The ACCA duration is 2 to 3 years, but it varies depending on your entry qualifications, exemptions, exam progress, and practical experience.
For students planning to begin their journey now, in 2026 or 2027, you should also consider ACCA’s upcoming qualification redesign. The official ACCA Institute has published transition guidelines to help students.
In this guide, let us explore how long it takes to complete ACCA after 12th, BCom, or graduation; whether you can finish the exams in two years; and how the 2027 changes may affect students starting their ACCA journey now.
- ACCA duration varies depending on your entry qualification, exemptions, exam pace and practical experience.
- ACCA duration in 2026 can be around 3–4 years for many students.
- ACCA duration in 2027 will also depend on the transition arrangements due to its redesigned qualification.
- Students starting ACCA after 12th, BCom, or graduation have different timelines.
- The 36-month practical experience requirement can be completed alongside exam prep to fast-track your journey.
Table of Contents:
ACCA Duration at a Glance:
ACCA is a global qualification, respected and recognised by employers all across the globe in MNCs, GCCs, Startups, Banks, Consulting, Big 4s, Regulatory Firms and Other financial institutions. ACCA-recognised countries are mainly in the US, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and the African continent.
If you are interested in becoming a qualified professional, kindly check the ACCA eligibility criteria and its curriculum to know whether it aligns with your career goals or aspirations or not. You should also consider checking the ACCA salary in India to understand the benefits of pursuing it or not.
| ACCA Duration at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Student Profile | Approximate ACCA Duration |
| After Class 12 | Around 3–4 years |
| After BCom/Graduation with exemptions | Around 2–3 years |
| Fastest exam completion | Around 2 years |
| After CA | Around 1 year |
| Practical experience requirement | 36 months |
| ACCA membership | Usually 3–4 years or more, depending on exemptions, exam progress and experience |
How Long Does It Take to Complete ACCA?
The ACCA duration is a minimum of 3 years, including the relevant practical industry experience required to gain ACCA membership. However, you can also complete it in 2 years as well by taking advantage of its four exam sessions and permitted exam limits.
The qualification can take longer depending on your academic background, ACCA exemptions, exam pace and whether you complete your practical experience alongside your studies or not.
| ACCA Requirement | Indicative Timeline |
| ACCA Exams | Around 2 years or more |
| Ethics and Professional Skills Module | Can be completed during the exam journey |
| Practical Experience Requirement (PER) | 36 months |
| ACCA Membership | At least 3 years |
It is not necessary to complete the 36-month practical experience after the exams. Students can gain relevant experience before, during or after their exams to reduce the overall ACCA course duration.
ACCA Duration After 12th
ACCA duration after 12th will be longer than 3 years, as you have to appear for all 13 exams without any exemptions. Along with that, you must also appear for ethics and gain ACCA PER (Practical Experience Requirement) to become an ACCA member.
Students planning to start in 2026 or 2027 should consider ACCA’s qualification transition. The final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams is scheduled for June 2027, followed by the first exams under the redesigned qualification in September 2027.
Students planning to start ACCA in 2027 can also explore Is ACCA Worth It in 2027? to understand its career scope, earning potential, and relevance for finance professionals.
ACCA Duration After BCom or Graduation
ACCA duration after BCom or graduation varies depending on the exemptions awarded for the specific qualification and institution. At max, you can avail up to 9 exemptions for ACCA with BCom
across the Applied Knowledge Level and the Applied Skills Level and just appear for the rest of the Strategic Professional Level exams to become an ACCA affiliate.
It is very common amongst commerce graduates to pursue a professional qualification along with their graduation, and ACCA after graduation is the most opted combination, reducing the ACCA duration due to the number of exemptions granted.
ACCA Duration After CA
The ACCA course duration after CA is around 1 year only, as they get up to 9 exemptions based on their progress at different levels
ACCA Duration After CA Foundation
There are no exemptions for CA Foundation-level students, as their eligibility to enroll in CA is also +2, so the ACCA organisation does not exempt CA entry-level candidates with any ACCA exemptions. The ACCA duration after CA Foundation is the same as the ACCA after 12th, which is typically 2 to 3 years.
ACCA Duration After CA Inter
The ACCA duration after CA Inter is 2 years, as they get up to 5 exemptions in the Applied Knowledge Level and Applied Skills Level exams. You must pass the rest of the 8 exams in the Applied Skills Level and the Strategic Professional Level.
ACCA Duration for Students Starting in 2026 and 2027
Students planning to start ACCA in 2026 or 2027 should consider the transition to ACCA’s redesigned qualification. The point here is that the qualification structure is changing in 2027, but ACCA has confirmed that existing student achievements will be recognised and transition arrangements will apply.
So, the ACCA course duration for those starting their preparation in 2026 can continue their studies and receive credit for eligible completed elements when the qualification changes.
