Fancy yourself a future in accountancy?

An accountant plays an important role in any good business. As such, good accounting education is crucial. If you’re thinking of applying for the prestigious ACCA qualification (and why shouldn’t you?), then the ACCA Foundation in Accountancy award is a great place to start.

In this guide, you will gain detailed knowledge about what the ACCA Foundation in Accountancy is all about. This includes what it entails, your education pathway as well as the ACCA exemptions you will be qualified for with this programme.

So read on more to learn about the ACCA Foundation in Accountancy.

Taylor's College

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (FIA)

✓Gold-status Approved Learning Partner of ACCA

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#1. What is ACCA Foundation in Accountancy?

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) is a foundation-level award offered by ACCA. The ACCA FIA award allows for a quick and direct transition into the ACCA programme from SPM.

A replacement to the CAT programme as a direct route to ACCA, ACCA FIA will introduce you to basic accounting modules meant to prepare you for ACCA. Completing the programme will grant you the opportunity to directly pursue ACCA, a prestigious professional accounting qualification.

Because it is a foundation-level award, you cannot use it to apply for a job. However, you can continue on to take 2 specialist papers under the revised CAT programme, allowing you to be an accounting technician.

CAT vs ACCA FIA: What’s the Difference?

The ACCA FIA is meant to serve as a replacement for CAT. The difference between the two programmes boil down to two important points:

• The reduction of mandatory exam papers from 9 papers in the CAT programme to the 7 papers in the ACCA FIA programme.
• No requirement to complete MQA-mandated Mata Pelajaran Umum (MPU) allowing you to finish the programme faster.

#2. Entry Requirements for ACCA FIA

a) Subjects required

To pursue the ACCA FIA, you need a minimum of 5 credits in SPM including a credit in Math and English.

There is no requirement for you to have studied SPM Accounting in order to qualify for this programme. However, a background in SPM Accounting (with a grade of A+/A/A-) will allow you to claim exemptions for one of the papers, i.e. FA1 Recording Financial Transactions.

b) ACCA FIA entry requirements

To qualify for the ACCA FIA programme, the minimum academic requirement is:

• SPM (or equivalent): Minimum 5Cs including Mathematics and English

c) ACCA FIA paper exemptions

There are a number of exemptions available in the FIA programme depending on your background.

• SPM Principles of Accounting (grade of A+/A/A-): Exemption for FA1 paper
• LCCI Level 3: Up to 5 exemptions
• STPM and A Levels equivalent: Up to 4 exemptions

#3. Studying the ACCA FIA

a) What subjects will you study in the ACCA FIA?

The ACCA FIA course will prepare you to sit for 7 papers, a reduction over the 9 mandatory papers in CAT.

Here is the full list of all the papers you will have to take:

Completing each set of papers will allow you to gain awards from ACCA. To earn these awards, you must complete the Foundations in Professionalism module. However, this is not a requirement and you do not need this to progress into ACCA.

b) How long is the ACCA FIA course?

The ACCA FIA course will generally take you 1 year to finish.

c) How much does it cost to study the ACCA FIA in Malaysia?

The fees for the ACCA FIA range from RM5,000 to RM14,500 for tuition fees, depending on the institution you study at. Regardless of which learning partner you choose, you will need to pay ACCA a registration fee and exam fees for each exam paper.

Taylor's College

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (FIA)

✓Gold-status Approved Learning Partner of ACCA

More Info

#4. Your Education Pathway for ACCA FIA

a) ACCA Foundation in Accountancy → ACCA

Upon completion of your SPM / O-Level, you can immediately start to pursue an ACCA qualification through the ACCA FIA programme.

• Step 1: ACCA FIA (7 papers)
• Step 2: ACCA Applied Skills (6 papers)
• Step 3: Ethics and Professional Skills module (EPSM) (15 hours)
• Step 4: ACCA Strategic Professional (4 papers)
• Step 5: Practical Experience Requirement (PER) (3 years)
• Step 6: Gain the Chartered Certified Accountant status

b) ACCA Foundation in Accountancy → CAT

The ACCA FIA is a foundation-level award. As such, you cannot use it to apply for work. However, if you want to enter the workplace early after finishing your ACCA FIA, you can consider taking the reintroduced CAT qualification as a terminating qualification which allows you to be certified as an accounting technician.

• Step 1: FIA (7 papers)
• Step 2: CAT Specialist Papers (2 papers)
• Step 3: Foundations in Professionalism module (online)
• Step 4: Complete the CAT Foundations Practical Experience Requirement (FPER; 1 year)
• Step 5: Gain the Certified Accounting Technician status

#5. Should You Study ACCA FIA?

a) Is ACCA FIA the right programme for you?

