How to Get Started with ACCA After Class 12: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is among the most coveted professional qualifications for students who wish to pursue a career in accounting, finance, and business management. Many students after completing Class 12 in the Commerce stream consider ACCA as their pathway to a global career in the accounting domain. The following is the step-by-step guide designed for you to know what ACCA means, how to pursue after Class 12, and the fees and coaching requirements associated with the course.

What is ACCA?

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a professional accountancy qualification recognized globally. Since the time of its commencement, this qualification has been at the top position of the profession. This qualification offers students all-around exposure to accounting principles, tax laws, business strategy, and financial management to enable them to deal with broad areas of finance and accounting.

The ACCA qualification is a certificate bestowed by the UK-based body for ACCA. More than 180 countries recognize it. It has flexible entry requirements and is an excellent choice for students who pursue a career in accounting and finance after Class 12.

Key Features of ACCA

Global Acceptance: ACCA qualification is accepted by almost every employer across the globe. Once you complete the ACCA course successfully, you can take a variety of career opportunities in finance, accounting, and business management.
Syllabus: A syllabus includes all topics like accounting to taxation, business law, financial management, and audit to facilitate the foundation of the accounting profession.
Multiple career choices: Students have the option of working in banking organizations, corporations, government, and public accounting firms.
Flexible Admission Rules: At the same time, while some students prefer to opt for ACCA after completion of graduation, it is also available right after Class 12 (Commerce).

How to Pursue ACCA After 12th

This is a very practical choice for entering the accounting and finance field early on in a student’s career, especially after Class 12. The process of beginning to pursue ACCA after Class 12 is simple, and with the right approach, you can crack it successfully.

Step 1: Eligibility Criteria

It will start with familiarization with the eligibility criteria for joining the ACCA club. One needs to ascertain that they qualify for the said qualifications before making their application.

After 12th: The candidate must have also passed Class 12 in the Commerce stream with subjects such as Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics.
No Minimum Marks Required: In any professional course, there are requirements of percentage marks in Class 12 while it is not the case with ACCA because getting into ACCA does not require any particular percentage marks in Class 12.

Step 2: ACCA Registration

Registration from the official ACCA body To start the process with the ACCA, you must first get yourself registered by the official body. Here is how you might go about it:

Visit the Website of ACCA: Log on to the main website www.accaglobal.com and register for an account.
Fill out the application form: Fill in all the details about personal and academic information.
Pay Registration Fees: The country-wise, fees for registration may vary, but the registration fee for Indian students is INR 12,000 for the first time. Checking the latest fee structure available on the site of ACCA India can be advisable.

Step 3: Choose Your Path (ACCA Foundation or Direct Entry)

After registering, you have a choice of either of two main routes to pursue ACCA.

Foundation in Accountancy, ACCA: This would be the best and ideal option as this is from Class 12 onwards with no background in accounting. It will give a strong base in accounting principles.
Direct Entry Route: The direct entry route applies when one holds a class 12 accountancy qualification; for this, one could be able to start on the Fundamentals level within the ACCA program.

Step 4: Complete the ACCA Exams

The three main levels of ACCA qualification

Applied Knowledge (3 papers): Understanding basic accounting and business principles.
Applied Skills: 6 papers, Intermediate with more complex subjects.
Strategic Professional (4 papers): This level becomes management and decision-making.

Each exam contains a different syllabus and is usually tested by written exams. Exams are available in both on-demand and at intervals types.

Step 5: Gain Practical Experience

ACCA requires students to complete a practical experience requirement, or PER. This translates into your having to spend time working in an appropriate accounting role for a certain amount of time (3 years) during or after sitting the exams.

ACCA: Fees & Coaching

Fees and coaching are the first things you need to understand once you are in class after Class 12 for reading for the ACCA qualification. Let’s demystify the costs and types of coaching required:

ACCA Fees Breakdown

ACCA has various fees, such as registration fees, exam fees, and membership fees. These approximate breakdowns of ACCA fees are shown below:

Registration fee: INR 12,000 lifetime when you first register for the ACCA qualification.
Exam fee: INR 8,000–15,000 per exam depending on the level.
Annual subscription: Rs 7,500 – 10,000 per year, to be paid from the date when you start your studies).

Additional fee charges include coaching, study materials, and resit fees in case you have not passed the exam. ACCA coaching after the 12th can be well taken as a crucial preparation for examinations. Most students take coaching to get all the tough concepts right, to manage their time properly, and to score high marks in the final exams.

ACCA Coaching Options

While self-study is available, it is recommended that you join coaching programs; especially if you are a newcomer to accounting concepts. Several coaching institutes in India offer specialized ACCA coaching after the 12th, which includes:

Online Classes: Flexible and affordable online coaching programs allow students to study at their own pace.
Classroom Coaching: Many institutes in big cities provide classroom coaching, which is more systematic and even provides a chance to interact with teachers.
Hybrid Coaching: Hybrid centers have a mix of online and offline study material, thus providing the students with an amalgamation of both forms of modes.

Conclusion

The perfect alternative for those who have just completed Class 12 for a career in accountancy and finance is the ACCA after class 12. It also offers flexible eligibility requirements, global recognition, and multiple career opportunities. For those interested in getting international qualifications in accounting, this will prove to be the right direction to take. Aware of these steps with the help of ACCA registration fees, ACCA coaching options, and detailed steps, you will be fully prepared for this journey in your profession. Proper preparation is all that you need to start and ACCA will welcome you on the path of a happy and rewarding career.