Advice from one of ACCA's top student performers (2024)

Name: Emambuccos Ibrahim Anees
Top performer:
Taxation Exam, December 2018

What do you believe being an ACCA member will do for your career?

Achieving membership status will give me the ability to use the ACCA designation, sign reports and practice as a recognised Chartered Accountant in Mauritius. It also means I’ll be able to move and work overseas as an accountant because the qualification is recognised globally.

Many finance directors around the world are ACCA members. And I believe that being an ACCA member will significantly increase my chances of progressing to a top management position in a large international company. From the practical and strategic skills I’ll achieve from studying the ACCA Qualification – I believe I’ll be in a better position to lead and positively influence people at work. The journey is not easy, but it’s not impossible to achieve your dreams if you’re self-disciplined and work hard.

Having the ACCA designation after my name will be an asset to my future endeavors, because ACCA members are seen as being ethical and highly professional people with integrity. I want to be a part of that network.

Why did you choose to study ACCA?

I chose ACCA because it’s the leading professional accounting body in the world. The fact that ACCA’s exams are not easy, and are challenging is what gives the qualification its prestige. Employers recognise the level of commitment and seriousness students have to exert to complete the qualification – which in my opinion shows just how serious you are about your career.

ACCA provides 4 Exams Session a year which also helped with my decision making. It means you can go at your own pace, so if you’re working you can fit the exams around your other commitments, but for me as a full time student it meant I could potentially complete the qualification faster.

Enrolling for ACCA was straightforward. There are a vast amount of approved learning providers around the world which provide high-quality tuition but ACCA’s continuous support throughout the study makes me confident that I made the right choice.

Also, I know that I will be able to complete my studies anywhere around the world. And because most of the exams are computer-based – I’ll also gain the practical IT skills needed in the workplace.

How did you stay motivated?

To stay motivated it’s important to have a detailed and clear set of goals. It helps give focus, and it helped me plan what time I needed to set aside to achieve what I had set as my target.

Keeping this kind of consistency is very challenging as the environment around us keeps on changing. But, keeping good track of my progress made me realise what I had achieved, which then bolstered my motivation and gave me the confidence and willingness to achieve even more.

What words of encouragement do you have for other students?

Students who have started the ACCA journey have nothing to be scared of – and they definitely won’t regret the choice they made.

The ACCA Qualification provides students with the foundations to get the job they always dreamed of and to grow both individually and professionally.

I’d tell other students to keep striving and stay determined to pass every paper at first attempt which will then heighten their confidence and drive them to gradually achieve their goals.

To pass exams at first attempt is not tough. My tip for success is to have a flexible and realistic revision plan. I usually build up my revision plan on a spreadsheet with every question to practice. Practising exam type questions under exam conditions is absolutely vital for all the ACCA exams. And having a revision plan like this also helped me identify areas of weakness to focus on.

I am a firm believer of consistency. Consistency is key to passing every exam. Students should allocate at least 3 hours of study time daily from the beginning of the course until the exam date. Each paper must be approached with seriousness and a hardworking mindset.

And finally, just keep in mind that seeing the fruit of all this hard work on exam results day will make all the effort you’ve invested worth it.

Advice from one of ACCA's top student performers (2024)

FAQs

Advice from one of ACCA's top student performers? ›

I'd tell other students to keep striving and stay determined to pass every paper at first attempt which will then heighten their confidence and drive them to gradually achieve their goals. To pass exams at first attempt is not tough. My tip for success is to have a flexible and realistic revision plan.

What skills should an ACCA student have? ›

Here are 8 ACCA Skills that students will need as we enter the next decade.
  • Technical Skills: Most Important ACCA Skill. ...
  • Global Mindset. ...
  • Professional Ethics: Essential ACCA Skill. ...
  • Communication. ...
  • Critical Thinking. ...
  • Creativity. ...
  • Analysis. ...
  • Judgement & Decision Making.
Jan 4, 2023

What letters do you get after your name with ACCA? ›

The ACCA qualification

Once you have successfully completed your exams, ethics module, and work experience and applied for ACCA membership, you will be able to use the 'ACCA' letters after your name and commence your career as a professional accountant.