The ACCA FIA programme can be an effective and convenient way to prepare you for the rigorous ACCA qualification. If you’re wondering whether you should pursue FIA, here are some questions to think about:

• Are you planning for a future in accounting?
• Do you want a quick pathway into the ACCA qualification?
• Are you comfortable with numbers and basic mathematics?
• Do you like solving problems and puzzles?
• Do you enjoy rules and structure?
• Do you like to organise and file things properly?
• Are you meticulous and detail-oriented?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, ACCA FIA may be right for you!

b) Skills required to pursue ACCA FIA

Here are some key skills you will need to succeed in ACCA FIA:

• Meticulous and detail-oriented
• Good command of the English language
• Competence and confidence in mathematics
• Good IT skills (Microsoft Excel)

Taylor's College

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (FIA)

✓Gold-status Approved Learning Partner of ACCA

More Info

#6. Best Institutions for ACCA FIA in Malaysia

If ACCA FIA is right up your alley, then check out some of the best ACCA approved learning partners in Malaysia.

• Featured

• Featured

Taylor's College

Subang Jaya, Selangor

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (FIA)

Intake

Jan, Jul

Tuition Fees

RM14,500

A further discount of RM1,000 is available for eligible students enrolling in this programme. Contact us to find out more.

More Info

A pioneer in pre-university education

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• Highlights
• Campus
• Scholarships
• Duration

• Gold-status Approved Learning Partner of ACCA
• Small class settings with personalised attention from senior lecturers
• 100% pass rate in all intakes
• Seamless pathway to the University of South Australia for degrees in Accounting, Digital Business and other Business programmes

• Subang Jaya: RM14,500

SPM:

• 9(A+/A/A-): RM7,000 tuition fee waiver
• 8(A+/A/A-): RM6,000 tuition fee waiver
• 7(A+/A/A-): RM5,000 tuition fee waiver
• 6(A+/A/A-): RM4,000 tuition fee waiver
• 5(A+/A/A-): RM3,000 tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 9(A*/A): RM7,000 tuition fee waiver
• 8(A*/A): RM6,000 tuition fee waiver
• 7(A*/A): RM5,000 tuition fee waiver
• 6(A*/A): RM4,000 tuition fee waiver
• 5(A*/A): RM3,000 tuition fee waiver

• Duration: 1 year

Highlights

• Gold-status Approved Learning Partner of ACCA
• Small class settings with personalised attention from senior lecturers
• 100% pass rate in all intakes
• Seamless pathway to the University of South Australia for degrees in Accounting, Digital Business and other Business programmes

Campus

• Subang Jaya: RM14,500

Scholarships

SPM:

• 9(A+/A/A-): RM7,000 tuition fee waiver
• 8(A+/A/A-): RM6,000 tuition fee waiver
• 7(A+/A/A-): RM5,000 tuition fee waiver
• 6(A+/A/A-): RM4,000 tuition fee waiver
• 5(A+/A/A-): RM3,000 tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 9(A*/A): RM7,000 tuition fee waiver
• 8(A*/A): RM6,000 tuition fee waiver
• 7(A*/A): RM5,000 tuition fee waiver
• 6(A*/A): RM4,000 tuition fee waiver
• 5(A*/A): RM3,000 tuition fee waiver

Duration

• Duration: 1 year

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Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL)

Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (FIA)

Intake

Jan, Jun, Aug

Tuition Fees

RM9,090

Fees indicated include a Merit Scholarship that is applicable to all EduAdvisor students who meet the entry requirement for the programme. Contact us to find out more.

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• Highlights
• Campus
• Scholarships
• Duration

• Platinum-status approved learning partner of ACCA
• Comprehensive and continuous demonstration, practices, and assessments provide you with an in-depth understanding of accountancy
• Exposure to real-life case studies and community-based projects, such as Service Learning and Character Formation, nurtures you with civic responsibility and stimulates critical thinking
• Globally recognised and provides renowned professional pre-university and tertiary programmes

• Brickfields: RM9,090

SPM:

• 9(A+/A/A-): 100% tuition fee waiver
• 8(A+/A/A-): 60% tuition fee waiver
• 7(A+/A/A-): 50% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A+/A/A-): 35% tuition fee waiver
• 5(A+/A/A-): 25% tuition fee waiver
• Meet min requirements: 10% tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 9(A*/A): 100% tuition fee waiver
• 8(A*/A): 60% tuition fee waiver
• 7(A*/A): 50% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A*/A): 35% tuition fee waiver
• 5(A*/A): 25% tuition fee waiver
• Meet min requirements: 10% tuition fee waiver

• Duration: 1 year

Highlights

• Platinum-status approved learning partner of ACCA
• Comprehensive and continuous demonstration, practices, and assessments provide you with an in-depth understanding of accountancy
• Exposure to real-life case studies and community-based projects, such as Service Learning and Character Formation, nurtures you with civic responsibility and stimulates critical thinking
• Globally recognised and provides renowned professional pre-university and tertiary programmes

Campus

• Brickfields: RM9,090

Scholarships

SPM:

