How to plan and book your ACCA Exams

Why get ACCA qualification?

ACCA is a global accountancy body setting highest professional and ethical standards for accountants worldwide. Their mission is to provide equal opportunities to professionals all over the world, allowing them to grow, develop their skill set and reach a new level of qualification. The body partners with local associations to make sure the qualifications they develop comply with regulations in the marketplaces. Accountants with ACCA membership are the most sought-after industry professionals with broad professional knowledge and expertise.  

If you are looking for opportunities to develop your career as a professional accountant, ACCA qualification can be a great addition to your profile as it proves you can set and maintain the high standards in the organizations you work with and lead them to business success. With ACCA membership you’ll get access to a variety of resources which can be helpful throughout your studies as well as your professional life. There are also numerous opportunities for developing your skills and qualifications, including BSc and MSc.

The Roadmap towards ACCA Qualification

If you’re ready to embark on an exciting journey towards receiving ACCA qualification, make sure you understand what your starting point is and what your next steps are going to be. In order to qualify for ACCA you’ll need to take a maximum of 13 professional exams, with exemptions depending on your prior experience and qualification. You will also need to complete an Ethics and Professional Skills module from ACCA. Lastly, you’ll need to prove at least three years of practical work experience in a relevant role. The whole process of earning the qualification will take you approximately three years.

ACCA Exams

For ACCA Canada high school diplomas or secondary school certificates with A levels in Math and English are sufficient for registration. However, if you’ve completed your studies in another country but want to enrol in ACCA Qualification in Canada, visit the website to determine your eligibility. If your current qualifications are not enough to apply, you can still study with ACCA through its Foundation Level program. If, on the contrary, your qualifications are already higher than required at the registration, you will be allowed to skip some of the ACCA exams based on your individual case.

Applied Knowledge Exams

If you meet the requirements for ACCA exam registration you will start with the first step, which is called Applied Knowledge Exams. They include an introduction to the field of finance and accounting with the general understanding of accounting in the modern world. The exams for these modules can be taken at a test center certified to deliver them as per the established standards. Applied Knowledge Exams consist of the following modules:

Accountant in Business

Management Accounting

Financial Accounting

These are on-demand computer-based exams that can be taken individually at an authorized ACCA Exam centre, such as Ashton Testing Services centre located in Vancouver, BC. For ACCA exams registration, you’ll need to proceed to the test centre website directly and book the individual exams at your convenience. You will need to pay separate fees for each exam you wish to take.

Applied Skills Exams

The next step to ACCA qualification is Applied Skills Exams. They build on existing knowledge and understanding to develop strong, broad and practical finance qualifications required by professional accountants.  

Corporate and Business Law

Performance Management

Taxation

Financial reporting

Audit and assurance

Financial Management

This set of exams is offered in sessions. In 2019, sessions will be held in June and September in selected locations. In order to register and pay the ACCA exam fees, you will need to go to ACCA global website and create an account. You will be allowed to select the test centre located close to you. You will be also given an option to select the number of sessions to choose from. The general advice here is to plan well in advance, by finding the test locations and exam entry deadlines so that there no last minute issues. If you end up missing an exam, you may have to wait for several months for the next one.

Strategic Professional

The highest level of ACCA exams is Strategic Professional, which is comprised of Essentials and Options exams.

Essentials

Strategic Business Leader

Strategic Business Reporter

Options

Advanced Financial Management

Advanced Performance Management

Advanced Taxation

Advanced Audit and Assurance

Strategic professional exams also come in a package and can be taken only after completing the previous step and clearing the Applied Skills Exams.

If your goal is to take your professional accountant career to the next level, Ashton Testing Services will be glad to help you take the on-demand computerized exams at our convenient location in downtown Vancouver on a day and time that works best for you.