ACCA QUALIFICATION REDESIGN 2027

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is redesigning its qualification to prepare future accountants for the changing demands of the profession. The redesigned ACCA Qualification introduces a new structure, new Essential Employability Modules, additional awards and a stronger focus on sustainability, social impact, artificial intelligence (AI) and technology. The changes will be introduced in stages during 2027, with the new Foundations and Knowledge exams becoming available from July 2027 and the Expertise and Strategic Professional exams beginning from September 2027. For students planning to study ACCA, including those looking for an ACCA institute in Lahore, understanding the new structure early can make it easier to plan their studies and progression. What Is Changing in the ACCA Qualification? The redesigned ACCA Qualification is intended to combine technical accounting knowledge with practical, professional and technology-related skills. According to ACCA, the redesigned qualification will place greater emphasis on: • Sustainability • Social impact • Artificial intelligence and technology • Data and analytical skills • Employability and workplace skills • Professional and ethical development The qualification will also introduce new awards and designations as students progress through the different levels. Essential Employability Modules will be integrated into the qualification so that students develop workplace-ready skills alongside their technical studies. The Four Routes and Levels of the Redesigned ACCA The future ACCA Qualification will have three main qualification levels — Knowledge, Expertise and Strategic Professional — with a Foundations Level providing an entry route for students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements. Level Main Exams Purpose Foundations F1, F2, F3 Entry route for students who do not meet the minimum entry criteria Knowledge K1, K2, K3 Develop core accounting, management accounting and business law knowledge Expertise E1–E5 Develop advanced technical and analytical expertise Strategic Professional S1, S2 + 1 option Develop strategic, leadership and specialist professional skills

Students will progress through the qualification sequentially. Within a level, the numbered exams indicate the recommended order, but students retain flexibility in the order in which they complete the exams and the Essential Employability Module for that level. Foundations Level The new Foundations Level is designed for students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the main ACCA Qualification. Students entering through this route will complete three mandatory exams: 1. F1: Accounts Preparation 2. F2: Management Information and Costing 3. F3: Decision Making with Data The Foundations exams will become available from July 2027. Students will also complete the Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Essential Employability Module. Successful completion of the Foundations Level will lead to the Diploma in Accounting and Business, after which students can progress to the Knowledge Level of the ACCA Qualification. This new route is intended to provide a clearer pathway into the ACCA Qualification for students who need additional preparation before beginning the main qualification. Knowledge Level Students who meet the minimum entry requirements will begin their ACCA journey at the Knowledge Level. Students who enter through the Foundations Level can progress to Knowledge after completing the required Foundations elements. The Knowledge Level contains three mandatory exams: K1: Financial Accounting This exam develops the fundamental knowledge required to understand financial accounting and financial information. K2: Management Accounting This exam focuses on management accounting concepts and the information used to support business planning and decision-making. K3: Business Law Business Law becomes an important part of the redesigned Knowledge Level structure. The new K3 Business Law exam replaces the previous BT/F1 position within the redesigned qualification structure. The Knowledge Level also includes an Essential Employability Module, designed to complement the technical exams with practical workplace skills. ACCA identifies this module as Digital Tech and Innovation in its current future-qualification information. On successful completion of the required Knowledge Level exams and Essential Employability Module, students receive the relevant ACCA award for this stage of the qualification. Expertise Level The Expertise Level builds on the technical knowledge developed at the Knowledge Level and moves students into more advanced areas of accountancy. The five mandatory exams are: Exam Subject E1 Taxation E2 Financial Reporting E3 Audit, Risk and Control E4 Finance and Investment E5 Performance with Data Analysis

