Formed in 1904, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is the professional body for Chartered Certified Accountants and Certified Accounting Technicians. The ACCA is the largest professional accountancy body in the UK. It has over 320,000 members and students in 160 countries, with 70 staffed offices.

The ACCA Qualification is designed to provide the accounting knowledge, skills and professional values which will deliver finance professionals who are capable of building successful careers across all sectors, whether they are working in the public or private sectors, practising in accounting firms, or pursuing a career in business.

In order to qualify as an ACCA member, you will complete:

• 14 exams (nine of which are eligible for exemption)
• relevant practical experience, with a minimum of three years
• a Professional Ethics module

The ACCA Qualification embeds the global accounting education standards set by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). There is a strong focus on professional values, ethics, and governance. These skills are essential as the profession moves towards strengthened codes of conduct, regulation, and legislation – with an increasing focus on professionalism and ethics in accounting. These are examined at the highest level in the ACCA Qualification and are a core element of your practical experience requirements.

The current ACCA syllabus was examined for the first time in December 2001. Visit ACCA's website for a detailed syllabus breakdown.