What is ACCA?

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the world’s most forward thinking professional accountancy body. Accountancy is vital for economies to grow and prosper and the ACCA works all over the world to build the profession and make society fairer and more transparent.

The ACCA was founded in London in 1904 and received its Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth II in 1974. ACCA members have privileged audit status under UK law and ACCA certifications are formally recognized by UK, European and other academic regulators and national accounting bodies.

ACCA is the fastest growing global body of professional accountants in the world, helping people across the globe to become successful finance professionals. The Association is one of the most widely recognised international certifiers for finance and controlling professionals, with more than 200 thousand members and 500,000 students around the world.

 

Why become a Member of the ACCA?

When you register as an ACCA Student you will become a student member of the ACCA. Once you obtain the ACCA Qualification, you will become a fully-qualified member of the ACCA. The benefits of membership include:

 

  • Global network: Wherever ACCA students / members are based; employers can trust ACCA-qualified people to bring a global perspective to their organisation. ACCA is recognized globally allowing professionals to work anywhere in the world.

 

  • Relevant workplace learning: The qualification gives students both theoretical knowledge of accountancy and finance – and the practical experience they need to hit the ground running and add value to a workplace.
    • Breadth of content: ACCA has the most comprehensive syllabus of any finance body, covering everything from innovation and scepticism to commercial awareness and problem solving. So an employer can be confident that an ACCA person knows everything they need to know.
    • Practical Experience Requirement (PER): This prepares students for a career as a finance professional. ACCA regularly review their PER policy to stay ahead of current thinking.
    • Syllabus updates and development: The world of finance doesn’t stand still – and neither does ACCA. ACCA continually reviews their qualification to make sure it stays relevant and up-to-date.
  • Ethics: The ACCA Ethics and Professional Skills module equips students with the full complement of professional skills and ethics all newly qualified accountants need.

 

  • Rigour and recognition: ACCA works with regulatory bodies across the world to make sure the qualification is recognised and accredited at the highest levels. Their new Strategic Professional level will be recognised at Master’s level on more educational frameworks than any other accountancy qualification.

 

  • Future leaders: ACCA professionals are more than accountants. They think holistically, consider challenges in the context of business and have strong strategic and leadership skills.

 

  • Continuing professional development: ACCA members need to do 40 units of CPD every year – and get from ACCA all the resources they need to stay up-to-date. This means they keep their professional edge and continue to add value to your organisation throughout their careers.

 

What is the ACCA Qualification?

In order to become a member of the ACCA, students must obtain the ACCA Qualification. This qualification is academically equivalent to a UK master’s degree and gives you the skills needed by today’s finance professionals. The programme combines application of technical concepts to business scenarios in a series of up to 13 rigorous exams (depending on exam exemptions) with three years of work experience. The Qualification is recognised in 181 countries, including all member countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada.

 

Professional and Academic Recognition

The ACCA qualification is a hard thing to achieve. Holders of the qualification are recognized in business for their technical proficiency. ACCA Members have privileged status in law and ACCA certifications are formally recognised by UK, European and other academic regulators and national accounting bodies.

ACCA is one of five internationally recognised accounting qualifications.

Under Section 389 of the UK Companies Act 1985, a person is not qualified for appointment as auditor of a company unless a member of:

(a) the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW),
(b) the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS),
(c) the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or
(d) the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI).

The equivalent qualification in the United States is the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. Most States require the CPA to provide attestation (including auditing) opinions on financial statements.

Academically, the study required for achieving full ACCA qualification is assessed at 5,100 Notional Training Hours. The ACCA Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business is recognized by UK and European Academic Registration Boards as equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree (BSc.) and the ACCA Strategic Professional­­ Certificate is recognized as equivalent to a Master’s Degree (MSc.). Because ACCA receives academic as well as professional recognition, you can also obtain a Bachelor of Science degree from Oxford Brookes University and a Master of Science degree from the University of London in synergy with your ACCA qualification.

The academic synergy and contractual partnership between ACCA and the universities greatly reduces the time and cost of obtaining these degrees. So, if you are thinking of studying for a Bachelor´s degree in accounting, or a Master’s degree, this programme could be perfect for you!

 

Course Structure

The SHP-ACCA-Oxford Brookes University-University of London Programme is designed to be completed in 3-4 years. It is divided into 3 phases.

  • Phase 3 – ACCA Strategic Professional Certificate – 12 months
  • Phase 2 – ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business – 18 months
  • Phase 1 – ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business – 6 months

Students with relevant qualifications can gain exemptions from at least 1 and up to 9 of the 13 ACCA modules, shortening the time necessary for completion. Module dates and exams required will be confirmed as part of the matriculation process. Students with Financial and Accounting Studies degrees are generally exempt from Phase 1 and some may also be exempt from Phase 2.

