If you are training to become a Chartered Certified Accountant, choosing the right employer can make a big difference. An ACCA Approved Employer supports your learning and exams and helps you complete your Practical Experience Requirements (PER) more smoothly.
ACCA globally recognises these employers for their high standards in staff training and development. So, knowing how it works is a huge plus, whether you’re looking for the ACCA Approved Employer list in India or exploring options in the UK or Nepal.
An ACCA Approved Employer is a company trusted by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to support its students and members. These employers meet certain training and development standards. If you work for one, your ACCA journey becomes easier.
You may get:
- Help with completing your PER (Practical Experience Requirement)
- Mentors to guide your progress
- Study support and flexible working hours
There are two types of approval: Gold and Platinum. We’ll explain the difference later, but both offer benefits for your ACCA career.
Where to find the ACCA Approved Employer List?
You can explore the full list on the official ACCA Approved Employer Directory. Use filters to search by:
- Country
- Industry
- Approval type (Gold or Platinum)
There, you can find:
Now, after getting approval status, each organisation is given a unique ACCA Approved Employer number. This number helps students and ACCA officials track and verify an employer’s approval status and category (Gold or Platinum).
Here are some well-known names by region:
India
- Deloitte
- Grant Thornton
- BDO India
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
Nepal
- RSM
- PKF TR Upadhya & Co
- ICAN-recognised firms
UK
- EY
- PwC
- KPMG
- BBC
The list keeps growing. Local audit firms, multinationals, banks, and even government bodies can be approved employers.
Note: Before applying for any role, check if the employer is on the list. It can save you time and help you move faster through your ACCA journey.
Why Does It Matter?
Working with an ACCA Approved Employer is not just a badge of honour for the company, but it’s also a big advantage for you as a trainee. Here’s why it matters:
For employers, this recognition:
- Boosts their reputation in the industry
- Helps attract top talent looking for ACCA support
- Reflects a commitment to professional ethics and global benchmarks
For ACCA students, affiliates, and members, it means:
- A more structured and supportive work environment
- Easier and faster sign-off on PER objectives
- Access to mentors, study leave, and development opportunities
- A smoother path to full ACCA membership
- Study leave and exam preparation time
Whether you are a student or an ACCA affiliate, this structured support can help you stay on track toward becoming a member.
What Is ACCA Gold Approved Employer Status?
An ACCA Gold Approved Employer is a company recognised by ACCA for meeting key standards in training and supporting ACCA students and members. Gold status sits just below Platinum in ACCA’s Approved Employer programme. While it’s not the highest tier, it still represents a strong commitment to high-quality professional development.
To qualify for Gold status, a company must:
- Provide roles aligned with ACCA’s performance objectives
- Have qualified supervisors or mentors to track your progress
- Support your professional development with regular feedback
- Offer some flexibility for exams or study planning
A Gold employer might be the right fit if:
- You are looking for flexibility and exposure across departments
- You value work-life balance and cannot work stretch hours.
- You are in the early or mid stages of your ACCA journey and want guided support
- You like a less hierarchical environment where learning is more hands-on
You work in a location where Platinum employers are limited
What Is ACCA Platinum Approved Employer Status?
An ACCA platinum approved employer is the highest level of recognition by ACCA. Companies with Platinum status are reserved for employers who go above and beyond in helping individuals progress towards ACCA membership through structured training, mentorship, and long-term development planning.
As an ACCA trainee, having them on your CV adds value and opens doors across industries and countries. Working with a Platinum ACCA Approved Employer means:
- You are more likely to pass your exams on the first attempt
- You get hands-on experience that aligns with ACCA’s global standards.
- You have a structured growth path with support at every step.
- You gain exposure to real-world finance, accounting, and audit scenarios that prepare you for roles beyond entry-level positions.
But, to be clear, Platinum is not handed out easily. Employers must meet more stringent conditions than those seeking Gold status. Here are some of the key expectations:
- Structured Performance Reviews
Employers must conduct regular, documented appraisals of ACCA trainees. These reviews should be tied to development goals and linked directly to the PER framework. - Tailored Development Plans
Every ACCA trainee should have an individual development plan, not a generic HR document. The plan must cover skill development, exam support, mentorship timelines, and career progression within the organisation. - Mentorship by Qualified Professionals
Platinum employers must assign qualified ACCA members or similarly credentialed professionals as mentors. These mentors actively guide the trainee’s progress, sign off on performance objectives, and help them prepare for exams and membership applications. - Policy Framework and Compliance Checks
ACCA monitors Platinum employers through periodic reviews and compliance checks, ensuring they uphold the standards continuously, not just during the application stage. - Clear and Documented PER Support
Companies must prove that they provide the right work environment, exposure to relevant tasks, and access to the tools necessary for trainees to complete their performance objectives in line with ACCA’s guidelines.
