ACCA Subjects 2026: All 13 Papers by Level
ACCA Subjects 2026: Complete List of All 13 Papers
The ACCA qualification comprises 13 exam subjects across three levels: Applied Knowledge (3 subjects), Applied Skills (6 subjects), and Strategic Professional (4 subjects, including 2 compulsory and 2 chosen from 4 options). Every candidate must pass all 13 ACCA subjects to qualify as a Chartered Certified Accountant.
💡 Key Takeaway
- Total ACCA subjects: 13 papers across 3 progressive levels (Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, Strategic Professional)
- The pass mark for every ACCA subject is 50%, with exams held in 4 windows per year (March, June, September, December)
- Indian CA, B.Com, and MBA holders can claim up to 9 exemptions, reducing the number of papers to sit
- According to ACCA Global, over 252,500 students sat ACCA exams in the December 2025 session alone
- Major change ahead: ACCA is reducing the qualification from 13 to 11 papers from September 2027
📑 Table of Contents
- How Many Subjects Are There in ACCA?
- Complete ACCA Subjects List by Level
- Applied Knowledge Level (3 Subjects)
- Applied Skills Level (6 Subjects)
- Strategic Professional Level (4 Subjects)
- ACCA Subjects Pass Rates: Which Are Hardest?
- What Order Should You Study ACCA Subjects?
- ACCA Subject Exemptions for Indian Students
- ACCA 2027 Qualification Changes: From 13 to 11 Subjects
- Best Study Materials for All ACCA Subjects
- FAQs About ACCA Subjects
How Many Subjects Are There in ACCA?
There are 13 subjects in ACCA, officially called "papers" by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). These 13 papers are organized into three levels, progressing from foundational accounting knowledge to strategic professional judgment.
ACCA is a globally recognised professional accounting body headquartered in London, with members and students in over 180 countries. The ACCA qualification is designed for working professionals and graduates who want an internationally portable chartered accountancy credential.
To become a fully qualified ACCA member, you must:
- Pass all 13 exam subjects (or fewer with exemptions)
- Complete the Ethics and Professional Skills Module
- Accumulate 36 months of practical experience (the Practical Experience Requirement, or PER)
What Is the Complete ACCA Subjects List?
The full ACCA subjects list for 2026 includes 13 papers organised into three levels. Below is a complete structure overview, showing each paper's code, name, exam duration, and format.
| Level | Code | Subject Name | Duration | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Knowledge | BT (F1) | Business and Technology | 2 hrs | 50% |
| MA (F2) | Management Accounting | 2 hrs | 50% | |
| FA (F3) | Financial Accounting | 2 hrs | 50% | |
| Applied Skills | LW (F4) | Corporate and Business Law | 3 hrs | 50% |
| PM (F5) | Performance Management | 3 hrs | 50% | |
| TX (F6) | Taxation | 3 hrs | 50% | |
| FR (F7) | Financial Reporting | 3 hrs | 50% | |
| AA (F8) | Audit and Assurance | 3 hrs | 50% | |
| FM (F9) | Financial Management | 3 hrs | 50% | |
| Strategic Professional – Essentials | SBL (P1) | Strategic Business Leader | 4 hrs | 50% |
| SBR (P2) | Strategic Business Reporting | 3 hrs 15 min | 50% | |
| Strategic Professional – Options (choose 2 of 4) | AFM (P4) | Advanced Financial Management | 3 hrs 15 min | 50% |
| APM (P5) | Advanced Performance Management | 3 hrs 15 min | 50% | |
| ATX (P6) | Advanced Taxation | 3 hrs 15 min | 50% | |
| AAA (P7) | Advanced Audit and Assurance | 3 hrs 15 min | 50% |
Students must complete all 13 ACCA subjects (with or without exemptions) plus the Ethics module and 36 months of practical experience to become ACCA members. Read our blog on how much the ACCA course costs for a full fee breakdown.
What Are the Applied Knowledge ACCA Subjects?
