ACCA Qualification Changes 2027: What Students Need to Know
If you are studying ACCA, or thinking about starting, you may have heard that the qualification is changing. ACCA has confirmed that the current ACCA Qualification is being redesigned, with the first exams under the new structure arriving in 2027. That is not far away, so now is a good time to understand what it means for you.
In this guide we explain, in plain English, what the new structure looks like, the key dates in the ACCA timeline, how your existing passes carry across, and what you can do now to keep your studies on track. Everything here is based on ACCA’s own published guidance on its future ACCA Qualification pages, so do check those pages for the latest detail as ACCA confirms exact dates.
What is changing with the ACCA Qualification?
Today, the ACCA Qualification has three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional. In the redesign, ACCA has reorganised this into three main levels – Knowledge, Expertise and Strategic Professional – plus a new Foundations route for students who don’t meet the minimum entry criteria.
Under the new structure, according to ACCA:
- Foundations: F1 Accounts Preparation, F2 Management Information and Costing, and F3 Decision Making with Data.
- Knowledge: K1 Financial Accounting, K2 Management Accounting and K3 Business Law.
- Expertise: E1 Taxation, E2 Financial Reporting, E3 Audit, Risk and Control, E4 Finance and Investment, and E5 Performance with Data Analysis.
- Strategic Professional: S1 Business and Sustainability Reporting and S2 Strategic Business Leader, plus one Options exam chosen from Audit and Assurance, Corporate Finance, Data Science, Performance and Insights, or Taxation Advisory.
ACCA is also adding Essential Employability Modules alongside the exams, covering areas such as enterprise, responsible business, digital technology and ethical leadership. The exams are being numbered to show a recommended order for taking them, which should make planning simpler for new learners.
Key dates in the ACCA transition timeline
ACCA’s published timeline sets out the main milestones. The most important ones for students are:
- June 2027: the final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams. After this session, students move across to the new qualification.
- May 2027: entry opens for the September 2027 session – the first chance to enter Expertise and Strategic Professional exams.
- July 2027: the first opportunity to sit the new on-demand Foundations and Knowledge exams.
- September 2027: the first sitting of the new Expertise and Strategic Professional exams, with results released in October 2027.
Some deadlines, such as those for completing the current Applied Knowledge exams and the Ethics and Professional Skills Module, are given by ACCA as mid-July 2027, with exact dates still to be confirmed. Keep an eye on ACCA’s guidance as these are finalised.
Will I keep the exams I have already passed?
This is the question most students ask first, and the answer is reassuring. ACCA states: “Your existing progress will be recognised”. Where an equivalent element exists in the new qualification, you receive credit for it.
ACCA’s guidance for current ACCA students maps the current exams to the new ones. For example:
- Applied Knowledge: FA becomes K1, MA becomes K2, and LW maps to K3. BT has no direct exam equivalent, so students who haven’t passed BT will need to complete the Responsible Business Management module instead.
- Applied Skills: TX maps to E1, FR to E2, AA to E3, FM to E4 and PM to E5.
- Strategic Professional: SBR maps to S1 and SBL to S2. The current options also map across: AAA to Audit and Assurance, AFM to Corporate Finance, ATX to Taxation Advisory and APM to Performance and Insights.
ACCA also explains that students will progress through the new levels in order, and must enter all outstanding elements of their current level before moving on to the next one.
What happens to the Ethics and Professional Skills Module?
The Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM) will not be part of the redesigned qualification. ACCA says students who want to complete it must do so by mid-July 2027 (exact date to be confirmed).
The good news is that completing EPSM before the transition gives you credit for the new Ethical, Sustainable Leadership module at Strategic Professional level. ACCA also continues to recommend completing EPSM before you sit any current Strategic Professional exam, to give yourself the best chance of success.
On practical experience, ACCA says there will be no changes to the existing Practical Experience Requirement (PER) in 2027. In future, it plans to let students gain up to six months of PER through simulated experience in selected optional modules, with details to follow.
What should current ACCA students do now?
Whatever stage you are at, a little planning now can save time and money later. Here are some practical steps:
- Use ACCA’s transition tool. ACCA provides a tool on its future qualification page showing how the changes affect you personally.
- Aim to finish your current level if you can. ACCA’s guidance sets the June 2027 session as the deadline for completing Applied Skills exams. If you complete all Applied Skills exams, including LW, before the transition, you won’t need to take the Digital Tech and Innovation module.
- Prioritise the Essentials at Strategic Professional. ACCA suggests that if you have passed one Options exam but not both Essentials, focusing on your remaining Essentials may help you reach membership faster.
- Book EPSM in good time. If you plan to complete it, don’t leave it until the last minute.
- Remember the seven-year rule. ACCA confirms you must complete Strategic Professional within seven years of passing your first exam at that level, and this rule is unchanged.
If you are juggling study with a job, our guide on passing accounting exams while working full-time has tips on building a realistic study plan.
Should new students start ACCA now or wait?
There is no single right answer – it depends on your circumstances. Starting now means any exams you pass will carry across where equivalents exist, so you won’t lose progress. Waiting means you would start directly on the new structure from July 2027.
Under the new qualification, ACCA says students who meet the minimum entry criteria will start at the Knowledge level, while those who don’t will complete the Foundations level first. If you are unsure which route suits you, our ACCA exams page and course advisers can help you think through the options. Career changers may also find our article on moving from bookkeeping to chartered accountancy useful.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose the ACCA exams I have already passed?
No. ACCA says existing progress will be recognised, and you will get credit for completed elements where an equivalent exists in the redesigned qualification.
When is the last sitting of the current ACCA exams?
ACCA’s timeline lists June 2027 as the final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams. Some other deadlines are mid-July 2027, with exact dates to be confirmed.
How many Strategic Professional Options exams will I need?
Under the new structure, one Options exam plus the two core exams. If you want to finish under the current rules before transition, you need both Essentials and two Options.
Conclusion
The 2027 changes are a significant update to the ACCA Qualification, but they don’t need to be stressful. Your passes carry across where equivalents exist, the key dates are published, and with a clear plan you can keep moving towards membership. Check ACCA’s official guidance regularly as exact dates are confirmed, and plan your next exams with the timeline in mind.
Ready to take your next step? Explore our ACCA courses – available in the classroom, live online and by distance learning – and get expert support to help you pass your exams with confidence.
Photo by Gustavo Tambani on Unsplash