Is ACCA very hard? ›

Here's the good news: no, the ACCA exam is not very difficult. In fact, it is easier to clear the ACCA when compared to other professional finance and accountancy courses like the CA and CFA. It is, of course, tougher than the school and undergraduate tests with which most students are familiar.

Why is ACCA popular? ›

ACCA is a global certification accepted and valued by more than 179 countries. This certification acts as a foundation for a global career in international companies. You can take up senior management level positions at the top global organisations.

What are the benefits of becoming a member of ACCA? ›

We provide all kinds of materials and opportunities to help you in your career and support your continuing professional development. These include a comprehensive range of exclusive e-learning packages, featured in our CPD for members section, as well as face-to-face networking events at our local offices.

Which is the hardest ACCA skills exam? ›

As such, from the below table, it can be inferred that F1 (Accountant in Business) is the easiest paper, with the highest pass rate of 85% in June 2019, while P7 (Advanced Audit and Assurance) is the most challenging paper, with the lowest pass rate of 30% in March 2019.

What makes ACCA difficult? ›

Working while studying can make the ACCA easier because you have the practical context to help your understanding, BUT it can also ramp up the pressure. You'll have to balance a full-time workload with studying and your personal life. This is one of the main reasons students find the ACCA challenging.

Is ACCA Recognised in USA? ›

ACCA USA is partnered with multiple schools, both undergraduate and graduate, across the United States of America. Seattle University is an Accredited Education Partner of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).

What is the highest position in ACCA? ›

FCCA status is the highest achievement awarded to ACCA members after 5 years of continuous membership and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) compliance, FCCA status represents a member's extensive experience and long-term commitment to professionalism and ethics.

Which degree is best with ACCA? ›

The BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting is available exclusively to ACCA students and offers a cost-effective way to obtain an undergraduate degree. That's because the ACCA Qualification Applied Knowledge and Applied skills exams are considered equal to bachelor degree level.

Which is the hardest course in ACCA? ›

Applied Skills ACCA exam order

For most students, Audit Assurance is generally considered to be the toughest paper, especially at this level. For the Applied Skills exams, along with Performance Management, this is the subject that I get the most queries about. (You'll find plenty of videos on these on my channel.

Is ACCA more difficult than CPA? ›

Deciding which one is tough – US CPA or ACCA – there are several factors to consider. First, the US CPA has fewer sections (4 exam sections vs 13 papers for the ACCA Qualification), but they are all hard. In fact, the US CPA pass rate hovers around 45-55%. Likewise, the ACCA estimates their mean pass rate is about 55%.

How many times can you fail ACCA? ›

We aim to provide you with high quality tuition and support so you will pass first time. However, if you do need to resit your exam, there is no limit to the amount of times you can attempt it.

How respected is the ACCA? ›

The ACCA qualification is highly respected by employers and is seen as a mark of professionalism and expertise. The ACCA designation can make you stand out when applying for jobs and increase your chances of getting hired or promoted.

Which country ACCA is best? ›

ACCA course in Singapore has been the most sought after educational degree by students as well as many financial firms. Singapore is one of the very few countries that accept ex-pats from any number of countries and this is why there are a lot of educational institutions that offer professional ACCA courses.

What is the average age of ACCA members? ›

On average (median), ACAs qualify at 24, ACCA at 27 an CIMA at 29. ACCA/CIMA generally take longer to complete as they are taken at their own pace and may be self funded.

What is the salary of ACCA member in USA? ›

Acca Qualified Accountant Salary
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$113,000$9,416
75th Percentile$81,500$6,791
Average$65,717$5,476
25th Percentile$40,500$3,375

How many ACCA members are there in the world? ›

We have more than 241,000 fully qualified members and 542,000 future members worldwide.

