What Does ACCA Stand For? The Full Name and What It Means

ACCA stands for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants — here is what that means, what ACCA does, and why it matters.

Learnsignal Education Team

Updated 16 June 2026

ACCA Stands For: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a global professional accountancy body founded in 1904 and headquartered in London, UK. ACCA has approximately 252,000 members and 526,000 students in 180 countries, making it one of the largest and most internationally recognised professional accounting bodies in the world.

What "Chartered Certified Accountant" Means

The "Chartered" designation indicates that ACCA members have met rigorous standards of education, examination, practical experience, and professional ethics set by the body. The "Certified" element reflects ACCA's origins and distinguishes it from other Chartered Accountant bodies (such as ICAEW's ACA or ICAS's CA) — though in practice, all are highly respected and recognised by employers. Once qualified, ACCA members may use the designation ACCA after their name.

What Does ACCA Do?

ACCA sets the qualification curriculum and examinations, awards membership to those who qualify, sets and enforces professional ethics standards for members, advocates for the accounting profession globally, publishes technical guidance and research, and represents the interests of its members to governments and regulators worldwide.

ACCA vs Other Chartered Accountant Bodies

The UK has several professional accounting bodies: ACCA (global, 180 countries), ICAEW (ACA qualification, strong in UK practice), CIMA (management accounting focus), CIPFA (public sector), ICAS (Scotland). ACCA is the most geographically diverse, with strong recognition in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe alongside the UK.

How to Qualify as ACCA

The ACCA qualification requires passing 13 examinations across three levels (Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, Strategic Professional), completing 36 months of practical experience, and adhering to ACCA's ethical principles. Most candidates complete the qualification in 3-5 years studying part-time alongside work.