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*Please note that the below are valid as of February 2023. The fees below are relevant to UK-based students. ACCA has discretionary control over exam/subscription fees, and so these may change at a future date. The most up-to-date fee information for your region can be found here.
The ACCA qualification is one of the world's most prominent and influential accounting certifications. It represents the best among accountants and business professionals committed to accountability, ethics, and social responsibility to provide the highest quality of services. [1]
But embarking on such an educational journey can be intimidating, especially when you're no sure how much it's going to hurt your pocket! And nobody likes nasty financial surprises or hiden fees!
That's why VIVA's team has put together this comprehensive overview of how much it costs to register for the ACCA exams and the different potential costs and fees you need to be aware of along the way.
ACCA Study Options
There are three main learning approaches to choose from when you're thinking of becoming an ACCA-qualified accountant, and each comes with different benefits. These options are:
Face-to-Face
ACCA face-to-face learning is the more traditional, but still great way to pass your exams. You can get hands-on experience in real-life situations and ask questions directly to your tutor in-person. You will also be able to discuss the theory behind what you are doing and thereby gain a greater understanding of the subject matter.
Online Learning
ACCA Online Learning provides a unique opportunity for students to study from anywhere in the world, at any time, and at their own pace. It is an ideal way for people who want to work/attend to family duties while studying, or who cannot attend traditional colleges or universities due to their busy lifestyles. These are often the best-value offerings.
Blended Learning
Blended Learning is a flexible, self-paced study method that combines the benefits of face-to-face classroom learning with the convenience of online learning. These are usually offered by traditional brick-and-mortor colleges and institutes, and utilise online learning facilities to supplement the in-person training. These are typically the most expensive training offerings.
ACCA Qualification Costs
This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of the costs of becoming an ACCA-qualified accountant. It will also cover the main ways to save money during your studies.
Registration and Subscription Fees
The one-time registration fee for the ACCA qualification is £89. If you want to continue studying for the certification beyond your first year, you must also pay an annual subscription fee of £122 per year.
Remember to settle your payables on time to avoid an £89 re-registration fee. Late payments will result in the cancellation of your registration.
Applied Knowledge Exams
The ACCA Applied Knowledge Exam will test your knowledge of essential financial and management concepts and your ability to apply them in the real world.
These exams are only available as CBE (computer-based examination). According to ACCA, you will need to contact your local CBE centre to book, and fees may vary accordingly. The subjects under the Applied Knowledge stream are:
- Business and Technology (BT)
- Management Accounting (MA)
- Financial Accounting (FA)
Applied Skills Exams
Applied Skills exams are suitable for individuals with relevant finance work experience. This will put your understanding of how accounting is used in business to the test, as well as your ability to interpret financial data.
Each Applied Skills exam costs £143 for standard entry. Here are the seven Applied Skills subjects:
- Corporate and Business Law (LW)
- Performance Management (PM)
- Taxation (TX)
- Financial Reporting (FR)
- Audit and Assurance (AA)
- Financial Management (FM)
Remember that a late exam entry fee will cost you £365, so it's recommended that you book your exam as early as possible.
Strategic Professional Exam
The ACCA Strategic Professional Exams are about advanced accounting, business skills, and ethics. This level consists of two essential (i.e. mandatory) exams, the Strategic Business Leader exam - which costs £245 - and the Strategic Business Reporting exam - which costs £190. There are also optional Strategic Professional Exams that consist of the following:
- Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
- Advanced Performance Management (APM)
- Advanced Taxation (ATX)
- Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
Each of the optional Strategic Professional Exams also costs £190. Remember, you are required to choose and pass any two of the optional Strategic Professional Exams.
There is also a £394 fee charged for late registrations for any of the essential or optional Strategic Professional Exams.
Ethics and Professional Skills Module
The professional ethics module is an essential component of the ACCA Qualification. It teaches you about professional values, ethical principles, and ethical decision-making.
The training also helps you improve your professional communication, client care, and teamwork skills. You will have the opportunity to consider your personal values and actions regarding professional ethics and how they may affect your future career.
Note that the Ethics and Professional Skills Module, which costs £86, must be completed after passing the Applied Knowledge exams and before moving on to the Strategic Professional exams.
ACCA Exemption Fees
It’s possible to obtain an exam exemption and reduce your ACCA exam fees. If you hold exemptions from previous studies or experience, you will be charged an exemption fee of £98 for Applied Knowledge exams and £123 for Applied Skills exams.
ACCA Membership Fees
When you have passed all your exams, worked a certain number of hours for relevant experience, and received your certificate, it is time to apply for your ACCA membership. You must pay an admission fee of £283 and an annual renewal fee of £283.
It's also worth noting that in some circumstances, you can reduce the annual subscription fee to £142. See here for more information.
ACCA Certified Learning Providers
Here are some of the best ways to prepare for the ACCA exams. The ACCA assesses these learning providers to ensure that they provide high-quality, relevant, and up-to-date content.
ACCA Certified Books Pricing
As part of its commitment to continuous professional development (CPD), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) endorses BPP Learning Media and Kaplan Publishing as their certified providers of ACCA written resources.
The Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional Kaplan books are priced at £32 for the study text, £19 for an exam kit, and £10 for pocket notes per subject.
While the BPP Learning Media books are priced at £38.00 for their workbook and £22.00 for the revision kit. Ebook versions are much cheaper than printed versions. [3]
ACCA Practice Tests
ACCA's practice tests range in price from £10 to £18, depending on the subject. The practice tests are available in book and ebook formats and cover all the topics required for your ACCA exams.
You can also use these practice tests as a study tool to learn the format of exam questions and how to answer them correctly. You may access these practice tests through the ACCA Learning Platform.
ACCA Approved Learning Partners
ACCA Approved Learning Partners are organisations that have met the highest quality standards in their teaching and support services and have been approved by ACCA to achieve affiliate status.
These ACCA affiliates are ranked as Platinum, Gold, and Silver depending on their level of commitment and expertise in delivering qualifications.
You can find more information about approved learning partners on the ACCA Learning Platform.
HOT TIP: Keep a close eye on VIVA's website and mailing list throughout 2023, as it rolls out its premium ACCA online courses. VIVA is committed to delivering elite online professional tuition without the premium price tag. So subscribe for free here to our mailing list for exclusive ACCA study resources and early notification as our courses go live!
ACCA Study Hub
The ACCA Study Hub is a free comprehensive online study tool for students. It provides a wide range of resources and support to help students who self-study for their exams. The hub includes multiple practice tests, exam tips, advice, and a wide range of other useful features.
Ways To Pay ACCA Exam Fees
ACCA has partnered with several banks to allow you to pay your exam fees in various ways, including online payments. You can pay via bank transfer, credit card, debit card, or even through your mobile phone.
Takeaway
Whichever payment method you opt for, all fees are payable in advance. So be sure you have enough in your budget to see you through. And perhaps factor in a few possible resits along the way! Not passing every exam first time is to be expected, and it's worth factoring that into any realistic budget.
And remember to subscribe for free here to the VIVA mailing list for early bird discounts, free ACCA webinars, subject pass guides, and more. We are here to help you prepare for your ACCA exams, at unrivalled prices, with guaranteed results.
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