If you’re someone looking to level up your career game and are in the field of finance or accounting you might have looked into upskilling and getting into a professional course, and you’ve probably come across ACCA more than once. And let’s be honest,one of the first things everyone asks is, “How long will this actually take me?” Whether you’re in college, working, or even thinking about a switch, understanding the duration of the ACCA course in India is key before jumping in.
So, if you’re wondering whether this is a two-year commitment, a three-year marathon, or something else entirely, you’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about the ACCA duration in India, who it’s best suited for, how long it typically takes depending on your background, and what your journey might look like from start to finish.
First, What is ACCA?
ACCA stands for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a globally recognized body headquartered in the UK, with over 200,000 members and 500,000+ students worldwide. The ACCA qualification equips you with practical accounting knowledge, financial management expertise, and strategic thinking.
And the best part? It’s designed with flexibility in mind. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, or someone switching careers, ACCA in India can fit into your schedule.
So, What’s the Duration of the ACCA Course in India?
Let’s get straight to it, the ACCA duration in India typically ranges between 2 to 3 years. However, this depends on a few key factors:
1. Your Educational Background
- If you’ve completed 12th grade (Commerce stream), you’ll need to take all 13 exams, so your acca course duration in India could be around 3 years.
- If you have a B.Com, BBA, or CA Intermediate background, you may be eligible for exemptions, reducing your acca duration to 2–2.5 years.
- If you’re a qualified Chartered Accountant, you can claim up to 9 exemptions, making your acca duration in India as short as 1–1.5 years.
Quick Fact: ACCA allows exemptions from up to 9 out of the 13 papers based on your previous qualifications. You can check your eligibility using ACCA’s official exemption calculator.
How Many Papers Does the ACCA Course Have?
The ACCA qualification is made up of 13 exams across three levels:
i) Applied Knowledge (3 Papers)
Basics like business and financial accounting.
ii) Applied Skills (6 Papers)
Core financial and performance management subjects.
iii) Strategic Professional (4 Papers)
Advanced decision-making and leadership-focused topics.
Read More: What are the 13 papers of ACCA?
Your acca course duration depends on how many papers you attempt per exam cycle. ACCA allows four exam attempts per session and four sessions per year, so technically, you could finish in under two years if you fast-track it. But most students pace it realistically to balance studies with life.
Flexible Study Options = Flexible Duration
One of the best things about ACCA is that it adapts to your pace. You can study full-time, part-time, or even online, based on what works best for you.
If you’re working full-time, studying for one paper per exam cycle is common. In that case, your duration of ACCA course in India might extend to 3 years or slightly more, and that’s totally okay.
Why Is ACCA Worth the Time Investment?
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Is it worth spending 2–3 years on this course?
Short answer: Yes, absolutely.
Here’s why:
- Global Recognition: ACCA is accepted in over 180 countries, including the UK, UAE, Singapore, and Canada.
- Diverse Job Roles: From financial analyst to audit manager to CFO, ACCA opens doors to top roles.
- High Earning Potential: ACCA-qualified professionals in India earn INR 7–15 LPA, and in places like Dubai, that can shoot up to AED 300,000/year (that’s over INR 65 lakhs!).
- Work While You Study: Many students land internships or entry-level jobs even while completing their ACCA, giving them a head start.
What Factors Can Affect Your ACCA Duration in India?
1. Exemptions
As mentioned earlier, your prior qualifications can fast-track your journey.
2. Study Plan
Whether you take 1 or 2 papers per attempt will significantly influence your timeline.
3. Attempt Gaps
Life happens — so if you skip a session, it might stretch your timeline a bit.
4. Consistency
The more consistent you are with studies, the smoother (and quicker) your journey.
What Does an Ideal ACCA Timeline Look Like?
| Profile | Entry Qualification | ACCA Duration in India |
| 12th Commerce Student | No exemptions | ~3 years |
| B.Com Graduate | 4–5 exemptions | ~2.5 years |
| CA Inter | 6+ exemptions | ~2–2.5 years |
| Qualified CA | Up to 9 exemptions | ~1–1.5 years |
How SOE Global Makes Your ACCA Journey Smoother
If you’re serious about completing your ACCA smoothly and efficiently, you need the right support system. This is where SOE Global shines.
Here’s how SOE Global helps reduce your acca duration in India:
- Exemption guidance: Know exactly how many papers you can skip.
- Structured timelines: Plan your studies around a calendar designed for success.
- Live + recorded sessions: Flexibility to learn your way.
- Mock tests & mentorship: So you’re always exam-ready.
- Career support: SOE also helps with placements in top finance firms once you qualify.
With students from Chennai, Coimbatore, and all over India, SOE Global has built a strong reputation for personalized learning, consistent results, and a student-first approach.
ACCA Duration is Flexible, But Focus is Key
To sum it all up, the duration of the ACCA course in India depends on you.
The standard range is 2 to 3 years, and with the right guidance, you can complete it without stress or delay. Whether you’re a fresh 12th pass student or a working professional looking for career growth, ACCA is one of the best professional qualifications out there today.
If you’re looking for a structured and guided way to get there, SOE Global is a great place to begin your journey.
