FAQs: ACCA
What exam certificates are awarded for the ACCA Qualification?
Students are awarded:
- Certificate of Achievement
Students are awarded a Certificate of Achievement if they achieve a pass mark of 85 per cent or above for individual passes in Papers F1, F2 and F3. - Diploma in Accounting and Business
Students are awarded the Diploma in Accounting and Business when they have successfully completed Papers F1, F2 and F3 (at least one of which must have been sat and passed on or after December 2011), plus completion of Foundations in Professionalism. Students who obtain full exemptions will not be awarded the Certificate. - Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business
Students are awarded the Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business when they have successfully completed Papers F4-F9 (at least two passes are required, one of which must have been sat on or after June 2011), plus completion of the Professional Ethics module. Students who obtain full exemptions will not be awarded the Certificate. - Professional Level Certificate
Students are awarded a Professional Level Certificate when they have successfully completed all of the exams in the Professional level of the ACCA Qualification (P1 to P3 and any two of the Options papers from P4, P5, P6 and P7).
I am an ACCA Affiliate; can I use the ACCA letters after my name?
You may refer to yourself as having ACCA affiliate status but may not use the designatory letters after your name or refer to yourself as an ACCA member in any context. Affiliates who do so may be liable to disciplinary action. This is important to safeguard the reputation of ACCA and its members.
How do I re-register?
There are two methods by which you can resume your studies.The quickest way to re-register is to contact ACCA Connect and make payment over the phone; this will allow you to be re-registered instantly.
Alternatively, you can complete a re-registration application form and return it to ACCA by post or fax – please be advised that we cannot accept an email version of this form for payment security reasons. Your application will be processed within 10 – 15 working days upon receipt of the completed form and supporting documents. Please contact your local office or ACCA Connect to request the re-registration form.
You will need to pay a fee to re-register, which will be the same as the initial registration fee and any fees that were outstanding when you left the register. Unfortunately if your account is suspended, you will be unable to make an online payment through myACCA.
Whether you are applying for re-registration by submitting the re-registration form or by phoning ACCA Connect, you will be required to supply your previous ACCA registration number.
Please see the Related Links at the top left of this page for the link to contact ACCA Connect.
What types of qualification does ACCA award exemptions to?
We award exemption to qualifications offered by educational institutions worldwide. Some examples are:
- Certificates and diplomas (awarded by recognised institutions)
- Foundation degrees
- Bachelor degrees
- Postgraduate qualifications
- Professional qualifications
When can I apply for exemptions?
You should apply for exemptions when you first register as a student with ACCA.
If you have gained additional qualifications since you first registered as a student and believe you may be eligible for further exemptions, you can apply for these at any time. You can send copies of your educational documents by post or fax, or email a scanned copy of these documents to ACCA at students@accaglobal.com.
Please be aware that you should wait until your exemptions have been confirmed as awarded before committing to any course of study. ACCA will not be held liable for any fees incurred for changes to tuition or study materials where the award of exemptions has not been confirmed in advance.
What documents do I need to submit with my application for exemptions?
- You must send official proof of any qualifications you already have or are studying for along with your registration form so that we can assess if you are eligible for exemptions. Please submit copies of academic transcripts or award certificates as evidence.
- Any documentation which is not in English must be officially translated before submission. Official translations must be stamped and signed by the translator.
Please ensure that original documents are not submitted with your application, as ACCA cannot take responsibility for the return of irreplaceable documents. You can email a scanned copy of your documents to ACCA at students@accaglobal.com.
Why did I not receive the exemptions I expected?
Our assessment of students’ qualifications takes into account a number of variables, which may cause students with similar qualifications to be awarded differing levels of exemption. These variables include:
- the institution or campus where studies were undertaken
- the type of qualification that was awarded
- the programme of study undertaken
- the subject major stated on the completion certificate, transcript or other documents
- the modules studied during the course of the qualification
- the year studies were commenced or completed
- the date students registered with or claimed exemption from ACCA.
To find out what exemptions are available for the qualifications that you hold, please consult ACCA’s exemption enquiry database in the first instance.
Can I take the ACCA Qualification exams in any order?
