Altogether, there are 14 exams under the ACCA syllabus. Starting with the Fundamental level, during which one has 9 papers labeled from F1 to F9. Once one has covered the set of papers, they are ready to attempt a 5-paper Professional qualification; that will get them there in getting certified. The first three papers that are compulsory include: P1, P2 and P3, while two more to complement them are optional at their discretion and include four such options P4, P5, P6, or P7.
Candidates can sit for these exams in four sittings per year, and with some papers, there is also the option to do computer-based exams which one can schedule at a time that suits them. Some papers may even be exempted in case candidates have specific qualifications prior to sitting for this examination. For more details on this, just go through our ACCA page!
Also read: What is ACCA Exam?
ACCA examination Levels :
Knowledge level
Paper F1 – Accountant in Business
This paper is a great way into the principles of good management. It will allow you to understand the world of modern business and how this affects the roles of accountants and companies. You will learn also about the very important contribution that accountants can make to the creation of an effective and ethical working place.
Here are the topics you will cover in full:
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How businesses are organized, governed, and managed
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Key factors and challenges that influence business and accounting.
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History and importance of accounting in business
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The key functions of accountancy and how internal control works
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Leading and Managing Teams and Individuals
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Best Practices for Recruiting and Developing Successful Employees
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Paper F2 – Management Accounting
This paper teaches you how to prepare and analyze basic numbers to help management make smart decisions.
Here are the main topics you'll cover:
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The importance of cost and management accounting
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How to classify costs and understand their behavior
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Using business math and spreadsheets
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Cost accounting techniques
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Basics of budgeting and standard costing
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Short-term decision-making methods
Paper F3 – Financial Accounting
In this paper, you’ll learn the basic ideas, principles, and rules of financial accounting. You’ll also get hands-on practice with double-entry accounting techniques, helping you prepare and understand basic financial statements. Here are the main topics you'll cover:
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The purpose of financial reporting
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Key qualities of financial information and basic accounting rules
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How to use double-entry accounting systems
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Recording transactions and events
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Preparing a trial balance
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Creating basic financial statements
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Skill Level
Paper F4 – Corporate and Business Law
This paper helps you understand the legal framework that affects businesses, focusing on specific legal issues they face. You’ll also learn when it’s important to get expert legal advice. Here are the main topics you’ll cover:
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The basics of the legal system
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The law of obligations
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Employment law
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How businesses are formed and organized
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Capital and how companies get funding
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Management, administration, and rules for companies
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Legal issues for companies in trouble
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Governance and ethical concerns in business
Paper F5 – Performance Management
This paper helps you build your skills in management accounting. You’ll learn how to use this knowledge to analyze numbers and other information for planning, making decisions, and checking performance.Here are the main topics you’ll cover:
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Cost accounting techniques
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How to make smart decisions
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Budgeting and forecasting
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Understanding standard costing and variance analysis
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Ways to measure performance
Paper F6 – Taxation
This paper helps you understand the business taxation system and how it affects individuals, companies, and groups of businesses.Here are the main topics you’ll cover:
Paper F7 – Financial Reporting
This module helps you understand accounting standards and how financial reporting works. You’ll learn the ideas behind creating financial statements, with a focus on how to analyze and interpret them. Here are the main topics you'll cover:
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The basic concepts of accounting
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The rules and regulations
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How to prepare financial statements
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Merging businesses
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Analyzing and understanding financial data
Paper F8 – Audit and Assurance
This paper introduces you to the knowledge and skills that financial managers need for important tasks like financing, investing, and deciding on dividends.
Here are the main topics you'll explore:
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The role of financial management
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The setting where financial management happens
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Managing working capital
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Evaluating investment options
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Basics of business finance
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Understanding the cost of capital
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How to value businesses
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Managing risks
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Essential Level
Paper P1 – Governance, Risk, and Ethics
In this paper, you’ll learn how to make thoughtful professional decisions about governance, compliance, internal control, and risk management, all while keeping ethics in mind. Here are the main topics you’ll explore:
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Governance and accountability
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Internal control and how to review it
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How to identify, assess, and manage risks
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The importance of professional values and ethics
Paper P2 – Corporate Reporting
In this paper, you’ll learn how to make smart choices about applying and evaluating financial reporting rules in different business situations.Here are the main topics you’ll cover:
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The framework for financial reporting
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How to report financial performance
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Financial statements for group companies
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Special reporting for unique organizations
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Recent changes in rules and regulations
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How to assess performance and financial health
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Current trends and updates
Paper P3 – Business Analysis
This paper helps you learn how to create effective business strategies and make smart decisions about how businesses operate and change. You’ll also look at how to use new IT systems and manage quality, projects, and teams.Here are the main topics you’ll cover:
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Understanding your business's position
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Making strategic choices
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Taking action on your strategies
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Changing business processes
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The role of information technology
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Managing quality
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Project management
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Analyzing finances
Options (choose any 2 from the following 4)
Paper P4 – Advanced Financial Management
In this paper, you’ll explore the world of finance and build the skills needed for senior roles like financial advisors and executives.Here are the main topics you’ll cover:
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Your role and responsibilities to stakeholders
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Advanced ways to evaluate investments
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Understanding mergers and acquisitions
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How to restructure and reorganize companies
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Managing treasury and advanced risk management techniques
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The economic landscape for multinational companies
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Current trends and challenges in finance
Paper P5 – Advanced Performance Management
In this paper, you’ll learn advanced management accounting techniques to help you evaluate how well global organizations are doing and growing, while also considering economic and outside factors.Here are the main topics you’ll cover:
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Strategic planning and control
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Economic influences
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Designing performance systems
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Measuring how well strategies are working
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Evaluating overall performance
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Current trends and updates
Paper P6 – Advanced Taxation
In this course, you'll gain the expertise necessary to provide informed guidance on how large-scale taxation influences financial decision-making.Key topics include:
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In-depth understanding of the UK tax system
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The effects of taxation and how different taxes interact
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Strategies for effective tax planning
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Best practices for communicating with clients, HM Revenue and Customs, and other professionals
Paper P7 – Advanced Audit and Assurance
In this course, you'll learn how to analyze, evaluate, and report on assurance engagements, along with addressing various issues in audit and assurance, all while considering the latest financial developments and best practices. It's highly recommended that you complete, or at least attempt, Papers F8 and P2 before diving into P7.
The main topics covered in this course include:
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Understanding the conceptual framework
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Navigating the regulatory landscape
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Preparing financial statements
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Managing business combinations
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Analyzing and interpreting financial information