ACCA Exam Dates 2026: Complete Timetable for All Sessions
Everything You Need to Know About ACCA Exam Dates, Registration & Chartered Certified Accountant Qualification
Planning to take ACCA exams in 2026? This comprehensive guide covers all ACCA exam dates for March, June, September, and December sessions, including registration deadlines, fees, and strategic planning for your Chartered Certified Accountant journey. Understanding the ACCA exam timetable is essential for successful career advancement in accounting and finance.
What is the ACCA Qualification?
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the global professional accounting body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification—one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized credentials in accounting, finance, and business. The ACCA qualification opens doors to careers in financial accounting, management accounting, audit, taxation, corporate finance, and strategic business leadership across public practice, industry, and public sector organizations worldwide.
The ACCA qualification consists of three progressive levels totaling 13 exams: Applied Knowledge (3 papers), Applied Skills (6 papers), and Strategic Professional (4 papers including 2 essentials and 2 options). The program combines rigorous technical knowledge with practical business skills, ethics, and professional values. With over 240,000 members and 540,000 students in 180 countries, ACCA is recognized by employers globally as the gold standard in accounting and finance qualifications.
ACCA Qualification Structure
Applied Knowledge (3 Papers)
- BT - Business and Technology
- MA - Management Accounting
- FA - Financial Accounting
Foundation level covering essential business, accounting, and technology concepts
Applied Skills (6 Papers)
- LW - Corporate and Business Law
- PM - Performance Management
- TX - Taxation
- FR - Financial Reporting
- AA - Audit and Assurance
- FM - Financial Management
Core technical skills in accounting, taxation, audit, and financial management
Strategic Professional (4 Papers)
Essentials (2 required):
- SBL - Strategic Business Leader
- SBR - Strategic Business Reporting
Options (choose 2):
- AFM - Advanced Financial Management
- APM - Advanced Performance Management
- ATX - Advanced Taxation
- AAA - Advanced Audit & Assurance
Complete ACCA Exam Dates 2026
ACCA offers four exam sessions per year in March, June, September, and December, providing maximum flexibility for students to plan their studies and career progression. Each session runs for 5 days with specific papers scheduled on different days of the week.
March 2026 ACCA Exam Dates (2-6 March)
| Day | Applied Skills Papers | Strategic Professional Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, March 2 | AA - Audit and Assurance | AAA - Advanced Audit and Assurance |
| Tuesday, March 3 | TX - Taxation | ATX - Advanced Taxation |
| Wednesday, March 4 | PM - Performance Management | SBL - Strategic Business Leader APM - Advanced Performance Management |
| Thursday, March 5 | FR - Financial Reporting | SBR - Strategic Business Reporting |
| Friday, March 6 | FM - Financial Management LW - Corporate and Business Law |
AFM - Advanced Financial Management |
March 2026 Registration: Opens November 5, 2025 | Standard Deadline: January 26, 2026 | Late Deadline: February 2, 2026 | Results: April 13, 2026
June 2026 ACCA Exam Dates (1-5 June)
| Day | Applied Skills Papers | Strategic Professional Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 1 | AA - Audit and Assurance | AAA - Advanced Audit and Assurance |
| Tuesday, June 2 | TX - Taxation | ATX - Advanced Taxation |
| Wednesday, June 3 | PM - Performance Management | SBL - Strategic Business Leader APM - Advanced Performance Management |
| Thursday, June 4 | FR - Financial Reporting | SBR - Strategic Business Reporting |
| Friday, June 5 | FM - Financial Management LW - Corporate and Business Law |
AFM - Advanced Financial Management |
June 2026 Registration: Opens February 2026 | Standard Deadline: May 4, 2026 | Late Deadline: May 11, 2026 | Results: July 13, 2026
September 2026 ACCA Exam Dates (1-5 September)
| Day | Applied Skills Papers | Strategic Professional Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, September 1 | AA - Audit and Assurance | AAA - Advanced Audit and Assurance |
| Tuesday, September 2 | TX - Taxation | ATX - Advanced Taxation SBL - Strategic Business Leader |
| Wednesday, September 3 | PM - Performance Management | APM - Advanced Performance Management |
| Thursday, September 4 | FR - Financial Reporting | SBR - Strategic Business Reporting |
| Friday, September 5 | FM - Financial Management LW - Corporate and Business Law |
AFM - Advanced Financial Management |
September 2026 Registration: Opens May 2026 | Standard Deadline: August 4, 2026 | Late Deadline: August 11, 2026 | Results: October 13, 2026
December 2026 ACCA Exam Dates (1-5 December)
| Day | Applied Skills Papers | Strategic Professional Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, December 1 | AA - Audit and Assurance | AAA - Advanced Audit and Assurance |
| Tuesday, December 2 | TX - Taxation | ATX - Advanced Taxation SBL - Strategic Business Leader |
| Wednesday, December 3 | PM - Performance Management | APM - Advanced Performance Management |
| Thursday, December 4 | FR - Financial Reporting | SBR - Strategic Business Reporting |
| Friday, December 5 | FM - Financial Management LW - Corporate and Business Law |
AFM - Advanced Financial Management |
December 2026 Registration: Opens August 2026 | Standard Deadline: October 27, 2026 | Late Deadline: November 3, 2026 | Results: January 12, 2027
Important Notes About ACCA Exam Sessions:
- Applied Knowledge papers (BT, MA, FA) available on-demand year-round at test centers
- Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams only during specific session dates
- Register early during standard entry period to save money (approximately 50% cheaper than late entry)
- You can take up to 4 papers per session depending on your level
- Download exam attendance docket 3 weeks after standard entry closes
How to Register for ACCA Exams 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
Registering for ACCA exams involves two main processes: initial ACCA student registration and exam booking for specific sessions. Follow these detailed steps for successful registration.
