What is the highest ACCA qualification?

The highest level of the ACCA qualification is the Strategic Professional Level, which serves as the final stage, preparing students for senior finance roles by focusing on leadership, advanced technical skills, and strategic decision-making, culminating in the full ACCA qualification and Fellowship (FCCA). It's equivalent to a Master's degree level (Level 7) in the UK and involves core exams like Strategic Business Leader (SBL) and Strategic Business Reporting (SBR), plus two optional exams from a list including AFM, APM, ATX, and AAA.

Is ACCA a level 7 qualification?

Apprentices will follow the full ACCA Qualification syllabus and learn the technical knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the Level 7 apprenticeship standard; this includes business insight, professional scepticism and leadership.

What are the four levels of ACCA?

The ACCA course syllabus consists of 13 exams divided into three levels:

• Applied Knowledge - 3 exams.
• Applied Skills – 6 exams.
• Strategic Professional – 2 Essentials exams and 2 Options exams out of 4.

Is ACCA higher than a master's degree?

ACCA Strategic Professional level:

Once you've completed all the ACCA exams and gained the relevant practical experience, you'll be a qualified ACCA member and your qualification will be roughly parallel to a UK Master's degree in terms of complexity and depth.

Is ACCA equivalent to PhD?

The professional level is considered equivalent to a master's degree. But overall, ACCA isn't a conventional degree. It is a professional certification. The entry level varies depending on the university but here are some general criteria you have to meet to be eligible for ACCA in the UK.

What Is ACCA? | Benefits of Obtaining the ACCA Qualification

Is ACCA closing in 2026?

Completion deadline - 2026.

All students and members must submit all requirements for the BSc programme by May 2026. The closure of the programme following December 2026 will have no effect on the recognition or validity of this prestigious qualification. You will continue to enjoy the reputational benefits it offers.

What is harder, CPA or ACCA?

- Is ACCA more difficult than CFA? No, the CFA qualification tends to be considered slightly more difficult than ACCA - but this is to some extent a subjective matter, differing from person to person. Many people don't make it through the three levels of CFA because of the time required to finish the course.

Who is the richest ACCA in the world?

Five highly successful accountant entrepreneurs

• Kumar Mangalam Birla. Billionaire and chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, Birla was educated in Mumbai and London. ...
• Tony Fernandes. ...
• David Ross. ...
• Bob Parsons. ...
• John D Rockefeller.

Which is highly paid, CA or ACCA?

Starting Salary: The average starting salary for a CA is approximately ₹8 lakhs per annum, while ACCA affiliates start around ₹5.6 lakhs per annum. Course Duration: ACCA generally requires a shorter time to complete compared to CA.

What is the hardest ACCA exam?

Hardest ACCA Papers Based on Syllabus Complexity

• AAA (Advanced Audit & Assurance): Advanced standards, deep professional judgment, open-ended scenarios.
• APM (Advanced Performance Management): Strategy + performance, very conceptual, requires strong exam technique.

Is ACCA a CPA or CA?

A CA is a designation issued by national bodies like ICAI (India), ICAP (Pakistan), ICAEW (UK) or CA ANZ (Australia/New Zealand), and it stands for Chartered Accountant. ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, based in London, and is a global qualification recognized in over 180 countries.

Can I finish ACCA in 3 months?

It covers a wide range of topics such as Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation, Audit, and more. The course is designed to equip you with deep knowledge and skills needed for successful careers in accounting, finance, and management. Generally, the ACCA course takes around 2 to 3 years to complete.

Is ACCA difficult than CA?

Is ACCA easier than CA? Yes, ACCA is often considered easier due to its flexible structure, application-based questions, and higher pass rates. However, it still requires dedicated study and preparation.

Is ACCA a level 9?

The ACCA Qualification and the NFQ.

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) has aligned the this qualification to Level 9 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). This indicates that it is the equivalent of an Irish Masters degree.

Can I finish ACCA in 2 years?

In this blog, we have addressed the most asked questions about the ACCA qualification like, can you finish ACCA in 2 years? On average, it takes two to three years to prepare for all 13 exam papers, but you may earn the qualification in 18 months if you focus on the major eight.

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

Yes, an accountant can make $500k a year, but it's rare and typically requires reaching top-tier positions like partner at a large firm, Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) in a major corporation, or owning a highly successful practice, often involving specialization, significant experience (20+ years), business development, and strategic leadership rather than just basic accounting tasks. It's a long, challenging journey involving high leverage and significant responsibility, not typical for entry-level or standard roles. 

Who is higher than ACCA?

FCCA stands for Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a senior-level designation above ACCA.

Do Big 4 accept ACCA?

All Big 4 accountancy firms – Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG – are active recruiters of ACCA-affiliated accountants. Choice often depends on your interest area: audit, consulting, tax, or advisory.

Which pays more, CFA or ACCA?

CFA charterholders often earn higher packages in investment-related positions, while ACCA professionals enjoy steady growth in accounting and corporate finance roles, especially within Big 4 firms. CFA professionals in India earn higher salaries due to their roles in investment and financial markets.

Which is more prestigious, ACCA or CPA?

Both courses are well-recognized and prestigious and serve the purpose of accounting aspirants, especially if they want to pursue an international career. ACCA is globally recognized, while CPA is more relevant in the US market.

Is ACCA getting stopped?

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) plans to discontinue remote examinations from March 2026, reported the Financial Times. The move will mean most candidates must return to in-person exam centres, as the organisation responds to increasing instances of exam misconduct.

What's next after ACCA?

MBA or MSC

If you have ambitions to reach the top, pursuing a master's degree could be your ticket there. An MBA focuses more on business aspects and is likely to land you a role such as Chief Financial Officer or Senior Financial Analyst. On the other hand, an MSC covers more maths, science, and technology.

Is ACCA worth it in 2025?

Yes, ACCA is worth it in 2025 due to its global recognition, high demand skills, flexible learning, and excellent career opportunities in finance, accounting, and management.