The ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has announced significant updates to its syllabus. These changes are designed to ensure the qualification continues to strengthen the link between exams and workplace skills.
Although these updates won’t come into effect until summer 2027, it’s important that current ACCA learners and employers supporting ACCA learners understand what’s on the horizon.
Here’s a quick overview of the main changes:
- Renamed levels: The familiar Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional levels will be renamed as Knowledge, Expertise and Strategic Professional to better reflect the learner journey.
- Law exam change: The Corporate and Business Law exam will move to the Knowledge level within the qualification structure.
- Fewer exams at the Expertise stage: The revised syllabus will feature one fewer exam at the Expertise stage. To make this change, ACCA is removing Business and Technology from the Knowledge level and moving Law into it.
- Optional exams simplified: Where students currently choose two optional exams, they’ll now choose just one.
- Employability modules added: ACCA will introduce new employability modules, aimed at strengthening career readiness alongside technical knowledge.
You can read more in the official ACCA announcement.
What should ACCA students and employers do now?
- Continue your studies as planned: The syllabus changes are a few years away. There is no need to change your approach right now. Staying focused on your current pathway remains the best strategy. Explore our ACCA courses to see how we can support you at every stage.
- Stay informed: As a platinum ACCA learning provider, we’ll keep you up to date as more details emerge. Visit our LinkedIn page for the latest news and updates.
- Ask us questions: In case you have any concerns about how these changes could affect you or your team, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help.
Final thoughts
The ACCA’s updates are designed to ensure the qualification evolves with the profession. Although 2027 might feel a long way off, rest assured, we’ll be with you every step of the way to help you navigate these changes with confidence.
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Contact us today if you have any questions about your ACCA journey.