You can attempt up to a maximum of four papers per examination cycle. There are two examination cycles per year: 1 February to 31 July and 1 August to 30 January.
Papers must be taken in line with the following module order. You can attempt the papers within each module in any order. However, as the syllabus has been developed to progress educationally in the order presented, ACCA recommends that papers within a module are taken in order.
- Knowledge (F1-F3) – available by computer-based exams (CBE) or paper-based format
- Skills (F4-F9) – available by paper-based format
- Essentials (P1-P3) – available by paper-based format
- Options (P4-P7) – available by paper-based format
For example, you can take F3 before F1 and F2, but you must complete all three exams before taking F4.
If your status allows you to enter for papers across modules, please remember that you must complete the papers in order and enter for outstanding papers in your current module if you wish to enter to sit papers in the next module.
For example, you may have already passed papers F1 and F2. You can enter for papers F3 and F4 at the same time, but you would not be allowed to only enter for F4.
From September 2015 we are making changes to the Progression rule which will allow students to enter the Essentials and Options (P1-P7) papers in any order.
How many exams can I take at each exam session under Foundations in Accountancy?
There is no restriction to the number of exams you may attempt, allowing you to choose to sit as many or as few papers as you like at each exam session. You are, however, recommended to attempt a maximum of four papers in each six-month period.
Can I still sit my exams if I miss the standard exam entry closing date?
If you are a registered student and have missed the standard exam entry closing date, you can still use the late entry facility via myACCA.
The late exam entry facility is only available via myACCA for students who have not already entered for the exam session. During the late exam entry period no exam entries can be amended (irrespective of when the entry was made).
I would like to change my exam entry on myACCA, is this possible?
Yes. Via myACCA you can make amendments to existing exam entries up until the standard entry closing date – including withdrawing an entry, changing exam centre, variant papers or entering for more exams.
How do I change my tax and law variant entry option?
If you wish to change your tax and law variant papers please remember to do so by before the standard entry closing date ahead of the exam session you’ve entered for. You can change your variant papers through myACCA. Please note that your choice of tax variant will determine the choice of accounting and auditing standards available to you. Any changes to the current variant papers will be detailed here
When will I be able to download my Examination Attendance Docket?
Dockets will be available to download from your myACCA account approximately two weeks after standard exam entry closes.
How do I get a duplicate Examination Attendance Docket?
Dockets will be available to download at any time from your myACCA account approximately two weeks after standard exam entry closes.
What do I need for entry to the examination?
Please ensure you have your Examination Attendance Docket and official photographic identification, such as a passport, driving licence or national identity card, with you at the exam centre. These will be checked during the exam to verify your identity. If you are unable to prove your identity your candidate answer booklet(s) may not be marked.
Please note that you are only permitted to attempt the paper(s) shown and chosen by you. You can only attend the examination centre shown.
If my name on myACCA account is different (nickname/English name) to that on my ID, will this affect me?
The name you have registered on your myACCA account should match that indicated on your official identification. In such cases, the photograph on your official ID could be used to help verify your identity. It would, however, be advisable to update your student record for future sessions.
What happens if I forget to take my docket?
If you forget your docket on the day of your exam, you will be issued a new one by staff at the exam centre.
When will we introduce four exam sessions per year?
We are pleased to say that from March 2016 we will be running four exam sessions a year at all our listed exam centres across all markets.
Why are we introducing four exam sessions a year?
We are increasing the flexibility and choice of when you can sit exams because current students told us this is what they wanted.
Increasing the number of exam sessions available gives you more choice when it comes to fitting exams around your life and working through the qualification at a pace that suits you.
You’ll have a better chance of success by spreading your studies over the additional sessions, potentially allowing you to study for additional exams each year and providing the opportunity to take resits earlier.
What exams will be available at each session?
All exams presently offered in paper-based format will be available during the June and December exam sessions. During the March and September exam sessions no FIA, IFRS, F1–F3 and limited variants will be available.
Remember, the majority of these exams are available as on-demand computer based exams, which offer even greater flexibility and convenience.
We will also be reducing the timetable from eight days to five days so we can publish exam results sooner.
This means I can now enter for two exam sessions at the same time. Why should I do this and how does it affect the progression rules?
