ACA Professional
Take the next step in becoming ACA qualified in India with the ACA Professional qualification by the ICAEW. This is the second of three levels that make up the full ACA qualification, preceded by the ACA Certificate and followed by the ACA Advanced.
The Professional Level will teach you how to apply your technical knowledge to real-life scenarios, increasing your employability as a soon-to-be chartered accountant in India. Achieving your ACA designation will also help you become more recognised by employers from all over the world.
At Kaplan, we offer a choice of flexible study options - OnDemand or Live Online, to guide you successfully through your ACA Professional and help you succeed in your ACA exams for the first time.
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About ACA Professional
Entry requirements
Before you complete your ACA Professional Level, it's recommended that you first pass your ACA Certificate exams.
Graduates can apply for up to eight paper credits including the following Professional level ACA (ICAEW) exams:
- Business Strategy and Technology
- Financial Management
The official ICAEW website has more information about exemptions and credits for prior learning for those completing their ACA Professional qualification.
Modules and syllabus
The ACA Professional comprises six modules, including one Business Planning module. Within this Business Planning module, you can pick one of the following subjects: Taxation, Banking or Insurance.
These subjects have been created specifically by the ICAEW for learners to gain a sector-specific understanding while studying.
Subjects (6)
Compare study methods ›Financial Accounting & Reporting (IFRS) (FARI)
EssentialYou’ll learn how to prepare complete single entity and consolidated financial statements, and explain their limitations.
Live Online
From US $ 805.20
OnDemand
From US $ 120/month
Tax Compliance (TC)
EssentialYou’ll learn how to prepare tax computations for individuals and companies, and how to calculate VAT, stamp taxes, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporation tax liabilities, and National Insurance.
Live Online
From US $ 894.67
OnDemand
From US $ 120/month
Business Planning Tax (BPT)
You’ll learn how to resolve tax issues and advise on tax-efficient solutions for individuals and businesses. You’ll use your knowledge to explain alternative tax solutions, considering the clients and commercial context.
Live Online
From US $ 565.00
OnDemand
From US $ 120/month
Business Planning Insurance (BPI)
You’ll learn how to apply your knowledge and professional skills to solve technical compliance and ethical matters when providing audit and assurance work in the insurance industry.
Live Online
From US $ 375.00
Recorded Online
From US $ 836.30
Business Planning Banking (BPB)
You’ll learn how to apply your knowledge and professional skills to solve technical compliance and ethical matters when providing audit and assurance work in the banking industry.
Live Online
From US $ 385.00
Recorded Online
From US $ 836.30
Business Strategy and Technology (BST)
EssentialYou’ll learn how companies establish and carry out strategy, considering ethical ramifications.
Live Online
From US $ 461.00
OnDemand
From US $ 120/month
ACA Professional level exams
Each module at this level has a mandatory, computer-based examination with a pass mark of 55%. All of the ACA Professional level exams last 2.5 hours, apart from Financial Accounting and Reporting (FARI) which is 3 hours.
After completing all six of these modules successfully, you can move on to the ACA Advanced level. This is the final level that makes up the full ACA qualification in accounting.
What order do you take your ACA exams?
You can sit your ACA Professional level exams in any order, depending on which modules you complete first. There are four ICAEW exam sittings a year - March, June, September and December. To sit your ACA Professional exams, you need to travel to an ICAEW approved test centre. Alternatively, you can take your exam via remote invigilation.
Note that you can only sit the Business Planning: Banking (BPB) and Business Planning: Insurance (BPI) modules in the June, September and December sittings.
Six-monthly reviews
As per the ACA Professional training agreement, you must also have a regular review with your employer every six months. These meetings can be used to track your progress at this level, as well as discuss any practical work experience and upcoming exams.
How long does it take to complete your ACA Professional?
Most learners take around 12 months to complete this level. Note that this timeframe can vary depending on how many hours you can commit to your studies. You also need to complete a minimum of 450 practical work experience days to pass your ACA Professional.
Becoming ACA qualified with Kaplan
Our award-winning online classes have reached all corners of the world, including those completing courses by the ICAEW in India. Learners who choose to study with Kaplan for their ACA qualification can benefit from:
Exceptional pass rates
Kaplan's pass rates are consistently above the global average, not just for our ACA Professional qualification - but for all our ACA courses. This makes us a trusted provider to help you pass your ACA exams first time.
