ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)

Globally portable accounting qualification with strong recognition in the UK, Middle East and Singapore. Widely pursued in India alongside or instead of CA for those targeting multinational and overseas finance roles, and it offers generous exemptions to B.Com graduates and CA students.

Who can apply. 12th pass with minimum marks in Maths/Accounts, or graduate (exemptions available for B.Com and CA candidates).

How you get in. Direct registration with ACCA; examination series.

How it is studied. Self-study with optional coaching, combined with the institute's mandatory practical training or experience requirement.

Admission rules change every year. Confirm eligibility, the entrance test and the calendar against the current official notification.

Where people work.

• Big Four and global accounting firms
• Multinational corporations
• Global capability centres in India
• International finance functions
• Consulting firms

What you can study next.

• ACCA membership and practising certificate
• CA (India)
• CFA
• MBA Finance
• Senior finance leadership

Indicative total course fee. About 3,00,000 - 5,00,000 total including registration and exemption fees.

Indicative starting salary. 35,000 - 90,000 per month.

Typical duration. 2 - 4 years (13 papers).

Fees and salaries here are indicative ranges, not quotes. Confirm the current fee with the institution and treat the salary as a starting range that varies by employer and location.

ACCA has 13 papers, usually completed over 2 to 4 years through an examination series.

ACCA suits you if you want an accounting qualification that employers recognise for multinational or overseas finance work.

• You have passed Class 12 and meet the required marks in Maths or Accounts, or you are already a graduate.
• You are looking at finance roles in the UK, Middle East, Singapore, or global capability centres in India.
• You have a B.Com background or CA papers, and want to use the exemptions available to eligible candidates.
• You can plan for 13 papers over about two to four years, along with the required practical training or experience.
• You can budget roughly ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh for registration, exams and possible exemption fees.
• It does not suit you if you need a low-cost course or want to finish without regular exams and practical experience.

Budget about Rs 3,00,000 - 5,00,000 in total for ACCA, including registration and any exemption fees.

After completing ACCA, the meaningful next credentials recorded for this route are ACCA membership and an ACCA practising certificate.

In India, ACCA-linked entry roles typically start at ₹35,000 to ₹90,000 a month, especially in global accounting firms, multinational companies and global capability centres.

India

Pay varies with the employer, your papers cleared, practical experience and the finance role.

ACCA takes sustained study over two to four years, with 13 papers for many students. The total cost, including registration and exemption fees, is about ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh. You also need to meet the mandatory practical training or experience requirement. Self-study saves coaching costs, but it demands routine and strong preparation for each examination series.

It suits you if you want finance work linked to multinational companies, global capability centres, consulting firms, or international finance teams. Its recognition is especially useful for roles connected with the UK, Middle East and Singapore. B.Com graduates and CA candidates may receive exemptions, which can reduce the number of papers left to clear.

Students who progress well treat it like a long professional commitment, not a qualification to finish quickly. They plan papers around college or work, keep records of their practical experience, and build Excel, reporting and financial analysis skills alongside exams. They also apply early for relevant finance roles instead of waiting until every paper is complete.

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What you can study next