Also, students who have just completed their class 10th examination or do not fulfill the eligibility criteria can still register for the ACCA course through the Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) pathway. 

ACCA Exemptions

Based on their education, students can claim exemptions. For instance, students holding a B.Com or M.Com degree just need to sit for 9 papers, while fully qualified CAs need to sit only for 4 exams out of the 13.

Now, let’s look at the three exam levels and the subjects under each.

ACCA Exam Levels

There are three levels, each having its own set of exams.

These are:

1. Applied Knowledge Level

The Applied Knowledge Level gives students a strong foundation in finance and accounting techniques. The exams are:

• Financial Accounting (FA)
• Management Accounting (MA)
• Business and Technology (BT)

These exams are to be completed alongside the Responsible Business Management Essential-Employability Module.

2. Applied Skills Level

The applied skills level of the ACCA qualification helps students develop practical finance skills required of professional accountants in all sectors.

These six exams are:

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

These exams must be completed alongside the Digital Tech and Innovation Essential Employability Module.

3. Strategic Professional Level

The Strategic Professional Level helps students build strategic vision by combining technical, ethical, and professional skills. Additionally, students must complete essential exams and choose two optional ones.  These exams are:

Essentials:

• Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
• Strategic Business Leader (SBL)

Options:

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

These exams must be completed alongside the Ethical, Sustainable Leadership Essential Employability Module.

Ethics and Professional Skills Module

The ACCA’s Ethics and Professional Skills is mandatory for all candidates seeking the ACCA qualification. It is an online learning component designed to develop skills like ethical decision-making and communication, as well as prepare candidates for real-world challenges.

Practical Experience Requirement

As an ACCA member, you must complete at least 36 months’ relevant work experience and achieve 9 performance objectives. And this needs to be signed off by a practical experience supervisor. This must be completed to become a full member of ACCA and gain recognition as a Chartered Certified Accountant.

Essential Skills Needed in 2025 for ACCA Students

The 5 most important skills for ACCA students are as follows:

1. Accounting basics: A solid understanding of accounting standards and financial statements is the starting point for everything else.

2. Financial analysis: It’s not enough to record numbers. You need to understand what they mean and what story they tell about a business.

3. Tech skills: Excel, data tools, and modern accounting software are now part of daily work. Learning how to use these tools is essential.

4. Communication: Being able to explain complex financial ideas in simple terms makes you stand out. Most people you’ll talk to won’t be finance experts.

5. Ethics: At the end of the day, finance runs on trust. If people can’t trust your work or your judgment, the rest doesn’t matter.

Future Scope of ACCA in India

The scope of ACCA in India is expanding rapidly as more companies recognize its value. Most ACCA-qualified professionals work with the Big 4 or MNCs. At times, CA and ACCA offer the same job profile and salary package. With India adopting Ind-AS aligned with IFRS, companies need finance professionals who understand global reporting standards. This makes ACCA members particularly valuable.

ACCA members are trained in IFRS, which gives them an edge in multinational firms, Big Four audit practices, and financial KPOs that serve global clients. Rising cross-border M&A and foreign investment are increasing the demand for ACCA professionals in India. Multinational corporations and Big Four firms are hiring actively, making the future of ACCA in India very strong.

ACCA Course vs. Other Professional Courses

After completing class 12, candidates often begin preparing for professional certification exams. But while choosing a professional qualification, they often compare ACCA with other professional certifications such as CA (Chartered Accountant), CMA (Certified Management Accountant), and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).
Each course has its benefits, so let’s compare the ACCA course with other professional courses:

Conclusion

Overall, the ACCA qualification is a prestigious and globally reputed certification in finance and accounting. Apart from skills and knowledge, it also offers diversified career opportunities and credibility to succeed anywhere in the world. Whether you want to work in top companies or explore international markets, ACCA opens several growth opportunities. It is a valuable asset for accountants looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers.

What is ACCA – FAQ