You can now be entered for two consecutive exam sessions at the same time, meaning you can take advantage of the cheapest exam fees for both sessions and be able to plan your studies in advance.
During exam entry, you’ll have the option to enter for one of or both of the next two available sessions. To enter for both exam sessions, you will complete two exam entries.
If you enter for two upcoming exam sessions at the same time, progression rules will look across both exam entries and treat them as one.
For example, you could enter for F8 and F9 for the December session and P1 and P5 for the March session at the same time. Once both entries have been accepted, any subsequent results from the first session will not affect the exam entry for the second session.
What are the important dates for the new exam sessions?
As a result of introducing additional exam sessions a year, we are changing our exam calendar dates. For the early, standard and late exam entry deadlines, and other key dates for the upcoming sessions, please visit the important dates section.
How many exams can I take at each exam session?
You will still be allowed to enter a maximum of four exams per exam session and a maximum of eight different exams each calendar year. For more information on these rules and how they impact CBE exam cycles, please visit the exam progression rules section.
Can I take the ACCA Qualification exams in any order?
For more information on the order you can take the ACCA exams, please visit our exam progression rules page.
How long do I have to complete the exams?
For more information on rules relating to how long you have to complete the ACCA exams, please visit our time limit page.
What happens if I forget my photographic ID on the day of my exam?
You are required to bring an official means of your identity to the exam, such as your passport, driving licence or national ID card. If you forget your ID, you will be required to return to your centre before the end of the exam session with appropriate ID.
What happens if I arrive late for my exam?
If you are up to an hour late for the exam, you will still be allowed to enter the exam hall, although no extra time will be awarded. However, the supervisor will not allow you to enter the hall if you arrive more than an hour late.
If something happens at the exam centre that affects my performance, can I make a complaint?
ACCA makes every effort to ensure that you sit the exams in the best conditions possible. However, should you need to make a complaint, please contact the exam supervisor during the exam in order that everything possible can be done to rectify the situation.
If you feel that the situation has affected your performance, please inform ACCA directly by submitting details of your complaint via the Exams section of the myACCA portal.
If something happens at the exam centre that affects my performance, can I make a complaint?
ACCA makes every effort to ensure that you sit the exams in the best conditions possible. However, should you need to make a complaint, please contact the exam supervisor during the exam in order that everything possible can be done to rectify the situation.
If you feel that the situation has affected your performance, please inform ACCA directly by submitting details of your complaint via the Exams section of the myACCA portal.
You must contact ACCA with details of any complaint within one week of the last examination in the session concerned, in order for the situation to be investigated and taken into account in the results process.
For more information, please visit our Important Dates section.
What happens if I enter an exam and then can no longer take it?
You can amend or even withdraw your exam entry up until the standard exam entry closing date for that exam session. We can then either arrange to refund the exam fee to you or hold the money on your account for payment for the next exams you take.
It is not possible to withdraw an exam entry made after the standard exam entry closing date. After this closing date, your examination entry fees are not refundable or transferable.
If you are unable to sit an exam that you have registered to sit, you will be marked absent. This will not affect the marks of other exams you may have entered to sit and you can sit the exam you missed at the next available paper-based examination session. Alternatively, if the exam you intended to sit is available in computer-based format, you can sit the exam at an approved CBE Licensed centre.
Exam questions were not answered in order. Will this be a problem?
Students are not required to answer the questions in a particular order. All of your answers will be marked.
Can I leave the exam centre if I finish early?
You are not permitted to leave the hall permanently until the end of the examination.
ACCA examinations are operated at the same time across 5 different time zones. The integrity of the examinations can only be protected if all students remain within the centre for the full duration of the examination, thus removing the risk of exam content information being passed to students sitting elsewhere in the world.
What can I do if I think that my results are incorrect?
ACCA has a range of procedures in place to ensure that the exam results issued are correct. However if you feel that your result does not reflect your performance, you may request an administrative review in the following circumstances:
- you believe ACCA’s procedures have not been properly applied in arriving at your mark
- you were present at the exam but have been issued an absent result
- you were absent at the exam but have been issued a result.
A review may not be requested on the grounds of disagreement with the marker’s academic judgment.
