The ACCA have recently introduced ‘Foundations in Accountancy’ for those who do not meet the standard entry requirements for the Professional ACCA qualification. This suite of awards consists of certificates, diplomas and a revised Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification. Foundations in Accountancy provides multiple entry points and maximum flexibility for prospective students. It allows you to select the most appropriate entry route and progression to additional qualifications, based on qualifications, experience and future career aspirations. If you do not have the minimum entry requirements for ACCA then there are several choices available:

• Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting
• Intermediate Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting
• Diploma in Accounting and Business

Students who complete the Introductory and Intermediate Certificates can progress to the ACCA qualification but will need to sit all 14 papers.

Students who successfully complete the Diploma in Accounting and Business can transfer to the ACCA Qualification and commence their studies at F4 onwards of the ACCA Qualification.

It is not compulsory for students to complete the Introductory and Intermediate certificates before commencing the Diploma – but ACCA recommends that you do so.

All students will require IELTS 5.5 or B2 equivalent.

Students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the ACCA Qualification can register for Foundations in Accountancy and can start studying at any level, including the Diploma in Accounting and Business.

Where English is not your first language, you must demonstrate English proficiency of IELTS 5.5 or B2 equivalent.

It is important to note exams FAB, FMA and FFA within Foundations in Accountancy are exactly the same as exams F1, F2 and F3 of the ACCA Qualification and share identical syllabuses, study guides and assessment methods.

Foundations in Professionalism module
In line with current best practice, and to meet IFAC’s (International Federation of Accountants) recommendations for technical accountants, a professionalism and ethics module will be introduced as part of Foundations in Accountancy.

Completion of Foundations in Professionalism is compulsory for students who wish to be awarded the Introductory and Intermediate certificates in Financial and Management Accounting, the Diploma in Accounting and Business and the CAT Qualification.

Please note Foundations in Professionalism only needs to be completed once by students who choose to complete one or more of these awards. Foundations in Professionalism is free of charge and when available, can be accessed from the ACCA website.

EXEMPTIONS

Students with relevant qualifications from a recognised institution may be eligible to claim exemption from papers within Foundations in Accountancy.

OPTIONAL English and maths self-check modules

To assist prospective students in gauging their general level of ability in English and maths, ACCA has developed optional self-check modules in English and maths.

Included within the self-check modules are learning materials and links to other materials to help students improve their English language and maths skills which they may wish to complete before embarking on any of ACCA’s qualifications. The self-check modules and recommended tutorial support are optional to complete, the self-check modules are free of charge and can be accessed from the ACCA website. http://www.accaglobal.com/students/self_check/

COMPUTER-BASED EXAMS (CBEs)

Computer-based exams will be available and paper-based exams will continue to be available for exams within Foundations in Accountancy. The first computer-based and paper-based exams under the new syllabus will be available in December 2011.

Please note:
There is also the option of following the CAT route within Foundations of Accountancy, but this is currently not available from CAMS.

For more information on the Foundations in Accountancy, please visit the ACCA’s website: http://www.accaglobal.com/students/fia/