ACCA Course Duration After 12th in India: A Complete Guide

So, you’ve just wrapped up your 12th boards. Everyone’s throwing around words like what are your plans, what course are you going to do and suggesting you professional courses like ACCA,  CA, MBA, CFA…  and you are also thinking about your future in finance. You’re ahead of the curve because ACCA would be the right choice.. One of the most asked questions by students at this stage is: What is the ACCA course duration after 12th in India?

What is the ACCA course duration after 12th in India?

It’s a fair question. Because before jumping into any course, especially one as career-defining as ACCA, you want clarity. Not just about how long it’ll take, but also what the path looks like, how it fits into your lifestyle, and where it can take you.

Let’s break it all down in simple, practical terms.

First Things First: What Is ACCA?

ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants,  a globally recognised professional body for accountants, with headquarters in the UK and a presence in over 180 countries.

But more than the name, here’s what it means for you:
The ACCA qualification trains you in everything from financial reporting and audit to strategic management and taxation. It’s designed to make you not just a finance pro, but someone ready to take on roles globally.

And yes,  you can start right after your 12th.

So, What’s the ACCA Duration After 12th?

If you begin ACCA right after your 12th board exams in India, the standard duration of the ACCA course is around 3 to 4 years. This includes:

• 13 Papers (divided into Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional)
  
• Ethics and Professional Skills Module
  
• 36 months of practical work experience (can be done alongside or after exams)
  

The acca course duration after 12th can vary based on how many papers you attempt per year (ACCA allows flexible scheduling), and whether you take a degree along with it.

But on average, most students complete it in 36 to 48 months if they’re consistent.

Can I Work While Studying?

Yes, and that’s one of the best parts of doing ACCA after 12th. You don’t have to wait till your finals to begin gaining experience.

In fact, many students start internships by the time they reach their Applied Skills level. This not only cuts down your post-exam experience time but also boosts your confidence and job-readiness.

Exemptions After 12th: Can You Fast-Track Your ACCA?

Now here’s a question that comes up quite often:
“Can I get exemptions if I do ACCA after 12th?”

Short answer — not immediately. But there’s a smart way around it.

If you only have a 12th-grade qualification, you’ll be required to take all 13 ACCA exams.
However, if you choose to pursue a degree like B.Com or BBA alongside ACCA, you might be eligible for exemptions.

Pair ACCA with a B.Com or BBA Program

Several Indian universities offer integrated B.Com + ACCA or BBA + ACCA programs. These are designed to align with the ACCA syllabus, which means you can apply for exemptions for overlapping subjects.

You can typically get up to 4 to 6 exemptions, including:

• Business Technology (BT)
  
• Financial Accounting (FA)
  
• Management Accounting (MA)
  
• Corporate and Business Law (LW)
  

This reduces your acca duration after 12th by a few months, and also saves on exam fees.

Important: ACCA grants exemptions based on your university’s curriculum.
So always double-check using the official ACCA Exemption Calculator.

What Does the Journey Look Like?

Here’s how your ACCA timeline might look if you’re starting after 12th:

If you go for an integrated program, your degree and ACCA progress happen simultaneously,  which means you don’t waste a single year.

Is ACCA After 12th a Good Idea?

Absolutely — if you’re clear about a future in finance, doing ACCA right after 12th can give you a major head start. Here’s why:

• You enter the job market early
  
• You avoid re-learning content in unrelated degrees
  
• You save time compared to the traditional CA route
  
• ACCA is globally accepted, so you aren’t restricted to India
  

In short, it’s future-proofing your career.

What About Fees?

ACCA fees can vary based on the number of attempts and currency conversion rates. But here’s a rough breakup (as of 2024):

• Registration: ₹8,000 – ₹10,000
  
• Annual Subscription: ₹10,000 – ₹12,000
  
• Exam Fees per paper: ₹10,000 – ₹13,000
  

So, total exam-related costs over 3-4 years would be approximately ₹2.5 – ₹3.2 lakhs (excluding training/coaching).

SOE Global: Helping You Every Step of the Way

Doing ACCA after 12th is a bold move — and having the right support matters.

At SOE Global, we provide:

• WhatsApp automation support to guide you post-12th (with course, fees, and enrollment info)
  
• Flexible online + offline classes for school grads
  
• Live mentor sessions
  
• Custom learning plans based on your school/college schedules
  
• University tie-ups for integrated ACCA+B.Com or BBA programs
  
• Placement assistance once you complete exams and gain experience
  

Whether you’re worried about the duration, the exemptions, or even managing classes alongside college, we’ve built a system that adapts to your pace.

Final Thoughts

The acca course duration after 12th might sound long at first, but when you look at the bigger picture, you’re investing just 3 to 4 years to unlock a global career.

You can study while you work, get placed early, and fast-track your way into global finance roles. If you choose the integrated path, you get a degree too, without stretching your timeline.

With the latest ACCA qualification updates also focused on making the course more digitally and practically aligned , there’s never been a better time to begin.

So if you’re serious about making finance your future, start now, start smart.

Let SOE Global be your partner through it all.