If you would like to request an administrative review you can submit your request using our online service at myACCA.
What do I need to do to be awarded the BSc degree?
To be awarded the BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting you must:
- be registered with Oxford Brookes University ie have opted in to the BSc degree scheme and hold a suitable English language qualification before passing any of the three ACCA Fundamentals papers, F7, F8 and F9
- successfully complete all nine Fundamentals level papers
- complete the ACCA Professional Ethics module
- complete and pass the Oxford Brookes University Research and Analysis Project
- To submit the Research and Analysis Project in the May and November submission periods, please refer to RAP submission dates
The degree must be completed within 1 years of your initial registration onto ACCA’s professional qualification.
Log on to myACCA, to find out if you have opted in to the degree scheme and whether you are eligible to do so.
For further information about the BSc degree, please click on the link in the Related links box in the top left-hand corner of this page.
Why am I not eligible for the Oxford Brookes degree programme?
If you are not eligible for the degree programme, then it will be for one of the following reasons:
You enrolled with ACCA before the BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting degree was introduced.
- When the degree programme was introduced in 2000/2001, all eligible registered students were asked to opt into the degree scheme by November 2001. Any student who did not do so would have been automatically withdrawn.
- If you registered with ACCA prior to November 2001, have yet to complete Papers F7 toF9 and are within 10 years of your initial registration date, please contact ACCA Connectto opt into the degree programme.You ticked the box on your ACCA registration form stating you did not wish to join the Oxford Brookes University degree programme.
- If you are yet to complete Papers F7, F8 and F9, you may opt back in to the BSc degree by contacting ACCA Connect.
- If you have already passed any of Papers F7, F8 or F9, then unfortunately it is now too late to opt back into the degree programme.
- If you hold exemptions for any of Papers F7 to F9, then you may contact ACCA Connect to forfeit these in order to remain eligible. Once you have forfeited your exemption, you cannot reverse this decision.
- If you are exempt from any paper from F1-F9 based on a qualification more than 10 years old, you would be required to forfeit all of the exemptions in order to opt in to the degree programme.You do not hold a suitable English language qualification.
- If you successfully completed Paper F4 on or before June 2014 this will be acceptable proof.
- If you have not completed Paper F4 by June 2014 then refer to the pdf document below for alternative ways you can demonstrate you English proficiency.
You enrolled with ACCA over 10 years ago.
- The BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting degree has a 10-year deadline starting from a student’s initial registration date with ACCA. If this has expired in your case, we regret that you are no longer eligible to complete the degree with us.
If you wish to enquire about your eligibility to complete the BSc degree, please contact ACCA Connect. Please include your ACCA student registration number in any correspondence.
Can I apply for Oxford Brookes after I have registered?
Students can opt in to the Oxford Brookes BSc degree after they have registered. However, they must do so before attempting papers F7, F8 and F9 and hold a recognised English language qualification.
How will I be able to work out my Oxford Brookes degree classification?
The BSc degree classification will be based on both:
- the ACCA average mark determined from the exam marks in the Fundamentals Skills papers (F4–F9)
- the grade achieved for the Research and Analysis Project.
The ACCA average mark will be calculated by taking the numerical average of the marks achieved in the Fundamentals Skills papers (F4–F9) that you have sat and passed.
Where the calculated average mark is not a whole number, the calculated average will be rounded up or down accordingly. If you have been given an exemption from any of the three papers F4–F6, no mark is available and so will not be included in the calculation of the ACCA average mark.
The class of degree for each combination of ACCA average mark and Research and Analysis Project grade is shown below.
What is my status if I have passed all my exams but have not yet completed the PER?
To become a member of ACCA and qualify as a professional accountant, you must pass all the exams, successfully complete the Professional Ethics module and complete the PER.
You cannot apply for membership until you have completed all three components.
What do I have to do to complete the practical experience?
There are three components to the PER:
- completing three years’ employment in an accounting or finance-related role or roles
- achieving nine Essentials and at least four Options performance objectives to the satisfaction of your workplace mentor
- recording and reporting your PER progress through the online My Experience
Further information on the PER can be accessed within this section and from the ‘Related links’.