Cleared all 13 ACCA exams? Congratulations! You’re now an ACCA Affiliate.
But what does that mean?
- Are you a qualified accountant?
- Can you use “ACCA” after your name?
- What’s the difference between ACCA affiliate and member?
Let’s break it down.
An ACCA Affiliate is someone who has successfully passed all 13 ACCA exams. However, to become a full member, you still need to:
- Complete the Practical Experience Requirement (PER) – 36 months of relevant work experience.
- Finish the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM).
So, what is an ACCA affiliate in practical terms? It’s a candidate who has demonstrated academic excellence but has not yet met the full professional criteria. Until then, you are not yet a full ACCA member or a chartered accountant. For example, if you have passed all exams but haven’t worked in a finance role yet, then you are exam-qualified but not membership-certified.
Typically, the ACCA affiliate status lasts up to three years. During this period, you are expected to fulfill the remaining requirements to achieve full membership.
Difference Between ACCA Affiliate And Member
Now that you know the meaning of ACCA affiliate, let’s clarify the real difference between ACCA affiliate and member, since these terms are often misunderstood.
Category | ACCA Affiliate | ACCA Member |
Exams | All 13 passed | All 13 passed |
PER Completed | No | Yes |
EPSM Completed | No | Yes |
Designation Rights | Cannot use “ACCA” after name | Can use “ACCA” after name |
Legal Status | Not a qualified accountant | Fully qualified chartered certified accountant |
Can Sign Audit Reports | No | Yes (subject to local laws) |
Roles & Responsibilities | Mid-level or assistant roles | Senior or strategic roles |
Salary Expectations | Moderate starting salary (₹4–10 LPA in India) | Higher salary (₹6–15+ LPA in India) |
As you can see in hiring, a significant difference is in job title & compensation. Because, from an employer’s view, an affiliate is still “in progress.” A member is “complete.”
What Is The Eligibility Criteria To Become An ACCA Affiliate
Wondering what it takes to become an ACCA affiliate member?
Here’s what you need:
- Pass all 13 ACCA exams covering topics like Financial Reporting, Audit & Assurance, Taxation, and Strategic Business Leadership.
- Complete the exams within a 7-year window (for the Applied Skills + Strategic Professional modules).
- At this stage, you are not required to have completed PER or EPSM.
So, the acca affiliate meaning comes down to this: You have proven your academic capability. Now, it’s time to apply that knowledge in the real world.
Let’s take an example:
Riya, a commerce graduate from Mumbai, studied part-time and cleared all her ACCA exams in four years. She’s now an ACA affiliate working as a tax associate at Deloitte. However, for a managerial or reporting role, she still needs to complete her three-year work experience and ethics module. That’s when she becomes eligible for the membership status.
Can An ACCA Affiliate Transfer To CPA?
Many of our ex-students ask us, Can an ACCA affiliate become a CPA?
We explain to them that while there’s no direct pathway, ACCA affiliates can pursue the CPA qualification. CPA (especially in the US) has its own criteria:
- You may need to meet additional educational requirements.
- Each U.S. state has different rules. Some states do not recognise ACCA as equivalent to U.S. education requirements.
- You may have to take additional credit hours or bridging courses.
Some global options where an ACA affiliate might get exemptions or entry routes:
- CPA Australia – ACCA members (not affiliates) may get exemptions.
- Canadian CPA – May accept ACCA for advanced standing, but full membership is often required.
- UAE or Gulf countries – May accept ACCA affiliates for CPA prep, depending on employer or institute flexibility.
As a word of advice, we suggest you check with local CPA boards or authorised bodies before applying.
Is ACCA Affiliate Equivalent To A Master’s Degree?
In India, one must choose between ACCA or an MBA. But, in many countries like the UK, the ACCA qualification is equivalent to a master’s degree based on their educational framework, NQF.
Australia, Canada, and the EU also recognise ACCA as comparable to a postgraduate qualification. They even grant exemptions or advanced entry into MBA or MSc programs for ACCA affiliates. However, this equivalence is academic, relating to difficulty level, rigour, and depth.
Can You Use 'Acca Affiliate' After Your Name?
