ACCA Exemptions Calculator 2024: Eligibility & Fees

by Sianna Shah

ACCA exemptions calculator 2024

The ACCA exemptions calculator is a tool that allows candidates to determine which ACCA exams they are exempt from based on their previous education and professional qualifications. It is used to determine how many ACCA exams a candidate needs to take to become a member of the ACCA.

The ACCA exemptions calculator is available on the ACCA website and can be accessed by anyone interested in pursuing an ACCA qualification. It is a valuable tool for candidates considering pursuing an ACCA qualification and wanting to understand which exams they will need to take to become a member of the ACCA.

How Does the ACCA Exemption Calculator Work?

When using the ACCA exemption calculator, simply input details about your educational background. The system compares your qualifications with ACCA's global exemption database, providing a personalized result. Follow these steps:

  1. Input Qualifications: Start by selecting your current qualification, such as a university degree or professional certification.
  2. Check Exemptions: The tool lists exemptions based on your input.
  3. Next Steps: Once you know your exemptions, you can register with ACCA and plan for the remaining exams.

To optimize your search, include details like your degree, the institution, and completion date. This ensures the results are accurate.

Who Can Benefit from the ACCA Exemption Calculator?

Professionals with the following qualifications often benefit from ACCA exemptions:

  • Degree holders: Bachelor's or Master’s degrees in finance, accounting, or business studies.
  • Professional certifications: CA, CPA, ICAEW, or CIMA.
  • International qualifications: ACCA partners with institutions globally, making it easier for international students to benefit.

Maximizing the ACCA Exemption Calculator for Optimal Results

While the ACCA exemption calculator provides an estimate, there are ways to maximize its effectiveness:

  • Regular Updates: ACCA updates its exemption database periodically, so ensure that your institution and qualifications are up-to-date.
  • Cross-check with ACCA: After getting your results, consult with ACCA to verify your exemptions.
  • Compare Institutions: If you plan to pursue further studies, check which universities offer the best exemption rates for ACCA.

ACCA Exemptions calculator for Indian students

The table below shows the exemptions which students with a Bcom or a ICAI qualification can claim

Its to be noted exemptions are granted only if the qualification has been obtained post 2003. For students qualified prior, there are no exemptions.

ACCA Exemptions for CA's

 Subject CA IPCC CA from ICAI
Business and Technology (BT)
Exempt Exempt
Management Accounting (MA) Exempt Exempt
Financial Accounting (FA) Exempt Exempt
Corporate and Business Law (LW) Exempt Exempt
Performance Management (PM)
Not Exempt
Exempt
Taxation (TX) Exempt Exempt
Financial Reporting (FR)
Not Exempt
Exempt
Audit and Assurance (AA) Exempt Exempt
Financial Management (FM)
Not Exempt
Exempt

  ACCA Exemptions for B.com/M.com

 Subject B.com/M.com
Business and Technology (BT)
Exempt
Management Accounting (MA) Exempt
Financial Accounting (FA) Exempt
Corporate and Business Law (LW) Exempt
Taxation (TX) (exempt from Aug 9, 2023) Exempt
Financial Reporting (FR)
Exempt only if completed DIPIFR
  • A CA IPCC student who has written the CA final exams can still claim exemptions if;
    • Student has scored above 40 in the subjects they wish to claim the exemption and;
    • The Group aggregate of that subject crosses 50%
  • In addition if a B.com or a CA IPCC student has cleared the ACCA Diploma in IFR, they claim exemptions from the Financial Reporting (FR) paper.
  • If a student is already registered with ACCA (before 8th August 2023) and have claimed exemptions – TX will not be awarded retrospective

ACCA Exemptions for CMA students

 Subject CMA/ACMA FCMA
Business and Technology (BT)
Exempt Exempt
Management Accounting (MA) Exempt Exempt
Financial Accounting (FA) Exempt Exempt
Corporate and Business Law (LW) Exempt Exempt
Performance Management (PM)
Not Exempt
Exempt
Taxation (TX) Exempt Exempt
Financial Reporting (FR)
Exempt
Exempt
Audit and Assurance (AA)
Not Exempt
Exempt
Financial Management (FM)
Exempt
Exempt

ACCA Exemptions for AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)

If you've completed the AAT qualification, you're eligible for several exemptions in the ACCA qualification:

 Subject AAT
Business and Technology (BT)
Exempt
Management Accounting (MA) Exempt
Financial Accounting (FA) Exempt
Corporate and Business Law (LW) Exempt

ACCA Exemptions for CIMA (CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS ,United Kingdom)

 Subject CIMA
Business and Technology (BT)
Exempt
Management Accounting (MA) Exempt
Financial Accounting (FA) Exempt
Performance Management (PM)
Not Exempt
Financial Management (FM)
Exempt

ACCA Exemption Fees in India

The ACCA exemption fees vary based on the exemption level and the candidate’s location. In India, the fees per subject are as follows:

  • Applied Knowledge Level: £84 (approx. INR 9,000)
  • Applied Skills Level: £111 (approx. INR 12,500)

These fees are non-refundable and must be paid when applying for exemptions. Once approved, candidates are not required to pay additional fees for the exempted exams.

