ACCA subject exemptions enable students to exempt some of the ACCA papers based on their previous academic qualifications, thereby allowing them to expedite their journey to become a globally recognized finance professional. The exemptions are designed to avoid any overlap in studies, especially for students who have already completed their undergraduate or postgraduate education in finance, accounting, or related business areas.
Also, commerce graduates (BAF, B.Com, BMS), CA Inter qualified candidates, CMA students, MBA (Finance) students, and science or engineering graduates with related subjects are eligible for exemptions. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants course offers exemptions at the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels, with a maximum of 9.
ACCA Subjects Exemptions: Simplify Exam Prep and Boost Confidence
1. What Are ACCA Exemptions and Their Purpose?
A student’s previous educational background or professional training determines their chance to receive exemptions from certain ACCA exams. The ACCA program will exempt you from certain exams when you demonstrate knowledge of the complete exam content through your previous learning experience.
The main reason for exemptions is to make ACCA accessible to candidates from diverse educational backgrounds, such as commerce graduates and qualified professionals. By acknowledging prior learning, ACCA creates a flexible pathway that saves time, lowers qualification costs, and minimises exam burden, while maintaining the rigour and international credibility of the ACCA qualification.
2. ACCA Exam Levels and Maximum Possible Exemptions
The ACCA subjects are divided in three distinct levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. The first two levels, Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills, allow students to use study exemptions. The Strategic Professional-level exams are not exempt under any circumstances, ensuring that all ACCA members have the same level of advanced competency.
The maximum number of exemptions that a student can claim from ACCA exams reaches nine out of the total thirteen examinations. This applies to students who have developed strong accounting or finance skills, which include Chartered Accountants and similar professionals. Once students have exhausted all potential exemptions for the Strategic Professional exams, the Ethics and Professional Skills module, and practical experience requirements.
3. Exemptions for Commerce Graduates (B.Com, BBA, BMS)
The most sought-after candidates for ACCA exemptions are commerce graduates, including those with B.Com, BMS, or BBA degrees. They are likely to get exemptions for the Applied Knowledge level, which includes Business and Technology (BT), Financial Accounting (FA), and Management Accounting (MA), based on your college syllabus and performance.
Some commerce graduates, particularly those from prestigious institutions or accounting programs, are likely to receive exemptions from certain Applied Skills papers, including Corporate and Business Law (LW) or Performance Management (PM). The extent of exemptions depends on the course structure and recognition by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
4. Exemptions for Chartered Accountants, CMAs & CS Professionals
ACC members receive the highest number of eligible exemptions for certain professional exam standards in a variety of career fields. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification grants maximum exemption rights to CAs, CSs and CMAs who complete their training requirements. An Indian CA can receive nine (9) exemptions, which enables it to start at the third level, the Strategic Professional level.
In addition, CMAs and CSs may qualify for additional exemptions from the ACCA qualification framework depending on the degree of overlap between the two courses. The number of qualifying exemptions reduces the time required to obtain an ACCA qualification, making this international credential appealing to professionals.
5. Exemptions for International Degrees and Professional Qualifications
ACCA provides exemptions to candidates holding global degrees in accounting, business, or finance from recognised universities. BSc in Accounting, BBA in Finance, and MSc in Finance, obtained from the UK, USA, European countries, and Australia, will generally qualify for multiple exemptions across the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels.
Professional qualifications such as CPA (USA), ICAEW, CIMA, and other internationally recognised accounting qualifications may also qualify for extensive exemptions as well. Exemptions are evaluated on an individual basis, based on alignment with the ACCA subject syllabus, level of academic rigour, and accreditation status, to ensure consistency and fair assessment for international applicants.
6. How to Check Your ACCA Exemptions
To verify your exemptions from the ACCA, go to the ACCA’s website and use the Exemption Calculator. Enter your country, the awarding body, your qualification, and the year you graduated to find out if you qualify for an exemption from various exams. It gives an initial idea of the exemptions you could qualify for before signing up.
Once you register with the ACCA program, you must upload academic transcripts and certificates for formal assessment. ACCA confirms your exemptions officially in your student account. It is important to review this confirmation closely because exemptions may affect your exam path and ACCA subjects preparation plan, as well as your overall exam costs.
Conclusion
Students with ACCA exemptions will complete their qualification sooner and so will have an advantage over students who do not have any exemptions. Exemptions are awarded based on your previous academic or professional learning, for example – last three years of formal education, so the number of exemptions awarded will vary by candidate, from foundation level through to a maximum of 9 ACCA subjects. Connect with the Zell Education team to learn more details about ACCA certification!
FAQs
1. Who is eligible for ACCA exemptions?
Students with relevant commerce degrees, postgraduate finance background or professional qualifications may qualify for exemptions.
2. Do exemptions affect the ACCA certificate value?
The ACCA qualification is recognised worldwide, regardless of whether a candidate has obtained it through exemptions or by sitting all exams.
3. Do CA or CMA students get ACCA exemptions?
Yes, CMA and CA holders receive multiple exemptions, especially from Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers.