ACCA full form. What does ACCA do? Qualifications

by Eduyush Team

ACCA full form

The ACCA full form is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. This global organization is one of the most respected bodies for accountants and finance professionals. But what does ACCA stand for, and why is it important? In this blog, we’ll fully summarize the ACCA and explain why it matters for your career in finance and accounting.

What Does ACCA full form Stand For?

The ACCA full form is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Let’s break it down:

  • Association: A global organization that connects accountants and finance professionals.
  • Chartered: A recognized professional qualification that meets high standards.
  • Certified: Proof that you’ve passed exams and gained practical experience.
  • Accountants: Professionals specializing in accounting, finance, and management.

Why Is ACCA Important?

The ACCA qualification is recognized around the world. Here’s why it’s valuable:

  • Global Recognition: ACCA is respected in over 180 countries.
  • Comprehensive Learning: The ACCA course covers everything from accounting to management.
  • Career Growth: With an ACCA qualification, you can work in auditing, taxation, finance, and more.

Breaking Down the ACCA Full Form

Understanding the ACCA full form helps you see the importance of this qualification:

  • Association: A worldwide network of professionals.
  • Chartered: Signifies a high level of professional achievement.
  • Certified: Confirms your knowledge and skills.
  • Accountants: Focuses on accounting but also covers broader financial roles.

Why Choose ACCA?

Choosing ACCA can open many doors for your career:

  • Flexible Learning: Study part-time or full-time, whichever suits you best.
  • Diverse Opportunities: ACCA prepares you for roles in various financial fields.
  • Ethical Foundation: ACCA emphasizes ethics, ensuring you’re trusted in your profession.

History of ACCA

Founded in 1904, ACCA has grown exponentially from a small group of accounting enthusiasts to a prestigious professional body with:

  • Over 219,000 Members: ACCA boasts a vast network of qualified professionals who are driving business decisions worldwide.
  • 527,000+ Students Globally: This figure is a testament to ACCA's enduring appeal as a qualification that offers both flexibility and global recognition.
  • 180 Countries: ACCA's global presence ensures that its qualifications are recognized and respected across borders.
  • 100+ Office Locations: The extensive network of offices underscores ACCA's commitment to providing localized support to its members and students.
  • 7,110 Approved Employers: These organizations recognize the value that ACCA-qualified professionals bring to their teams.
  • 486 Exams Conducted Annually: A rigorous and comprehensive examination system is in place to maintain high standards of competence and professionalism.
  • 208,000 Exams Taken Each Session: Every exam cycle sees a multitude of candidates striving to meet and surpass ACCA’s exacting standards.
  • 40% Average Pass Rate: This highlights the challenging nature of ACCA exams, designed to produce accountants of the highest caliber.
  • 36 Months of Practical Experience Required: ACCA's emphasis on practical experience ensures that members have real-world skills to complement their theoretical knowledge.
  • 50+ Global Partnerships with Accountancy Bodies: Collaborations with other bodies demonstrate ACCA's influence and commitment to advancing the profession.

Also read if Is ACCA worth it

Read our detailed blog on the ACCA course

What are the Benefits of becoming a member of ACCA? 

There are many reasons to consider becoming a member of ACCA:

  • Employability: Research suggests that ACCA student membership can increase awareness of employability skills, which assists in entry into the profession and the world of work and offers students a competitive edge in the job market (Mistry, 2021).
  • Professional Development: ACCA provides numerous resources for professional development, including CPD (Continual Professional Development) opportunities. These help you stay ahead in the industry.
  • Global Network: With ACCA’s presence in 180 countries, you gain access to a vast global network, which significantly enhances your career opportunities worldwide.
  • Professional Recognition: Becoming an ACCA member boosts your credibility, as the membership is associated with high professional standards.
  • Resources and Support: ACCA offers various technical resources, industry insights, and continuous support to inform you about the latest industry trends and regulations.
  • Learning Opportunities: ACCA caters to different learning needs by offering various formats, including online learning, which is especially important today.
  • Ethics and Professionalism: ACCA emphasizes ethics as a core qualification. This focus ensures that you uphold the highest professional standards throughout your career.
  • ACCA is recognized in India, Australia and Middle east. You can get exemptions from the local CPA authorities on completion of ACCA.
  • ACCA qualified professionals earn a higher salary than other professionals. Read our detailed blog on ACCA salary in India

Read CMA full form and  all about CMA course

Pathway to become an ACCA member

Becoming a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) involves several key steps:

  • Meet the Entry Requirements: First, ensure you have the necessary secondary education or equivalent qualifications to meet the eligibilty criteria. You might also need to meet specific language requirements depending on your location.
  • Registering with ACCA is a significant milestone. Once you meet the entry requirements, register as an ACCA student. You'll need to pay a registration fee and choose your study path, whether full-time, part-time, or online.
  • Passing the Thirteen Papers is a significant part of the ACCA qualification. The qualification requires you to pass thirteen ACCA subjects divided across three levels. You must score at least 50% in each subject to pass the exams.
  • Fulfill Practical Experience Requirements: Besides passing the exams, you must complete three years of supervised work experience in an accounting or finance role to meet the practical experience requirements.
  • Apply for Membership: After completing the exams and practical experience, you can apply for ACCA membership. This step involves paying a membership fee and submitting evidence of your qualifications and work experience.

Once you’ve met all these requirements, you'll earn the title of "Chartered Certified Accountant". You can proudly use the letters "ACCA" after your name..

Also Read all about CIMA course

What Types of Qualifications Does ACCA Offer?

