Introduction

Qualification to be Awarded
ACCA Qualification

Awarding Body
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK

ABOUT ACCA
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. They offer 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.

ACCA supports their 154,000 members and 432,000 students throughout their careers, providing services through a network of 83 offices and active centres. Their global infrastructure means that exams and support are delivered at a local level, directly benefiting stakeholders wherever they are based.

Their globally relevant qualifications will give you an excellent start in core accountancy skills, or you can gain more specialist knowledge - depending on your ability and the qualifications you already have. ACCA qualifications provide everything you need - at any level - to build a successful career in finance.

ACCA’s focus is on professional values, ethics and governance. They use their expertise and experience to work with governments, regulators, professional bodies and employers to develop the global accountancy profession and to act in the public interest.

OVERVIEW
The ACCA Qualification is your route to becoming a qualified accountant.
The ACCA Qualification will provide you with skills and knowledge relevant to any business, which means you are free to choose which type of accountancy role and organisation you want to work for.

There is a strong focus on professional values, ethics and governance. This is essential because the profession is moving towards strengthened codes of conduct, regulation and legislation, which is why their qualification has an increased focus on professionalism and ethics in accounting.

Professionalism and ethics is examined at the highest level in the ACCA Qualification. It is also a main part of the practical experience you must complete to qualify.

To qualify as an ACCA member, you will need to complete:

• exams - a minimum of five of 14 exams (nine are eligible for exemption*)
• experience - record 36 months' experience in a relevant role
• ethics - the Professional Ethics module.
*Nine of the exams which are part of the qualification will not need to be taken if you have other relevant qualifications at the same level. You will need to provide proof of your previous qualifications so you can claim exemptions.

Achieve qualifications along the way
On your way to ACCA membership, there are lots of qualifications you can gain along the way. This is a great way to show your knowledge and skills to employers and helps keep you on track and motivated. You can achieve:

• a Diploma in Accounting and Business
• an Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business
• a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University

WHO IS IT FOR
Can i apply to study the ACCA qualification?

Yes - if you meet the minimum entry requirements which is:

• two A Levels and three GCSEs (or their equivalent)
• these need to be in five separate subjects including English and maths.

ACCA qualification graduate-entry route

If you have a relevant degree from a university accredited by ACCA, you may be eligible to claim exemption from some of the exams. You can apply for exemption from a maximum of nine exams at the Fundamentals level of the ACCA Qualification. Please note that no exemptions are awarded for any of the Professional level exams. Even if your qualifications are not from an accredited institution, you may still be eligible to claim some exemptions. Whether you can claim any exemptions will depend on how much of the syllabus you have already covered in your previous studies.

What if i don't have the minimum entry requirements?

You can still join ACCA as a student, but you will need to start your studies with one of the qualifications in Foundations in Accountancy.

Once you complete the Diploma in Accounting and Business in Foundations in Accountancy, you can then transfer over to the ACCA Qualification. You will be able to start your studies at exam paper F4, as you'll be able to claim exemption from exams F1, F2 and F3.

HOW IT WORKS
How long will it take?

It depends on what qualifications you have before you register. The quickest way to become qualified is to work and study at the same time. If you do, you could become an ACCA member in three or four years. How you study for the qualification is very flexible and you can progress at your own pace. But there is a time limit of ten years from the date of registration that you need to complete the exams in.

Study options

You can choose how you study, full-time or part-time, how often you sit your exams and where you get your relevant practical experience. But we recommend you do the practical experience along with passing your exams if you can.

Additional Support

When you register as an ACCA student you will get access to a range of resources and support, including:

• Student Accountant digital magazine
• syllabuses and study guides
• past exam papers
• Facebook – where you can network with other students
• face to face events
• guidance and support for finding and recording relevant work experience.