Create ACCA Account
Visit accaglobal.com, click 'Apply Now'. Complete registration form with personal and educational details. Upload ID, certificates, photo. Pay £89 registration fee.
Receive ACCA Number
Within 5 working days, receive confirmation email with unique ACCA registration number. Essential for all future exam bookings and portal access.
Login to myACCA
Access myACCA portal with registration number and password. Navigate to 'Book an Exam' section. This manages all exam registrations.
Select Exam Session
Choose from March, June, September, or December 2026 session. Consider prep time, study commitments, career schedule when selecting.
Choose Your Papers
Select papers from your level (Applied Knowledge/Skills/Strategic Professional). Can register for up to 4 papers per session.
Pay Exam Fees
Pay during standard entry to save: Applied Knowledge £121, Applied Skills £155, Strategic Professional £185-190. Via credit/debit card.
Select Center/Remote
Redirected to Pearson VUE. Choose test center or remote option. Select specific date within window and time slot.
Complete System Check
For remote exams only: Complete mandatory system test between booking and exam. Verify computer, internet, webcam, microphone.
Download Exam Docket
3 weeks after standard entry closes, download exam docket from myACCA. Contains test center address, time, ID requirements. Print and bring.
Required for ACCA Registration
- Valid government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or Aadhaar card)
- Educational certificates and transcripts proving eligibility
- Recent passport-sized photograph (digital format)
- Credit or debit card for registration and exam fees
- Valid email address for communications and result notifications
ACCA Exam Fees 2026
ACCA fees include one-time registration, annual subscription, and exam entry fees that vary by level and registration timing. Understanding all costs helps you budget for your complete ACCA journey.
| Fee Type | Amount (GBP) | Approx INR | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Registration | £89 | ₹10,500 | One-time fee when joining ACCA |
| Annual Subscription | £140 | ₹16,500 | Per year to maintain student status |
| Applied Knowledge (Standard) | £121 | ₹14,300 | Per paper (BT, MA, FA) |
| Applied Skills (Standard) | £155 | ₹18,300 | Per paper (6 papers total) |
| Strategic Essentials (Standard) | £190 | ₹22,400 | SBL and SBR |
| Strategic Options (Standard) | £185 | ₹21,800 | AFM, APM, ATX, AAA (choose 2) |
| Late Entry Fee | £300-420 | ₹35,400-49,500 | Approximately double standard fee |
Total Estimated ACCA Costs
Registration & Subscription
£229-509 (varies by duration: registration + annual subscription for 2-4 years)
All 13 Exam Fees
£2,278 (standard entry for all papers first attempt)
Study Materials
£300-2,000+ depending on provider (self-study books vs full courses)
Total Estimate
£2,800-4,800+ (approximately ₹3.3-5.7 lakhs for full ACCA qualification)
Cost-Saving Tip: Always register during standard entry period to save approximately 50% on exam fees compared to late entry. If registering through an Approved Learning Partner (ALP), you can save up to 80% on initial registration fee. Plan your exam schedule strategically to minimize annual subscription payments by completing qualification faster.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACCA Exam Dates
ACCA 2026 exam dates include four sessions: March 2-6, 2026; June 1-5, 2026; September 1-5, 2026; and December 1-5, 2026. Each session runs for 5 consecutive days with specific papers scheduled on different days of the week. Applied Knowledge papers (BT, MA, FA) are available on-demand year-round at test centers, while Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams are only available during these specific session windows. All exams are computer-based at Pearson VUE test centers worldwide or remotely proctored from home with identical content and acceptance.
