You are passionate about accounting and numbers and you heard about the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). But you are not sure whether ACCA is the best course for your future. Before you make any decision, let us take a look at what this course is all about and do you have what it takes to pursue it?
About ACCA
Now, ACCA is a professional accountancy body that is recognised, highly respected and valued around the world. They have 17 joint exam partnerships with national accountancy bodies globally that allows their trainees to qualify using ACCA Qualification structure. You see, not everyone in the accounting world is qualified and allowed to use the designatory letters ACCA behind their name.
Only students that complete ALL of the 13 exams, work for a required number of years and complete the professional ethics module are allowed to use this prestigious title in their business card, provided they keep updating themselves with the ACCA regulations, standards and news every year. With ACCA behind your name, you are a Chartered Certified Accountant and this means you are high calibre, experienced and deserve a higher salary than other people in the industry. This prestigious accountancy body should not be confused with an accounting degree examination.
Details of ACCA Examination
Passing marks: 50% and above
Total exam papers: 13
Number of resit allowed: Unlimited
Exam Sittings: March, June, September & December every year
Maximum years to finish all papers: 10 years
Trust me when I say ACCA is known everywhere in the world for its tough and rigorous exams #beentheredonethat. With only one mark difference can change your whole strategy for the next study plan. ACCA regarded 0% to 49% as failed and 50% and above as passed. What you will study is very technical and industry-related on topics such as Law, Tax, Audit, Finance and Performance Management.
There are 3 steps of ACCA exams and you must complete every paper before proceeding to the next step. The steps and papers are:
1. ACCA Applied Knowledge:
AB- Accountant In Business
MA- Management Accounting
FA- Financial Accounting
2. ACCA Applied Skills:
LW – Corporate and Business Law
PM – Performance Management
TX – Taxation
FR – Financial Reporting
AA – Audit and Assurance
FM – Financial Management
3. ACCA Strategic Professional:
Essential:
SBL – Strategic Business Leader
SBR – Strategic Business Reporting
Options: Choose 2 only
AFM – Advanced Financial Management
APM – Advanced Performance Management
ATX – Advanced Taxation
AAA – Advanced Audit and Assurance
Once you have completed all these papers, you are not done yet. You need to sit for the Ethics and Professional Skills Module before entering the related working field or known as Practical Experience Requirement (PER). Most graduates choose to work with the Big 4 while some prefer commercial companies.The minimum years of working is 3 years before you become an affiliate. But bear in mind, you need to renew your member fees every year and failure to do so will result in losing the ACCA designatory letter and you are no longer associated with this top accountancy body.
Quick Self-Assessment: Is ACCA the Right Choice for You?
So now you know the history of ACCA and the exam structure. It is time for you to do some self-reflections and answer the questions below to find out whether this route is for you or against you.
1. Do you love challenges?
You must love challenges and not just ‘like’ them. ACCA exam papers are one of the most difficult exams in the world to complete. You must have the perseverance attitude, not easily give up and be strong in spirit because if you fail one paper, you must re-sit it. But what if you fail that paper for the 5th time? Many ACCA students experienced it.
Therefore, you must have the determination, self-disciplined and persistence to study that particular paper, attend the class, do a lot of practices before attempting the paper for the 6th time. So, if you are the type of student who loves hard and tough exam papers, go check the second questions.
2. Do you have a strong grasp on English language?
The exam papers are prepared by a board of qualified and expert people from the accounting industry in the United Kingdom. The question style is different compared to local universities whereby the knowledge on and lifestyle of local people is acknowledged.
However, since the exam authors are mostly British, you have to familiarise yourself with British way of professional business settings to understand the exam papers. If you also say yes to this question, go ahead and check the last question.
3. Do you see yourself as a Chartered Certified Accountant in the future?
You see, many people assume that the accountants only deal with numbers. That is not the case because you also need to understand the law of the country you practise, standards used to deal with accounting issues and actively participate in the company’s business future plan. So if you see yourself doing all these in the future, then being an accountant might be the right career for you.
If you answer YES to all these 3 questions, then this course is for you!
Education Pathway to Obtain ACCA Qualification In Malaysia
General Entry Requirements:
A-Level | Minimum 2 credits + 3 credits in O-Level/SPM including English & Mathematics |
STPM | Minimum 2 credits + 3 credits in O-Level/SPM including English & Mathematics |
UEC | Minimum 5Bs including English & Mathematics |
SAM/AUSMAT | Minimum ATAR 70 + 5 credits in O-Level/SPM including English & Mathematics |
The requirements may vary among colleges or institutions and contact us to find out more on other requirements than stated above 😃
Before you decide where to study ACCA, bear in mind about the Approved Learning Partner (ALP).