The Applied Knowledge level contains 3 ACCA subjects that form the entry point to the qualification. These papers build core accounting and business fundamentals required for all subsequent levels.
BT – Business and Technology (F1)
BT covers the business environment, organisational structure, governance, and the role of technology in modern accounting. Topics include stakeholder analysis, corporate culture, IT systems, and internal controls. Exam format: 100% objective test questions (OTQs), computer-based, available on demand.
MA – Management Accounting (F2)
MA teaches cost classification, budgeting, variance analysis, and performance measurement. You will learn how organisations use internal financial data to make operational decisions. Exam format: 100% OTQs, computer-based, available on demand.
FA – Financial Accounting (F3)
FA covers the principles of recording financial transactions, preparing basic financial statements, and understanding underlying accounting standards, including IFRS. Exam format: 100% OTQs, computer-based, available on demand.
✅ Pro Tip:
Applied Knowledge exams are available on demand at Pearson VUE centres year-round. Unlike higher levels, you do not need to wait for quarterly exam windows. Many Indian students with B.Com or CA Foundation backgrounds find these manageable but should not underestimate the strict exam technique and time management required.
What Are the Applied Skills ACCA Subjects?
The Applied Skills level contains 6 ACCA subjects that develop intermediate technical and analytical capabilities. These are the subjects where most students invest the heaviest study time, as pass rates drop to the 40–55% range.
LW – Corporate and Business Law (F4)
LW covers legal frameworks, contracts, employment law, and company law relevant to accountants. The paper is country-specific — Indian students typically sit the English (Global) variant. Exam format: 100% OTQs.
PM – Performance Management (F5)
PM extends MA into advanced costing methods, activity-based costing, planning variances, and strategic performance analysis. According to ACCA Global, PM recorded a pass rate of just 40% in the December 2025 session. Exam format: 60% OTQs + 40% constructed response.
TX – Taxation (F6)
TX covers personal and corporate taxation, with country-specific variants. Topics include income tax computation, capital gains, corporation tax, and VAT. Exam format: 60% OTQs + 40% constructed response.
FR – Financial Reporting (F7)
FR advances beyond FA into group accounts, consolidated financial statements, and complex IFRS standards. This paper is widely considered the gateway to Strategic Professional. Check our ACCA F7 standards guide for examiner-favourite topics. Exam format: 60% OTQs + 40% constructed response.
AA – Audit and Assurance (F8)
AA covers audit planning, risk assessment, evidence gathering, reporting, and professional ethics. Strong FR knowledge significantly boosts your AA performance. Exam format: 60% OTQs + 40% constructed response.
FM – Financial Management (F9)
FM covers investment appraisal (NPV, IRR), working capital management, capital structure theory, and financial risk management. See our detailed FM exam tips guide for proven strategies. Exam format: 60% OTQs + 40% constructed response.
Use our ACCA exemptions calculator to check which Applied Skills papers you may be able to skip based on your prior qualifications.
What Are the Strategic Professional ACCA Subjects?
The Strategic Professional level tests leadership, strategic thinking, and advanced technical judgment. It contains 4 subjects: 2 compulsory Essentials papers and 2 Options chosen from 4 available papers.
Strategic Essentials (Compulsory)
SBL – Strategic Business Leader (P1): A 4-hour integrated case study testing leadership, governance, risk management, ethics, strategic planning, and technology. SBL simulates real boardroom decision-making and awards marks for professional skills (up to 20 out of 100). According to ACCA, SBL had a 50% pass rate in December 2025.
SBR – Strategic Business Reporting (P2): Tests professional judgment in complex IFRS reporting scenarios, current developments in financial reporting, and ethical considerations. SBR recorded a 48% pass rate in December 2025.
Strategic Options (Choose 2 of 4)
AFM – Advanced Financial Management (P4): Covers investment decisions, M&A valuation, treasury management, and complex risk management. AFM had a 45% pass rate in December 2025. Read our AFM full form guide for detailed syllabus coverage.
