Starting your ACCA journey can feel like stepping into a complex world, but with a clear plan, it becomes far more manageable. Here’s a detailed 2025 guide to enrolling in ACCA — plus the essential acca course details you’ll want to keep front and center.
Step 1: Know What You're Getting Into
Before you register, make sure you understand what the acca course details involve. The program is structured around:
13 exams, at three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional
An Ethics & Professional Skills Module (EPSM)
A 36-month Practical Experience Requirement (PER)
A globally recognized qualification
This structure defines the route you’ll follow, so getting clarity early on is crucial.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
In general, to register directly you’ll need:
Completion of Class 12 (or equivalent)
Typical minimum marks: about 65% in English and Maths / Accounts, and 50% in other subjects
If your academic credentials don’t meet this criterion, there’s an alternative: the Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) pathway, which lets you build up from foundational exams to the full ACCA track.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Before jumping into registration, collect electronic copies of:
Class 10 and Class 12 transcripts
Valid government ID (passport, national ID, etc.)
Passport-style photograph
Degree or transcript documents (if you plan to request exemptions)
Make sure everything is in English or properly translated and formatted.
Step 4: Complete Your Registration
Here’s how to get started:
Go to the ACCA student registration portal
Create a new account
Fill in your personal, academic, and contact details
Upload the required documents
Choose your exam center or preferred mode of study
Pay the registration fee
Once approved, you’ll receive confirmation and access to your student dashboard, where you’ll find exam schedules, study resources, and more.
Step 5: Understand the Fee Structure
In 2025, the costs you’ll face typically include:
Registration fee
Annual subscription
Exam fees per paper
Exemption fees (if you are granted any)
EPSM module fee
Because exemptions and retakes vary per student, estimates suggest that completing ACCA in India may cost between ₹3.0 to ₹4.5 lakhs, depending on your path.
Step 6: Apply for Exemptions (If Applicable)
If you hold prior relevant qualifications (for example, a B.Com, M.Com, or CA Inter), you may be eligible to skip (be exempted from) several exams (often up to 9 papers in the Applied Knowledge or Applied Skills levels). The process generally involves:
Declaring your previous qualifications at registration
Uploading transcripts, course syllabi, and certificates
ACCA assessing and granting the exemptions (each exemption carries a fee)
Accepted exemptions lighten your exam load and help you move faster.
Step 7: Choose Your Study Mode
Select the learning approach that suits you best:
Self-study — economical, but demands discipline
Online / e-learning — flexible and structured
Classroom coaching — guided support and peer interaction
Many learners adopt a hybrid approach: combining self study with coaching or guided modules.
Step 8: Plan & Book Your Exams
ACCA exams are offered in March, June, September, and December. The full set of papers consists of:
3 Applied Knowledge exams
6 Applied Skills exams
4 Strategic Professional exams
Book your exams ahead of early or standard deadlines to avoid late charges. Also, distribute your papers sensibly — avoid overloading a single session.
Step 9: Practice for Success
Passing each paper requires 50 marks out of 100. To perform well:
Use past exam papers and practice kits
Take timed mock exams under exam-like conditions
Familiarize yourself with the computer-based exam (CBE) interface
Focus on weaker areas revealed in mock tests
Consistent, smart practice is often more powerful than last-minute cramming.
Step 10: Complete the Ethics & Professional Skills Module (EPSM)
EPSM is mandatory and focuses on ethics, professionalism, communication, and critical thinking. Delivered online in modules or units, it usually takes 15–20 hours to complete.
Step 11: Fulfill the Practical Experience Requirement (PER)
To be eligible for full ACCA membership, you must complete 36 months of relevant work experience and achieve 9 performance objectives. Keep track of your progress using the ACCA “MyExperience” portal. Many candidates pursue PER in parallel with exams to make the journey more efficient.
Step 12: Apply for Membership
Once all exams are passed, EPSM is completed, and PER obligations are met, you can apply for full ACCA membership. After approval, you’ll hold the professional ACCA designation and unlock international career opportunities in accounting, auditing, finance, consulting, and beyond.
Final Tips for Staying on Track
Map out a long-term study and exam plan.
Aim to clear foundational exams early, reducing stress later.
Use high-quality study materials, mock tests, and revision strategies.
Join a study group or find a mentor for accountability.
Stay organized and never miss important deadlines for registration, renewal, and exam bookings.
