Understand the ACCA syllabus, from Applied Knowledge to Strategic Professional, with a clear list of papers and what each covers.

The ACCA course is divided into three levels, and understanding the papers helps you plan study time and exemptions.

Level 1: Applied Knowledge

This level builds foundations in business and accounting. Papers typically include:

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

Level 2: Applied Skills

This level builds core technical skills. Papers typically include:

• Corporate and Business Law (LW)
• Performance Management (PM)
• Taxation (TX)
• Financial Reporting (FR)
• Audit and Assurance (AA)
• Financial Management (FM)

Level 3: Strategic Professional

This level has two parts.

Essentials papers:

• Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
• Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)

Options papers (choose two):

• Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
• Advanced Performance Management (APM)
• Advanced Taxation (ATX)
• Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

Paper names and structure can change, so check the current syllabus.

Which options papers should you choose?

1. AFM suits students interested in corporate finance, valuation and investment banking.
2. APM suits those targeting management roles and performance consulting.
3. ATX suits tax careers.
4. AAA suits audit careers.

Other requirements

Besides exams, you need to complete the ethics and professional skills module and relevant practical experience for membership.

How the papers connect

Financial Accounting leads into Financial Reporting and then Strategic Business Reporting. Management Accounting leads into Performance Management and then Advanced Performance Management. Seeing these links helps you build knowledge steadily.

Study sequence tips

• Combine complementary papers in one sitting where sensible
• Avoid pairing two heavy papers together
• Keep a buffer for revision before each exam

Exam format

Many papers are computer-based and offered on demand at certain levels, while others are in fixed sessions .

Want help planning your paper sequence? Talk to TWSS about its ACCA course coaching.