Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) is a group of qualifications. Each qualification has a number of exams which you can take at any time to suit your schedule. You’ll also need to complete the Foundations in Professionalism module to be awarded any of the qualifications.
If you are at the very beginning of your financial education, this may be the qualification for you. It’s broadly matched to a GCSE-level qualification or equivalent, and comprises two essential courses:
You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of the main types of business transactions and documentation and how these are recorded in an accounting system up to the trial balance stage.
You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of providing basic management information in an organisation to support management in planning and decision-making.
This qualification is broadly matched to an AS or A level or equivalent and comprises two courses:
You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and concepts relating to financial records and technical proficiency in the use of double-entry accounting techniques including the preparation of basic financial statements.
You’ll learn how to prepare, process and present basic cost information to support management in planning and decision-making in a variety of business contexts.
This more advanced qualification is broadly matched to a HND level or the first year of a degree programme or equivalent. It comprises three courses, and by completing these you will also be completing the Applied Knowledge level of the full ACCA Qualification:
You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of the business and its environment and the influence this has on how organisations are structured and on the role of accounting and other key business functions in contributing to the efficient, effective and ethical management and development of an organization, its people and systems.
You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and concepts relating to financial accounting and technical proficiency in the use of double-entry accounting techniques, including the preparation of basic financial statements for single entities and simple groups. You’ll also be introduced to basic techniques of interpretation of financial statements.
You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of management accounting techniques to support management in planning, controlling and monitoring performance in a variety of business contexts.
See the Foundation Diploma exams (designed exclusively for students in Pakistan and Bangladesh).
Wherever you begin your FIA journey, you will also need to complete our Foundations in Professionalism module to gain your qualification. This online and interactive module will give you an understanding of what it means to act professionally and ethically in relation to finance.
You can take this module before or after the exam component of your qualification, it’s up to you, and you only need to take it once, irrespective of whether you go on to take further FIA qualifications. But you must take it: professionalism and ethical behaviour are fundamental aspects of the ACCA approach – which is recognised and respected around the world as the gold standard for financial training and education.
View more information on Foundations in Professionalism
The CAT Qualification draws together the three FIA diplomas, plus three additional specialist options awards. It gives you a broad platform of financial skills and knowledge as well as allowing you to gain skills to support your target role. You’ll need to complete two out of the three specialist options awards:
To complete the CAT Qualification, you will also need to evidence a year of practical experience in a relevant finance role and complete the Foundations in Professionalism module.
If you want to work (or already are working) in tax, financial management or audit and want certification for your skills, these certificates may be perfect for you.
You can achieve the following standalone certificates if you complete the FAU, FTX and FFM exams individually:
You will also need to complete the Foundations in Professionalism module in addition in order to be awarded the certificate in that subject.
Students resident in Scotland will receive award certificates for the Scottish regulated titles.