How to Become ACCA: Step-by-Step Guide for Students

This guide shows simple steps on how to become ACCA. You will learn what ACCA is, who can join, how to register, the exam stages, work experience needed, and how to pass. It is written for Indian students in very simple English and uses official ACCA sources for facts. 

ACCA means the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a global body for accountants. Many people study ACCA to get good jobs in finance and audit. 

To learn how to become ACCA, you must do three things.

• One — pass the exams.
• Two — finish an ethics and skills module.
• Three — complete thirty six months of work experience. These steps make you ready for real jobs.

This guide is for students in India. I will use short sentences, use easy words, give steps you can follow and I will also point to official ACCA pages for facts. 

What Is ACCA and Why Choose It?

ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a big global group for accountants. Many people study ACCA to learn finance and get good jobs. 

Why choose ACCA? Here are simple reasons:

• Works everywhere — ACCA is known and trusted around the world. Employers in many countries accept it.
• Teaches real job skills — ACCA trains you in audit, tax, finance and business skills that firms want.
• Flexible study — You can learn while you work or study in college. You can do online or classroom courses.
• Respected by employers — Big firms and banks often hire ACCA members. This helps you get better jobs.
• Ethics and experience — ACCA asks you to learn ethics and do real work for three years. This makes your learning link to real jobs.

Quick note for India: ACCA works with local colleges and firms. There is official student support and local help for those in India.
Learning How to Become ACCA gives you skills that help both in India and abroad.

Who Is Eligible for ACCA?

Here is who can start ACCA.

Key points

• You can start with school qualifications. To start the main ACCA Qualification, ACCA asks for the equivalent of three GCSEs and two A-levels, including maths and English. This means many students who finish high school can start.
  
• If you do not have these, start with Foundations (FIA). FIA (Foundations in Accountancy) has no strict entry rules. It helps learners who are new to accounting.
  
• Age to register. ACCA lets people register from a young age. The minimum registration age is thirteen. If you are under 18 in some countries, ACCA may need a parent to sign a consent form.

Who else can join

• Graduates and college students. If you already have a degree, you may get paper exemptions. Many degrees give some exemptions. Check ACCA for exact details.
  
• Working people. You can study ACCA while you work. Many do this part-time.

Documents you will need to register 

• Proof of identity (passport or Aadhar).
• School or college mark sheet (for class twelve or degree).
• Passport-style photo.

Knowing How to Become ACCA helps you check eligibility quickly.

How to Register for ACCA?

Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to register for ACCA when planning how to become ACCA in India.

Quick steps

1. Make a myACCA account – Go to the ACCA website and sign up. This is your student account.
   
2. Choose your start point – Pick ACCA Qualification or start with Foundations (FIA) if you need extra basics.
   
3. Upload your documents – You usually need a copy of your ID (passport or birth certificate), proof of your school or degree marks, and a passport photo as Use copies, not originals.
   
4. Pay the registration fee – ACCA has a one-time registration fee and an annual student subscription. Check the ACCA fees page for the exact amount. Fees can change, so always verify on ACCA.
   
5. Wait for confirmation –  ACCA checks your documents. It can take up to seven working days for your student account to be set up. If there is a problem, use ACCA’s student help or chat.
   
6. Start studying and book exams – Once your student account is ready, you can apply for exemptions, pick study options, and book exam sittings. 

Following this step is the first practical way on How to Become ACCA.

ACCA Course Structure and Exam Levels

ACCA has three clear levels. You must pass exams at each level. You also must finish an ethics module and work experience. This structure shows the clear path on How to Become ACCA.

The Three Levels

Ethics module and practical parts

You must finish the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM). It teaches ethics, people skills and real workplace tasks. ACCA wants this done before you finish some final exams. 

You also need 36 months of work experience and sign-offs for performance objectives. This shows you can use what you learn in real jobs.

How exams are given

Most ACCA exams are computer-based. Some are on-demand (you can sit them anytime). Others are in sessions across the year. Always check the ACCA exam timetable for the paper you want. 

This section is key for anyone who wants to understand How to Become ACCA effectively.

How Long Does It Take to Complete ACCA?

Most students take two to four years to finish the exams, but to truly understand how to become ACCA, you must also finish three years (36 months) of work. So, total time often looks like three years or more.

Why time can change

• Exams only — If you only count the exams, some finish in two years. Others take three to four years. This depends on how many papers you must do and how many you attempt each exam sitting.
  
• Work experience (PER) — To be a full member you need 36 months of relevant work. You can do this work while you study. But you cannot be a full ACCA member until this is done and signed off.
  
• Exemptions — If you have a degree or other accountancy qualification you may skip some papers. This cuts exam time. Exemptions can speed things up a lot and shorten your path on How to Become ACCA. 

Important rules to know

• ACCA asks that the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams be finished within five years from the date you became eligible to sit them. Also the Strategic Professional exams must be done within five years after you finish the earlier levels. Check ACCA rules for details.
  
• Exemptions are only given for recent qualifications (rules apply). Always check the ACCA exemptions page before you plan.