APM – Advanced Performance Management (P5): Focuses on strategic performance evaluation, sustainability reporting, data analytics, and environmental accounting. APM undertook a significant syllabus restructuring for 2026–27, introducing new learning outcomes on sustainability KPIs and data science.
ATX – Advanced Taxation (P6): Advanced personal and corporate tax planning, structuring, and advisory. ATX recorded a 50% pass rate in December 2025.
AAA – Advanced Audit and Assurance (P7): Tests audit quality, group audits, regulatory requirements, and professional ethics. AAA had the lowest Strategic pass rate at 38% in December 2025.
How to Choose Your 2 Optional ACCA Subjects
- Corporate finance careers: AFM + APM
- Audit and assurance careers: AAA + AFM or APM
- Tax specialist path: ATX + AFM or AAA
- Consulting and advisory: APM + AAA
For detailed syllabus coverage of all Strategic papers, see our 2026–27 Strategic Professional syllabus guide.
ACCA Subjects Pass Rates: Which Papers Are Hardest?
ACCA pass rates vary significantly across subjects. According to ACCA Global's official December 2025 exam results, Applied Knowledge papers have the highest success rates, while Strategic Professional Options are the most challenging.
| Paper | Dec 2025 Pass Rate | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| BT | 87% | Low |
| LW | 82% | Low |
| FA | 68% | Low–Medium |
| MA | 64% | Low–Medium |
| TX | 55% | Medium |
| FR | 51% | Medium |
| SBL | 50% | Medium–High |
| ATX | 50% | Medium–High |
| SBR | 48% | High |
| FM | 48% | Medium–High |
| AA | 46% | Medium–High |
| AFM | 45% | High |
| APM | 41% | High |
| PM | 40% | High |
| AAA | 38% | Very High |
Source: ACCA Global official December 2025 exam results, published January 2026.
What Order Should You Study ACCA Subjects?
The order in which you attempt ACCA subjects significantly affects study efficiency and first-time pass rates. Below is a recommended sequencing framework based on how top-performing candidates approach the qualification.
Recommended ACCA Study Sequence
- Foundation: BT → MA → FA (builds raw fundamentals in logical order)
- Skills Build-Up: FR → PM → FM (high skill transfer between papers)
- Regulation Block: LW → TX (keeps regulation-heavy papers together)
- Assurance: AA after FR (audit requires strong financial reporting knowledge)
- Strategic Start: SBR before SBL (reporting depth strengthens SBL case studies)
- Leadership: SBL (integrates all previous learning)
- Specialisation: 2 option papers (choose based on career goals, not perceived difficulty)
Key insight: Attempting FR before AA reduces duplication of effort because audit logic builds directly on financial reporting knowledge. Similarly, strong MA performance accelerates PM progress.
Check our ACCA course duration guide to plan your timeline alongside this study sequence.
ACCA Subject Exemptions for Indian Students
Indian students can skip several ACCA subjects based on prior qualifications. ACCA grants exemptions only for the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers; all Strategic Professional papers must be passed by every candidate.
| Prior Qualification | Max Exemptions | Typically Exempt From |
|---|---|---|
| B.Com graduates | Up to 5 | BT, MA, FA, LW, and TX |
| CA Inter / IPCC qualified | 6 | BT, MA, FA, LW, TX, and AA |
| Qualified CA (ICAI) | 9 | All Applied Knowledge + all Applied Skills papers |
| MBA Finance / M.Com | 4–5 | BT, MA, FA, LW, and varies by university |
Check your exemptions: Use Eduyush's ACCA exemptions calculator to know exactly which ACCA subjects you can skip. For more on the CA-to-ACCA pathway, read our ACCA after CA guide.
⚠️ Important:
Exemptions reduce the number of exams you sit, but you still need 36 months of practical experience (PER) and must complete the Ethics module to become an ACCA member. Exemptions also cost a fee per paper (currently GBP 116 each).