Is ACCA tougher than CFA? ›

They can also work with investments, portfolio management, and financial markets (debts, derivatives, and equity). Some claim that CFA is harder than ACCA as only one in five candidates who enroll in the course successfully completes it. [3] Furthermore, it takes 4 years to complete the course vs.

Who has the highest score on ACCA exams? ›

Aimée O'Connor, an audit assistant at KPMG in the Crown Dependencies, based in Jersey, sat the ACCA Taxation (TX) paper in September having studied with BPP International Finance in Jersey, and her score of 98% was the highest awarded to any student in the world.

How can I pass ACCA easily? ›

ACCA Exam Tips
  1. Start studying well before the exam date, don't leave it to the last minute.
  2. Take a revision course so you feel fully prepared on the exam day.
  3. Make sure you are familiar with the exam structure, syllabus, regulations, etc.
  4. Plan your preparation - set achievable targets for each day.

What happens if you fail ACCA? ›

Just because you did not pass on your first attempt or second doesn't mean that you're bound for failure in your next attempt. So, if you fail your ACCA exam, understand that failure is not the end. You can bounce back and ace the exam with the proper guidance and support.

How quickly can you pass ACCA? ›

How quickly can I complete the ACCA qualification? We run four exam sessions per year. Students can sit a maximum of four exams at each session, and a maximum of eight distinct exams each calendar year. You could therefore complete all of the exams in two years.

What percentage do you need to pass ACCA exams? ›

What is the ACCA exam pass mark? For all exams, the passing mark for ACCA is 50%. If you receive in this range on any of the papers, you will pass that paper. ACCA exam pass rates are not proportional to ACCA pass marks.

Can I get a job in USA after doing ACCA? ›

ACCA has high demand in many countries worldwide, including the USA, Singapore, the UK, and the Gulf countries. In European countries, ACCA-certified professionals are in high demand for ACCA jobs.

Is ACCA considered a master's degree in USA? ›

It is bachelor degree . Anyone know about this . Thank you for the supporting ! focus on completing your ACCA first and try to get sufficient work experience.

Can I get a job in the USA with an ACCA qualification? ›

ACCA job roles include Finance Director, Business Analyst, Chief Accountant and Commercial Finance Manager. You could work across a number of different locations, including Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and the United States.

What is an ACCA professional called? ›

Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) Chartered Certified Accountant is the professional body's main qualification.

Which is better ACCA or MBA? ›

Both have their pros and cons, but it is up to you to decide which career you want to pursue – ACCA will provide you more of a specialized skill set, whereas MBA will give you a broader skill set to handle the overall business.

Is ACCA in demand? ›

With the growth of more and more MNCs and Big 4 companies, there has been a steer rise in jobs for ACCA professionals. Likewise, as more number of students are becoming aware of ACCA and its benefits, the demand for the certification exam has increased in the industry.

What is the most difficult accounting? ›

  • Accounts Receivable.
  • Accounts Payable.
  • Cash Management.
  • Close Management.
  • Fixed Assets Management.
  • General Ledger.
  • Payment Management.
  • Tax Management.
Feb 26, 2023

Which is the toughest accounting course in the world? ›

Chartered Accountancy

However, it is also one of the most difficult courses to study in the world. It comprises education in the field of business, taxation, accounting, and auditing.

What is the hardest accounting exam? ›

Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) Often considered the most difficult exam, Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) has had the lowest passing scores of the four exams.

Is ACCA better than US CPA? ›

As per certain renowned universities, US CPA is considered to be more prestigious than ACCA as the entry requirement for CPA is equivalent to a master's degree with stringent work experience that needs to be showcased.

What are the best accounting qualifications in the world? ›

Here are three key professional qualifications providing routes into the wonderful world of accounting: ACA, ACCA and CIMA. Each are globally-recognised, take three to five years to complete and are normally undertaken in conjunction with your graduate job.

