#acca duration

Thinking about ACCA in 2026? Here’s the quick version 👇

📘 Duration: 2–3 years 📅 Exams: 4 times a year 🎓 Eligibility: Class 12 with 65% aggregate 📑 Structure: 13 papers, 3 levels 💼 Careers: Audit, Finance, Tax, Big 4 roles 💰 Salary: ₹9–30+ LPA (India)

If you’re dreaming of a global finance or accounting career, ACCA might be the qualification you’re looking for.

ACCA is recognized in 180+ countries and is trusted by Big 4 firms and multinational companies worldwide. What makes it different is its flexibility — you don’t need to wait years to complete it.

⏳ Course Duration Most students complete ACCA in 2–3 years, depending on exemptions. Exams are held four times a year, so you can move faster if you’re consistent.

🎓 Who Can Do ACCA?

12th pass students

Commerce graduates (B.Com, BBA, BAF)

CA / CMA / CS students

Working professionals

📚 Course Structure

Applied Knowledge (3 papers)

Applied Skills (6 papers)

Strategic Professional (4 papers)

💼 Career After ACCA ACCA professionals work as auditors, financial analysts, tax consultants, and finance managers in companies like Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG.

💰 Salary Freshers earn around ₹9–11 LPA, and experienced ACCAs can earn ₹20 LPA or more.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is one of the most prestigious accounting certifications in the world, known for its global recognition and versatility in career opportunities. If you’re planning to pursue the ACCA qualification, understanding the course duration, structure, and what it entails is crucial. This newsletter breaks it all down for you, including tips to plan your journey efficiently.

ACCA Course Structure and Duration Breakdown

The ACCA qualification is divided into three levels:

Applied Knowledge Level — This foundational stage has three exams and typically takes 6 to 9 months to complete. It covers the basics of finance and accounting.

Applied Skills Level — Comprising six exams, this level focuses on advanced concepts like taxation, auditing, and financial reporting. It usually requires 12 to 15 months of dedicated study. However, students with a well-planned schedule can complete it in 1 year.

Strategic Professional Level — The final stage has four exams and enhances expertise with subjects like strategic business reporting and leadership. This level takes 12 to 18 months. With consistent effort and smart planning, it can be completed in 1 to 1.5 years.

Overall Course Duration Based on Your Background

If you begin after Class 12, completing the ACCA qualification takes around 3 to 4 years.

Graduates with relevant exemptions, like B.Com holders, often complete it in 2 to 3 years.

Students with CA Inter or equivalent qualifications can finish ACCA in 2 years.

Fully qualified CAs or CPAs can complete ACCA in 1 year by claiming exemptions for up to nine exams.

5 Tips to Complete ACCA Faster

1) Leverage ACCA Exemptions

Use your existing qualifications to reduce the number of exams.

5 Papers: ACCA Exemption Graduate Route for B.Com Students.

6 Papers: ACCA Exemption for CA Inter or Autonomous College Students.

9 Papers: ACCA Exemption for CA or CPA Qualified Students.

To find out how many exemptions you qualify for, check your eligibility using ACCA’s simple calculator.

2) Be Consistent

Dedicate 10–15 hours per week to study and stay consistent for steady progress.

3) Practice Mock Exams

Practice with mock exams to get familiar with the format and identify weak areas early.

4) Study Smart

Focus on key topics and use quality resources to maximize your study efficiency.

5) Utilize Flexible Learning

Choose online classes that fit your schedule, especially if you’re working, to speed up your preparation.

Key Factors That Affect Your ACCA Journey

Exam Frequency:

ACCA exams are conducted four times a year: March, June, September, and December. This flexibility allows students to plan their exam attempts efficiently.

Study Resources:

High-quality resources, mock exams, and experienced guidance play a critical role in speeding up your learning process.

Time Commitment:

You’ll need to dedicate at least 10–15 hours per week for consistent preparation. Regular study ensures you stay on track and pass exams on the first attempt.

Why Choose ACCA Course?

Here’s why the ACCA qualification is worth the effort:

Global Recognition: Opens doors to careers in over 180 countries.

Versatile Career Options: Work in auditing, taxation, consulting, or finance management.

Flexibility: Study at your own pace and take exams based on your schedule.

High Earning Potential: With ACCA, you can secure roles offering competitive salaries up to ₹30 Lakhs and opportunities to grow.

Join NorthStar Academy for ACCA Success

If you’re ready to embark on your ACCA journey, choosing the right guidance is critical. At NorthStar Academy, we provide:

Comprehensive Study Resources: Tailored content designed to help you grasp even the toughest concepts.

Expert Mentorship: Learn from experienced instructors who guide you every step of the way.

Mock Exams and Practice Tests: Prepare effectively to pass your exams with confidence.

Flexible Learning Options: Study online classes at your convenience.

The length of the ACCA Course varies according to your study speed and past credentials. If studying full-time, completing the entire certificate often takes three to four years. It may take longer if you're studying part-time or have exam exemptions. You can manage your studies with your career and other responsibilities when there is flexibility in your alternatives.

If you’re considering pursuing the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) charter, then choosing the right institute or academy is also essential to achieving success in your career. But in the current educational market, so many options are available that it can be overwhelming to make a decision.

In this newsletter, you get informative details and notable information about the institutes to choose for enrollment to pursue the ACCA course in India.

Recognition and Accreditation

When listing an ACCA institute, the first thing to assess is whether it is accredited and approved by the ACCA. Accreditation and recognition marks ensure that the institute fulfills the ACCA’s needs and training standards. You can find our institute in a list of authorized and recognized institution records on the ACCA board website.

Note: Content Partner NorthStar Academy is an officially ACCA-Approved Learning Partner (ALP) and BPP learning media partner in India.

Esteem and Experience (EE)

An institute’s experience and esteem are critical when choosing an ACCA institute. Select an institute with a proven history of upskilling ACCA aspirants to become experts. Also, consider online ratings and feedback, talk to experts, and ask for referrals. Institute experience reflects an institute's mission attainment range since its start.

Note: NorthStar Academy's (NSA) mission and vision have been to upskill 1 million aspirants in their chosen field”. We have been in this field since 2011 to provide expert training and support.

Mentors and Study Resources

For ACCA classes, faculty, and resources are essential to ensuring that you receive quality training and learning. Look for an institute with skilled and expert faculty members with practical knowledge in the accounting field. Also, check additional resources like technology access, study materials, and ACCA online classes to aid your studies.

Note: Here at NorthStar Academy (NSA), we have expert faculties from the related field and top mentors like Mr. M. Irfat sir of NSA for clear guidance. Some supportive resources are approved study materials, LMS access, webinar sessions, etc.

Choosing the Right ACCA Institute: Why NorthStar Academy Stands Out?

Training Environment and Flexibility

An institute’s environment and schedules are important for ensuring that you can study and learn effectively. Check the institute’s training environments, like sessions, webinars, and coaching modules. Look into whether the institute has flexible learning options, like ACCA online classes, to accommodate your schedules.

Note: We at NorthStar Academy (NSA) have a Learning Management System (LMS) dashboard for easy access to courses during your flexible hours.

Conclusion

In summary, choosing the best institute to pursue the ACCA course is necessary to ensure that you receive quality training and guidance to become an ACCA cadet in your native. You can spot it easily with one that meets your needs, like NorthStar Academy (NSA), which helps you achieve your goals. Join our community and experience the best of ACCA education and training.

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