ACCA offers diverse qualifications tailored to help professionals advance in accounting and finance. Here's a brief overview:

The list of ACCA programs are

ACCA Main Qualification: Read our detailed blog : The main pathway to becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant, covering comprehensive topics in accounting, finance, and management.

Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR): Focuses on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for finance professionals aiming to deepen their expertise. Click here to learn more and enrol.

Certificate in Sustainability for Finance. - Prepares financial professionals to focus on sustainability and responsible financial practices.

Certificate in International Auditing (Cert IA): Provides a thorough understanding of International Standards of Auditing through online learning and assessments.

Certificate in International Financial Reporting (Cert IFR): Offers an in-depth study of IFRS, including its history, practices, and future developments. Starting with its initial conception, participants will explore all changes that have since been implemented by the IASB, as well as potential future improvements and modifications to international reporting standards.

Certificate in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (Cert IPSAS): Essential for public sector professionals, teaching consistent and transparent financial reporting.

Certificate in Public Financial Management (Cert PFM): Focuses on managing public finances effectively, addressing current trends and challenges.

ACCA Certificate in Business Analytics (CertBA), delivered in partnership with Columbia Business School

Certificate in Data Analytics (CertDA): Teaches business analytics, enabling professionals to make informed decisions using data.

Certificate in Business Valuations: Provides business valuation principles that are crucial for financial analysis and client advisory.

Cert Fintech - Certificate in FinTech for Finance and Business Leaders : Designed for leaders to understand the impact of FinTech on the finance industry.

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

Read our blog on if ACCA is worth doing after CA

Also Read Comprehensive comparasion of ACCA Vs CIMA

Summing up on the ACCA full form

The ACCA full formAssociation of Chartered Certified Accountants—represents a prestigious qualification that can significantly boost your career. Whether you’re new to finance or aiming for higher responsibilities, ACCA offers a solid foundation.

With global recognition and a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of accounting, ACCA equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the accounting world, making you feel confident and well-prepared.

If you’re serious about your future in finance, understanding the ACCA full form is just the beginning. Start your ACCA journey today and unlock endless career opportunities!


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Questions? Answers.

You have an unlimited number of attempts to pass the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) exams.

ACCA does not impose a limit on the number of times you can retake an exam.

You can keep attempting until you successfully pass each exam, which provides flexibility for candidates to learn and improve their performance over time.

Yes, ACCA offers exemptions for certain exams for candidates who have completed certain academic programs or have relevant professional qualifications.

To request exemptions, you will need to provide documentation and submit an exemption application to the ACCA. Review our comprehensive exemptions calculator to know more.

The pass rate for the ACCA exams varies from exam to exam and from year to year. In general, the pass rate for the ACCA exams is between 35% to 50%. Read our blog on subject wise pass rates to know more.

The answer to this lies on your context and individual career objectives.

Read our detailed analysis on this topic here.

The ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) membership provides numerous benefits, including:

- Professional development opportunities, such as access to the latest technical resources, CPD modules and e-learning tools
- A global community of like-minded professionals to collaborate and share knowledge with
- The ability to connect with employers through the ACCA Jobs service
- Eligibility for reduced rates on a range of products and services, such as insurance, stationery and more

The consequences of non-payment of the annual subscription fees are

As a member:

1) you can't call yourself an ACCA member, and you won't be able to use the ACCA name or logo. 

2) You also won't be able to use any resources, including the online resources. 

3) if you're working as an accountant, you may be unable to use the term "ACCA-qualified" or "ACCA-registered". 

4) If your membership expires and isn't renewed within three years. In that case, your name will be removed from the Register of Members.

5) If you need to apply for CPA accreditation with another accounting body like CPA Australia or Canada, you will be required to furnish a good standing certificate from ACCA for five years. If you haven't paid your membership fees, you won't be able to get your good standing letter

As a student

1) You will not be able to use the members' website or log into MyACCA. You will lose access to many resources, including past exam papers and helpful articles. 

2) You will no longer be eligible to sit the examinations or progress through the qualification.

3) You won't be able to pursue any other qualifications like the DIPIFR

If this is something that happens accidentally, then it is usually quickly resolved by simply paying the outstanding amount of 89 GBP.

If you're looking to become a chartered accountant in the United States, the value of the ACCA qualification cannot be understated.

To be accepted into one of the regional accountancy bodies that confer chartered status (such as the AICPA), you must have completed an accredited course of study from a college or university and have spent at least two years working in the accounting field.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is globally recognized as one of the leading institutions for providing such accredited courses, and their stamp of approval on your degree will go a long way in getting your foot in the door with some of the top accounting firms in America.

It is a difficult question because it depends on your specific situation and goals.

However, in general, we would say that the CA (Chartered Accountant) certification is better for those interested in pursuing a career in accounting and finance.

In comparison, the CFA (Certified Financial Analyst) certification is better for those interested in investment banking or portfolio management.

The ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) certification is more internationally recognized than the CA or CFA, so it may be worth considering if you're interested in working abroad.

Ultimately, though, the best way to decide which certification is proper for you is to speak with experts in each field and get their advice.

The decision of whether ACCA or a degree is better for you depends on your individual goals and circumstances.

ACCA is a professional accounting qualification that is recognized and respected globally and it is focused on accounting and finance. It is a good option for those who want to pursue a career in accounting or finance and do not want to spend the time and money required to earn a degree.

On the other hand, a degree program offers a more well-rounded education and provides a broader range of career options. It also provides more in-depth knowledge in specific field of study and it is good for those who want to pursue a career in a field outside of accounting and finance.

Both ACCA and a degree can be valuable qualifications, it depends on the person's career goals and what they want to achieve in the long term. It's also worth noting that in some countries, it is mandatory to have a degree in order to practice as an accountant.