Award-winning provider
Our online courses have won multiple awards through the years, including the 2023 Learning Technologies Award for Best Online Learning Programme for OnDemand and Excellence in the Design of Learning Content in 2024.
Flexible learning options
Kaplan's courses have been designed with flexibility in mind. Learners can choose when to study for their ACA Professional qualification, either by joining live timetabled classes or studying in their own time. /p>
Experienced lecturers
Get taught by the largest and most experienced ACA tutoring team in the UK from wherever you are in India, and learn from expert lecturers with years of experience in the industry. < /p>
On-demand support
Kaplan's expert tutors in the Academic Support Team are available 7 days a week to offer support and answer any queries you may have. Get instant feedback from our tutor team via Kaplan's LiveChat, reach out through our email service or ask fellow learners and tutors in our online community.
*Terms and conditions apply.
Study materials
All Kaplan learners receive a set of quality study materials as part of the cost of their online course. This includes an ACA Professional Kaplan workbook covering core syllabus topics and practice questions, fully integrated with our online learning platform.
Live Online learners will also receive ICAEW's workbook and question bank. These are needed for every subject and are available in an eBook format only. If you're completing your ACA Professional qualification through Kaplan's OnDemand study method, you need to buy ICAEW's workbook and question bank separately. You may also need other materials, known as permitted texts.
Find out more about permitted texts
Purchase your ICAEW materials
Delivery time for physical copies is between 3 and 5 working days (subject to availability) and costs RM60.
MyKaplan
You can also find practical resources to help you prepare for your exams on our online learning platform, MyKaplan. Access all your ACA Professional course materials in one central hub, or test your course knowledge with instant feedback. You can also use the platform to contact our Kaplan tutors for help and support.
Use MyKaplan on your mobile device or tablet or use the BrightSpace Pulse app.
Mock exams and testing
Go into your ACA exams prepared to succeed with regular testing throughout your course. Mock exams and practice assessments have been proven to increase the likelihood of passing your ACA Professional first time, and learners can test their knowledge at multiple points in their learning journey:
- Knowledge checks: Multiple choice questions on MyKaplan designed to test your knowledge so far.
- Progress test: Exam-style tests check your progress of the syllabus before you sit your mock exams. Progress tests are marked internally by Kaplan so you can see your areas of improvement.
- Consolidation test: 20 multiple choice questions to see how much knowledge you have retained during your learning.
- Mock exams: Mimicking the real ACA exams, mock examinations are sat during the Exam Preparation part of your course. You'll receive personalised feedback from the Kaplan team which you can then apply for the final revision push.
- Tricky topic tutorials: A brief 10-15 minute tutor debrief where the most challenging course topics are broken down and explained.
Flexible studying that suits you
We want to make our online courses accessible to everyone - whether you're balancing full-time employment or family commitments alongside your studies. All of our courses, including the ACA Professional qualification, can be studied completely remotely in India.
Choose between two flexible study methods designed to fit around your current lifestyle, rather than in place of:
Live Online
Attend regular timetabled classes and learn from our experienced team of ACA tutors in real time. Our Live Online study method is perfect for learners who enjoy the structure and support of a traditional classroom course but want to study from their own office space. You'll also be joined by other ACA Professional level learners from around the world in Kaplan’s own interactive classroom.
Discover the ACA Live Online timetable
OnDemand
Learn at your own pace at a time that's most convenient for you with our OnDemand study method. Completely designed for remote learning, Kaplan's course has been created to be as engaging and as interactive as possible. This means that learners also get 'hands on' support through tutor guidance, while independently working through the syllabus.
See if this study method is right for you with a 5-day ACA OnDemand free trial.
Try ACA OnDemand for FREE
Recorded Online (September sitting - BPB and BPI only):
Alternatively, get all the information you would receive from our Live Online or traditional classroom courses, but whenever is convenient for you. You’ll get recordings of June’s Live Online classes, as well as the Integrated ACA Workbook, marked mock exams and unparalleled academic support.
Course overview
Timetables and study methods
Study methods available for this level
Live Online
The benefits of a traditional classroom but with the flexibility of an online environment. Live interactive classes at a scheduled time delivered by expert lecturers following the same exam focused material and structure as traditional classroom courses.
picture_as_pdf Live Online timetable 2024
picture_as_pdf Live Online timetable 2025
OnDemand
OnDemand gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want, with unique online resources designed to give you structure, keep you motivated, and cement your understanding of the subject.
