Is ACCA Difficult? An Honest Opinion of ACCA Affiliate

Pursuing ACCA is a significant decision to shape your career trajectory in the accounting and finance world. ACCA offers immense advantages, but it also raises the question, Is ACCA difficult? To truly grasp the scope of ACCA, it’s essential to understand what the certification entails and the unique advantages it brings.

So, before getting into the details, it is essential to gain a clear understanding of what makes the ACCA unique and what you might encounter along the way.

What is ACCA Qualification?

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a professional qualification recognized globally.  One of the main attractions of pursuing this certification is the competitive ACCA salary in India, which reflects the value of skilled professionals in finance and accounting. When considering ACCA, what is it? It is among the prominent certifications that equip candidates with much-needed industry expertise to reach the pinnacle of successful job opportunities in the finance and accounting domains. However, it is not as easy as eating a piece of cake, it needs your best efforts and dedication to gain this prestigious qualification. So, this clearly explains whether ACCA is tough or is ACCA easy.
Opting for ACCA after 12th gives you a head start in the competitive world of finance and accounting. Though challenging, this qualification builds a strong foundation for a thriving career.

ACCA Course Duration

Aspirants on average consume 3 to 4 years to complete ACCA. It can vary depending on your previous education, and professional experience. Within the ACCA course duration, candidates must pass all exams and fulfill practical experience requirements. ACCA has three levels, so a year for preparing each level may suffice for candidates or they may take longer. The practical experience requirement can be completed simultaneously or it may increase the overall ACCA course duration based on work experience and competency demonstration.

How Difficult is ACCA?

If you’re asking, how difficult is ACCA, the answer is that it’s a rigorous qualification. It is for sure that qualifying ACCA and building a successful career in ACCA is undoubtedly challenging and is a tough nut to crack. Its prime difficulty lies in its core curriculum which is equally vast and complex. It covers various topics, from advanced financial reporting to strategic management. The course requires you to have a deep understanding and the ability to apply complex concepts to real-world situations.

What adds more to the difficulty level of ACCA is its exam format which includes multiple-choice questions, written scenarios, and case studies. This exam format requires ACCA candidates to be versatile and well-prepared for the exams. The rigor of the course balances rigorous study requirements with professional and personal commitments which further adds to the ACCA difficulty. 

Despite all these ACCA difficulties, the rigorous nature of the ACCA qualification ensures you are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for advanced job roles in the accounting and finance sectors. 

ACCA Exam Structure: An Overview 

The ACCA Exam Structure is designed to test a comprehensive range of skills and knowledge essential for aspiring accountants. The ACCA subjects are structured across three levels, offering a comprehensive curriculum to build expertise in accounting and finance. In order to become an ACCA member, students must progress through three requirements of the ACCA Qualification, which are:

• ACCA exams
• an Ethics and Professional Skills module, and
• a Practical Experience Requirement

ACCA Exams

Applied Knowledge

• Business and Technology (BT)
• Financial Accounting (FA)
• Management Accounting (MA)

Applied Skills

• Corporate and Business Law (LW)
• Taxation (TX)
• Financial Reporting (FR)
• Performance Management (PM)
• Financial Management (FM)
• Audit and Assurance (AA)

Strategic Professional

• Essentials
• Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
• Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
• Optional
• Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
• Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
• Advanced Taxation (ATX)
• Advanced Performance Management (APM)

Ethics and Professional Skills Module

The ACCA Ethics and Professional Skills module equips students with essential ethical and professional skills, preparing them for real-world business situations and enhancing their credibility in the workplace, preparing them to excel in recruitment.

Practical Experience Requirement

To become a confident ACCA member, you must have 36 months of relevant work experience and achieve 9 performance objectives. These must be signed off by a practical experience supervisor, allowing you to apply your knowledge in a real work environment.

Examining How Hard is ACCA: Difficulty Level of ACCA Explained

Examining how hard is ACCA reveals that this qualification is known for its rigorous standards and challenging exams. The difficulty level of ACCA lies in its curriculum, covering a wide range of subjects that require a deep understanding of accounting, finance, and business concepts. The Core Subjects of ACCA Course include key areas like Financial Reporting, Audit and Assurance, and Performance Management, which are fundamental to mastering the qualification.

ACCA is difficult as the global pass rate is 55% on average but most of our students enrolled in offline/online ACCA coaching classes have passed their exams with flying colors that too in their first attempt.

• The foundation level consisting of the Applied Knowledge Level and Applied Skills Level have high passing rates as compared to the advanced Strategic Professional level exams demanding a higher level of expertise. 
• The diverse question types in acca exams require candidates to be adaptable and skilled in different types of question answering and apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. These case studies test not only technical knowledge but also analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and strategic thinking.
• The ACCA syllabus requires intensive study, practice, and knowledge application. Understanding theory is undoubtedly important but applying it effectively in exam situations makes it more complex.
• Candidates must create a structured study plan to cover the extensive ACCA syllabus and allow for sufficient revision and practice.

With proper preparation and the right approach, the challenges of ACCA can be successfully managed, which will lead to valuable career opportunities and professional growth.

How to Overcome the Difficulty of ACCA Exam?

Achieving ACCA designation is quite challenging but following effective strategies will definitely improve your chances of success. 