ACCA exam fees for 2026 vary by level and timing. Initial registration costs £89 (one-time) and annual subscription £140 per year. Standard entry exam fees: Applied Knowledge £121 per paper, Applied Skills £155 per paper, Strategic Professional Essentials (SBL/SBR) £190, Strategic Professional Options £185. Late entry fees are approximately double (£300-420 per paper). Total estimated cost for full ACCA qualification ranges from £2,800-4,800 including registration, subscriptions, all 13 exam fees, and basic study materials. Always register during standard entry period to maximize savings.
Register for ACCA exams at accaglobal.com by: (1) Creating ACCA student account and paying £89 registration fee, (2) Receiving unique ACCA number within 5 working days, (3) Logging into myACCA portal, (4) Selecting exam session (March/June/September/December), (5) Choosing papers to sit, (6) Paying exam fees during standard or late entry period, (7) Being redirected to Pearson VUE to select test center or remote option, (8) Completing mandatory system test for remote exams, and (9) Downloading exam attendance docket 3 weeks after standard entry closes. The entire process takes 15-20 minutes per session booking. Have your ID and payment method ready.
ACCA exam registration deadlines for 2026: March session standard deadline January 26, 2026 (late February 2, 2026); June session standard deadline May 4, 2026 (late May 11, 2026); September session standard deadline August 4, 2026 (late August 11, 2026); December session standard deadline October 27, 2026 (late November 3, 2026). Registration typically opens 3-4 months before each session. Standard entry saves approximately 50% compared to late entry fees. Late entry closes approximately 1 week after standard deadline. No registration accepted after late deadline closes—you must wait for next session. Always aim to register during standard entry period to maximize cost savings and ensure availability at your preferred test center.
You can register for up to 4 ACCA papers per exam session at Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels, subject to timetable availability and no scheduling conflicts. At Strategic Professional level, you can take up to 4 papers but must complete SBL and SBR (the two essentials) before attempting optional papers (AFM, APM, ATX, AAA). Most students strategically take 2-3 papers per session to manage study workload effectively, especially while working full-time. Taking 4 papers requires approximately 600-800 hours of study time (150-200 hours per paper), which is challenging to balance with work and personal commitments. Consider your study time availability, work schedule, and pass rate goals when deciding how many papers to attempt per session.
Yes, all ACCA exams are computer-based (CBE) at Pearson VUE test centers worldwide or remotely proctored from home. Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers use on-demand CBE, meaning questions are automatically constructed from large question banks, so each candidate receives different questions. Strategic Professional exams use session-based CBE during specific exam windows with standardized questions. CBE format allows multiple choice questions, short answer responses, and spreadsheet solutions where applicable. Benefits include immediate feedback, better presentation (no handwriting issues), ability to edit responses, and use of spreadsheet tools for calculations. All CBE exams maintain ACCA's rigorous standards with equivalent difficulty to previous paper-based format.
ACCA exam results release dates for 2026: March session results on April 13, 2026; June session results on July 13, 2026; September session results on October 13, 2026; December session results on January 12, 2027. Results are typically published on Mondays approximately 5-6 weeks after the exam session ends. You can access results via your myACCA account from 12:00 GMT on result day. Opt-in 7 days before result date to receive notification by SMS text message. Results show whether you passed or failed along with your numerical score (Applied Knowledge and Skills) or grade band (Strategic Professional). If you fail, you can review examiner feedback and performance analysis through myACCA to understand areas for improvement before retaking.
Yes, ACCA offers remotely invigilated (online proctored) exams from home for all papers including Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. Requirements include: reliable computer (Windows or Mac) with webcam and built-in or external microphone, stable high-speed internet connection (minimum 1 Mbps upload/download), quiet private room with closed door and no interruptions, clear desk with no materials except blank paper and ID, and valid government-issued photo ID. You must complete a mandatory system test between booking and exam day to verify all technical requirements are met and receive pass status. Remote exams have same content, difficulty, timing, and acceptance as test center exams. Human proctors monitor you via webcam throughout entire exam to ensure integrity and compliance with ACCA exam conduct rules.
Official ACCA Resources
Use these official resources from ACCA Global for accurate information, registration, and preparation materials for the ACCA Qualification.
Official Exam Board Links
ACCA Global Official Site
Main portal for ACCA qualification information, registration, and student resources
Visit ACCA Global →