What is the highest position in accounting? ›

At the highest level of companies, job titles typically include controller, comptroller, treasurer, finance manager and chief financial officer (CFO).

What is the 10 year rule for ACCA? ›

After your 10 year time limit is reached, you will lose any Strategic Professionals results that are seven years old, or older, and you will need to take these exams again. Check your myACCA account to find out when your Strategic Professional results will expire.

Can you quit ACCA? ›

You must submit a CPD declaration and provide any outstanding CPD evidence. You will also have to complete the reinstatement form and pay the reinstatement fee. You will be required to pay any unpaid sums at the time of resignation and the current year's subscription and a reinstatement fee.

How common is ACCA? ›

ACCA exams are very popular in the UK and all over the world. ACCA stands for Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, and is one of the largest professional accountancy bodies in the world with over 188,000 members and 480,000 students.

Why do I keep failing ACCA? ›

You didn't know enough

If you keep failing ACCA exams and your mark was in the 30s or below, knowledge was your issue. That might be because you tried question spotting (which doesn't work), you weren't disciplined about your study time, or maybe you wasted time making notes without actually learning anything.

Where is ACCA not recognized? ›

ACCA is at present not recognised in Canada, however, you can apply for a job through another pathway known as the 'member of accounting body outside Canada'.

Does ACCA have a future? ›

ACCA Career Opportunities

Apart from an accountant, an ACCA professional can work as a management consultant, financial planner, and so on. ACCA as a course covers aspects of Chartered Accountancy such as Accounting, Financial Reporting, Auditing, Taxation, Business Finance and Financial Management.

Can I put ACCA after my name? ›

Once you have completed your ACCA Qualification by passing your exams, along with three years' practical experience and the Ethics and Professional Skills module, you will be invited to become an ACCA member. You will be able to use the 'ACCA' letters after your name.

Is ACCA equivalent to Master's degree? ›

The ACCA Qualification is broadly equivalent to degree standard when you take the first nine papers (the Fundamentals level). When you take the Professionals level, it is equivalent to a masters degree.

Is ACCA prestigious? ›

The ACA and ACCA are both prestigious accounting qualifications offering advanced learning and professional development programmes which provide an in-depth understanding across financial accounting, advanced financial management, public taxation, auditing, financial reporting, and strategic management.

Is ACCA highly regarded? ›

ACCA and CIMA are both highly respected qualifications that will offer very successful careers, both giving you those very important letters after your name.

Who is the youngest ACCA student? ›

Introducing, Ramakumar Raman, an 18-year-old Indian boy from Dubai who completed the CA course in just three years and is the youngest affiliate with the ACCA accounting body in the Gulf.

Who is the youngest qualified ACCA? ›

Grace Bayton becomes youngest qualified chartered accountant in the world - at just 20.

Who is the youngest ACCA affiliate? ›

"As of now, Raman holds the record for the youngest ACCA affiliate amongst our records," Herriot Fitgerald, the ACCA Academic Advisor Middle East was quoted as saying by the newspaper. ACCA candidates generally start their qualification journey at the age of 18.

Is ACCA worth it in USA? ›

As an ACCA-certified accounting professional, you can get many high-paying and well-respected job opportunities worldwide. If you want to work as finance or accounting professional in foreign countries, then a certification like the ACCA is a must-have.

Is ACCA known in USA? ›

ACCA USA is partnered with multiple schools, both undergraduate and graduate, across the United States of America. Seattle University is an Accredited Education Partner of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).

Who earns more US CMA or ACCA? ›

Salary difference- there is a slight difference in salary for CMA USA & ACCA qualified. As we mentioned above, A CMA USA qualified earns Rs. 400,000 as a fresher.
...
Key Differences Among CMA USA And ACCA.
CMA USA vs ACCA UKCMA USAACCA UK
Duration6-9 months3-4 years
Exam type100 MCQ + 2 Essay50% MCQ + 50% descriptive
7 more rows
Jan 31, 2022

Why is ACCA so popular? ›

The ACCA has a huge global infrastructure, so most aspiring finance professionals will find the qualification is well-supported in their home country. This is also important because it means the ACCA has a huge global membership body, so you'll have an in-built community of peers to support you.

