ACA Professional
The ACA Professional is the second of three levels that make up the full ACA qualification by the ICAEW. This level builds on your Certificate Level knowledge and teaches you how to apply technical knowledge to real-life scenarios.
Becoming ACA qualified can put you on the right path to becoming a chartered accounting professional in Malaysia, as well as increase your employability for future career opportunities.
At Kaplan, we're the leading provider of online ACA courses. Our range of OnDemand, Live Online part-time study options can help you achieve your ACA qualification, in the most efficient and flexible way.
To find out more about ICAEW (the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) and how our Kaplan courses can advance your professional skill set, keep reading.
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About ACA Professional
Entry requirements
It's recommended that you first pass the ACA Certificate exams to progress onto the ACA Professional.
If you're a graduate, you can apply for up to eight paper credits including the following Professional level ACA (ICAEW) exams:
- Business Strategy and Technology
- Financial Management
To find out more about credits for prior learning for the ACA Professional qualification, go to the official ICAEW website.
Course outline
The ACA Professional consists of six modules. Included in the six modules is one Business Planning Module. Learners have the opportunity to pick one of three Business Planning options: Taxation, Banking or Insurance. These modules allow you 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
Final examinations
There is a mandatory, computer-based examination at the end of each of the six modules in the ACA Professional. Each examination lasts 2.5 hours, apart from Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) which is 3 hours. The pass mark for these exams is 55%.
Learners can take these examinations in any order within the four ICAEW exam sittings in a year - March, June, September, and December.
Note that you can only sit the Business Planning: Banking (BPB) and Business Planning: Insurance (BPI) modules at the June, September and December sittings.
Once you have successfully passed all six of these modules and have received your ACA Professional certification, you can progress onto the ACA Advanced level. This is the final of three levels that make up the full ACA qualification in accounting.
Where can you sit your ACA Professional exams?
With Kaplan's online courses and remote learning packages, you can study for the ACA Professional wherever you are. However, you must travel to an ICAEW approved test centre to sit your examinations or take your exam via remote invigilation.
Six-monthly reviews
Learners must meet with their employer at least every six months, as per the ACA training agreement for this certification. You can use these meetings to discuss your progress with the qualification, how your professional skill set is improving and your practical work experience and exams.
How long does it take to complete your ACA Professional?
It takes most learners 12 months to complete their ACA Professional qualification, however, this can vary depending on how you choose to study. To complete the entire qualification, you must have a minimum of 450 practical work experience days, so don’t forget to fit them around your study.
Why study with Kaplan?
As remote learning specialists, our flexible courses have been specially designed for learners to become ACA certified on their own terms - and on their own schedule..
Over the last 85 years, we’ve helped thousands of learners achieve their ACA qualifications around the world. From India to Malaysia, we are proud to provide learners with award-winning online classes on a global scale, taught by the largest and most experienced ACA tutoring team in the UK.
Our expert tutors in the Academic Support Team are available 7 days a week to support you through every stage of your ACA Professional. Whether you need specific exam guidance or more detailed feedback on marked assessments, you can reach out anytime through:
- LiveChat: Get instant feedback from our tutor team.
- Email support: Receive a response within 4 hours.
- Online community: Ask your fellow learners and get support from tutors within 4 hours.
Course materials
Both Live Online and OnDemand learners will receive an ACA Professional Kaplan workbook that covers key areas of the syllabus and provides essential question practice. This workbook is also fully integrated with Kaplan’s online content.
Learners can choose whether to have a printed or online version of this resource.
If you're studying for your ACA Professional by attending our Live Online classes, you'll also receive ICAEW's workbook and question bank within the price of your course. These are needed for every subject and are available in an eBook format only.
Those completing their ACA qualification with Kaplan’s award-winning OnDemand classes need to purchase ICAEW's workbook and question bank separately. These materials are needed for every subject and are available in eBook format only. You may also need other materials, known as permitted texts.
Find out more about permitted texts
Delivery time for physical copies is between 3 and 5 working days (subject to availability) and costs RM60.
MyKaplan
Malaysian learners completing their ACA Professional with Kaplan also get access to our online learning platform. MyKaplan contains many practical resources to help learners prepare for their ACA final exams.
Use MyKaplan on your mobile device or tablet or use our MyKaplan mobile app to view all your course materials in one place. You can also use the platform to contact your Kaplan tutor or test your knowledge with instant feedback, among many other things.
Continuous testing and mock exams
Regular testing and mock examinations help learners feel prepared for their ACA exams and have been proven to increase the chances of getting your ACA qualification first time.
Those studying for their ACA Professional with Kaplan will have the following tests and assessments throughout their course:
- Knowledge checks: Check your learning with multiple choice questions set on MyKaplan during the Knowledge phase.
- Progress test: These exam-style tests check your progress in preparation for sitting your mock exams. Progress tests are marked internally by the Kaplan marking team so you can focus your studies on areas that need more attention.
- Consolidation test: Similar to knowledge checks, consolidation tests see how much information you have retained by asking 20 multiple choice questions during the Knowledge phase.
- Mock exams: These mimic the real ACA exams and are sat during the Exam Preparation part of your course. Learners will receive tailored feedback from the Kaplan marking team which they can use to make their final revision push the most effective yet.
- Tricky topic tutorials: A brief 10-15 minute tutor debrief explaining the most challenging topics in the syllabus.
Learn flexibly with Kaplan
Completing an ACA in accounting while balancing family commitments and full-time work can be difficult - but at Kaplan, we understand the busy lives of Malaysian learners.
All our ACA courses, including the ACA Professional, can be studied completely remotely and using flexible study methods. Prepare for your future by choosing the learning programme that best suits your current lifestyle
Live Online
Benefit from the structure and support of a traditional classroom course, but from the comfort of your own study space! Join other learners from around the world in an interactive classroom, and learn from our experienced team of ACA tutors in real-time.
Discover the ACA Live Online timetable
OnDemand
Our most flexible study method for Malaysian learners; our OnDemand courses allow you to learn at your own pace and around your own schedule - but with the high level of support needed to ace your examinations and become ACA certified.
You can find out whether 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):
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.
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 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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