Tips to finish sooner

• Plan your exams. Try two papers per exam session if you can.
• Use exemptions if you have them. Apply early.
• Do PER work while you study. Ask your employer to sign your progress often.

Following these steps helps you stay on track for How to Become ACCA.

ACCA Exemptions: Who Can Skip Papers?

ACCA may let you skip some papers. This is called an exemption. Exemptions save time. But they apply only to the first two levels (Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills). You cannot get exemptions for the Strategic Professional level.

What an exemption means

• If your college or prior course taught the same topic, ACCA can say you do not need to sit that paper. Knowing exemptions is part of How to Become ACCA smartly.
• You still must show proof (marksheets, syllabus). ACCA checks your documents.

How to check if you get exemptions

1. Use the ACCA Exemptions Calculator on the ACCA site. Put your college name and degree. It will show possible exempt papers. This is the fastest way. 
2. If your university is not listed, you can ask ACCA and send your syllabus and marksheets. ACCA will decide. 

Fees and documents

• Exemptions are not automatic or free. You may pay an exemption fee per paper. The fee and process are given on the ACCA site. 
• Be ready to upload certified copies of your degree, transcripts, and a syllabus or module list when asked as Wrong or unclear docs slow things down. 

Simple step-by-step to apply

1. Register as an ACCA student (myACCA).
2. Open the Exemptions Calculator and search your institute.
3. If it shows exemptions, follow the on-screen steps to request them. If not, send ACCA your documents for review. 
4. Wait for ACCA to confirm. Keep a copy of everything you send.

ACCA Practical Experience Requirement (PER)

ACCA asks you to do real work as part of the course. This is called the Practical Experience Requirement, or PER. You must finish it to become a full ACCA member. Completing PER is essential in How to Become ACCA.

The simple facts

• You need 36 months of relevant work.
• You must complete nine performance objectives: all five Essentials and any four Technical. 
• You record and track your PER in MyExperience inside your myACCA account. 
• A practical experience supervisor must sign off your time and objectives. This is usually an IFAC-qualified accountant or someone your employer agrees. 

How the months count 

• Full-time work counts as full months. Part-time counts too, but ACCA will pro-rate the time based on hours you work. So part-time can add up to the 36 months. 
• You can gain experience in more than one job. Add each job in MyExperience and get it signed.

What are performance objectives?

• Each objective has small tasks you must show you did.
• You write a short statement (about your work) for each objective. Your supervisor checks and approves it.

Short table 

Job Opportunities After ACCA

ACCA opens many job doors. You can work in India or abroad. Big firms, banks and local companies hire ACCA people. Job opportunities are the reward after completing How to Become ACCA.

Common job roles

• Audit — checking company books and reports.
• Tax — helping with tax rules and returns.
• Financial Reporting / Accounting — preparing financial statements.
• Management Accounting / Costing — helping managers plan money.
• Financial Analyst — analysing budgets and projects.
• Internal Audit / Risk — finding weak spots in business.
• Corporate Finance / Advisory — work on deals and plans.

Where ACCA people work 

• Big Four firms — Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG hire many ACCA students.
• Banks and NBFCs — finance and control teams.
• MNCs and large Indian firms — accounting and finance teams.
• Startups and SMEs — finance, payroll, and planning roles.
• Consulting and advisory firms — tax and business advice roles.

ACCA vs CA vs CPA — Which Is Better?

Understanding how to become ACCA helps you compare career options globally.

How to Study and Pass ACCA Exams?

ACCA is not hard if you plan well. You can pass each paper with smart study and regular practice. Here is a very clear guide to How to Become ACCA successfully.

1. Pick the right papers each session

• Most students take one or two papers per sitting.
• Do not take too many at once if you are working or in college.
• Finish easier papers first to build speed.

2. Use approved ACCA study material

• Buy or download books from ACCA-approved publishers like BPP or Kaplan.
• Use ACCA practice kits for questions.
• Avoid random notes from the internet.

3. Watch simple lectures or coaching

• You can study online or offline.
• Pick a tutor who explains in easy words.
• If you do self-study, use ACCA’s YouTube channel and practice platform.

4. Practice past exam questions

• ACCA gives past papers and mock exams.
• Solve them on time.
• Read examiners’ reports to see common mistakes.

5. Make small daily goals

• Study at least one hour a day.
• Revise weekly.
• Use flashcards for formulas and key terms.

6. Use the ACCA Practice Platform (CBEs)

• Many ACCA exams are computer-based.
• Practice typing answers the same way as the real test.

Conclusion

Learning how to become ACCA is a clear path if you know each step as You start by checking if you qualify, then register, plan your exams, and apply for any exemptions. You study smart, pass your papers, and complete 36 months of work (PER). After that, you get full ACCA membership.

ACCA course works well for Indian students who want global chances or wish to work in big firms. It is flexible, so you can study with college or a job as You also get many career options like audit, tax, finance, and consulting.

If you keep steady progress, use ACCA-approved books, and get real work experience early, you can complete ACCA faster. You don’t need high-level English or complex words. Just regular study, practice questions, and clear targets.

Now you know how to become ACCA from start to end, so pick your reason, plan your steps, and move ahead with confidence.