You might have heard that good things take time, and that statement is spot on when it comes to ACCA affiliates. If you want to pursue a profession in financial accounting, ACCA can be your golden ticket.

While we do understand that the ACCA journey can be challenging for a student, we also know that with the correct strategies, there is nothing that can't be achieved.

To make things even easier for you, we've compiled some crucial info to help you understand everything about ACCA affiliates here.

Let’s begin! 

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What is an ACCA Affiliate?

ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified accountants. It's a widely recognised course consisting of a set of 13 papers conducted by ACCA within 2 to 3 years of period. Those who clear these 13 exams earn the affiliate title and continue their professional journey. ‍

It equips students with the knowledge and suitable skill set needed to work for any business in various finance and accounting professions across sectors. Higher salary packages, vast scope of work, and global recognition are just a few things to name that make it an appealing career choice for young aspirants. 

With so many benefits, it's no surprise that it has over 600,000+ students worldwide, preparing a whole new army of expert number crunchers.

Now that you understand the basics, let’s talk about what you need to do in order to be an ACCA affiliate.

How do you Become an ACCA Affiliate?

To become an ACCA affiliate, you must meet specific criteria, which are as follows:

Qualifications come first

• Make sure you've got at least three GCSEs (C or above), including English and Math, plus two A-levels or equivalent.

Sign up with ACCA

• Go to the official website of ACCA, signup, and create an account by paying the registration fee.

Check for Exemptions 

• If you've got any relevant qualifications, you might get exemptions from some ACCA exams. Visit ACCA’s website to check your qualification. Find out more here.

Pass the ACCA Exams 

• Ok, admittedly this is more than just another simple "step"! You'll have to take 13 exams in total, divided into knowledge, skills, and professional levels. Study hard and pass them in the right order.

Pay Your Dues 

• Once you've ticked all the boxes, pay the annual subscription fees to become an ACCA affiliate.

Once you've completed all of the above-mentioned tasks, you are now a successful ACCA Affiliate. Now, let's talk about becoming a real deal ACCA member.

What is the Difference between an ACCA Member and an ACCA Affiliate?

Being an ACCA member or an affiliate depends on where you are in the ACCA qualification process. Let’s have a look here:

ACCA Affiliate:

• Passed all 13 exams, including Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM).
• Still needs three years of relevant experience.

ACCA Member:

• Passed all 13 exams and the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM).
• Completed three years of relevant experience, which is called the Practical Experience Requirement (PER).

In a nutshell, an ACCA affiliate has passed all the exams but needs to have some real-world experience. On the other hand, an ACCA member has nailed the exams and gotten that experience, making them a certified professional in the accounting world.

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What is the Salary of an ACCA Affiliate? 

The salary of an ACCA affiliate can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, industry, and company size. On average, an ACCA affiliate in the UK can expect to earn a salary in the range of £48,500 per year. However, salaries can go higher for those with several years of experience or for those working in larger organisations or industries with higher demand for accounting professionals.

Your Journey to Become an ACCA Member

Once you've completed your affiliate journey, it's time to open a new door of opportunities by becoming a member. And what is the procedure for that? Let's go over it here:

• Step 1: Get Some Real-World Experience

Now that you've passed all 13 exams, it's time to gain three years of practical experience in a finance or accounting gig. 

• Step 2: Show Off Your Experience

Upon completion of three year working period, submit your experience record through the My Experience tool. ACCA will check if you've got the goods they're looking for.

• Step 3: Nail the Ethics Module

Before you can join the ACCA member club, make sure you pass the Professional Ethics module. It's all about behaving like a pro and being ethical according to corporate and business law.

• Step 4: Apply for Membership

Alright, you've got the experience, aced the Ethics module, and crushed each exam. Now it's time to apply for ACCA membership. 

• Step 5: Get the approval and be an ACCA Member

ACCA will review your application and check your experience.

Once they give you the thumbs up, congrats! You're officially an ACCA member, a certified accounting wizard!

Is there a Time Limit to go from Affiliate to Member?

There is no time limit to go from affiliate to member. Once you have passed all thirteen papers, have 3 years of real-life working experience, and have successfully nailed the ethics module, you are eligible to apply to be an ACCA member.

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Can I use the “ACCA” Letters after my Name as an Affiliate?

You won’t be able to use those designatory letters after your name until you become a member. If you do, you might get into some trouble and face disciplinary action.

However, once you become an ACCA member, go ahead. It's like a badge of honour that everyone recognises, no matter where you work. 

What fees do affiliates need to pay to ACCA?

ACCA students are required to pay an annual subscription fee to maintain their affiliate status and access the benefits offered by ACCA. This fee needs to be paid each year to keep your affiliation active. To know more about it and get the latest updates, you can visit their website here. 

Conclusion

Becoming an ACCA affiliate is an exciting journey full of surprises. At first, the exams may appear daunting and time-consuming, but passing them shows your dedication to your career.

Becoming an ACCA affiliate not only opens up a new horizon of opportunities for you but also gives you worldwide recognition and the honor of holding such a reputable degree.

If you are someone looking forward to entering the field and need guidance along the way to become an ACCA affiliate, check out our premium online ACCA courses. As an award-winning online accountancy tuition provider and an ACCA Silver Learning Partner, VIVA will guide you through each step of your ACCA journey as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

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