ACCA Duration
The ACCA qualification is one of the most globally recognised professional accounting certifications. Many students often ask: “How long does it take to finish ACCA?” The honest answer: it depends on your study mode, your foundation, and your commitment. These can be various scenarios commonly adopted by our students:
1. Full Time Student (Approximately 2.5 years)
| Duration | Papers |
| 1st 6 months | BT, MA, FA |
| 2nd 6 months | LW, PM, TX |
| 3rd 6 months | FR, AA, FM |
| 4th 6 months | SBL and SBR |
| 5th 6 months | 2 Option Papers (ATX, AAA, AFM or APM) |
There is no time limit to complete the Applied Knowledge papers (BT, MA, FA) and the Applied Skills papers (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA and FM). However, a 7-year time limit applies to the Strategic Professional level papers, which include SBL, SBR and the Options papers (ATX, AAA, AFM).
2. Part Time Student – Faster Track (Approximately 4 years)
Suitable for working adults who want to complete ACCA relatively fast while still working.
| Duration | Papers |
| 1st 6 months | BT, MA, FA (if you have basic foundation) |
| 2nd 6 months | LW & PM |
| 3rd 6 months | TX & FR |
| 4th 6 months | FM & AA |
| 5th 6 months | SBL or SBR |
| 6th 6 months | SBL or SBR |
| 7th 6 months | Options – 1 paper |
| 8th 6 months | Options – 1 paper |
There is no time limit to complete the Applied Knowledge papers (BT, MA, FA) and the Applied Skills papers (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA and FM). However, a 7-year time limit applies to the Strategic Professional level papers, which include SBL, SBR and the Options papers (ATX, AAA, AFM).
3. Part Time Student – Slower Pace (Approximately 5.5 years)
Designed for busy working adults with family commitments or those needing more time for each paper.
| Duration | Papers |
| 1st 6 months | BT & MA |
| 2nd 6 months | FA & LW |
| 3rd 6 months | PM |
| 4th 6 months | TX |
| 5th 6 months | FR |
| 6th 6 months | FM |
| 7th 6 months | AA |
| 8th 6 months | SBL or SBR |
| 9th 6 months | SBL or SBR |
| 10th 6 months | Options – 1 Paper |
| 11th 6 months | Options – 1 Paper |
There is no time limit to complete the Applied Knowledge papers (BT, MA, FA) and the Applied Skills papers (LW, PM, TX, FR, AA and FM). However, a 7-year time limit applies to the Strategic Professional level papers, which include SBL, SBR and the Options papers (ATX, AAA, AFM).
ACCA 7-Year Time Limits: What You Need to Know?
Knowledge & Skills Level (First 9 papers)
✔ No time limit
✔ Your passes do not expire
Strategic Professional Level (SBL, SBR and 2 Options)
✔ You must complete all 4 papers within 7 years
✔ The 7-year countdown begins from the date you pass your first Strategic Professional paper
For the 7-year time limit, only the Strategic Professional papers are affected. Once a paper you have passed exceeds 7 years from the date of passing, that specific paper will be forfeited, while other papers still within the 7-year window remain valid.
For example, John passed his AA (Audit & Assurance) and SBL (Strategic Business Leader) exams in June 2025. Since SBL is a Strategic Professional paper, it will have an expiry date of June 2032. If John does not complete all the Strategic Professional exams by June 2032, the SBL paper will expire and he will need to retake it.
Which Study Duration Should You Choose?
| Factors | 2.5 years plan | 4 years plan | 5.5 years plan |
| Commitment | You can commit about 12-16 hours a week. | You can commit about 6-8 hours a week. | You have to commit at least 3 hours a week. |
| Objective | To complete quickly and obtain a prestigious qualification for career progression | Knowledge enhancement for job promotion or career enhancement | Knowledge enhancement for job promotion or career enhancement yet with more flexibility on other commitments (eg. family) |
| Financial consideration (a ball-park figure) | Approximately RM5,000 to RM6,000 each 6-month semester (tuition fees and exam fees) | Approximately RM3,500 to RM4,000 each 6-month semester (tuition fees and exam fees) | Approximately RM2,000 to RM3,000 each 6-month semester (tuition fees and exam fees) |
ACCA is flexible. You can speed up or slow down, depending on
- Your job schedule
- Your exam performance
- Your personal commitments (eg. family, travel plans)
- Your financial capacity
There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all approach. You can decide flexibly and adjust according to your needs. What matters most is consistency, discipline and choosing a plan that you can sustain.
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