Recorded Online (September sitting - BPB and BPI only)
All the information you would get in a classroom or Live Online, but whenever is convenient for you. You’ll get recordings of June’s Live Online classes as well as the Integrated Workbook, marked mock exam and academic support.
Exams and sittings
Timings and working towards a sitting
At this level there are six exams and each one is 2.5 hours long, apart from Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) which is three hours. You can take them in any order. The pass mark is 55%, and there are four exam sittings in a year - March, June, September, December.
You may be eligible for credit for some exams, if you’ve studied a relevant qualification or degree. Find out more about credits for prior learning launch.
How long does it take to pass?
Most students complete this level within 12 months, however this can vary depending on the study method you choose. To complete the entire qualification you will also need to have a minimum of 450 practical work experience days, so don’t forget to fit them in around your study.
Study materials and delivery costs
You will receive printed or online study materials.
Included:
Kaplan workbook
A Kaplan-produced workbook covering key areas of the syllabus, integrates with online content and provides question practice. You can choose to have a printed or online version..
ICAEW workbooks, question banks and permitted texts (Live Online only)
For those purchasing a Live Online course, you'll also receive ICAEW’s workbook and question bank, which are needed for every subject. The ICAEW’s workbook contains all technical content that could be examined. These are available in an eBook format only.
Not included for OnDemand subscriptions:
ICAEW workbooks, question banks and permitted texts
In addition to the OnDemand subscription price, you will need to purchase ICAEW’s workbook and question bank, which are needed for every subject. The ICAEW’s workbook contains all technical content that could be examined. These are available in an eBook format only. You may also need other materials, known as permitted texts.
Find out more about permitted texts.
Delivery Costs
How much it costs to deliver your study materials and how long it takes depends on where in the world you live.
Delivery fees are as follows:
Malaysia - RM60
Rest of Asia/America - $47
All other countries - 40EUR
Please note that due to varying interpretations of the post-Brexit EU/UK trading agreement, some EU countries are imposing import duty on the value of the goods received from the UK. It is payable by the end consumer via the delivery company and your delivery may be withheld until paid. This may vary from country to country and be up to a value of 20% of the value of the study material.
Our standard delivery times are:
Malaysia - 3 to 5 working days*
EU – 5 to 7 working days*
Rest of the World – 7 to 10 working days*
*Subject to availability.
Delivery charges are applicable for this course, and will be shown during the online checkout process, before you complete your payment details.
Tutor support
We’ll support you every step of the way throughout your learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need quickly and easily.
Provided by our Academic Support team (our dedicated team of expert tutors):
- LiveChat (instant feedback)
- Email (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
- Online community (we’ll get back to you within 4 hrs)
Testing and mocks
We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams. All study options come with the following:
Online learning modules
MyKaplan interactive modules that guide you through each syllabus area.
Knowledge checks
10 multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after an online learning module day during the Knowledge phase.
Consolidation Test
20 multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan after a number of online learning modules days during the Knowledge phase.
Progress Tests
Progress tests are exam-style tests to check your progress and get you ready for sitting your mock exams. They are marked by the Kaplan marking team and a recorded debrief of the tests will be provided after you’ve sat them so you can tailor any follow-up work and concentrate on areas that need more attention.
Tricky topic tutorials
10-15 minute tutor debrief on challenging areas of the syllabus.
Mock exams
Mock exams mimic the real exams. They are taken during the Exam Preparation phase of the course and can be found on MyKaplan. They are marked by the Kaplan marking team, who will provide tailored feedback so you can focus on areas you found difficult or could improve.
MyKaplan: online learning environment
play_circle_filled Watch our video explaining MyKaplan (1:26)
MyKaplan is an online learning portal with practical resources to help you prepare for your exams.
Online features
- View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
- Contact a tutor directly using live chat or email
- Complete tests and get instant feedback
- Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
- See instantly when your assessments have been marked
- Access on mobile, tablet, computer or through the dedicated mobile app
Access duration
Live Online
You will be able to access your content for six months after the exam sitting, with one three month free extension on request.
OnDemand
As long as the subscription is active, content will be made available.
Recorded Online (September sitting - BPB and BPI only)
You will be able to access your content for three months after the exam sitting, with one three month free extension on request.
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