ACCA Fees and Costs 2026: The Complete Breakdown

Quick Summary: ACCA Fee Categories

ACCA charges fees across four main categories: (1) Initial registration fee — paid once when you join ACCA; (2) Annual subscription — paid every year you remain a student member; (3) Exam entry fees — paid per paper, per sitting; (4) Exemption fees — paid where ACCA grants exemptions based on prior qualifications. There is no single "total price" because the cost depends on how many exemptions you receive, how many papers you pass first time, and whether you sit during the standard exam window or the late entry period.

ACCA Initial Registration Fee (2026)

This covers your registration as an ACCA student and gives you access to the ACCA student portal, MyACCA, and ACCA's online resources. It is a one-time payment.

Note: ACCA updates its fee schedule annually. Always confirm the current fee on the ACCA website before registering.

ACCA Annual Subscription Fee (2026)

The student subscription is due on 1 January each year. If you take 4 years to complete all 13 papers, you will pay approximately £140 × 4 = £560 in subscription fees over the course of the qualification.

ACCA Exam Entry Fees by Level (2026)

Applied Knowledge Papers (BT, MA, FA)

Applied Knowledge papers are on-demand CBE exams booked through an approved CBE centre. Fee shown is a typical UK CBE centre fee — confirm the exact amount when booking.

Applied Knowledge subtotal (3 papers, all first attempt): ~£219

Applied Skills Papers (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM)

Applied Skills subtotal (6 papers, standard entry, all first attempt): ~£960

Ethics and Professional Skills Module

£83 — payable once, required before sitting Strategic Professional papers.

Strategic Professional Papers (SBL, SBR, and 2 Options)

Strategic Professional subtotal (4 papers — SBL + SBR + 2 Options — standard entry, all first attempt): ~£906

ACCA Exemption Fees (2026)

No exemptions are available at Strategic Professional level — all four papers must be sat and passed. ACCA can grant up to 9 exemptions, but most exemption awards are in the range of 3–6 papers.

Total Cost of ACCA: Realistic Scenarios

Scenario 1: No exemptions, all papers passed first attempt, standard entry

Scenario 2: 3 exemptions (Applied Knowledge), remaining papers passed first attempt

Total cost summary

Other ACCA Costs to Budget For

How to Reduce Your ACCA Fees

Always enter exams before the late entry deadline. Each Applied Skills and Strategic Professional paper can cost up to £249–£259 more at late entry — over 10 papers, that's a significant additional cost. Pass papers first time. This is the most impactful cost reduction — each resit costs another full exam entry fee. Check your exemption eligibility. If you hold a relevant degree or prior qualification, apply for exemptions before sitting those papers. Keep your subscription current. Lapsing your subscription and re-registering incurs the full re-registration fee of £89 plus any unpaid fees. Use employer sponsorship. Many accounting firms and finance departments offer partial or full sponsorship of ACCA study costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to register for ACCA in 2026?

The initial registration fee is £89. After registering, you also pay an annual student subscription of £140 per year. Your first exam fees are additional to these amounts.

What is the total cost of completing ACCA?

For a candidate with no exemptions who passes every paper on the first attempt at standard entry, the total ACCA fees paid directly to ACCA are approximately £2,817. With realistic resits and a 5-year timeline, the total is more likely £3,500–£4,200 in ACCA fees alone, plus study materials and tuition costs.

Are ACCA exam fees refundable if I withdraw?

ACCA has a refund policy for exam entry — withdrawing before the withdrawal deadline typically results in a partial refund. After the withdrawal deadline, fees are generally non-refundable.

Does ACCA increase its fees every year?

ACCA reviews and typically adjusts its fee schedule annually, usually with small increases in line with inflation. Always verify the current fee schedule at acca.com before entering exams.

Can I get a discount on ACCA fees?

ACCA does not offer general discounts, but entering exams before the late entry deadline significantly reduces the cost for Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers. Some employers offer ACCA sponsorship which covers part or all of the fee costs.

Study Smart with Learnsignal

Learnsignal offers ACCA tuition for Applied Skills and Strategic Professional papers under a single subscription — making it one of the most cost-effective ways to study for ACCA without buying separate course packages for each paper.