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ACCA Applied Knowledge

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Overview

Develop your understanding of essential financial, business and management accounting techniques with ACCA Applied Knowledge. You’ll learn basic business and management principles and the skills required of an accountant working in business.

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Average duration

6-12 months

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Assessments

3 exams

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Kaplan pass rates*

72%

*Kaplan Live Online learners achieved a 72% pass rate across 169 AA exams taken at the June 2025 sitting. For comparison, the global average pass rate was 44%.

Timetables

Programmes are running regularly throughout the year. View our timetables for scheduled Classroom and Live Online sessions to see when the next one is running.

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Who it’s for

Entry requirements

If you're AAT qualified, you're exempt from this level and can start ACCA Applied Skills straight away.

If you've graduated with a degree accredited by ACCA, you may be eligible for exemptions from both Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills.

You can check whether you're eligible and should apply for any exemptions on the ACCA website before you start applying.

Learning outcomes from the course

Applied Knowledge focuses on the role of accounting in the business environment and developing the practical skills and techniques required of an accountant. You will learn about business and technology and how different systems interact with each other, and the underlying concepts of financial and management accounting. By the end of this level you’ll be able to do double entry accounting, and prepare financial statements.

Once complete, you can move on to Applied Skills.

Apprenticeships

You may be eligible for an apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances.

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I'd recommend Kaplan because there's lots of content and many different study options. The tutors are extremely passionate about the subjects they teach.

Kacper Prejs
Kacper Prejs Kaplan ACCA learner

Compulsory

Business and Technology (BT)

This subject will introduce you to basic business principles and how the different systems within business interact with each other.

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  • The business organisation, stakeholders and the external environment for business
  • Accounting, reporting and financial systems, internal controls and fraudulent behaviour
  • Leadership and managing teams and individuals
  • Personal effectiveness and communication
  • Professional ethics in accounting and business

Compulsory

Management Accounting (MA)

You'll learn accountancy techniques to support management in planning, controlling and monitoring performance in a range of business contexts.

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  • The nature, source and purpose of management information
  • Data analysis and statistical techniques
  • Cost accounting techniques
  • Budgeting
  • Standard costing
  • Performance Measurement

Compulsory

Financial Accounting (FA)

You'll learn the underlying concepts relating to financial accounting and develop proficiency in techniques, such as double entry accounting and the preparation of basic financial statements.

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  • The context and purpose of financial reporting
  • Accounting principles, concepts and qualitative characteristics
  • The use of double-entry and accounting systems
  • Recording transactions and events
  • Reconciliations
  • Preparing a trial balance, financial statements and basic consolidated financial statements
  • Interpretation of financial statements

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Exams

ACCA Applied Knowledge

Computer Based Exams

You must pass all three mandatory exams to complete this level, they can be sat in any order. Although Kaplan would recommend sitting Financial Accounting (FA) before Management Accounting (MA). All exams are on demand and computer based (CBE) assessing all areas of the syllabus.

CBEs can be sat at Kaplan Centres.

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Courses

Inc VAT, excludes exams

Classroom from £609
Live Online from £569
OnDemand from £449
Distance Learning from £359
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Everything you need to succeed

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Expert material

Our courses include expert content, designed to help you pass your exams. As an ACCA Content Partner, we provide printed and digital study materials, as well as marked mock exams and practice questions.

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Academic support

Our team of 50+ finance experts and advisors provide gold-standard personalised academic support 7 days a week. We offer exam strategies, study plans, and proactive resit advice.

Gold-standard support

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Pass Guarantee

If your results aren't as expected, we provide free access to extra content, extended tutor support, and guidance for resitting until you pass your exams.

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Skills for career success

Free access to our award-winning OnDemand skills and behaviours modules — designed to help you thrive in your career.

Build career skills

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The science of learning

We offer dynamic courses based on insights from learning scientists and industry professionals. Our data-driven teaching methods ensure student success and progression.

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Accessibility and well-being support

We're committed to inclusive learning environments, accessibility and support for all. From our extensive resource library to confidential well-being guidance, we empower every learner to succeed.

Our social responsibility

Course includes

  • Digital Study Text powered by BibliUTextbook covering the full subject syllabus with worked examples and activities.
  • Study programmeOutlines the course structure, providing guidance on what to do, and when.
  • Printed Integrated workbook*The integrated workbook helps you work through the syllabus, with room to write your notes. It helps you keep everything in one place to make it easy to study and revise from.
  • Printed Pocket NotesPocket-sized, brief revision notes that highlight and prioritise the essential topics you need to understand to pass ACCA’s exams.
  • Digital Exam Kit powered by BibliUGives you plenty of exam style questions and answers to test your knowledge and practice. Study smarter, not harder, it includes our recommended revision approach and a revision plan, and exam technique guide.
  • Exam preparation resourcesRegular knowledge checks will help assess your understanding of a topic before you move onto the next one. You’ll enhance your understanding with exam preparation tests, consolidation tests, and progress tests. Finally, take part in 3 practice tests that evaluate your performance across the syllabus, highlight your strengths and weaknesses, and help you plan your revision efficiently before the actual exam.
  • Personalised online study spaceMyKaplan is an online learning portal that allows you to access your course content, additional online materials, and contact your tutors in one place. Learn More

*Not included in Distance Learning.

Study methods

Get everything you need to succeed, along with tailored features depending on which study method you choose.

Feature

Classroom
from £609

Free trial

Live Online
from £569

Free trial

OnDemand
from £449

Free trial

Distance Learning
from £359

Free trial
Live, tutor-led classes at set times
Re-watch your lessons
Interactive online study modules
Interactive online application modules
Speak face-to-face with tutors and other learners on the same course
Speak online with learners on the same course
Pass Guarantee
Skills and behaviours modules
Study at your own pace

The lessons are very precise, there are lots of revision material available to help you prepare for your exam along with additional support if needed.

Ellie Hinckes
Ellie Hinckes Kaplan Live Online learner

The tutors have surpassed my expectations in making the classes easy to understand, interesting and enjoyable.

Frank Fagan
Frank Fagan Kaplan Classroom learner

Ways to pay

Pay for your course using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal. We also offer alternative payment methods to suit your needs.

Invoice your employer

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning.

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PayPal Pay in 3

A buy now, pay later service that splits your purchase into three equal interest-free payments. Offering a flexible way to spread the cost.

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Become a Kaplan client

If you're looking to train your staff and upskill your organisation, you can register as a Kaplan client.

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Alternatively, you can apply for one of our payment plans. Spread the cost by paying monthly, so you can focus on learning and passing exams.