Why is ACCA famous? ›

It is one of the foremost accountancy organizations worldwide, and has over 200,000 members and 500,000 students. After successfully passing the set of exams, you can have a prosperous career in accounting or finance.

Is ACCA a professional? ›

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants that offers business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

What is ACCA knowledge and skills level? ›

The ACCA syllabus consists of 13 exams divided into 3 levels: Applied Knowledge - 3 exams. Applied Skills – 6 exams. Strategic Professional (Essentials and Options) – 2 Essentials exams and 2 Options exams.

What do I need to know before doing ACCA? ›

In order to achieve the ACCA Qualification, students have to:
  • complete a maximum of 13 exams, depending on prior experience and qualifications.
  • complete an Ethics and Professional Skills module.
  • evidence three years of practical work experience within a relevant role.

How do I prepare myself for ACCA? ›

ACCA students can make use of the past papers and mock exams available on the official ACCA website. Past papers help you get familiar with the format of exam questions. And you'll find other great resources like technical articles, support videos and examiner's reports.

What is the salary of ACCA? ›

Average Salaries of ACCA Chartered Accountants: Experience Wise
Entry LevelINR 7.05 LPA
Mid Senior LevelINR 11.17 LPA
Senior LevelINR 19 LPA

What is the passing percentage of ACCA skill level? ›

The ACCA Qualification rigorously tests the skills, abilities and competencies that a modern-day accountant needs, with a firm grounding in ethics and professionalism.
...
December 2021 pass rates for ACCA exam sitting announced.
ACCA QualificationPass rate (%)
BT - Business & Technology84
FA - Financial Accounting71
MA - Management Accounting65
Applied Skills
15 more rows

What is ACCA Level 2 equivalent to? ›

ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2) is equivalent to GCSE level. ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3) is equivalent to GCE advanced level.

What is the hardest paper in ACCA? ›

ACCA September 2022 exams – Instant poll and comments:

FM(F9) was more harder compared to other two exams, as the big yellow triangle doesn't seems to be a good sign. ATX(P6) seems to be the most challenging exam, compared to all the ACCA Qualification exam.

What is the 7 year rule for ACCA? ›

What is the seven year rule? The rule means you have seven years to pass the Strategic Professional exams once you pass your first Strategic Professional exam.

Why is ACCA f5 so hard? ›

Far too many people leave studying until the last minute, and only practice a few past exam questions, which is not enough. Only about 50% of the questions in the exam require calculations – the rest are theory/discussion. The exam is testing that you understand the topics and have not simply learned 'rules'.

Is an ACCA worth doing? ›

You are having your ACCA can indicate to potential employers that you are committed to a career in accounting and can work at an expert level. This makes you a desirable candidate in the job market, as you'll have a much better chance of securing a high-paying job than accountants without your qualification.

Is ACCA qualified a chartered accountant? ›

REGULATORY STATUS – FINANCIAL SKILLS SECTOR ACCA is a professional membership body for chartered certified accountants globally. Our professional qualification is a membership requirement, which meets employer specifications for working in accountancy related roles, both regulated and unregulated.

Is Kaplan or BPP better for ACCA? ›

Students who need more technical language and conceptual clarity chose BPP. KAPLAN books were more pre-dominantly sold at Knowledge level approx. 68%. At the strategic level, students prefer BPP by almost 85% as it has more case studies, and the language is more technical, which helps students in exam preparation.

Is one month enough to prepare for ACCA? ›

How long would it take to study for an ACCA exam? On average, studying for all 13 papers of the exam can take two to three years, but you can complete the qualification in 18 months if you focus on the major eight papers.

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