The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a professional accountancy body offering a globally recognised qualification and professional development for those looking to build a career in accountancy and finance.

For those working towards a professional accountancy career, choosing the right training provider is an important decision that can influence your learning experience and exam preparation.

With different providers offering different study methods, resources, course schedules and levels of support, it can be difficult to know what to compare.

To help you make an informed decision, Kaplan conducted a survey between June and July 2026 among new Kaplan ACCA learners and prospective learners. The goal was to identify the key factors influencing a learner's choice of ACCA training provider. Using this insight, we explore the key themes and offer a factual comparison of training providers based on these important criteria.1

Our aim isn't to tell you which provider to choose, but to give you a useful starting point for your own research.

The key decision factors for ACCA learners

When surveyed, the 115 new Kaplan ACCA learners and 157 prospective learners were asked:

What matters most to you when choosing a training provider? Please rate the importance of the following factors:

Respondents rated each factor from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the highest importance. The table below shows the average score for each factor:

We've taken a closer look at the factors learners rated most highly, to help you understand what to consider when comparing your options.

ACCA study materials and learning resources

Study materials and resources can play an important role in how you prepare for your ACCA exams. But with different providers and study methods available, it can be difficult to know how to assess the quality and suitability of the resources you'll be using.

When comparing your options, consider the following:

ACCA recognition and approval

What to ask: Does the provider have ACCA recognition for its learning materials?

How to check: ACCA has separate programmes for organisations providing learning materials and tuition. Its Content Partner programme relates specifically to learning materials, while its Approved Learning Partner programme recognises providers offering ACCA tuition and support.

Kaplan Publishing is currently one of ACCA's two global Content Partners, alongside BPP Learning Media. You can check ACCA's website for information about a publisher's current status.

Currency and syllabus alignment

What to ask: Are the materials aligned with the current ACCA syllabus and examinable documents?

How to check: Check when the materials were last updated and how the provider responds to syllabus and exam changes.

Practice and revision

What to ask: Do the resources give you enough opportunities to apply what you've learned?

How to check: Look for practice questions, tests, mock exams and revision resources. Check whether these are included as part of your course or require an additional purchase.

Learning format

What to ask: Do the materials suit the way you prefer to study?

How to check: Consider whether the provider offers digital or printed materials or a mix of both, interactive resources, or sample content. If available, use a free trial or sample materials to get a feel for the learning experience.

ACCA course content and curriculum

The ACCA qualification has a defined syllabus, but the way that syllabus is delivered can differ between training providers.

When comparing providers, consider both their ACCA recognition and how their course is structured to help you work through the syllabus.

Provider standards

What to ask: Does the provider meet ACCA's standards for delivering the qualification?

How to check: ACCA has three levels of Approved Learning Partner status: Silver, Gold and Platinum, with Platinum being the highest level available to providers teaching the ACCA qualification.

The framework recognises providers that meet requirements across areas including course management, course delivery and learner support.

Platinum Approved Learning Partners are also required to demonstrate learner pass rates that exceed global averages for the majority of the exams they teach. Kaplan holds Platinum Approved Learning Partner status.

Always look for learning providers who hold official ACCA approval; you can verify this by looking for the ACCA Approved Learning Partner logo on their website or by using the ACCA's Learning Partner Directory.

Teaching approach

What to ask: How will I be taught and supported throughout the course?

How to check: Look at the balance of tutor-led teaching, guided learning, independent study and opportunities to ask questions.

Course structure

What to ask: How is learning divided between teaching, practice and revision?

How to check: Review the course structure and timetable before enrolling. Look for a balance of teaching, practice and revision.

Exam preparation

What to ask: How much guidance is provided around exam technique?

How to check: Check whether mock exams, question practice and exam-focused revision are included in the course.

Flexibility of study methods

For many ACCA learners, flexibility can be important when balancing study with work and other commitments.

The options available can vary between providers, so we have provided a table below that compares the study methods offered by selected ACCA training providers.2

Learning providers often use different names for similar study options (e.g., Online Classroom, OnDemand, Online). To ensure a fair and objective comparison, we have mapped offerings from a selection of training providers into four categories, based on how the training is delivered:

• Face-to-Face (Classroom): Traditional, scheduled physical classroom tuition with a tutor.
• Live Online: Scheduled, interactive online classes held in real time with a tutor.
• OnDemand / Online: Pre-recorded videos and structured content that you can access anytime.
• Distance Learning / Self-Study: Independent study resources, where learning is entirely self-paced.

