What Subjects are Covered in ACCA’s Syllabus?

If you're considering ACCA, one of the first things to understand is how the qualification is structured — what exams you'll sit, at what levels, and what else is involved beyond the exams. This guide sets out the courses (exams) in the ACCA syllabus, the three levels, and the other requirements — in clear, plain language. (Always check the current structure on the ACCA website, as syllabus details are updated from time to time.) It's part of our support for ACCA students.

How the ACCA qualification is structured

The ACCA qualification is built around three levels of exams — Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional — plus an ethics module and a practical experience requirement. In total there are 13 exams, though many students receive exemptions from some of the earlier ones based on prior qualifications. You work up through the levels, building from the fundamentals to advanced, strategic content.

Applied Knowledge

The first level introduces the essentials of accounting and business. It comprises three exams:

• Business and Technology (BT) — how businesses operate and the role of accounting and technology within them.
• Management Accounting (MA) — cost and management-accounting fundamentals.
• Financial Accounting (FA) — the basics of financial accounting and preparing financial statements.

Applied Skills

The second level builds broader, more technical knowledge across six exams:

• Corporate and Business Law (LW)
• Performance Management (PM)
• Taxation (TX)
• Financial Reporting (FR)
• Audit and Assurance (AA) — see our ACCA AA guide.
• Financial Management (FM)

These develop the practical, applied skills expected of a qualified accountant.

Strategic Professional

The final level develops the advanced, strategic skills of a senior professional. It has two parts:

• Essentials (both compulsory): Strategic Business Leader (SBL) and Strategic Business Reporting (SBR).
• Options (choose two of four): Advanced Financial Management (AFM), Advanced Performance Management (APM), Advanced Taxation (ATX), and Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) — see our ACCA AAA guide.

The option papers let you specialise in the areas most relevant to your career.

The order you take them, and how long it takes

You generally work up through the levels in order — Applied Knowledge, then Applied Skills, then Strategic Professional — though there's flexibility in the order of exams within a level. ACCA runs four exam sittings a year (March, June, September and December), and there are limits on how many exams you can take per sitting and per year. How long the whole qualification takes depends on how many exams you have exemptions from, how many you sit each year, and your pass rate — but for many students it's around three to four years alongside work. Planning your exam order sensibly (for example, sitting related papers close together) can make the journey smoother.

Choosing your option papers

At Strategic Professional you choose two of the four option papers, and it's worth choosing deliberately. The best choices usually align with your career direction — for example, Advanced Taxation if you want to specialise in tax, or Advanced Audit and Assurance if you're heading into audit. It also helps to play to your strengths and interests, and many students pick options that build on Applied Skills papers they did well in (since the advanced paper extends the earlier one). There's no universally "easiest" combination — the right options are the ones that fit where you want your career to go.

Beyond the exams: ethics and experience

The exams aren't the whole story. To become an ACCA member you also need to complete:

• The Ethics and Professional Skills module — an online module developing the ethical and professional skills employers expect.
• The Practical Experience Requirement (PER) — typically 36 months of relevant work experience, with defined performance objectives.

Together, the exams, ethics module and practical experience ensure ACCA members are rounded, capable professionals — not just exam-passers.

Exemptions

Many students don't sit all 13 exams. Depending on your prior qualifications — a relevant degree, for example, or another accounting qualification — you may be granted exemptions from some of the earlier exams, letting you start further along. It's worth checking your exemption entitlement with ACCA before you begin, as it can save considerable time and cost.

Frequently asked questions

How many exams are in ACCA?

There are 13 exams in total, across three levels — though many students receive exemptions from some of the earlier ones based on prior qualifications.

What are the three ACCA levels?

Applied Knowledge (3 exams), Applied Skills (6 exams), and Strategic Professional (Essentials plus two option papers) — building from fundamentals to advanced, strategic content.

What else is required besides exams?

The Ethics and Professional Skills module and the Practical Experience Requirement (typically 36 months of relevant work experience) are both needed to qualify as an ACCA member.

Can I get exemptions?

Yes — depending on prior qualifications such as a relevant degree, you may be exempt from some earlier exams. Check your entitlement with ACCA before starting.

Study ACCA with Learnsignal

Learnsignal's tutor-led ACCA courses support you across every level of the qualification — with clear teaching, question practice and expert guidance, in flexible, supported online study that fits around work.