Registration
- What is the ACCA Qualification?
- What are the entry requirements for the ACCA Qualification?
- How long will it take to complete the ACCA Qualification?
- How long do I have to complete my ACCA Qualification?
- What is the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification?
- What are the entry requirements for the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification?
- How do I apply for Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) status?
- How do I register with ACCA?
- How do I re-register?
- How long will it take for my registration application to be processed?
- How can I check if you have received my application and supporting documents?
- How will I know if my application has been successful?
- Can I submit my registration form and send payment at a later date?
- Can I study for the CAT Qualification and ACCA Qualification simultaneously?
What is the ACCA Qualification?
The ACCA Qualification is designed to provide the accounting knowledge, skills and professional values which will deliver finance professionals who are capable of building successful careers across all sectors.
There is a strong focus on professional values, ethics, and governance. These skills are essential as the profession moves towards strengthened codes of conduct, regulation, and legislation – with an increasing focus on professionalism and ethics in accounting. These are examined at the highest level in the ACCA Qualification and are a core element of your practical experience requirements.
In order to qualify as an ACCA member, you will need to complete:
- 14 exams (nine of which are eligible for exemption)
- relevant practical experience, with a minimum of three years
- a Professional Ethics module.
What are the entry requirements for the ACCA Qualification?
We can offer you various entry points on to the ACCA Qualification, depending on your previous academic qualifications.
Minimum entry requirements
- two A Levels and three GCSEs or equivalent in five separate subjects, including English and Mathematics.
Mature Student Entry Route (MSER)
- normally over age 21
- no academic qualifications required
- must pass the equivalent of Papers F2, Management Accounting and F3, Financial Accounting within two years before further progression to the ACCA exams is permitted.
Graduate-entry route
- relevant degree holders from ACCA-accredited institutions may be exempted from all nine exams within the Fundamentals level and register directly at the Professional level. Degrees with some relevance may also qualify for exemptions.
Access to ACCA via CAT qualification
- no academic qualifications required
- sit Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification first and then transfer to the Skills module of the ACCA Qualification by claiming exemption from the first three papers in the Knowledge module.
How long will it take to complete the ACCA Qualification?
The length of time it takes to qualify as an ACCA member depends on you, but on average, an individual registering with the minimum entry requirements, working full-time and studying on a part-time basis would take approximately three to four years to gain their ACCA Qualification.
How long do I have to complete my ACCA Qualification?
Students have 10 years from their first eligible exam session in which to complete all 14 exams. There is no time limit on when you gain your relevant training and complete your Professional Ethics module and apply for membership. However, we would recommend you complete the relevant training while studying for your exams or as soon as possible after completing the exams. On average, most students will complete their entire ACCA Qualification in around 4–5 years.
What is the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification?
It is ACCA's technician-level qualification. The Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification will provide you with a solid foundation in finance and accounting – providing you with all the necessary technical skills and knowledge required to perform an accounting-support role.
It is recognised as a stand-alone qualification and on completion of the exams and a period of relevant training, individuals are awarded the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification. It can also be used as progression onto the ACCA Qualfication and individual's who have completed the CAT exams can gain exemption from the Knowledge module (F1–F3) of the ACCA Qualification.
What are the entry requirements for the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification?
There are no formal academic qualifications necessary to register for the CAT Qualification. But your previous qualifications may entitle you to exemptions from some of the CAT exams. This means that you will start your studies at the most appropriate level according to your knowledge and skills, and, more importantly, avoid studying subjects you already know.
How do I apply for Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) status?
To apply for Certified Accounting Technician status you will need to have successfully completed the Certified Technician exams and satisfied:
ACCA's practical experience requirements; or
achieved a NVQ Level 4 in Accounting
The fee to apply for CAT status is £50. This fee should be sent with your application form which is sent automatically after CAT exam results have been released. You should complete this form and send it to ACCA with your TTR forms or NVQ certificate.
Registration can take place at any time, however if you wish to take part in specific paper-based exam sessions, the following deadlines apply:
If you wish to register for the June exam session, we must receive your application by 31 December.
If you wish to register for the December exam session, we must receive your application by 15 August.
The quickest way to register as a student with ACCA is by registering online. You will need to:
- complete our online Registration Form
- pay online by Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Switch or Solo
- print out and complete the ACCA Declaration Sheet, and enclose it with appropriate supporting documentation (proof of qualifications - e.g. a copy of the official transcripts and completion certificates)
- return it to our office in your country. If your country is not listed, send the form to ACCA in the UK .
You will be then be allocated a unique reference number by e-mail. Please keep a note of this reference number as you can use it to track your application on the web . You will still need to post information to ACCA in the UK , so it's really important to factor in the length of time it will take for your correspondence to arrive in the UK in order to meet our registration closing dates.
You can also register as a student with ACCA by completing an application form and sending it to us. Please ensure ACCA in the UK receives your application by the above closing dates and remember to allow time for postal delivery. You will need to:
- request an information pack and registration form to be sent to you in the post. Use the online order form , or telephone us on +44 (0)141 582 2000
- students who are either a resident or a national of a country where ACCA operates a Joint Examination Scheme agreement should contact their local joint scheme office for a paper based application form
- complete the form and prepare your appropriate supporting documentation (proof of qualifications - e.g. a copy of the official transcripts and completion certificates)
- return it to the ACCA office in your country. If your country is not listed, send the form to ACCA in the UK
- send payment – fee payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Switch and Solo or Sterling cheques valid in the UK, Sterling bank drafts drawn on a UK bank, or crossed British Postal Orders. Charges arising from other methods of payment will need to be added to payment. e.g. Sterling cheques drawn by banks outside the UK .
Please contact your local office or ACCA Connect to request the relevant re-registration form. If you had no fees outstanding when you came off the register, then you will pay a re-registration fee only. If you had any fees outstanding you will pay a re-registration fee plus the outstanding balance, which may also include any sums as a result of a committee order. This fee may have been confirmed to you at the time of removal/ resignation.
If you wish to register for the June exam session, we must receive your application by 31 December.
If you wish to register for the December exam session, we must receive your application by 15 August.
How long will it take for my registration application to be processed?
We aim to process all applications within 4 weeks from the date of receipt.
How can I check if you have received my application and supporting documents?
You can track your application on the web using the online registration tracking lounge.
How will I know if my application has been successful?
As soon as your registration application has been processed successfully (please allow up to 6 weeks), you will receive a communication informing you.
The students magazine student accountant ( finance matters for DipFM students) containing important information about forthcoming exams, technical articles on the syllabus, news, reviews and other useful information will also be made available to you.
Can I submit my registration form and send payment at a later date?
Unfortunately, an application cannot be processed without the relevant fee. Please therefore ensure that a payment is submitted as part of the application process.
Can I study for the CAT Qualification and ACCA Qualification simultaneously?
Students are not permitted to study for both qualifications at the same time.
The CAT qualification can be used as your stepping stone to the ACCA Qualification – by sitting the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification first and then transferring to the Skills module of the ACCA Qualification by claiming exemption from the first three papers in the Knowledge module.