A study method being available doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the right fit for you. When comparing options, consider:

Attendance requirements

What to ask: How much scheduled attendance is required?

How to check: Look at the timetable and check how much of the course requires you to attend at a set time or location.

Study around your commitments

What to ask: Can I study at times that fit around my work and other commitments?

How to check: Check whether sessions are scheduled at fixed times and whether recordings or flexible learning options are available.

Tutor and academic support

What to ask: What academic or tutor support is available?

How to check: Look at what support is included for each study method, including access to tutors, opportunities to ask questions, and guidance outside scheduled sessions. If tutor support is promised, check how it is delivered, such as through live Q&A sessions, email, or dedicated forums, and whether there are any response time guarantees.

Changing study methods

What to ask: Can I change my study method if my circumstances change?

How to check: Check whether you can move between study methods and whether any restrictions or additional costs apply.

Flexibility of course scheduling

Study method is only one part of flexibility. Course schedules can vary depending on the ACCA exam sitting and location.

If you're planning your studies around work or other commitments, check the specific course dates rather than assuming that every provider follows the same schedule. Consider:

Course availability

What to ask: Does the course run for the ACCA exam sitting you're planning to take?

How to check: Check whether the provider offers regular course dates for Applied Knowledge, as these exams are on demand and can be taken at any time, so you can begin your studies when it suits you. For the later ACCA levels, check the provider's course dates for the relevant March, June, September, or December sitting.

Missed sessions

What to ask: What happens if I can't attend a scheduled session?

How to check: Check whether recordings or alternative learning resources are available.

The best way to compare schedules is to check the provider's course page or or timetables for the specific ACCA exam you're planning to take. Look at the dates, delivery format and terms before enrolling.

ACCA pass rates

Pass rates were one of the factors considered by surveyed learners when choosing an ACCA training provider.

When comparing pass rates, it's important to understand exactly what a published figure represents, as providers may calculate and present their results differently.

For example, Kaplan Live Online learners achieved a 72% pass rate across 169 Audit and Assurance (AA) exams taken at the June 2025 sitting.3

For comparison, ACCA reported a 44% global pass rate for Audit and Assurance (AA) in the June 2025 sitting.

These figures shouldn't be treated as a prediction of an individual's result. Exam performance can depend on factors including preparation, prior knowledge, study time and the particular exam being taken. When comparing published pass rates, consider:

Cohort size

What to ask: How many learners or exams are represented?

How to check: Check whether the pass rate figure is based on a number of learners, exams taken, or another measure. A larger cohort may provide a broader picture of results.

Study method

What to ask: Which study method does the figure cover?

How to check: Check whether the pass rate figure relates to classroom, Live Online, OnDemand or another study method.

Calculation method

What to ask: How has the pass rate been calculated?

How to check: Look at the provider's methodology and check what is included in the calculation before comparing it with other published figures.

This information can help you understand whether published pass rates are genuinely comparable.

Making your final decision

Choosing an ACCA training provider is ultimately about finding an approach that works for your circumstances and preferred way of learning.

When comparing your options, consider the quality and currency of the study materials, how the ACCA syllabus is delivered, the study methods and schedules available, and how published pass rates have been calculated.

No matter where you are in your ACCA study journey, studying with a proven provider like Kaplan can give you the confidence and support you need to prepare for your exams and progress towards your career goals.

Before making your final decision, consider exploring free trial options to assess whether the study method and sample course material align with your preferences. You can also explore Kaplan's ACCA courses to find out more about the study options available.

Most importantly, check the latest information directly with ACCA and each training provider before making your decision, as course availability, pricing, study methods and schedules can change.

Sources and methodology

1. A total of 115 new Kaplan ACCA learners and 157 prospective learners who chose different providers responded to a survey conducted between June and July 2026. Respondents were asked: What matters most to you when choosing a training provider, and were asked to rate factors in order of importance.
2. A comparative analysis of the study methods offered by ten training providers (Kaplan, Acowtancy, BPP, Eagle, EXP, First Intuition, HTFT, Learn Signal, LSBF and StaySharp) was conducted in August 2026 through a review of their respective official websites.
3. Kaplan Live Online learners achieved a 72% pass rate across 169 AA exams taken at the June 2025 sitting. The ACCA global AA pass rate for the same sitting was 44%.

Information and provider availability can change. Readers should check the latest information directly with ACCA and individual training providers before making a decision.