ACCA Foundations

1. Structure

ACCA Foundations is the perfect place to start if you are new to accountancy, or if you’re already working in finance but have no formal qualifications. You can achieve certificates and diplomas along the way before progressing onto the ACCA qualification.

There are no minimum entry requirements - you can start at any level. However, it’s recommended you start at Level 2 if you have no formal qualifications, especially if it’s been a while since you completed any studies. ACCA Foundations begins at GCSE level and progresses up to the equivalent of the first year of a bachelor's degree.

ACCA Foundations comprises a number of awards:

• ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (Level 2) - 2 subjects: Recording Financial Transactions (FA1) and Management Information (MA1)
• ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (Level 3) - 2 subjects: Managing Financial Records (FA2) and Managing Costs and Finance (MA2)
• ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (Level 4) - Business and Technology (FBT)*,  Management Accounting (FMA), and Financial Accounting (FFA)
  
  *Accountant in Business (FAB) is changing its name to Business and Technology (FBT) from September 2020. The change better reflects the existing exam syllabus and the increasing role technology has in the accounting profession.
• Certified Accounting Technician - the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business plus two exams from the following, and one year's relevant practical experience in an accounting role, to show you can use your knowledge from the exams in the workplace.
  
  
  • FTX - Foundations in Taxation
  • FFM - Foundations in Financial Management
  • FAU - Foundations in Audit

You’ll also need to complete a professionalism and ethics module, called Foundations in Professionalism, before you can be awarded any of the Foundation-level qualifications. This is an online, interactive module which will help you understand what it means to act professionally and ethically at work. It can be completed before or after your Foundation-level exams, at your own pace.

Entry requirements

You don’t need any qualifications to study the Foundation-level qualifications, just a willingness to learn. They are a great place to start if you’re new to accountancy, or work in finance and have no accountancy credentials.

Syllabus

ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (Level 2)

ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (Level 3)

ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (Level 4)

Certified Accounting Technician

2. Study methods

Do you prefer face-to-face learning? Online learning in your own time? Have family or work commitments? We have three study methods that suit different learning styles, to fit around your life. You’ll benefit from award-winning tutors, practical learning methods, and ongoing support, even after your exams.

Study methods available for this qualification

You can be confident in your exams whatever study method you choose, as we offer hundreds of practice questions and marked mock exams. We provide expert support during evenings and weekends, and we have flexible study methods and course start dates.

grid_on Study method comparison table

Timetables - Classroom and Live Online

date_rangeView timetables

3. Exams and sittings

Timings and working towards a sitting

Paper-based exams are available in June and December. You can sit as many exams at a sitting as you like. It’s recommended to sit a maximum of 4 subjects in each 6 month period.

Both computer-based and paper-based exams consist of 50 2-mark multiple-choice questions for subjects FA1 and MA1.

Computer based exams can be sat at any time.

Both computer-based and paper-based exams consist of 50 2-mark multiple-choice questions for subjects FA2 and MA2, however the computer-based exam also contains different types of objective test questions. These different types of questions are number entry, multiple response and multiple response matching, which are used in addition to multiple choice questions.

Both computer-based and paper-based exams consist of:

• Business and Technology (FBT) - 16 x 1 mark objective test questions (OTQs), 30 x 2 mark OTQs, and 6 x 4 mark multi-task questions (MTQs)
• Management Accounting (FMA) - 35 x 2 mark OTQs, 3 x 10 mark MTQs
• Financial Accounting (FFA) - 35 x 2 mark OTQs, 2 x 15 mark MTQs

Both computer-based and paper-based exams consist of:

• Foundations in Taxation (FTX) and Foundations in Audit (FAU) - 10 OTQs ranging between 1 - 3 marks, 9 long form questions ranging between 6 - 15 marks
• Foundations in Financial Management (FFM) - 10 OTQs ranging between 1 - 3 marks, 6 long form questions ranging between 10 - 20 marks

Recording Financial Transactions (FA1), Management Information (MA1), Managing Financial Records (FA2), Managing Costs and Finance (MA2), Business and Technology (FBT), Management Accounting (FMA), and Financial Accounting (FFA) are all computer based exams.