Some ACCA-approved learning providers may offer exemptions as part of their course packages, which could save you money on exemptions fees. Read here to see the savings you can claim.

How to Apply for ACCA Exemptions 

  1. Check Eligibility: Use the ACCA Exemption Calculator to determine which exams you can skip based on your qualifications.
  2. Gather Documents: Collect your degree certificates and transcripts to prove your qualifications.
  3. Submit Application: Fill out the ACCA exemption form, attach your documents, and pay the required fees.
  4. Please wait for Approval: ACCA will review your application, and it usually takes up to two weeks to decide.
  5. Pay Fees: Once approved, pay the exemption fees within 30 days.

This easy process helps you claim ACCA exemptions smoothly.

    Benefits of claiming ACCA exemptions

    There are several benefits to claiming exemptions from ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) exams, including:

    1. Saving time and money: Exemptions can save candidates time and money by allowing them to skip exams that they have already passed or for which they have equivalent knowledge.
    2. Streamlining the qualification process: Exemptions can help candidates streamline the process of completing the ACCA qualification by allowing them to focus on exams that are more relevant to their interests or career goals.
    3. Recognition of previous education and experience: Exemptions can recognize and validate a candidate's previous education and professional experience, which can be beneficial for career advancement.
    4. Improving confidence and motivation: Exemptions can boost a candidate's confidence and motivation by allowing them to focus on the exams that are most relevant to their needs and interests.
    5. Enhancing employability: Claiming exemptions can enhance a candidate's employability by demonstrating their knowledge and expertise in specific areas of accounting and finance.

    Pass the ACCA Diploma in IFRS exams with us in your first go

    Summing up

    The ACCA exemptions calculator is a valuable tool for candidates wanting to understand which exams they need to take to become a member of the ACCA. It is available on the ACCA website and can be accessed by anyone interested in pursuing an ACCA qualification.

    Candidates considering pursuing an ACCA qualification should use this tool to better understand the path ahead of them.

    Those looking to save on exemptions can speak with an Eduyush counsellor or go to our exemptions section to see how they may be able to do so.


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    ACCA Exemptions. Questions? Answers.

    The answer to this lies in your context and individual objectives. Theres no one answer for all.

    Read our detailed blog on whether ACCA is worth doing after a CA here

    For IPCC pass students, you get exemptions from six papers. You will be required to write three exams at the skill level and four exams at the strategic level.


    If you have attempted your CA Final and scored 50% in Performance Management, Financial Reporting or Financial Management, you will also be eligible for exemptions in these.

    If you are planning to take up ACCA, its always better to start it after your CA for the following reasons

    1) You will be exempt from the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skill level exams. So that's nine out of thirteen papers

    2) Scholarships are better for a CA than others

    3) Focus on clearing your CA first, as doing together both will take away your focus from both.

    Take the ACCA during your CA only if you are planning to give up taking the CA exams altogether.

    The answer is Yes and No

    Yes :

    1) Your conceptual clarity needs to be higher

    2) The ACCA strategic professional level exams are case study based. This will require skillsets in exam technique and communication

    3) Rote learning will not help

    4) Marks are awarded for good and bad answers rather than the solution.

    No:

    1) Unlike CA, you don't need to write in groups. so you can schedule one exam at a time and clear it. You need to score 50% to clear the subject individually

    2) You can schedule your papers quarterly

    3) Plenty of ACCA resources on-site that will guide you on how to plan your studies.

    To become a member of ACCA and qualify as a professional accountant, your must complete the Practical expereince Requirements (PER).

    There are three components to the PER:

    1) completing 36 months' employment in an accounting or finance-related role or roles

    2) achieving five Essentials and at least four Technical performance objectives to the satisfaction of your practical experience supervisorrecording and

    3) reporting your PER progress through the onlineMy Experiencerecord.

    Since you are already a CA, your articleship expereince should siffuce all points especially towards point 1 and 2. If you are missing out on any of objectives in point 2, you can still gain that though work expereince.