Three years of relevant work experience is required in order to be awarded the ACCA Qualification (this can be obtained before, during or after taking the exams).

Students are expected to dedicate 10-15 hours to home study in addition to approximately 5 hours of classes per week. No one passes the exams without substantial effort. Students should not take an exam if they are not prepared. Each of the ACCA exams can be taken up to 4 times. Passes at the first attempt are considered a mark of distinction.
  • Students are eligible to matriculate for the Oxford Brookes University Bsc (Hons) In Applied Accounting after completing phase 2 of the SHP-ACCA programme
  • Students are eligible to matriculate for the University of London Msc in Professional Accounting after completing phase 3 of the SHP-ACCA programme.

The following apply to all phases:

  • Material included.
  • Weekly online mentoring sessions.
  • Classes: Saturday mornings 9am-1pm (face-to-face in São Paulo, on-line, recorded).
  • 15-20 hours of study per week plus.

 

Entry Requirements

 

Target Audience

Finance and accounting professionals who aim to take leadership positions in large / multinational organisations. All types of businesses need professionals who understand finance and accounting, talented people who can help make the business a success. The ACCA Qualification provides the skills and knowledge relevant to any area, allowing you to choose your career direction.

ACCA Job Profiles
ACCA Job Opportunities

 

SHP and ACCA

SHP Financial Training is the first and only ACCA Gold Learning Partner in Latin America and offers live preparatory courses in São Paulo and live online for ACCA exams. Classes are taught in English.

 

Matriculation and ACCA Registration

The first step towards the ACCA qualification is to register as a student member of ACCA. Students can do this themselves or through SHP, which could save hundreds of pounds due to the discounted ACCA fees that our students receive.

  • ACCA one-off fees: Initial ACCA registration fee, exam exemption fees, exam fees (paid when exams are booked).
  • ACCA ongoing fees: Annual subscription fee.
  • Click here to see current ACCA fees.

Matriculation with SHP includes:

  • Registration with ACCA as a student member (ACCA will confirm any exam exemptions you are entitled to as part of the registration process).
  • Discounted exam exemption fees.
  • If you do not have translations of your degree certificate/s and transcripts we will coordinate the translation for you (you will need to pay for the translation).
  • English Test – a 2-hour online level test (in English) to check your level of English in order to determine if you will need additional support.
  • Personalised matriculation contract setting out the exams you need to take, the full class program and the total investment required.

To register as an ACCA student through SHP and receive discounted fees, please complete the registration form here, selecting ‘ACCA Matricula’: www.shptraining.com/inscricao.

 

Testimonials

The best thing was to find SHP Financial Training in Brazil. They helped me with my registration and were always helpful with my questions. I am very excited to start my studies for ACCA, I am sure it will help me find the best job ever. Xaiane Jaensen, ACCA student

Kieran McManus, Partner, Capital Markets, PwC Brasil, talks about the benefits of the ACCA program:

More Testimonials

 

Course Duration

The total duration of the program, including all three levels, is 5,100 notional hours of learning, including hours of classroom learning, home study, exam preparation time and exam time.

 

Exam Exemptions

Students may receive exemptions from some exams depending on their academic background, which will decrease the number of modules needed to complete the program.

ACCA Exemptions Calculator.

If you have an accounting or finance degree you should receive exemptions from the first 3 or 4 of the 13 exams.Graduates of degree courses accredited by ACCA may be eligible for additional exemptions as follows:

  • FGV – Mestrado Profissional em Gestão para Competitividade – Finanças e Controladoria – 9 exam exemptions
  • PUC-SP – Bachelor of Accounting – 9 exam exemptions
  • Universidade de São Paulo – Bachelor of Accounting – between 4 and 7 exam exemptions depending on modules studied
  • FIPECAFI – Bachelor in Accounting – between 4 and 5 exam exemptions depending on modules studied
  • Universidade Mackenzie – Bachelor in Accounting – between 4 and 5 exam exemptions depending on modules studied

 

Teaching Methodology

  • Learn – interactive teaching classes focused on applying knowledge to exercises.
  • Practice – question and exam technique guidance.
  • Consolidate – progress tests and a practice exams with mentoring and debrief classes.

 

Teachers

All teachers are senior financial professionals who are qualified Chartered Accountants and native English speakers.

 

Material

The course includes everything you need to pass the exam at no additional cost.

  • Workbook, including activities to test your understanding, chapter summaries and knowledge diagnostics – to be read before each class so you know what will be covered and are ready to ask questions in class.
  • Progress Tests throughout the course to track your progress.
  • Practice exam under the same conditions as the real exam + exam debrief classes.
  • Practice and Revision Kit – source of exercises organised by topic.

 

Additional home study support

  • Clarification of questions via email and WhatsApp.
  • Recordings of all classes available for a week after class if you miss a class.
Click here to obtain more information, including course fees
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