ACCA 2027 Qualification Changes: From 13 to 11 Subjects
ACCA is overhauling its entire qualification structure from September 2027. The number of exam subjects will reduce from 13 to 11, with significant changes to levels, naming, and content focus.
| Aspect | Current (Until June 2027) | New (From Sept 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Total exams | 13 papers | 11 papers |
| Level names | Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, Strategic Professional | Knowledge, Expertise, Strategic Professional |
| Optional papers | Choose 2 of 4 | Choose 1 only |
| New content areas | Traditional accounting focus | AI, data analytics, sustainability reporting, digital finance |
| Employability modules | Ethics module only | New Employability Essential Modules |
Key transition dates:
- Until June 2027: All exams follow the current 13-paper syllabus
- July 2027: New Knowledge level exams available on demand
- September 2027: New Expertise and Strategic Professional exams begin
ACCA has released a Transition Tool to help current students map their existing progress to the new structure. If you are starting ACCA in 2026, plan your exams strategically to benefit from both structures. Read our complete ACCA syllabus changes 2027 guide for the full breakdown.
Best Study Materials for All ACCA Subjects
To pass all ACCA subjects efficiently, you need exam-focused, ACCA-approved study materials. The two leading providers are BPP Learning Media and Kaplan Publishing, both officially approved by ACCA Global.
BPP ACCA Study Materials
- Study Text: In-depth syllabus coverage for each ACCA paper
- Practice and Revision Kit: Past exam questions, mocks, and detailed answers
- Passcards: Quick reference cards for last-minute revision
Kaplan ACCA Study Materials
- Study Text: Comprehensive coverage with worked examples
- Exam Kit: Extensive question practice with detailed solutions
Where to buy: BPP and Kaplan ACCA books on Eduyush (authorised reseller with 50%+ discounts for India students).
BPP Online Courses (ECR)
BPP Enhanced Classroom Resources offer recorded video lectures, interactive quizzes, and progress tracking for all ACCA papers. Ideal for working professionals who need flexible, self-paced learning. Browse BPP ACCA online courses on Eduyush at 50%+ discount versus global pricing.
About the Author
Vicky Sarin — CA with 25+ years of post-qualification experience, INSEAD alumni, and founder of Eduyush.com. Based in Sydney, Vicky has helped thousands of Indian professionals navigate international accounting qualifications including ACCA, CPA, and DipIFR. His first-hand experience with both the Indian CA system and global certifications makes him uniquely qualified to advise on ACCA subject selection, exemptions strategy, and study planning.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACCA Subjects
How many subjects are there in ACCA?
There are 13 subjects in ACCA, divided across three levels: Applied Knowledge (3 papers: BT, MA, FA), Applied Skills (6 papers: LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM), and Strategic Professional (2 compulsory: SBL, SBR + 2 chosen from 4 options: AFM, APM, ATX, AAA).
What are the 13 papers of ACCA?
The 13 ACCA papers are: BT (Business and Technology), MA (Management Accounting), FA (Financial Accounting), LW (Corporate and Business Law), PM (Performance Management), TX (Taxation), FR (Financial Reporting), AA (Audit and Assurance), FM (Financial Management), SBL (Strategic Business Leader), SBR (Strategic Business Reporting), and 2 chosen from AFM, APM, ATX, AAA.
Which ACCA subject is the hardest?
Based on December 2025 pass rate data, AAA (Advanced Audit and Assurance) is the hardest ACCA subject with a 38% pass rate, followed by PM (40%) and APM (41%). Strategic Professional papers are consistently more challenging than Applied Knowledge or Skills papers.
Can CA students get ACCA exemptions?
Yes. Qualified CAs from ICAI can claim up to 9 exemptions, covering all Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers. CA Inter / IPCC qualified candidates typically receive 6 or more exemptions. Use the ACCA exemptions calculator on Eduyush to check your specific eligibility.
What is the pass mark for ACCA exams?
The pass mark for every ACCA exam is 50%. This applies uniformly across all 13 papers at every level, from Applied Knowledge through to Strategic Professional. There is no negative marking.
