ACCA exam revision can feel overwhelming. When and where should you study? Which  ACCA exam revision techniques should you use?

A different ACCA exam revision environment will be best for different people. It’s impossible to say that one is better than the other. What we can do, though, is break down the pros and cons of studying alone so you can decide if it’s the route for you. 

ACCA Exam Revision: Going It Alone

Hunched over your desk, headphones on. Sprawled across your bed, music blaring. The hustle and bustle of the local coffee shop versus the comforting silence of the library… Wherever you do it, here are the ins and outs of solo ACCA exam revision.

Self-Pacing

One of the biggest advantages of doing your ACCA exam revision alone is that you’re in charge of the pace. All of us learn at different speeds and studying alone caters to that. You can decide where to focus, where to spend more time, when to take breaks and so on.

Control your own schedule

If you study alone, you can decide when and where works for you. You can fit your ACCA exam revision around your life, which means you’re likely to do more of it. Forcing yourself to sit down and study can be a challenge enough, without trying to coordinate the schedules of multiple people to get a group together.

Easier to concentrate

Many students find it is easier to concentrate when doing ACCA exam revision alone. It can be hard enough to concentrate and being in the company of friends can be a temptation too far. If you’re alone, you’ll likely find it easier to switch into ‘revision mode’ and force yourself to concentrate on what you’re doing.

Forces independent thinking

Have you ever been guilty of asking questions you probably already know the answers to? Most of us have. It’s very normal to rely on the authority of someone else if they are there to ask – but this shows a lack of confidence in our own ideas.

If you’re studying ACCA alone, you’re much more likely to think independently and work out answers yourself. Even when you can’t, the process of critical thinking has forced you to engage and you’ll be more likely to learn from the process

Compare Top ACCA Courses in Singapore

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a globally recognized accounting certification that focuses on topics such as financial management, reporting, taxation, auditing, leadership, and ethics. It is also a qualification that can help you in your accountancy career and becoming a professional accountant.

To achieve the ACCA qualification, students have to complete 13 exams, including an ethics and professional skills module and three years of practical work experience within a relevant role.

What are the top two institutions offer ACCA courses in Singapore?

There are few institutes in Singapore that are offering ACCA preparation courses, and we have narrowed down the top two institutions offering ACCA courses based on their teaching experience, curriculum and recognition.

London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) Singapore

LSBF in Singapore is an ACCA Platinum Approved Learning Provider that offers a flexible learning experience, located at the heart of the central business district. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time, and on-campus or through live broadcast online. Apart from that, students can also benefit from highly experienced tutors and exam-based study materials to confidently pass their ACCA papers.

With the Premium study package, students can access the full suite of tuition resources such as recorded videos of classes and a Guaranteed Pass feature*.

*T&Cs apply

Kaplan Higher Education Academy (Singapore)

Kaplan is another ACCA Approved Learning Provider in Singapore. It is a widely recognised institution that offers providers of accounting and finance professional qualification in Singapore. 

With the commitment to achieving excellent standards of teaching and providing outstanding student support and learning facilities, Kaplan helps students equip themself with the skills and confidence needed for the ACCA examinations.

Comparison

	LSBF Singapore	Kaplan Singapore
Tuition Fee Per Unit	$935 – $2,310 (Standard Package), $1,220 – $2,723 (Premium Package)	$915 – $2,000
Course Duration	Varies depending on individuals and study mode	12 – 36 months
Location	Campus: GB Building @ Cecil Street	Campus 1: Wilkie Edge. Campus 2: PoMo
Award Certificate	Awarded by ACCA	Awarded by ACCA
Accreditation by ACCA	ACCA Approved Platinum Learning Partner, ACCA-Licensed CBE Centre	ACCA Approved Platinum Learning Partner
Accreditation in Singapore	EduTrust Certified	EduTrust Certified

Entry Requirements for ACCA courses

Academic Entry Requirements

There are two routes of entering the ACCA course

1. Professional Examination Route

Student must be 18 years old and above, Plus any of the following:

• Minimum 2 passes of GCE ‘A’ Levels (A – E grades) and 3 passes of GCE ‘O’ Levels (1-6 / A1-C6 grades) (in five separate subjects must including English and Mathematics), or
• Polytechnic Diploma, or
• Recognised University degree, or
• Preparatory Course for ACCA – Diploma in Accounting and Business offered by LSBF Singapore

2. Graduate-entry Route

Bachelor’s degree with relevant majors holders from ACCA-accredited institutions may be eligible for maximum exemption of all nine exams at the Fundamentals level and register directly at the Strategic Professional level. Degrees with some relevant majors may also qualify for exemptions.

English Language Entry Requirements

• IELTS score of 5.5 and above, or
• TOEFL IBT score of 74 and above or its equivalent, or
• Proof of a minimum of 12 years of education with English as a medium of instruction

With only a university degree is no longer a competitive advantage for you in the current job market. Have a professional certificate such as ACCA and be a career-ready talent will help you stand out from the crowd.

The ACCA Qualification is considered one of the most popular sought-after accountancy qualifications in Singapore.

The ACCA Qualification is welcomed and recognised by many companies in Singapore including over 210 Approved Employers.

Introduction to ACCA 

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants offers business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

In order to become a qualified accountant and use the designatory letters “ACCA” after your name, you need to complete:

• 13 exams (nine of which are eligible for exemption)
• 3 years’ relevant practical experience requirements
• A Professional Ethics module

You have the opportunity to gain a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University upon part completion of the ACCA Qualification exams*.

* Terms and conditions apply.

Why Study with Kaplan? 

Kaplan is one of Singapore’s leading providers of professional accounting and finance programmes, having trained thousands of students to date.