COURSE DETAILS
Exams

The ACCA exams are divided into two levels; Fundamentals and Professional.
The Fundamentals level is divided into two modules Knowledge and Skills.
The Knowledge module introduces you to the main areas of financial and management accounting. You will study the other technical accountancy areas after you study this. There are six subjects in the Skills module which cover the main technical areas that accountants are expected to know.

Fundamentals

Knowedge
F1	Accountant in Business
F2	Management Accounting
F3	Financial Accounting
Skills
F4	Corporate and Business Law
F5	Performance Management
F6	Taxation
F7	Financial Reporting
F8	Audit and Assurance
F9	Financial Management

The Professional level is divided into two modules; Essentials and Options. Both of the modules at Professional level have been set at the same ability level as a Masters degree.

This level builds on the technical knowledge you will already have. It will also explore more advanced professional skills, techniques and values. These are required at a senior level by accountants working in an advisory or consultancy role.

All students have to pass the three papers in the Essentials module. The Options module contains four papers, but you only need to complete two.

Professional (five papers in total)

Essentials
P1	Governance, Risk and Ethics
P2	Corporate Reporting
P3	Business Analysis
Options (two to be completed
P4	Advanced Financial Management
P5	Advanced Performance Management
P6	Advanced Taxation
P7	Advanced Audit and Assurance

Professional Ethics Module

Professional ethics is at the heart of the ACCA Qualification.

Professional ethics is covered in 11 of the 16 exam papers. This includes all papers at Professional level and three of the Essential performance objectives.

The Professional ethics module underpins both your studies and your practical experience in the qualification. The aim of the module is to introduce you to a range of ethical ideas.

You get access to the module when you become eligible to take Paper P1, Governance, Risk and Ethics. We recommend that you take the Professional ethics module at around the same time as you take this paper. You must finish it before you can become a member and before you can finish your BSc degree.

Practical Experience Requirement

A key part of the ACCA Qualification is getting relevant practical experience in the workplace. The exams will give you the theory behind your knowledge of accountancy. But you also need to have the practical experience to support it. This experience, alongside your exams and ethical awareness, will mean you are fully prepared for a challenging career as a professional accountant.

The ACCA Qualification closely links practical experience to your studies. This means you can apply the knowledge you gain from the exams in your workplace. This also will show future employers that you have the right mix of knowledge and skills.

You should think about the practical experience you need to gain for the ACCA Qualification when looking for a job and choosing your employer.

You need to do three years' relevant work experience and achieve 13 of the performance objectives listed below. You will need to do all nine listed as 'Essentials' and four of those listed as 'Options'.

Performance objectives are part of the requirements you must meet for your practical experience. They set out a clear guide for the activities you should do and what you should achieve in the workplace. They outline the standards and expected result of your work. They also show the attitudes you are expected to have as a trainee accountant.

Essentials (all nine to be done)

Professionalism, ethics and governance 1. Demonstrate the application of professional ethics, values and judgement 2. Contribute to the effective governance of an organisation 3. Raise awareness of non-financial risk

Personal effectiveness 4. Manage self 5. Communicate effectively 6. Use information and communication technology

Business management 7. Manage ongoing activities in your area of responsibility 8. Improve departmental performance 9. Manage an assignment

OPTIONS (four to be done)

Financial accounting and reporting 10. Prepare financial statements for external purposes 11. Interpret financial transactions and financial statements

Performance measurement and management accounting 12. Prepare financial information for management 13. Contribute to budget planning and production 14. Monitor and control budgets

Finance and financial management 15. Evaluate potential business/investment opportunities and the required finance options 16. Manage cash using active cash management and treasury systems

Audit and assurance 17. Prepare for and collect evidence for auditing 18. Evaluate and report on audit

Taxation 19. Evaluate and compute taxes payable 20. Assist with tax planning

DIPLOMAS & BSC
Diploma in Accounting and Business

If you decide to complete the ACCA Qualification, you will be awarded the Diploma in Accounting and Business on your way to completing the ACCA Qualification. What's involved?