How long does it take to complete all ACCA subjects?
Most students take 2 to 4 years to complete all 13 ACCA subjects, depending on exemptions, study pace, and whether they study full-time or part-time. Students with 9 exemptions (e.g., qualified CAs) can finish in 12 to 18 months. ACCA allows a maximum of 7 years to complete the Professional level papers.
Is ACCA changing from 13 to 11 subjects?
Yes. ACCA announced that from September 2027, the qualification will reduce from 13 to 11 exam papers. The "Applied Skills" level will be renamed "Expertise," optional papers will reduce from 2 to 1, and new content on AI, data analytics, and sustainability will be integrated throughout.
Conclusion
Understanding the full ACCA subjects list is the first step toward planning a successful qualification journey. Whether you are starting from Applied Knowledge or fast-tracking from CA exemptions into Strategic Professional, having a clear map of all 13 papers, their difficulty levels, and the optimal study sequence puts you ahead of most candidates.
With ACCA's major 2027 overhaul on the horizon, now is the time to plan your exam strategy and invest in the right study materials. Browse our ACCA online courses or ACCA approved books to begin your preparation with ACCA-approved resources at India-friendly pricing.
1 comment
Featured product
Featured product
ACCA subjects. Questions? Answers.
What are the ACCA exam levels?
The ACCA qualification is divided into three levels: Knowledge, Skills, and Strategic Professional, covering a total of 13 subjects.
How can I effectively manage my time while studying for multiple ACCA subjects?
Managing multiple ACCA subjects requires a disciplined schedule. Create a detailed study plan that allocates more time to subjects you find challenging and includes periodic reviews of past materials. Use tools like time-tracking apps, the Pomodoro technique, and prioritize ACCA-recommended resources. Taking mock exams under timed conditions can also help you improve time management.
Where can I get resources for ACCA books?
You can buy ACCA books from Eduyush at India pricing. Eduyush is an authorized partner of BPP and Kaplan, two of the top providers for ACCA study materials. With Eduyush, you’ll have access to authentic and up-to-date resources designed to align with the ACCA syllabus.
Is ACCA online coaching available?
Yes, Eduyush offers ACCA online coaching throughBPP online coursesat India pricing. As an authorized BPP partner, Eduyush provides access to BPP’s comprehensive online courses, covering each ACCA paper with interactive resources, practice tests, and instructor support, helping you prepare effectively for your exams.
What should I consider when choosing between on-demand and session-based ACCA exams for certain subjects?
ACCA offers on-demand exams for Knowledge Level papers, allowing flexibility in scheduling. Session-based exams, however, have fixed dates. On-demand exams suit students who wish to progress quickly, while session-based exams allow more time for structured preparation. Choose based on your study pace, work schedule, and readiness to sit for the exams.
How does practical experience support ACCA exam success, especially at higher levels?
Practical experience complements academic knowledge, as many exam questions (particularly in the Strategic Professional Level) involve real-world applications. If you're working while studying, applying concepts from papers like Financial Management (FM) or Audit and Assurance (AA) in a work setting can reinforce learning and offer a practical perspective, ultimately boosting performance in exams.
Are there any recent changes to the ACCA syllabus I should be aware of?
The ACCA syllabus is reviewed regularly, with updates reflecting changes in the accounting and finance landscape, such as digital transformation, data analytics, and new regulatory standards. Be sure to check the ACCA website or Eduyush’s updates for the latest syllabus changes to stay current on any additions, modifications, or areas of increased emphasis.
What are the benefits of choosing optional ACCA papers based on my career goals?
The optional ACCA papers allow you to specialize in areas that align with your career aspirations. For example:
- Advanced Financial Management (AFM) is ideal for those aiming to work in investment banking or corporate finance.
- Advanced Performance Management (APM) is suitable for those interested in management accounting or business analysis roles. Selecting papers that support your career goals can improve your marketability and deepen your expertise in your chosen field.
I want to go abroad how can I go
Leave a comment