You can sit all exams with Kaplan apart from FTX, FFM and FAU which have to be booked directly with ACCA.

Book an exam

Book an FTX, FFM or FAU exam directly with ACCAlaunch

How long does it take to pass?

It will take around one year to complete the higher level subjects, if you start from the introductory certificate. However, there’s no time limit, so you can complete the subjects as quickly or slowly as you like.

4. Study materials and delivery costs

Study materials

Classroom and Live Online students will receive printed and online study materials, while Distance Learning students have the option of printed or online only.

We provide:

• Study text

  A textbook covering the full subject syllabus with worked examples and activities. We’re an ACCA-approved content provider, so you can be confident our study text contains everything you need to be successful in your exam.

• Pocket notes

  Our pocket notes are pocket-sized, brief revision notes that highlight and prioritise the essential topics you need to understand to pass your exams.

• Study programme (FA1-MA2, FFM, FAU and FTX. Incorporated into course for FBT, FMA and FFA)

  Outlines the course structure, providing guidance on what to do, and when..

• Integrated workbook (for Classroom/Live Online FBT, FFA, FMA courses only)

  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.

• Exam kit

  The exam kit gives you plenty of exam style questions and answers to test your knowledge and practice.

• Recorded tutorials (FBT, FFA and FFM only)

  Additional video tutorials to assist your understanding or recap tricky topics for revision purposes.

To buy the materials separately...

You can buy ACCA approved books for each subject on this level from Kaplan Publishing.

Buy ACCA bookslaunch

Delivery costs

5. MyKaplan: online learning environment

MyKaplan is an online learning portal with practical resources to help you prepare for your exams.

Online features

• check
  View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
• check
  Contact a tutor directly using live chat. You can also email or request a callback (UK only).
• check
  Complete tests and get instant feedback
• check
  Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
• check
  See instantly when your assessments have been marked
• check
  Access on mobile, tablet, computer or through the dedicated mobile app
• check
  Access to VideoBank - hundreds of tutor-led videos to help you get the most out of your course.

Access duration

Your chosen study method determines how long you can access your content for.

Classroom
Three months from the last lesson date, three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

Live Online
Three months from the last lesson date, three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

OnDemand
Six months from first day of selected start month, with three months free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

Distance Learning
12 months from first day of selected start month, with one three months free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

All extensions will be for the existing content, and will not include any updated content.

computerMinimum system requirements for MyKaplan

6. Tutor support

We'll support you every step of the way throughout your Foundations 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):

• Live chat (instant response via online messenger system)
• Email (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
• Discussion forum (we’ll get back to you within 4 hrs)
• Request a callback so you can speak to a tutor (we’ll arrange a call with you within 24 hours). Please note request a callback is only available to UK based students.
• Course tutor for Classroom and Live Online courses only. You'll be provided with contact details by your own tutor during your first lesson, to enable you to request assistance out of scheduled sessions.

7. 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:

Knowledge checks (FBT, FMA, FFA)
As you go along, knowledge checks help assess your understanding of a topic before you move onto the next one.

Consolidation Test & Progress Test
Exam-style assessments with personalised feedback, to gain a better understanding of how each topic is tested and how to improve your performance.

3 x ACCA practice tests (all auto-marked online) (not for FAU, FFM, FTX)
ACCA Practice Tests replicate the format of Computer Based Exams (CBEs) and help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses before you take an exam.

8. Pricing structure

Subject prices can differ depending on your study method, location and the time you choose to study (if you’re choosing Classroom). For example, studying in the centre of London on a weekend is a popular choice, so it will be more expensive. Go to our study methods page to learn more about each option.

Subjects are all priced individually, so you can purchase them altogether (for a discount), or separately as you need them. This also helps you split the cost to make it more affordable.

Funding options

Employer sponsored ›

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning. You'll need to speak to them to see if you're eligible and whether they would be willing to fund the cost.