ACCA Qualification
The ACCA Qualification gives you the most up-to-date skills you need to become a finance professional.
You need three GCSEs and two A Levels in five separate subjects including maths and English (or their equivalent) to start the ACCA Qualification
Find out more about the minimum entry requirements for all of our qualifications.
Work experience | Three years. |
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Number of exams | Up to 13, depending on exemptions. |
How long does it take? | Three to four years on average. |
What else is involved? | Ethics and Professional Skills module. |
Foundation level qualifications
If you are starting out in accounting and finance or already working in finance but have no formal qualifications, you can start your journey with ACCA at our foundation level.
DIPIFR - Diploma in International Financial Reporting
What's involved?
Work experience | None involved in qualifying, but the qualification is designed to accompany relevant work. |
Number of exams | One written exam. |
How long does it take? | Three to six months. |
Who is it for?
Professional accountants and auditors working in practice and industry and qualified in national accounting standards are eligible to take the qualification.
Practitioners not yet qualified, but who can verify at least one of the following, are also eligible:
- Membership of an Accountancy Professional Body
- A relevant degree (attracting exemptions from AB – LW.. 4 exemptions ) plus two years' relevant work experience in an Accounting environment
- Three years' relevant work experience
- ACCA Affiliate
- ACCA Diploma in Financial Management (or Certified Diploma in Accounting & Finance)
- ACCA Certificate in International Financial Reporting plus two years relevant work experience.
Professional Diploma in Sustainability
This Professional Diploma in Sustainability is the definitive qualification in sustainability. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the impact it has on organisations, from strategy and management decisions, to reporting and assurance. Over approximately 60 hours of learning and practice, you’ll learn to embrace change and realise your true potential.
Entry requirements | Although there are no specific entry requirements for admission, the syllabus content and assessments may be challenging for candidates without any accounting knowledge. |
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Number of exams | Candidates can either study separately for all four individual Certificates and then take a final, overarching exam to receive the Diploma, or they can approach the Diploma as a single, integrated learning programme, comprising four courses and a revision and practice module. |
Oxford Brookes BSc degree
This programme will close in May 2026. Visit our completion deadlines page for further information
You need to be a registered ACCA Student and have opted-in to the BSc Degree Scheme.
Number of exams | Successfully complete all Applied Knowledge and Applies Skills exams, including passing Financial Reporting (FR), Audit and Assurance (AA) and Financial Management (FM) exams |
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How long does it take? | You must pass your RAP within 10 years of the earliest of: the date of your first ACCA examination pass, or the date of your first ACCA exemption being granted, or within 5 years of passing 3 ACCA examinations (Applied Skills or Strategic Professional) or being a full member of ACCA of good standing (that is have an up to date CPD record) |
What else is involved? | Complete and pass the Oxford Brookes University Research and Analysis Project and the ACCA Ethics and Professional Skills Module |
The BSc programme is closing in 2026. Find out more. |
University of London MSc in Professional Accountancy
Open to all ACCA members and affiliates.
Number of exams | You’ll need to complete two modules (from a choice of four) and one capstone project | |
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What else is involved? | You can study online via distance learning or at a local study centre | |
How long does it take? | Each module runs over 10 weeks followed by an assessment. The capstone project runs over two 10 week sessions and has two assessment points. Depending on the modules you select, you can complete the MSc in around one year, taking up to a max of 5 years |
Oxford Brookes Global MBA
ACCA member or a minimum of three years’ professional/managerial work experience.
Work experience | None involved in qualifying, but three years' professional/managerial work experience is required for entry. |
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Number of exams | Assignment-based and two exams. |
How long does it take? | If an ACCA member, as little as 21 months. |
What else is involved? | Two face-to-face workshops. |
Cert BA - Certificate in Business Analytics
With the increasing availability of broad and deep sources of information, business analytics is an even more critical capability for enterprises of all types and all sizes.
Entry requirements | No prior knowledge required |
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Cost | ACCA members: 799 GBP Non-members: 1499 GBP |
How long does it take? | 36 hours |
Diploma in Accounting and Business - International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme
IBO students who are seeking an accelerated pathway to a career in accounting, finance and business can get a head-start through the IBCP with ACCA’s Diploma in Accounting and Business - International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme.
Number of exams | Four Career Programme Core courses Two International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Courses Three ACCA exams |
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How long does it take? | Up to 24 months |
Who is it for? | Designed for people who are just starting out on their business education journeys and students in the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme |
Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting - International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme
IBO students who are seeking the universal language of business accounting can get a head-start through the IBCP with a Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting - International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme.
Number of exams | Four Career Programme Core courses Two International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Courses Two ACCA exams |
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How long does it take? | Up to 24 months |
Who is it for? | Designed for people who are just starting out on their business education journeys and students in the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme |
Advanced Diploma in Finance and Business (in Russian)
Equivalent to the ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business, these Russian Language exams develop the strong, broad and practical finance skills required of future strategic professional accountant in any sector or industry.
