Under the current ACCA Qualification, candidates without exemptions complete 13 exams: three Applied Knowledge exams, six Applied Skills exams, and four Strategic Professional exams (two Essentials plus two Options). ACCA membership also requires the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM) and the Practical Experience Requirement (PER), including 36 months of relevant supervised experience and performance objectives.
The ACCA qualification structure at a glance
ACCA is a progression route, not a collection of disconnected subjects. The first two levels build the technical base; Strategic Professional asks candidates to apply that base with professional judgement. The exact papers you sit can change if ACCA awards exemptions for recognised prior learning, but the strategic level is not exemptible under the current qualification.
Full ACCA paper list: all 13 exams
This is the current 13-exam route before exemptions. Under the current structure, the three Applied Knowledge exams are BT, MA and FA; Applied Skills has six exams; and Strategic Professional consists of two Essentials plus two selected Options. Always check the current ACCA qualification structure before booking.
| Code | Paper | Core outcome |
|---|---|---|
| BT | Business and Technology | How organisations, governance, ethics and business environments work. |
| MA | Management Accounting | Costs, planning, budgeting and performance information. |
| FA | Financial Accounting | Accounting records and financial statements. |
| Code | Paper | Core outcome |
|---|---|---|
| LW | Corporate and Business Law | Legal framework and business law principles. |
| PM | Performance Management | Planning, decision-making and performance measurement. |
| TX | Taxation | Tax principles for the selected exam variant. |
| FR | Financial Reporting | Preparation and analysis of financial statements. |
| AA | Audit and Assurance | Audit process, evidence, risk and assurance work. |
| FM | Financial Management | Investment, financing and financial risk decisions. |
| Type | Current papers | How to think about them |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | SBL Strategic Business Leader; SBR Strategic Business Reporting | Both are required under the current qualification. |
| Options | Choose two: AFM, APM, ATX or AAA | Choose for genuine role direction, not perceived ease alone. |
Choosing Strategic Professional options by career direction
There is no universally best ACCA Option combination. The stronger decision starts with the work you want to do after qualification, the experience you want to deepen, and the type of case study you are willing to practise repeatedly.
For candidates drawn to audit, assurance, controls and reporting judgements.
For corporate finance, investment, treasury and advanced financial decision-making.
For performance, strategic management, value creation and advisory thinking.
For candidates pursuing advanced tax work in the relevant exam jurisdiction.
EPSM, PER, affiliate and member: what happens beyond the exams?
Passing the current Strategic Professional exam requirements makes a candidate an ACCA affiliate. To become an ACCA member, candidates must also complete EPSM and PER. ACCA currently describes PER as a minimum of 36 months of relevant supervised experience plus the required performance objectives. Read ACCA’s current official structure.
Shyam’s guidance on paper sequence and realistic progress
A paper sequence should be built around your prior knowledge, time availability, exam variant and work calendar. It should not be copied blindly from a social-media timetable. The examples below are planning principles from Shyam Sarrof’s 13+ years of ACCA teaching experience, not ACCA progression rules.
Do you need to take all 13 ACCA papers?
Not necessarily. ACCA may award exemptions based on recognised qualifications and prior learning. Under the current qualification, ACCA can award up to nine exemptions across Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills; Strategic Professional papers cannot be exempted. The outcome depends on the exact awarding institution, programme and graduation details, so use ACCA’s official exemptions calculator rather than relying on a generic table.
ACCA’s 2027 qualification transition: what current candidates should know
ACCA has published transition arrangements for its redesigned qualification. The current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional session structure ends after the June 2027 session; the redesigned qualification starts from September 2027. Existing progress and equivalent completed elements are carried across under ACCA’s published transition rules, but the precise outcome depends on your papers, EPSM status and exemptions.
Complete the current Applied Skills exams by the June 2027 session and EPSM by ACCA’s published mid-July 2027 deadline if you want the current Advanced Diploma route. Otherwise, ACCA’s credit rules apply to the redesigned Expertise level.
Current progress transfers under ACCA’s published rules. The redesigned Strategic Professional route changes the option requirement, so candidates should check their exact paper combination directly with ACCA.
Check the official transition guidance against your own completed papers and planned exam session. Do not delay a decision because you are relying on an old qualification roadmap.
Source: ACCA’s qualification-student transition guidance. Rules, exact dates and credits can change, so verify the live ACCA page before making an exam decision.
Use the right guide for the question you actually have.
This page explains the qualification map. If your question is about eligibility, timing, fees or an actual study route, use the specialist guide rather than trying to force one answer from a paper list.
What is ACCA?ExemptionsHow long does ACCA take?ACCA fees and budgetGlobal online ACCA course
Shyam Sarrof
CPA (USA), CMA (USA), ACA, ACMA, CS, CFA, ACTM, MBA, B.Com (H)
Shyam has 22+ years of professional experience and has taught ACCA candidates for more than a decade. His guidance focuses on turning the syllabus into a credible career plan: understanding the underlying accounting logic, practising the judgement ACCA expects, and choosing a workload that can survive a real job. View Shyam’s LinkedIn profile.
Frequently asked questions about ACCA levels and papers
How many papers are there in ACCA?
There are 13 current ACCA exams before exemptions: three Applied Knowledge, six Applied Skills and four Strategic Professional exams. The last four comprise two mandatory Essentials and two selected Options.
Can I take ACCA papers in any order?
ACCA progression rules apply across levels. Within a level, candidates can make choices, but a sensible order should reflect their foundation, exam variant and capacity. ACCA publishes the current progression rules separately.
What is the difference between an ACCA affiliate and member?
Under the current qualification, a candidate becomes an affiliate after completing the Strategic Professional exam requirements. Membership also requires EPSM and PER, including 36 months of relevant supervised experience and performance objectives.
Can ACCA Strategic Professional papers be exempted?
No. ACCA can currently award up to nine exemptions across Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills, but Strategic Professional papers are not exemptible.
How long does the full ACCA route take?
The exam timeline depends on exemptions, exam pace and study capacity. ACCA membership additionally requires 36 months of practical experience, which candidates can build alongside their studies.
Will ACCA change in 2027?
Yes. ACCA has published a redesigned qualification and transition arrangements. Current candidates should verify their exact position, credits and deadlines using ACCA’s live transition guidance before choosing papers.
Looking for an ACCA course in your country?
Choose the ACCA page that matches your preferred delivery, local support and fee guidance.