You will need to register as a student on the ACCA Qualification and complete:
• the first three exams of the ACCA Qualification. These are: F1, Accountant in Business, F2, Management Accounting and F3, Financial Accounting
• a professionalism and ethics module called Foundations in Professionalism.

How long will it take to complete?
It's up to you but please note there is a 10-year time limit to complete the exams when achieving the ACCA Qualification. You can sit the exams on demand as computer-based or paper-based exams in June and December. You can complete Foundations in Professionalism before or after the exams. So you could complete this Diploma in six to 12 months.

Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business

If you decide to complete the ACCA Qualification, you will be awarded the Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business on your way to completing the ACCA Qualification.

What's involved?

You will need to register for the ACCA Qualification. When you have completed the Fundamentals level exams (F1-F9) and also the Foundations in Professionalism module, you will be awarded the Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business. You can progress to the Professional level to continue your ACCA Qualification.

How long will it take to complete?

It's up to you, but please note there is a 10-year time limit to complete the exams when gaining the ACCA Qualification. You can sit the exams in June and December. You can complete Foundations in Professionalism before or after the exams. So you could complete this Diploma in 12 to 18 months.

BSC Degree in Applied Accounting

If you didn't study an undergraduate degree course at university, then you can still have the chance to gain a degree while studying to become a qualified accountant with ACCA.

ACCA has a partnership with Oxford Brookes University. This means you can get a BSc Honours degree in Applied Accounting while you work towards achieving your ACCA Qualification.

And you won't have to double your workload. It is the perfect way to enhance your ACCA Qualification and broaden your skills set. This will make your CV sit at the top of the pile with future employers.

Course Duration
Part-Time: Total 30 months

Course delivery
The course will be delivered on a part-time basis in 18 lessons (for each level) of 3 hours each.

The course is wholly delivered in Singapore. Students will have access to local tutors and resources provided by Uptrend College. Resources and materials provided for students will include lecture notes and references for reading in books, professional journals, articles and websites.

Average Teacher to Student Ratio
1:20

Course Topics
Fundamental 1 - Accountant in Business
Fundamental 2 - Management Accounting
Fundamental 3 - Financial Accounting
Fundamental 4 - Corporate & Business Law
Fundamental 5 - Performance Management
Fundamental 6 - Taxation
Fundamental 7 - Financial Reporting
Fundamental 8 - Audit & Assurance
Fundamental 9 - Financial Management

Professional 1 - Governance, Risk & Ethics
Professional 2 - Corporate Reporting
Professional 3 - Business Analysis
Professional 4 - Advanced Financial Management
Professional 5 - Advanced Performance Management
Professional 6 - Advanced Taxation
Professional 7 - Advanced Audit & Assurance

Entry Criteria
Minimum entry requirements:

• Two A Levels and three GCSEs or equivalent in five separate subjects, including English and Mathematics.

Mature Student Entry Route (MSER):

• Normally over age 21

• Must pass the equivalent of Papers F2, Management Accounting and F3, Financial Accounting within two years before further progression to the ACCA exams is permitted.

If you are over 21 years old and do not fulfill the entry requirements of the Professional Examination Route, you will automatically be considered for the MSER (mature Student Entry Route). MSER candidates have a maximum of two years from the date of your first eligible ACCA examination session to pass Papers M1 & M2 (the equivalent of Papers 1.1 & 1.2). If successful, you will be transferred on to the professional register and exempted from Papers 1.1 & 1.2.

Assessment Mode
100% Examination Based

Examination Period
June / December

Award Criteria
• Transcript will be given for each subject passed (50% mark)

• A certificate will be awarded after clearing F1 – F9 subjects

• Total 14 papers are to be cleared with up to 10 years

• In order to become an ACCA-qualified accountant you will need to complete the practical experience requirement (PER) as well as passing your exams and the professional ethics module. More information can be found at http://www.accaglobal.com

• Minimum 75% attendance is required for each subject to qualify for a Certificate of Attendance if requested

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Fees & Funding