No, ACCA affiliates are not permitted to use “ACCA” after their names. Only full members can do so.
However, you can mention your status in resumes or professional profiles as:
- “ACCA Affiliate”
- “ACCA Exam Qualified”
How Should You Mention ACCA Affiliate On A Resume?
In your resume:
- “ACCA Affiliate (All exams passed, completing ethics module)”
- “ACCA Exam Qualified – Pursuing Membership
Can An ACCA Affiliate Get A Job?
As ACCA qualification is accepted in 180 countries, an ACCA affiliate can easily get a job, especially in mid-tier accounting firms, MNCs, and startups. Roles typically include finance analyst, assistant accountant, tax consultant, associate auditor, etc. Many top recruiters hire ACCA Affiliates.
While full ACCA membership provides more extensive career opportunities, ACCA affiliates can still work in consulting, finance, accounting, banking, and fintech industries.
To get a job, you can browse through job portals like:
- Indeed
- Naukri.com
- ACCA official job portal
What Is The Salary Of An ACCA Affiliate?
The average salary of an ACCA affiliate fresher in India is typically in the range of INR 4–10 LPA. Here is a breakdown for you to understand better:
- The entry-level salary of an ACCA affiliate is ₹4–6 LPA
- Mid mid-level salary of professionals with a little more experience is ₹6–15 LPA
- For higher-level positions like directors or finance managers, the salary range is ₹ 25+ LPA
These salaries vary by location, sector, company size, experience, and other factors. For instance, Big 4 firms may offer higher packages than mid-sized firms.
Considering global salary trends, here is a quick overview:
Country | Avg. Salary (Annual) |
UK | £30,000 – £60,000 |
USA | $60,000 – $120,000 |
UAE | AED 120,000 – 200,000 |
Singapore | $25,000-$50,000 |
Do Salaries Improve After Becoming An ACCA Member?
Yes. Upon achieving full membership, you can expect a pay increase which is typically 20–30% higher than the affiliate level. With membership also comes opportunities for senior roles, leadership positions, and even global career opportunities.
What Comes After Becoming An ACCA Affiliate?
After passing your ACCA exams, your next steps are to:
1. Gain Practical Experience (PER): PER is based on IFAC’s global accounting standards. It helps you to:
- Apply your ACCA exam knowledge to real-world tasks.
- Gain skills, attitude, and behaviour that meet global industry standards.
After becoming an affiliate, you must complete 36 months in a relevant finance/accounting role. At least 9 performance objectives, 5 Essentials, and 4 technical objectives must be signed off on by a mentor.
2. Complete Ethics Module (EPSM): Mandatory for membership. Takes ~20 hours online.
This whole process may take 3+ years. You can track your EPSM and PER experience progress on ACCA’s online My Experience dashboard. There, you need to record details of:
- Your employer’s name and address,
- Your job title and start date &
- Supervisor’s details
How Do You Transition From Affiliate To Member?
Now that you’ve cleared PER and EPSM, here’s how to upgrade from ACCA affiliate to member:
Step 1: Log in to your myACCA account
Navigate to the membership application section.
Step 2: Complete the Membership Application
- Fill out the online application form.
- Alternatively, download and submit the PDF application form
Step 3: Submit Required Documents
- Ensure your PER is fully recorded and signed off in the My Experience tool.
- Confirm completion of the EPSM.
- Provide any additional supporting evidence, like ID, if requested.
Step 4: Await Confirmation
Applications are typically processed within 10 to 12 working days. Once approved, you’re an ACCA member.
Do ACCA Affiliates Need To Complete CPD?
The short answer is no. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is not required while you are an ACCA affiliate. It becomes mandatory only after you attain full ACCA membership. Then, if you fail to meet CPD requirements, your membership can be suspended or removed.
What Are The Fees That ACCA Affiliates Must Pay?
After gaining affiliate status, students must pay annual subscription fees to maintain their status until they qualify as full members.
- Firstly, the annual subscription fee is paid for the first 3 Years. This is to earn the ACCA affiliate status: £156 (approx. ₹17,600).
