What is the ACCA qualification?
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is an international professional accounting body founded in the United Kingdom in 1904. It is one of the UK’s four statutory accounting qualifications and holds a Royal Charter. In China, ACCA is known as the “International Certified Public Accountant” and serves as the United Nations-designated global accounting curriculum model. It is widely recognized within the international finance and accounting community as the “gold standard” and the “passport to the global finance and accounting profession.”
As of 2026, ACCA has over 227,000 members and 544,000 students worldwide, with operations spanning more than 180 countries and regions. Since entering China in 1988, it has developed a membership base of 24,000 members and 61,000 students domestically. ACCA maintains offices in 11 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, and collaborates with over 180 universities to offer ACCA-focused programs. What ACCA Certificate Means Goes Without Saying
Globally Recognized Authority and Value
ACCA’s core value is first and foremost reflected in its unparalleled international recognition. ACCA membership is recognized under EU legislation and the corporate laws of many countries. It has over 8,000 recognized employers worldwide, including the Big Four accounting firms (PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG), Apple, Microsoft, Huawei, Alibaba, HSBC, and Citibank. When recruiting for finance, accounting, and management roles, these companies explicitly prioritize ACCA members and candidates.
At the same time, ACCA enjoys substantial policy benefits within China. More than 28 cities nationwide have included ACCA charterholders in their lists of high-end financial talent, entitling them to tangible policy support such as bonus points for residency applications, housing subsidies, and cash rewards—officially affirming the unique value of ACCA professionals.
High-Return Career Development and Salary Levels
ACCA charterholders are considered the “high-earners” of the finance and accounting sector. Domestic ACCA members typically earn annual salaries ranging from 300,000 to 2 million yuan, with over 75% of holders receiving promotions within three years. In first-tier cities, ACCA Associate members can expect starting salaries of 180,000 to 250,000 yuan for recent graduates—50% higher than that of ordinary finance professionals—while senior practitioners generally earn over 800,000 yuan annually. In the UK, ACCA members earn an average annual salary of approximately 42,500 pounds (equivalent to about 380,000 yuan).
In terms of career development, ACCA members are distributed according to a “4-3-3” pattern: 40% work in accounting firms (ACCA employees account for 58% of the total workforce at the Big Four), 30% in multinational corporations, and 30% in financial institutions. Nearly all successfully secure their ideal positions, with the average time to advance to middle management being 3.2 years—1.8 years shorter than the industry average. A Rigorous Examination System and Flexible Exemption Policies
A Rigorous Examination System and Flexible Exemption Policies
To obtain the ACCA certification, candidates need only pass 13 of the 15 exams. The program is divided into three stages: the Foundation, Professional, and Advanced stages, progressing from basic to advanced levels and thoroughly testing knowledge of finance and strategy.
ACCA’s exemption program is particularly notable: graduates with a bachelor’s degree in accounting recognized by the Ministry of Education are eligible for exemptions from five exams (Business and Technology, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Corporate and Commercial Law, and Taxation); Candidates holding a certificate from the National Unified Certified Public Accountant Examination may be exempt from 9 exams (Financial Statements, Auditing, Taxation, Financial Management, Performance Management, Strategic Business Management, Corporate Finance, Financial Reporting, and Financial Management), requiring only 4 exams to graduate with the certificate; graduates with a Master’s degree in Accounting from select partner universities may also be exempt from 9 exams, effectively saving time in obtaining the certification.
Overview of Major Exemption Eligibility
| Application Category | Number of Exempted Exams | Exempted Subjects | Required Exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate graduates in Accounting, Auditing, Finance, etc. | 5 subjects | BT, MA, FA, LW, TX | Remaining 8 subjects (PM, FR, AA, FM + 4 Strategic Stage subjects) |
| CICPA Full Qualification Certificate (issued after 2009) | 9 subjects | All F1-F9 | 4 subjects in the Strategic Specialization Stage |
| Graduates with an MPAcc from select partner universities | 9 subjects | All F1-F9 | 4 Strategic Professional Stage modules |
| Minor in Accounting | 3 modules | BT, MA, FA | Remaining 10 courses |
| FIA Pathway Students | 3 courses | F1-F3 | Direct entry into Skills Module exams |
Core subjects for each stage include:
- Knowledge Application Stage (BT, MA, FA): Focuses on business fundamentals and management accounting; the global average pass rate is approximately 65%–80%
- Skills Application Stage (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA, FM): Covers corporate law, tax law, auditing, financial reporting, and financial management; the pass rate is approximately 40%–60%
- Strategic Professional Stage (SBL, SBR + 2 out of 4 electives): SBL focuses on comprehensive business case analysis, with a pass rate of approximately 45%; SBR focuses on complex financial reporting, with a pass rate of approximately 50%; elective subjects have a pass rate of 40%–55%
All ACCA exams are multiple-choice tests administered entirely in English. Answers are marked correct based on accurate vocabulary and grammar. Each exam is scored out of 100, and a score of 50 or higher is required to pass. Candidates may register for exams at any time. Exemption fees apply (approximately £98 per subject for F1–F3, and approximately £123 per subject for F4–F9).
