The Foundation level consists of the following seven qualifications:
- Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting
- Intermediate Certificate in Financial Management Accounting
- Diploma in Accounting and Business
- Certificate in Foundations in Audit
- Certificate in Foundations in Taxation
- Certificate in Foundations in Financial Management
- Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification
There are 10 Foundation level exams in total and you can select the exams you wish to take, each of which leads to the award of certain certificates and diplomas. All of the exams - except the foundation specialist awards in Audit, Tax and Financial Management - are available as computer-based exams. This means they can be taken on demand at any time of the year in ACCA licensed exam centres.
The flexibility of this structure gives you the widest possible choice about which qualifications to register for, the level of the progamme at which to register and also about when, how often and in which order to take exams. In theory, regardless of your general education, your level of vocational skills or work experience, you can register directly for any of the seven qualifications above. However, with this choice must come a responsibility for you as a potential student to make an informed decision about what to register for and at which level.
This is important for two main reasons:
- First, and most importantly, it is vitally important that you register at a level adequately supported by your general or vocational educational background and on the relevant experience you may possess, inlcuding your general maths and English language skills.
- Second, the choice should be determined by where you are currently working or want to work and the specialism of work you are in or wish to be involved with.
The Foundation level qualification and associated employment roles
Introductory Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting
Aimed at those aspiring to employment - or already employed - as a junior accounts clerk or junior bookkeeper of an SME, or someone in a range of junior accounting administration roles within an accounting department of a larger organization, or a business process outsourcing organization, or a financial shared service centre.
Intermediate Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting
Aimed at those aspiring to employment - or already employed - as a bookkeeper or cost clerk in an SME, or someone in an accounting administration role within an accounting department of a larger organization, or a business process outsourcing organization, or a financial shared service centre.
Diploma in Accounting and Business
Aimed at those aspiring to employment - or already employed - in a wide ranging and responsible accounting role in an SMe, or those involved in financial reporting and/or in financial decision support roles, possibly in supervisory roles in the accounting departments of larger organizations. In financial shared service centres, or business process outsourcing organizations, this qualification would suit those performing financial supervisory or management roles in accounts payable and/or management roles in accounts payables and/or receivables, or a financial role in fixed asset accounting.
Certificate in Foundations of Audit
Aimed at those wishing to specialize in audit or to add an audit specialism to a wider accounting qualification.
Certificate in Foundations of Taxation
Aimed at people wishing to specialize in personal and business taxation or to add a taxation specialism to a wider accounting qualification for business or practice.
Certificate in Foundations of Financial Management
Aimed at people wishing to specialize in financial and credit management or to add a financial management specialism to a wider accounting qualification for business or practice.
Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Qualification
Aimed at those learners carrying out a wide range of accounting technician roles in commercial organizations with formal internal training programmes, requiring the assessment of off-station knowledge and understanding to balance this training programme. It is also aimed to those aspiring to work - or already working - as team managers and with supervisory responsibilities.
Firm foundations for the ACCA Qualification
Apart from being suitable for specific vocational roles or specialisms, as indicated above, these qualifications offer valuable and relevant standalone certificates to recognize and validate specific knowledge and skills gained as a student progresses.
The Foundation level qualifications are also designed as pathways or stepping stones towards the ACCA Qualification for those who aim to achieve ACCA membership, but who do not currently have the minimum academic qualification to apply directly to the ACCA Qualification.
Depending on the level at which you register, you can gain valuable qualifications as you progress, which in turn leads to recognition and reward for the knowledge and skills you gain. The qualifications also provide you with good underpinning knowledge to help you better prepare for the ACCA Qualification exams.
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