• Plan out a structured study time to solely devote to ACCA preparation.
• Try to understand the ACCA exam structure, including the types of questions, time limits, and the marking scheme to prepare effectively for the exam day.
• Use ACCA-approved textbooks, revision kits, and online resources, including videos, articles, and practice questions, to enhance your understanding of complex subjects.
• If self-study is going well then it’s okay. Otherwise, join a coaching institute like edZeb where experienced instructors will guide you through difficult topics.
• Practice, practice, and practice, practice is key to success. It will help you ensure all questions are attempted in the exams.
• Most importantly, take care of your physical and mental well-being to overcome the ACCA difficulties coming your way, reduce stress, and improve concentration.
• Do not hesitate to ask doubts or seek constructive feedback from our mentors as they are ready to help you out in the best ways possible. 
• Be positive and stay confident throughout the process as it tests your patience along with your intellect, so visualize your success in your efforts.

Strategies for Success in ACCA

ACCA professionals have to pass rigorous exams and a comprehensive syllabus to achieve ACCA certification. More than just knowledge, it requires a strategic approach, dedicated preparation, and effective time management. Having the right strategies in place can make all the difference. So, follow the given tips and strategies to conquer your ACCA journey. 

• Set short-term, easily achievable goals, and upon their accomplishments, you will feel motivated to study further. 
• It is researched that studying for long hours is tiring and boring so take short tea or coffee breaks in between. Short study blocks make studying more interesting and keep you fresh. 
• Be creative and use graphs, maps, or Venn diagrams to help you study better. 
• Find yourself a comfortable place or customize a place that helps you study comfortably and maintains peace of mind.
• Structure your study sessions and accordingly manage your personal commitments side by side as balancing everything can get overwhelming. 
• Successful ACCAs say that they practiced answering exam questions. So the best technique to do that is first to look at the past pacers without solving them to just get familiar with them, then revise and at last attempt those questions within the set time -limit and sincerely mark yourself. 
• Also, whatever you are studying, make summarized notes. It will improve the concept clarity, you will be able to remember it for a long time and notes in your own handwriting will help in your revisions. 
• Try to experiment, with a group study. Studying with your peers who have similar interests will support you when you are stuck somewhere. Competition, a healthy one is also necessary to stay motivated and group studying together helps you stay sociable ultimately making you feel connected rather than isolated as many students separate themselves to study rigorously for their ACCA exams. 
• Plan your study accordingly, and keep some time to enjoy as well. So eat, rest, and exercise to reduce mental exertion resulting from studying. 
• When you sit in the exam, answer the easiest questions first and try not to spend more than the required time on any question. 
• Your time is very important so make sure to attempt all questions until you get negatively marked, it does not harm you. 
• Even after answering everything, you have time, you go through your answers to give your best shot. Do not submit your paper in a hurry. 

Why is ACCA Coaching Important?

Getting yourself enrolled for getting the best ACCA coaching in institutes like edZeb, in their expert-led offline and online ACCA classes will help you navigate the demanding ACCA journey. ACCA qualification is earned after passing its challenging exams by intensively studying the comprehensive curriculum. 

• ACCA coaching provides structured expert guidance that will help you understand complex topics, stay on track with your studies, and prepare effectively for your ACCA exams. 
• Experienced mentors offer personalized support by identifying key areas that need improvement. They enhance the process of learning by sharing industry insights and make you exam-ready by sharing practical exam techniques. 
• ACCA coaching classes have a collaborative learning environment where students interact with their peers, discuss challenging topics, share valuable knowledge, and receive motivation and encouragement to succeed in ACCA exams. 

Therefore, you cannot deny the importance of ACCA coaching as a valuable resource enhancing your learning and improving performance in ACCA exams. 

Career Opportunities After Obtaining the ACCA

The scope of ACCA is vast, offering unparalleled career opportunities worldwide.The prestigious ACCA credential opens wide career opportunities across the globe. The ACCA professionals are highly demanded in the fields of accounting, finance, and business management. As an ACCA professional, you can work at several designations like the ones mentioned below with respective salary packages.

Forensic Accountants are responsible for investigating legal financial documents for any frauds, making them earn ₹6,00,000 – ₹12,00,000 per annum in India and $55,000 – $95,000 per annum overseas. 

Financial Accountants keep track of the company’s financial operations. In India, they are offered ₹4,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 per annum but overseas (UK, UAE, etc.) $40,000 – $70,000 per annum.

Internal Auditors evaluate a company’s financial and operational activities independently, ensuring proper procedures and efficient functioning. Their salary is ₹4,50,000 – ₹9,00,000 per annum in India and $45,000 – $75,000 per annum outside India.

Business Consultant offers expert advice or services in various fields like security, management, accountancy, law, human resources, marketing, financial control, and engineering. With an earning of ₹6,00,000 – ₹15,00,000 per annum in India and $55,000 – $110,000 per annum outside India. 

Corporate Treasurer is the company’s treasurer managing all the financial resources and investments. In India, they earn ₹4,00,000 – ₹10,00,000 per annum and $50,000 – $90,000 per annum globally.

Whether you want to work in public accounting, corporate finance, auditing, or consulting, obtaining the ACCA credential can significantly enhance your employability and career prospects. 

Conclusion

ACCA is undoubtedly a challenging journey that can be accomplished by sheer dedication, strategic planning, and consistent effort. Its curriculum, exam format, and the need for a deep understanding of complex financial concepts add to the level of difficulty. However, the right approach, such as effective study strategies, proper guidance, and coaching helps in overcoming these challenges successfully. So, those who wonder, Is ACCA worth it? Yes, it is a worthwhile investment for those passionate about advancing their careers in accounting and finance.

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