ACCA foundation level

i think you should start at the foundations level or F1. even if you think you know a little in accounting F1 is a good refresher.

I am also a graduate with no financial experience. I started with F1 which is fine with no experience as it is all theory and doesn’t really contain any accountancy material. I started F2 and F3 but struggled a little, not because the content was too difficult but just that it was all completely new to me (I likened it to driving, very easy once someone has shown you how to do it, but if you had never been in a car before, you wouldn’t have a clue). I was also pregnant so didn’t want to be revising for F2 and F3 and then have to put the exams off for months and have to start over again. I therefore looked at AAT and it seemed to fit in with my circumstances (I believe it is similar to the ACCA FIA, so in hindsight, perhaps I should have looked at that). I found AAT very easy, as it assumes no knowledge and works from there. I completed all three levels of AAT in 6 months (lots of exams but in more bite sized chunks than ACCA (so I could fit them around the birth). I then sat F2 and F3 (I was exempt due to AAT but wanted to ensure that I had covered everything before I went onto the higher exams). This time, I found F2 and 3 very easy (90+% in both). So, basically, what I’m trying to say is, F2 and 3 are not difficult but you might need to learn the basics first. I did AAT and F2 and F3 in 6 months so I don’t think doing AAT first particularly held me up, and as a result, I am much more confident as I know that I know the basics inside out. The downside is that It cost me a lot more money as I had to pay for lots of AAT books and exams. However, I self study so I’ve probably still spent less than someone who has attended classes for F1-3.

It’s not clear from your posts if you have differentiated between FIA and the main ACCA qualification. The FIA modules are similar to the AAT qualification I mentioned, and can lead on to the main ACCA qualification. As a graduate you would be eligible to start on the main ACCA qualification, starting at F1. You wouldn’t receive any exemptions at all as you don’t have a relevant degree. Think of FIA as a completely separate qualification to ACCA, but FIA is a great intro to ACCA if you have no prior knowledge (plus the last few modules of FIA are the same as the first 3 of ACCA so you would start ACCA at F4). People without the qualifications to go straight onto ACCA would have to do FIA or AAT first.

@fizzedine said:
You see my degree is computer science, I have to do the intro cert as well as intermediate cert I believe. ACCA says I can’t be exempt from any modules. I also have 4 gcses and 1 a level :s

Let me lay out my background.
1. My degree is in Chemistry. I never did a days worth of accounting in my life (school or otherwise) before i started ACCA. I was immediately registered into the Professional programme, since I satisfied the requirement to either have A’levels or a degree.

Since you have a degree, you will be registered as an ACCA student and your progression will be: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, P1, P2, P3 and any two from P4, P5, P6, P7. You should not have to register for FIA.