The Expertise Level therefore brings together major areas of professional accounting, including taxation, reporting, audit, finance and data analysis. The Expertise exams will begin from September 2027, while the relevant Essential Employability Module will also form part of the level. E4 and E5: A Route Towards a University Degree An important part of the redesigned qualification is the opportunity connected with the Expertise Level. The E4 Finance and Investment and E5 Performance with Data Analysis areas connect with a pathway towards the BSc Professional Accountancy degree with the University of London. This gives students an opportunity to combine professional accounting studies with a university degree pathway while continuing towards ACCA membership. Strategic Professional Level The Strategic Professional Level represents the final stage of the redesigned ACCA Qualification. Students will complete two mandatory core exams and one Options exam. Strategic Professional Core The two mandatory exams are: • S1: Business and Sustainability Reporting • S2: Strategic Business Leader These exams focus on strategic decision-making, leadership, reporting and the relationship between business performance and sustainability. Strategic Professional Options Students will choose one option from five specialist exams: • SAA: Audit and Assurance Professional • SCF: Corporate Finance Professional • SDS: Data Science Professional • SPI: Performance and Insights Professional • STA: Taxation Advisory Professional The redesigned qualification introduces Data Science Professional as a new option, giving students the opportunity to develop deeper skills in data science and analytics within the accountancy profession. The options allow students to select a specialist area that fits their interests and longer-term career plans. Essential Employability Modules One of the major changes in the redesigned ACCA Qualification is the introduction of Essential Employability Modules. These modules are designed to develop practical skills alongside technical accounting knowledge. ACCA currently identifies four Essential Employability Modules across the qualification route: • Foundations: Enterprise and Entrepreneurship • Knowledge: Responsible Business Management • Expertise: Technology Empowered Business • Strategic Professional: Ethical, Sustainable Leadership These modules are intended to help students develop skills relevant to the modern workplace, including technology, AI, communication, personal effectiveness, leadership and other professional capabilities. This means that the redesigned qualification is not focused only on passing examinations. Students will also develop skills that can be applied in professional environments. A Stronger Focus on AI, Data and Technology Technology is changing the way businesses operate, and the accountancy profession is changing with it. The redesigned ACCA Qualification incorporates AI, technology and data-related skills across the qualification. Data Science Professional is also available as a Strategic Professional option for students who want to develop deeper expertise in this area. The inclusion of E5: Performance with Data Analysis at Expertise Level also reflects the increasing importance of data in accounting and business decision-making. For future accountants, understanding financial information is increasingly connected with the ability to analyse data, use technology effectively and communicate insights to decision-makers. Sustainability and Social Impact Sustainability is another major theme within the redesigned qualification. The new structure places greater emphasis on sustainability and social impact, including through the Strategic Professional core exam S1: Business and Sustainability Reporting and the Ethical, Sustainable Leadership Essential Employability Module. This reflects the expanding role of accountants in areas such as reporting, governance, business decision-making and responsible business practices. What Happens at the End of the ACCA Qualification? Completing the examinations is only one part of becoming an ACCA member. Students must complete: 4. The required ACCA examinations 5. The relevant Essential Employability Modules 6. The Practical Experience Requirement (PER) Once the required elements have been completed, students can progress to ACCA membership. ACCA continues to require practical experience as part of the route to membership. This combination of examinations, employability development and practical experience is intended to prepare students for professional accountancy careers. When Will the New ACCA Structure Begin? The transition to the redesigned qualification will take place in stages. Key 2027 dates • April 2027: Entry opens for Foundations and Knowledge exams beginning from July. • May 2027: Entry opens for the first September 2027 Expertise and Strategic Professional exam session. • June 2027: Final sitting of the current Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams. • July 2027: Foundations and Knowledge exams become available, alongside the relevant Essential Employability Modules. • September 2027: First sitting of the redesigned Expertise and Strategic Professional exams. • October 2027: Results are released for the first September 2027 session. Students already studying ACCA should therefore pay attention to the transition arrangements and their individual position in the current qualification. ACCA provides a transition tool to help students understand how completed elements will transfer to the redesigned structure. What Does the ACCA Redesign Mean for Students in Lahore? For students planning to start ACCA in Lahore, the redesigned qualification provides a new structure to understand before beginning their studies. Choosing an ACCA institute in Lahore should involve more than simply looking at tuition fees. Students can consider factors such as: • Faculty experience and subject expertise • Academic support and exam preparation • Availability of guidance for the new ACCA structure • Support with progression and study planning • Access to technology and modern learning resources • Guidance about university pathways • Support for professional development alongside examinations The transition also means that students beginning their studies around 2027 should understand which qualification structure applies to them and what their entry route will be. How Should Students Prepare for the 2027 Changes? Students can take several practical steps before the redesigned qualification begins. 1. Understand Your Entry Route Students should determine whether they will enter through Foundations or begin directly at the Knowledge Level. 2. Understand the New Exam Structure Familiarising yourself with the new exam names and levels can make it easier to plan your studies. 3. Pay Attention to the Essential Employability Modules These modules are an important part of the redesigned qualification and should not be treated as separate from the main ACCA journey. 4. Consider Your Long-Term Specialisation At Strategic Professional Level, students will have the opportunity to select one specialist option. Understanding the different areas early can help students think about their future career direction. 5. Follow Official ACCA Updates The transition will take place in stages, and ACCA continues to publish guidance about exam syllabi, entry dates, transition arrangements and study resources. Students should check the latest official information before making decisions about their individual progression. Preparing for the Future ACCA Qualification at BSOL For students searching for an ACCA institute in Lahore, Blackstone School of Accountancy (BSOL) provides ACCA-focused education in Lahore. BSOL's website currently identifies the institution as an ACCA Gold Approved Learning Partner and a University of London Recognised Teaching Centre. The school also offers ACCA and BSc Professional Accountancy programmes. As the ACCA Qualification moves towards its redesigned structure, students can benefit from choosing an institution that understands the new qualification framework and can guide them through their academic journey. Students interested in studying ACCA at BSOL can visit the official website to learn more about programmes, admissions and available support. Conclusion The 2027 ACCA Qualification redesign represents a significant change in how future accountants will develop their technical and professional skills. The new structure introduces Foundations, Knowledge, Expertise and Strategic Professional stages, alongside Essential Employability Modules and a stronger focus on AI, data, sustainability and social impact. For students, understanding these changes early can make the transition easier and help them plan their studies more effectively. Whether a student is entering through the Foundations route or beginning directly at Knowledge Level, the redesigned ACCA Qualification provides a structured pathway towards advanced professional skills, practical experience and ACCA membership. For students looking for an ACCA institute in Lahore, understanding the new qualification structure is an important first step towards planning their ACCA journey. Start Your ACCA Journey with BSOL Interested in studying ACCA in Lahore? Explore the programmes and admission options available at Blackstone School of Accountancy and learn how BSOL can support your journey towards professional accountancy.