ACCA After Graduation: A Smart Way to Build a Global Career

Many students who have graduated with a B.Com degree wish to find a career in finance, accounting, or corporate leadership. To fulfill their wish, acquiring an ACCA qualification is deemed the best option by many due to its recognition in over 180 countries. At the same time, many doubt whether ACCA is the right move to pursue for their graduation in terms of the costs and preparation needed, along with the difficulty they have to face to clear its 13 exams across three levels.

Why Should You Do ACCA After Graduation?

ACCA after graduation is considered a great move for aspirants, not just because they are somewhat prepared for the exam from the curriculum of the degree, but also because they can receive exemptions from the total 13 papers. These exemptions make clearing ACCA relatively easier while you study from the best online ACCA course in India. The graduates frequently choose ACCA because:

• It provides global recognition, which is helpful to get a job in MNCs.
• It offers flexibility in exam scheduling.
• It can complement an existing commerce or finance degree.

Which Degree is Best for ACCA?

There is no mandatory degree requirement stated in the ACCA eligibility criteria, as it is available for class 12th pass students scoring 65% in Math/Accounts and English, along with 50% in others. However, gaining commerce and finance-related degrees, along with studying their curriculum properly, helps you align better with the syllabus and structure of ACCA. Among the many degree options available, B.Com is considered the best option as it teaches you subjects like:

• Financial Accounting
• Cost Accounting
• Taxation
• Business Law
• Economics

Can Non-Commerce Graduates Do ACCA?

Students from science and arts backgrounds can pursue ACCA with the Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) route, regardless of whether they are non-commerce graduates holding a BA, BSc, or engineering degree. However, they may have a slightly tougher time in preparation than commerce graduates, as they need to:

• Spend time understanding accounting fundamentals
• Start without exemptions
• Invest more effort in early-level papers

How to Start ACCA Preparation?

Due to the difficulty level of the ACCA exam, starting the preparation is not a very easy step and requires a clear roadmap rather than random exam attempts. The following are some steps you should follow to start your ACCA preparation:

Step 1: Understand the ACCA Structure

Understanding the long ACCA structure consists of three levels that test different concepts, ranging from accounting fundamentals to strategic decision-making and leadership. The three levels are:

• Applied Knowledge Level
• Applied Skills Level
• Strategic Professional Level

Step 2: Choose a Study Mode

Self-study for ACCA can work to prepare for early levels or easy papers. However, for advanced papers like Strategic Business Leader (SBL) or Advanced Financial Management (AFM), structured mentoring often improves performance. The various study modes, out of which you can find only one suitable, include:

• Self-study
• Online coaching
• Classroom coaching
• Hybrid models

Step 3: Plan Exam Attempts Realistically

The 13 ACCA exam papers are conducted multiple times a year. While you have the option to give several exams in a single year, it increases your chance of failure due to burnout. An approach recommended by experts includes:

• Giving 1 to 2 papers per attempt
• Attempting 2 to 3 papers only with strong preparation
• Having a structured revision period of 6 to 8 weeks per paper

What are the Career Opportunities After ACCA?

After an ACCA membership, a candidate can typically find career opportunities in the domains of accounting, audit, taxation, compliance, corporate finance, consulting, and financial management. However, career growth after ACCA course, no matter which domain you choose, depends not just on qualification but also on practical experience. The common job roles you can find with this qualification include:

• Financial Accountant
• Audit Associate
• Tax Consultant
• Management Accountant
• Financial Analyst
• Internal Auditor

What is the Salary After ACCA?

An ACCA qualification comes after 3 years of relevant work experience, and with such experience, qualification holders typically occupy mid-level positions offering a competitive salary aligning with the market standards. The salary they receive may seem rewarding, but it varies significantly by:

• Country
• Industry
• Experience level
• Employer type

What Challenges Do Graduates Face in ACCA Preparation?

Many graduates who start preparation for ACCA struggle in their preparation as they have to balance work and studies, unless they choose to start employment simultaneously. While the pattern of exam attempts it offers provides flexibility, the common challenges faced include:

• Underestimating paper difficulty
• Lack of revision planning
• Struggle with time management
• Attempting multiple papers without conceptual clarity

Conclusion

Pursuing ACCA after graduation can be a good decision if you seek a globally recognized accounting qualification with strong exposure to international standards and corporate finance practices. However, preparing to achieve that qualification requires a disciplined approach in studying, along with practical experience.

If you are an ACCA aspirant looking for online coaching, enroll at Fintelligents, which provides guidance for multiple exams in the form of SCR, CFA, ACCA, and FRM online classes Mumbai, and many others.

FAQs

Q. How many attempts for ACCA in a year?

In one year, you can attempt a maximum of 8 different ACCA exams, with up to 4 exams per examination session. The examination sessions occur four times a year, in March, June, September, and December.

Q. Is it possible to study ACCA while working?

Yes, it is possible to study ACCA while working by understanding the pattern and subjects of the exam properly, along with having a disciplined approach in preparation with time management.

Q. Is Articleship compulsory for ACCA?

Yes, fulfilling 3 years or 36 months of Practical Experience Requirement (PER) is compulsory to get an ACCA qualification.