- Secondly, after three years of holding the status, a permanent subscription fee is to be paid: £311 (approx. ₹35,000)
- Lastly, if an affiliate’s name is removed from the register, reactivation charges are paid: £70 (approx. ₹7,900)
So, the total fees paid to get affiliate status are 17,600+35,000+7,900 = ₹60,500. Now, let’s look at the fee difference between ACCA affiliate and member:
Fee Type | ACCA Affiliate | ACCA Member |
Admission Fee | — | £156 (approx. ₹17,600) |
Annual Subscription (1st–3rd Year) | £156 (approx. ₹17,600) | — |
Permanent Annual Subscription (Post-3rd) | £311 (approx. ₹35,000) | £311 (approx. ₹35,000) |
Lifetime Membership Commutation | — | £311 (one-time, optional) |
For in-depth details on payment options and exam fees, click here.
Benefits Of Being An ACCA Affiliate
Being an ACCA affiliate member opens up doors to numerous opportunities, recognitions and benefits. Let’s check out the advantages gained by the student community:
- You get to show your strong academic competence and professional readiness in global finance standards.
- It opens doors to job opportunities across diverse industries.
- You gain smooth and quick progression to full-time ACCA membership.
- It offers global recognition and credibility in over 180 countries.
- It strengthens your CV by signalling that you’ve passed rigorous exams and are committed to professional growth.
- It gives you access to ACCA resources(study books, question papers), webinars, and technical updates that help you stay industry-relevant.
- It enables early networking with senior members and recruiters that can become a stepping stone in your career.
As you have already cleared the toughest academic hurdles, you gain an immense sense of confidence in work as well as life.
What Are The Challenges Faced By ACCA Affiliates?
Transitioning from ACCA affiliate to membership can be challenging, especially when suitable roles are scarce or when there’s a lack of clarity about the process.
- Delay in finding PER-approved roles – It’s hard to find a role that aligns with the Practical Experience Requirements. This often delays the final steps toward membership, leaving you stuck in limbo.
- Misunderstanding of ACCA affiliate vs member by employers – Some companies don’t distinguish between ACCA affiliates and part-qualified students. Others assume full membership is already complete. This confusion often leads to missed opportunities or being offered roles below one’s skill level.
- Financial Pressure – The costs don’t stop at exam fees. Tuition, books, subscriptions, and resit fees are also included.
- Getting low salary offers than full members – Affiliates or students nearing qualification often find that employers lump them in with undergraduates or general finance grads. This mislabeling impacts salary expectations and growth. To counter this, highlight your technical skills, paper specialisations, and how you’re already applying ACCA knowledge on the job.
- Time Pressure to Upgrade Status – Some affiliates put off submitting their PER or Ethics Module, especially if they’re working long hours. But the longer the delay, the more likely it becomes a mental block. Setting a clear 6–12 month plan to wrap up the remaining steps helps you stay accountable.
- Inconsistent Motivation to Study – Due to the long duration of the ACCA journey, students experience dips in motivation, especially after failing papers or facing personal setbacks.
- Managing Exam Pressure & Fear of Failure – Many students carry the fear of failure into every exam sitting. One bad paper often leads to self-doubt, causing hesitation in retaking it. Some keep switching to new papers, thinking it’ll be easier. That strategy only wastes time. Instead, one should evaluate weak areas and build a retake strategy.
Final Thoughts: Transition From ACCA Affiliate To Membership Status
Becoming an ACCA affiliate is a huge milestone. It shows you’ve mastered the exams and are ready for the next step.
But affiliate status is just the beginning. To reach full membership, you need to complete your PER and EPSM. That’s where the real-world experience comes in.
Whether aiming for international roles, higher pay, or the right to call yourself a qualified accountant, ACCA membership is the way to go. Plan your journey wisely, and don’t leave it hanging after exams. Every step you take now brings you closer to global recognition.
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Frequently Asked Questions About ACCA Affiliate
ACCA affiliate status is given to a student who has passed all ACCA exams but hasn’t obtained full membership. To become a fully qualified ACCA member, one needs relevant work experience of 3 years.
To become an ACCA member, you must gain the practical experience requirement (PER) of 36 months, complete the EPSM module if not completed and then apply for the membership.