Number of exams | Up to 6, depending on exemptions. |
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How long does it take? | 18 months on average. |
What else is involved? | Professional Ethics Module |
Certificate in Business Valuations
There are no formal entry requirements, but we recommend that an educational or vocational background in business valuations is gained before starting this certificate. Primarily the course is aimed at people who already have a professional accountancy qualification.
Work experience involved | None involved in qualifying, but the qualification is designed to accompany relevant work. |
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Number of exams | None. |
How long does it take? | Average of 20 hours. |
CertDA - Certificate in Data Analytics
The CertDA will help you learn about big data, the various sources of data, types of analytics, and become familiar with the range of tools and techniques required to extract, manipulate and interpret and present data
No prior knowledge required.
Cost | ACCA members: 75 GBP Non-members: 100 GBP |
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How long does it take? | 4 hours |
Access period | 12 months |
CertDIF - Certificate in Digital Innovation for Finance
The ACCA Certificate in Digital Innovation for Finance is aimed at accountancy, finance, business and advisory professionals who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and awareness of innovations in digital technology and its impact on the finance profession.
No prior knowledge required.
Cost | ACCA members: 200 GBP Non-members: 255 GBP |
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How long does it take? | 20 hours |
Access period | 12 months |
Cert Fintech - Certificate in FinTech for Finance and Business Leaders
CertFinTech consists of three courses, which ensure finance professionals have the practical skills needed to develop an effective and productive understanding of key technologies.
No prior knowledge required.
Cost | ACCA members: 320 GBP Non-members: 430 GBP |
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How long does it take? | 50 hours |
Access period | 12 months |
CertGBS - Certificate in Global Business Services
CertGBS will give you the skills and expertise to process accounting reports, and to understand shared services, process and standards – ideal for new starters or junior roles.
No prior knowledge required.
Cost ACCA members: | 210 GBP |
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Non-members: | 285 GBP |
How long does it take? | 10 to 15 hours |
Access period | 12 months |
Cert IR - Certificate in Integrated Reporting
The ACCA Certificate in Integrated Reporting focuses on how to implement Integrated Reporting in your organisation. It outlines what’s required to develop a successful Integrated Report and takes you through how to go about it.
No prior knowledge required.
Cost | ACCA members: 300 GBP + VAT Non-members: 350 GBP + VAT |
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How long does it take? | 21 hours |
Access period | 12 months |
CertIA - Certificate in International Auditing
Designed for professional accountants and auditors working in audit or seeking to make a move in to audit practice. An educational or vocational background in auditing is recommended before commencing the Cert IA.
This course would benefit ACCA members who qualified before the clarified ISAs were introduced or for members who wish to ensure that their audit knowledge is up to date with all relevant IAASB publications.
Work experience | None involved in qualifying, but the qualification is designed to accompany relevant work. |
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Number of exams | One online multiple-choice assessment. |
How long does it take? | Average of 25 hours. |
CertIFR - Certificate in International Financial Reporting
Designed for professional accountants and auditors qualified in their national accounting standards who need to update their skills to meet the challenges involved in adopting and implementing IFRS in their workplace. An educational or vocational background in financial reporting is recommended before starting the Cert IFR. This course also benefits ACCA members who gained their qualification prior to the introduction of IFRS. For ACCA members whose qualifications are already based on IFRS, the Cert IFR is an opportunity to update their IFRS knowledge for recent IASB publications.
Work experience | None involved in qualifying, but the qualification is designed to accompany relevant work. |
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Number of exams | One online multiple-choice assessment. |
How long does it take? | Average of 20 hours. |
Certificate in International Public Sector Accounting Standards
No formal qualifications are required. Designed for professional accountants and auditors qualified in national accounting standards or International Financial Reporting Standards, the certificate is an introduction to IPSAS, on the assumption that the learner knows a reasonable amount or has sufficient experience of accounting and financial reporting.
Work experience | None involved in qualifying, but the qualification is designed to accompany relevant work. |
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Number of exams | One online multiple-choice assessment. |
How long does it take? | Average of 17 hours. |
Certificate in Public Financial Management (Cert PFM)
There are no formal educational requirements to beginning the Cert PFM.
It has been prepared for:
- New entrants to the public sector.
- Staff with practical experience but without formal professional qualifications.
- Professional accountants moving into the public sector from the corporate sector or professional practice.
Work experience | None involved in qualifying, but the qualification is designed to accompany relevant work. |
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Number of exams | One online multiple-choice assessment. |
How long does it take? | Average of 40 hours. |
Cert SF - Certificate in Sustainability Finance
Sustainability is one of the burning issues of our times and is relevant to us all, regardless of where we live or how we earn our living.
No prior knowledge required.
Cost | ACCA members: 210 GBP Non-members: 285 GBP |
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How long does it take? | 20 hours |
Access period | 12 months |
Certificate in Tax and Regulation (UAE)
Understand the business environment and regulations of the UAE.
Cost | £395 |
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How long does it take? | 20 hours |
Access period | 12 months |
UAE Tax Fellowship
A programme designed as a mandatory requirement for accredited auditors in the UAE.
Cost | Various |
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Access period | 12-24 months |
Exam | Invigilated assessments |