And those planning to begin with the redesigned ACCA qualification in 2027: Applied Knowledge Level exams become available from July 2027, while Expertise and Strategic Professional exams begin from September 2027.
The final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams is scheduled for June 2027. From September 2027, students will begin taking the redesigned Expertise and Strategic Professional exams.
There will not be any change further, the 36-month Practical Experience Requirement (PER) will continue to remain part of the route to ACCA membership.
For students starting ACCA in 2026 or 2027, the exact duration will still depend on exemptions, exam progress and practical experience. The 2027 changes mainly alter the qualification structure and transition pathway rather than establishing a new fixed completion period.
Can You Complete ACCA in 2 Years?
Yes, there are chances that you can complete ACCA in 2 years by simultaneously utilising your time to take the remaining exams after availing maximum exemptions and gaining relevant industry experience.
Otherwise, complete all ACCA exams in two years, provided you follow the permitted exam schedule and pass the required papers. ACCA conducts four exam sessions each year, and students can take up to four exams in a session and eight distinct exams in a calendar year. This makes a two-year exam timeline possible.
Also consider that completing the ACCA exams in two years is not the same as becoming an ACCA member in two years. Membership also requires the Ethics and Professional Skills Module and 36 months of relevant practical experience. ACCA states that the qualification takes a minimum of three years to complete.
| A 2-year ACCA Duration | |
|---|---|
| Requirement | Possible Timeline |
| ACCA exams | 2 years |
| Ethics and Professional Skills Module | Alongside the exams |
| Relevant practical experience | Can be gained alongside studies |
| ACCA membership | Minimum 3 years |
The two-year ACCA exam route requires you to prepare consistently and appear for exams progressively. So, students with slow study pace, appearing for fewer papers, needing to retake exams, or having other academic or professional commitments will naturally take more time to earn the credential.
Therefore, two years is a possible timeline for completing the ACCA exams, while three years is the minimum timeline for completing the qualification and becoming an ACCA member.
Does Practical Experience Affect ACCA Duration?
Yes, practical experience can affect your overall ACCA duration, but it does not add three years after you finish the exams. To become an ACCA member, students must complete 36 months of supervised practical experience in a relevant accounting or finance role and achieve the required performance objectives.
The important point is that ACCA allows students to gain this experience before, during or after their exams. This means students can work and complete their exams at the same time, ultimately reducing the overall time needed to reach membership.
Therefore, when you calculate how long does ACCA take to complete, students should consider their exams and practical experience together. Starting to gain relevant work experience early can help them work towards ACCA membership while still progressing through the qualification.
Students planning to start ACCA can also explore Is ACCA Worth It in 2027? to understand its career scope, earning potential, and relevance for finance professionals.
Conclusion
The ACCA duration is not the same for every student. While you can clear the exams in two years on the fastest route, the complete journey to ACCA membership requires practical experience (PER) as well. So, your academic background, exemptions and exam pace can significantly affect the overall ACCA duration in 2027 or even if you begin now in 2026.
For students planning to start ACCA, understanding the qualification transition is equally important for planning their studies. With the right exam strategy and early practical experience, students can manage their journey more efficiently.
FAQ’s
What is the ACCA duration after 12th?
Students starting ACCA after Class 12 may take around 3–4 years or longer, depending on their exam pace, attempts, exemptions and practical experience. The exact duration is not fixed by ACCA.
What is the ACCA duration after BCom?
The ACCA duration after BCom depends on the exemptions awarded for your specific degree and university. Eligible students can receive exemptions from relevant exams, which can reduce the number of papers they need to complete. ACCA recommends checking the Exemptions Calculator for the exact result.
Can I complete ACCA in 2 years?
You can complete all ACCA exams in two years under the current exam progression rules. However, two years is not enough to become an ACCA member because 36 months of relevant practical experience is also required.
Does ACCA practical experience count towards the course duration?
Yes. The required 36 months of practical experience can be gained before, during or after your ACCA exams. Completing it alongside your studies can help you reach membership without adding three separate years after your exams.
Can graduation reduce ACCA duration?
Yes. Relevant prior qualifications can result in exemptions from some ACCA exams, reducing the number of papers you need to complete. The exact exemptions depend on your qualification and institution.
Will the 2027 ACCA changes affect how long the qualification takes?
The 2027 ACCA qualification changes will alter the qualification structure and transition arrangements, but they do not introduce a new fixed completion period. The final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams is scheduled for June 2027, followed by the first Expertise and Strategic Professional exams in September 2027.
Is there a maximum time to complete ACCA?
There is no time limit for completing the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams. Once you pass your first Strategic Professional exam, however, you have seven years to complete the remaining Strategic Professional exams.
How many ACCA exams can I take in a year?
Under the current rules, students can take a maximum of four exams in one exam session and eight distinct exams in a calendar year. ACCA currently has four exam sessions each year.