Some well-known companies that currently hold ACCA Platinum Approved Employer status:
Company | Region | Industry |
EY (Ernst & Young) | India, UK, Global | Professional Services |
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) | Global | Audit & Consulting |
KPMG | India, UK, UAE, Others | Accounting & Advisory |
HSBC | UK, India, Hong Kong | Banking & Finance |
Deloitte | Global | Audit & Consulting |
Gold Vs Platinum: Which Status Is Better For Career Growth?
While platinum is considered one level higher than gold approved ACCA level, that doesn’t always mean it’s the right choice for everyone. There are a lot of factors to influence, like where you are in your ACCA journey, what kind of support & resources you need, and the kind of work environment you thrive in.
Gold or platinum acca approved employer – which is better? Here’s a comparison for both:
Features | Gold Status | Platinum Status |
Exam Support | Moderate | Strong |
Mentor Access | Available | Structured and regular |
Study Leave | Usually available | Guaranteed and flexible |
Development Planning | General | Personalised development planning is mandatory |
Study Leave | Sometimes offered | Often included as standard |
Job exposure | Broader exposure in a small team. | Defined responsibilities only |
Access to Tuition Providers | May or may not be partnered | Usually partnered or offers internal coaching |
Work-life balance | Can be more flexible due to smaller team sizes | High expectations and demanding work |
So, Which One Is Better for You?
- If you are new to ACCA course, still giving exams, and want maximum support with study leave, mentoring, and structured development – go for a Platinum Approved Employer.
- If you have already cleared most of your exams, and want a broader exposure to different roles or a more flexible setup, a Gold Approved Employer can still offer excellent opportunities.
- If you are in a smaller city or looking for roles in India or Nepal, there may be more Gold-level employers available, but that doesn’t mean they are less valuable. Many Gold employers offer fantastic internal training and real-world learning.
How Can A Company Become An ACCA Approved Employer?
Wondering to take a spot among 7,800 ACCA approved employers? Here are the steps to do so:
- Submit an Application
Companies fill out the ACCA Approved Employer application form online, stating their intention and business details. - Provide Documentation
Employers must share:
- Number of employees and trainees working in your organisation
- Staff training policies
- Development plans
- Support systems for exam preparation
- Evidence of mentors or supervisors
- Meet ACCA Criteria
ACCA reviews the documents based on the requested approval stream:
- Trainee Development (Gold or Platinum)
- Professional Development
- Practising Certificate Development
- ACCA Support During the Process
ACCA provides guidance via webinars, emails, and one-to-one consultations to help companies meet the required standards. - Final Approval
Once the review is complete, companies are awarded the status and listed in the ACCA Approved Employer Directory.
Do Employees Need An Employment Letter From An Approved Employer?
Yes, you may need an employment letter from a gold or platinum ACCA approved employer. This letter supports your PER claims by providing official confirmation of:
- Your job title and start/end dates.
- A summary of your role and responsibilities.
- Whether your employer holds Approved status with ACCA during your tenure.
An experience letter is typically required when:
- You are leaving your Approved Employer and want to verify your experience in the role and the time spent.
- ACCA requests additional evidence for a PER audit.
- You are switching to a new employer and need to confirm your past experience as relevant and true.
What Happens When You Leave An Approved Employer?
Leaving an ACCA Approved Employer doesn’t mean you stop working on your Practical Experience Requirement (PER). But it does change how you continue tracking your experience.
Here are the next steps to follow:
- First, complete the Approved Employer PER Confirmation form.
This is crucial. If you have been recording your performance objectives using the simplified route, you must complete this form before leaving. To download the form, head to the My Experience record on your MyACCA portal.
- Send the signed form to ACCA.
Forward the completed form to ACCA so they can update your records. Your performance objectives and time logged will be added to your profile.
- Continue your PER on the standard route.
From now on, you’ll track progress independently and get performance objectives signed off by a qualified mentor in your new role.
- Keep your ACCA records updated.
Log any job changes or experience regularly in your My Experience portal to stay on track.
In short, leaving doesn’t affect your PER, as long as you document everything properly and continue gaining relevant experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACCA Approved Employer
What Are The Benefits Of Working With An ACCA Approved Employer?
When you work with an ACCA approved employer in India, you get access to structured training and guidance, CPD support, paid study leaves, and global recognition.
What Is ACCA Gold Approved Employer Status?
An ACCA Gold approved employer is the first level of status given in recognition of the support an organization provides to ACCA trainees.