Kaplan has been accorded a number of honours by our partners, demonstrating our commitment to achieving excellent standards of teaching and providing outstanding student support and learning facilities. Widely recognised as an institution with dedicated lecturers and a proven track record of exceptional pass rates, Kaplan will equip you with the skills and confidence needed to shine in the challenging accounting and finance industry.

• ACCA Approved Learning Partner (ALP) – Student Tuition Platinum Status.
• Well-established with a complete range of professional accounting and financial courses in Singapore, catering to all levels.
• To date, thousands of students have been through our doors. We have one of the largest accounting and finance lecturer teams, who bring with them an invaluable pool of experience which our students can readily tap on.
• Our centrally-located campuses at Wilkie Edge and GR.ID (formerly PoMo) facilitate your learning.
• Voted “Best Corporate Training Provider for Finance Management” by JobsCentral Learning Training in 2017 & 2018.
• Voted “Top 3 Best Private Institutes in Singapore” by AsiaOne People’s Choice Awards 2013-2016.

How to become a Chartered Accountant

Registration of Articles

The student should:

• Register as an articled clerk with an accredited training office (ATO) in Zimbabwe, the list of these ATO’s can be found at the ICAZ reception or download here.
• Through the ATO, register as an ICAZ student accountant

The entry requirements to becoming a chartered accountant are as follows:

• You should have an accounting degree not more than three years
• If your degree is more than 3 years you will have  to do a one year bridging course before proceeding to ZCTA
• Be attached to an accredited training office. You can do the CTA and ITC program without the training but you will not be allowed to sit for the final APC exams without these (more detail on the attached list)

We have three service providers for the CTA program CAA, NUST and UNISA, these service providers only enroll students who have accounting degrees which are not more than 3 years.

For the UNISA program, the ZCTA program is offered by UNISA in conjunction with ICAZ where 4 modules are offered by UNISA and one module the Zim Tax module is offered by ICAZ. This program has no exemptions, all five modules are written in one sitting and all have to be passed at once. It’s very unfortunate that ICAZ is no longer facilitating registrations on behalf of students as such you are required to log onto the UNISA website at www.unisa.ac.za and submit your online application. Applications are expected to open during August/ September please log onto the UNISA website during this period and apply.

We also encourage you to place your application for CTA with our local service providers CAA (Chartered Accountants Academy) or NUST.

1. Requirements for Membership ApplicationsFor one to apply for membership they need to submit the following:Registration FeeUSD 402.50PAAB Registration FeesUSD 402.50Annual Subscriptions(pro-rata basis)The following Certified documents are required:
   • Degree Certificates
   • ZCTA Certificate
   • FQC Certificate
   • Letters discharging your training records and training contract
   • Application Form duly completed.
2. Requirements for a Letter of Good Standing
   • CPD HRS It is a requirement that all members serve at least 20 CPD hours a year and cumulative 120 CPD hours over three years. This determines if you are technically up-to-date. Please indicate the number of CPD hrs over the above periods in your application and also provide a confirmation letter from your organization (where you attended the courses) of the CPD hours that you attained.
   • SUBSCRIPTIONS Current year subscriptions should be fully paid. ii. CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Please state if you have abided by the legislation and by-laws that governs the accounting profession conduct in Zimbabwe or country you are residing in. Click here for your copy. iii. EMPLOYERS LETTER A letter from your current employer stating that you have been acting in a professional manner during the conduct of your duties. iv. CURRICULUM VITAE Please provide us with a copy of your CV. v. PAYMENT You will be required to make a payment of USD50 for the letter. We will start processing the letter as soon as you submit the requirements and also note that it takes a maximum of three working days to be ready.
   • Completion of the form below: Letter of Good Standing Declaration and Clearance FormWe will start processing the letter as soon as you submit the requirements and also note that it takes a maximum of three working days to be ready.
3. Requirements for Membership Applications from those wishing to convert under the reciprocal agreementsA member of a body that has reciprocal agreement with ICAZ can become a member of ICAZ after producing the following:
   • Letter of good standing from the reciprocal body
   • Membership application form and its requirements
   • Paying the requirement application fees.
4. Requirements for Application for a Practising CertificateFor one to apply for a practicing certificate, they need to:
   • Be a fully registered member of ICAZ
   • Have attained at least 20 CPD hours for the current year
   • Complete the Practising Certificate Application
   • Form Provide proof of professional Indemnity or subscribe through ICAZ
5. Requirements for Application to PAABFor one to be registered with PAAB, they need to:
   • Be a fully registered member of ICAZ
   • Complete the PAAB Application Form
   • Pay the required fees
6. Fees for different registrations
   • ICAZ Registration    USD402.50
   • ICAZ Practising Certificate Application Fee    USD200
   • ICAZ Certificate Replacement Fee    USD80
   • PAAB Registration    USD250
   • PAAB Practising Certificate Registration    USD300
   • PAAB Certificate replacement Fee USD150 Student Initial Registration Fee    USD60
   • Application for Remission of Training Contact Fee    USD20
   • Application for Transfer of Training Contact Fee    USD20
   • Application for Suspension of Training Contact Fee    USD20
7. Current subscriptions
   • Local member    USD530
   • Non Resident     USD403
   • Articled Accountant Zimbabwe USD300 Articled Clerks Annual Subscription    USD95
8. Requirements to Register a Training OfficeFor an organization to be registered as a training office the following should be satisfied:
   • At least 1 Chartered Accountant within that organization
   • The application form should be completed and submitted to ICAZ for the Education Committee
   • The registration fee (USD1000) to be paid upon Accreditation.