An ACCA member automatically becomes an FCCA (Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant) after five consecutive years of membership, provided they have complied with the ACCA’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) policy. This designation, often achieved without a formal application, recognizes a member's long-term commitment, experience, and adherence to high ethical standards.
When you have been an ACCA member for five years and completed your CPD for that time, we will automatically award you the prestigious title of Fellow. You will receive a letter and a certificate to welcome you to your newly-awarded FCCA status.
You are eligible to apply for FCCA status once you have passed the ACCA qualification and have been a member for five continuous years.
FCCA stands for Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a senior-level designation above ACCA.
After five years of membership, you may be eligible to apply for fellowship and use FCCA (Fellow Certified Chartered Accountant).
You will be expected to provide evidence of knowledge and skills at the Accomplished level, together with a 1,500-2,000 word submission setting out your contribution to the industry over time. CMA would normally expect a Fellow applicant to be have worked in the industry for a minimum of 10 years.
On the other hand, some other people may start pursuing ACCA in their 30s to gain career growth. However, 27 is the average age when most candidates complete their ACCA certification.
CA professionals typically earn ₹6-8 lakhs annually at entry level, slightly ahead of ACCA holders at ₹5-7 lakhs. This reflects intensive articleship training and immediate applicability in India's regulatory environment.
The three different levels of ACCA are given below:
Completion deadline - 2026.
All students and members must submit all requirements for the BSc programme by May 2026. The closure of the programme following December 2026 will have no effect on the recognition or validity of this prestigious qualification. You will continue to enjoy the reputational benefits it offers.
ACCA in 2025 is a strong choice because it gives global recognition, flexible exam options and modern, job-ready skills.
Asking 'Is 40 too old for an accounting degree? ' reflects a common concern, but the truth is it's never too late. With life experience, flexible learning options, and financial aid, pursuing an accounting degree at 40 can be a wise and rewarding decision.
While others may take longer due to personal circumstances or work commitments. However, on average, it takes around 5-7 years to become an FCCA. Becoming an FCCA is not easy, but it is a worthwhile investment in terms of career development and earning potential.
Individuals who describe themselves as Chartered Certified Accountants must be members of ACCA and if they carry out public practice engagements, must comply with additional regulations such as holding a practising certificate, carrying liability insurance and submitting to inspections.
In this blog, we have addressed the most asked questions about the ACCA qualification like, can you finish ACCA in 2 years? On average, it takes two to three years to prepare for all 13 exam papers, but you may earn the qualification in 18 months if you focus on the major eight.
Apprenticeship overview
BPP's Level 7 Accounting Apprenticeships help you become technically qualified by passing professional exams, whilst developing the complementary skills and behaviours to succeed in your career.
ACCA is the most globally recognized, accepted in more than 180 countries. CPA is well-recognized in the U.S. and its subsidiaries, while CA holds recognition predominantly within India.
All Big 4 accountancy firms – Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG – are active recruiters of ACCA-affiliated accountants. Choice often depends on your interest area: audit, consulting, tax, or advisory.
- Is ACCA more difficult than CFA? No, the CFA qualification tends to be considered slightly more difficult than ACCA - but this is to some extent a subjective matter, differing from person to person. Many people don't make it through the three levels of CFA because of the time required to finish the course.
The UK is one of the most favorable locations for ACCA professionals due to its established financial sector and since ACCAs have their headquarters in the United Kingdom. Freshers: Starting salaries for new graduates typically range from £20,000 to £30,000 (approx. ₹20 to ₹30 lakhs).
If you're passionate about finance and dream of working in leading companies across the world, ACCA will give you the edge you need to stand out in the competitive job market. So yes, ACCA is absolutely worth it in 2025—and the earlier you start, the faster you can reap the rewards of this prestigious qualification.
A graying workforce
The American Institute of CPAs reported that 75% of today's public accounting CPAs will retire within the next 15 years. Census data show at least 10,000 people turn 65 each day in the U.S. through 2029. Most employees hope to retire by the age of 59 ½.