ACCA accountancy qualifications

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.

Entry requirements

The Foundation Diploma is the best preparation for the ACCA Qualification if you don’t have any other qualifications or experience.

Complete the Diploma, and you will be automatically transferred onto the ACCA Qualification, free of charge, and given exemptions from the first three exams.

In Pakistan, the Intermediate Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) has awarded HSSC (Intermediate in Commerce) equivalence to the Foundation Diploma.

If you wish to obtain such equivalence, then you must apply for the Foundation Diploma after completing O’ Levels, or Matriculation. Read more about equivalence

What's involved?

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.

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.

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.

Open to all ACCA members and affiliates.

ACCA member or a minimum of three years’ professional/managerial work experience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Understand the business environment and regulations of the UAE.

A programme designed as a mandatory requirement for accredited auditors in the UAE.