There are 3 status granted by ACCA to ALP around the world: Platinum, Gold and Silver.
Platinum Status
This is the highest and most prestigious level of approval to teach ACCA Qualification. Platinum learning partners are required to meet ACCA global best practices relating to the institution, course management, course delivery and student support. Not only that, Platinum learning partners need to demonstrate student pass rates that exceed global averages for the majority of the exams they teach.
Gold Status
Gold learning partners are required to meet ACCA global best practice relating to the institution, course management, course delivery and student support. To maintain the status, Gold learning partners need to demonstrate student pass rates.
Silver Status
Silver Learning Providers have demonstrated that they meet ACCA criteria for approval and are actively working in partnership with them to meet the remaining criteria for Gold approval.
Where To Study ACCA In Malaysia?
Sunway TES CAE Centre
ALP Status | Platinum |
Location | Bandar Sunway, Selangor |
Intakes | January, March, April (Knowledge module only) July & September |
Estimated Fees | RM 40,000 (including ACCA Exam Papers) |
Benefits of studying in Sunway:
- International environment
You are able to make long term friendships and connections from all around the world such as Maldives, China and India.
- Industry connections
The Big 4 in Malaysia prefer to hire graduates from this college. They conduct interviews and give provisional offers to final paper students.
- High Caliber Lecturers
It is known that their lecturers are on top of their game. Some lecturers are specifically hired from abroad just to teach Sunway students. Not only that, their experiences and skills are second to none.
HELP College of Arts and Technology
ALP Status | Platinum |
Location | Kuala Lumpur |
Intakes | January & July |
Estimated Fees | RM 15,800 (excluding application, admin, MPU & ACCA exam fees) |
Benefits of studying in Help:
- Well Qualified Lecturers
With Platinum status, it is undeniable that their lecturers are highly qualified to teach the students.
- Convenient
HELP College is located at and linked directly with Chan Sow Lin LRT Station. So, students can opt for public transport and save money on Grabcar or fuel if driving to class.
- Accommodation
Hostel is directly above the campus of outstation and overseas students. You don’t have to worry about coming late to class because you stay nearby.
UOW Malaysia KDU College
ALP Status | Platinum |
Location | Damansara Jaya, Selangor |
Intakes | January & July |
Estimated Fees | RM 24,400 |
Benefits of studying in KDU:
- Flexible
For students that take professional level papers that need to juggle between study and work, weekend classes are available.
- Strong Student Support
This college will assist you in your initial registration with ACCA, academic counselling on study pathways and guidance in attaining your ACCA membership.
- Effective Teaching and Assessing Style
Your progress will be reviewed through tests and mock exams. This is to ensure you are ready for your real exam days.
Taylor’s College
ALP Status | Gold |
Location | Subang Jaya, Selangor |
Intakes | January & July |
Estimated Fees | RM 31,000 (including ACCA Exam Papers) |
Benefits of studying in Taylor’s:
Experienced Lecturers
Their lecturers have been around the industry for a long time and this means they know basically everything about the accounting industry at the tips of their fingers.
International Friends
Many people around the globe study in Taylor’s and you can definitely enlarge your social circles and learn about their culture.
Small-Sized Class
The classes are relatively small and this ensures you a full understanding of the topics that you will learn.
Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL)
ALP Status | Gold |
Location | Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur |
Intakes | January & July |
Estimated Fees | RM 30,000 (including ACCA Exam Papers) |
Benefits of studying in MCKL:
- Close-Knit Community
You will be able to form friendships that last forever. They will help you not just in study but in other areas as well because everyone cares about each other.
- Small-Sized Class
MCKL ensures each class is small to ensure every student is able to focus 100%.
- Skilled Lecturers
The lecturers are very friendly and they use various means to teach students such as video recording and video cases.
Did you find this helpful? If so Give us some Feedback! We are always finding news ways to improve. If you want to know more or ask us a question, please feel free to contact us any time!
Contact us to find out more
International Student enquiries:
Phone:+60182414802
Email: [email protected]
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Stephanie Calamba
Part time ACCA student, part time content writer but full time child of God.
