Time to Complete The ACCA Qualification

A Guide for Full-Time Students and Working Professionals

ACCA Completion Time: A Guide for Full-Time Students and Working Professionals

ACCA is a well-recognized course that requires determination and hard work to ace exams. Balancing ACCA with professional development in a job role is a tough nut to crack; however, it is definitely a worthwhile action. ACCA duration, on average being three years, could depend on each individual’s case. While full-time students can dive deep into an ocean of accounting and finance knowledge in the ACCA Journey, working professionals get the extra edge of practical experience to be demonstrated in ACCA completion.

The ACCA qualification consists of 13 exams divided into three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. In addition, candidates must complete the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM) and 36 months of relevant work experience.

ACCA Completion Time for Full-Time Students

Full-time students can usually dedicate more time to studying and beneficially follow a structured academic schedule where the average time of ACCA completion is 3 years. Some ambitious students may fast-track their exams and complete all 13 papers in around two years, but this requires intense dedication and planning.

Applied Knowledge = Usually 9 Months

Applied Skills = Usually 12 to 18 Months

Strategic Professional = Usually 12 Months

ACCA Affiliate is a position in which an ACCA aspirant has completed his/her ACCA papers but not completed 36 months of PER, which is mandatory to achieve ACCA membership.

Studying full-time seems like a more relaxed approach and gives you more time to get to core concepts with the ACCA study material; however, it comes with the opportunity cost of gaining practical knowledge in a job role.

Full-time Students can take multiple exams per sitting. A pair of papers that could go with each other as bread and butter may be;

TX (Taxation) + FR (Financial Reporting): Both are heavily calculation-focused and could be better for students who love number crunching
FR (Financial Reporting) + AA (Audit and Assurance): FR focuses on understanding IFRS, and AA focuses on reasoning using IFRS = numerical plus theory.
PM (Performance Management) + FM (Financial Management) Few study topics for costing and budgeting would overlap in both papers.
SBR (Strategic Business Reporting) + AAA (Advanced Audit and Assurance): AAA directly builds on knowledge from SBR, making the study process efficient.

ACCA Completion Time for Working Professionals

Time management is the cause of concern that students face when trying to study for the ACCA while working. The art of balancing work and study demands strong time management skills, but with consistent effort, working professionals can complete the ACCA qualification within a reasonable timeframe of 3 to 5 years.

Applied Knowledge = Usually 12 Months

Applied Skills = Usually 18 Months

Strategic Professional = Usually 12 to 18 Months

A working professional’s dedication pays them back when they receive their ACCA membership along with completion of papers. This does not just fuel their confidence but also makes them more skill-oriented individuals that the market industry would want to attract and retain for reputable positions.

Best Study Strategies for Working Professionals

“Rome was not built in a day.” You would need to develop a doable long-term study plan that breaks down the ACCA syllabus into manageable sections, allowing for constant progress and timely completion over several months or years.

There’s plenty of study materials to polish your knowledge. Try to organize learning materials in a well-structured and easily accessible way. This will save you valuable time and reduce distractions.

Set clear boundaries between work and study hours. Avoid allowing professional responsibilities to overlap on dedicated study time. On the same side, keep study activities separate from work commitments. Maintain discipline by adhering to your planned study schedule

Stay disciplined and keep your motivation high, as balancing ACCA studies with work commitments is a mastery. Set clear goals, establish a planned routine, and celebrate small milestones to reinforce progress and maintain long-term focus.

Guidance to Clear ACCA with better plan

Full-time students and working professionals, with the help of learning providers such as Vertex Learning Solutions, can set up:

Customized Study Planner for each sitting
Detailed explanation video lectures from best tutor
Study support and constant monitoring from academic team
Brief to Detailed study notes and quizzes
Weekly Assignments and progress tests to ensure Time management in ACCA exams are handled in best form

Conclusion

In a nutshell, whether you're a full-time student or a working professional, completing the ACCA is a journey that requires determination, self-discipline, and strategic planning. With the right support, effective time management, and constant effort, achieving ACCA success is entirely within reach, which will pay back the investment for a rewarding global career in finance and accounting.

For ACCA exam preparation courses, visit us at,Vertex Learning Solutions

Categories: : ACCA