• 9(A+/A/A-): 100% tuition fee waiver
• 8(A+/A/A-): 60% tuition fee waiver
• 7(A+/A/A-): 50% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A+/A/A-): 35% tuition fee waiver
• 5(A+/A/A-): 25% tuition fee waiver
• Meet min requirements: 10% tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 9(A*/A): 100% tuition fee waiver
• 8(A*/A): 60% tuition fee waiver
• 7(A*/A): 50% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A*/A): 35% tuition fee waiver
• 5(A*/A): 25% tuition fee waiver
• Meet min requirements: 10% tuition fee waiver

Duration

• Duration: 1 year

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Imperium International College

Fraser Business Park, Kuala Lumpur

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (ACCA FIA)

Intake

Jan, Jul

Tuition Fees

RM5,145

Fees indicated include a 30% discount in tuition fee that is available for EduAdvisor students enrolling in this programme. Contact us to find out more.

More Info

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• Highlights
• Campus
• Scholarships
• Duration

• Platinum-status approved learning partner of ACCA
• Study Now Pay Later financial aid provides a 100% study loan for students who are looking to pursue ACCA Foundation in Accounting
• Highly qualified lecturers with experience in the corporate field
• Strategically located, enabling a city experience and walking distance to LRT

• Fraser Business Park: RM5,145

SPM:

• 7(A+/A/A-): 80% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A+/A/A-): 70% tuition fee waiver
• 5(A+/A/A-): 60% tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 7(A*/A): 80% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A*/A): 70% tuition fee waiver
• 5(A*/A): 60% tuition fee waiver

• Duration: 1 year

Highlights

• Platinum-status approved learning partner of ACCA
• Study Now Pay Later financial aid provides a 100% study loan for students who are looking to pursue ACCA Foundation in Accounting
• Highly qualified lecturers with experience in the corporate field
• Strategically located, enabling a city experience and walking distance to LRT

Campus

• Fraser Business Park: RM5,145

Scholarships

SPM:

• 7(A+/A/A-): 80% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A+/A/A-): 70% tuition fee waiver
• 5(A+/A/A-): 60% tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 7(A*/A): 80% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A*/A): 70% tuition fee waiver
• 5(A*/A): 60% tuition fee waiver

Duration

• Duration: 1 year

More Details

Quest International University (QIU)

Ipoh, Perak

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (AFIA)

Intake

Apr, Jul, Oct

Tuition Fees

RM7,100

More Info

More Info

• Highlights
• Campus
• Scholarships
• Duration

• Small class sizes enabling greater student-lecturer interaction
• Benefit from ACCA support resources
• Access to UBS Accounting software
• Quest believes in a "leave no one behind" motto, where academics would help you to excel at your own pace

• Ipoh: RM7,100

SPM:

• 6(A+/A/A-): 100% tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 6(A*/A): 100% tuition fee waiver

• Duration: 1 year

Highlights

• Small class sizes enabling greater student-lecturer interaction
• Benefit from ACCA support resources
• Access to UBS Accounting software
• Quest believes in a "leave no one behind" motto, where academics would help you to excel at your own pace

Campus

• Ipoh: RM7,100

Scholarships

SPM:

• 6(A+/A/A-): 100% tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 6(A*/A): 100% tuition fee waiver

Duration

• Duration: 1 year

More Details

UOW Malaysia KDU College

Glenmarie, Selangor

ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (FIA)

Intake

Jan, May, Jul, Sep

Tuition Fees

RM9,250

More Info

More Info

• Highlights
• Campus
• Scholarships
• Duration

• Platinum-status approved learning partner of ACCA
• Employability Enhancement Program (EEP) embedded for soft skill enhancement
• Free SQL Accounting Software Training
• Part of the University of Wollongong Australia’s global network, which also has campuses located in Australia, Dubai and Hong Kong

• Glenmarie: RM9,250

SPM:

• 8A+ or 9(A+/A/A-): 100% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A+/A/A-): 50% tuition fee waiver
• 3(A+/A/A-): 25% tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 8A* or 9(A*/A): 100% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A*/A): 50% tuition fee waiver
• 3(A*/A): 25% tuition fee waiver

• Duration: 1 year

Highlights

• Platinum-status approved learning partner of ACCA
• Employability Enhancement Program (EEP) embedded for soft skill enhancement
• Free SQL Accounting Software Training
• Part of the University of Wollongong Australia’s global network, which also has campuses located in Australia, Dubai and Hong Kong

Campus

• Glenmarie: RM9,250

Scholarships

SPM:

• 8A+ or 9(A+/A/A-): 100% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A+/A/A-): 50% tuition fee waiver
• 3(A+/A/A-): 25% tuition fee waiver

IGCSE/O-Level:

• 8A* or 9(A*/A): 100% tuition fee waiver
• 6(A*/A): 50% tuition fee waiver
• 3(A*/A): 25% tuition fee waiver

Duration

• Duration: 1 year

More Details

Wondering where else can you study ACCA Foundation in Accountancy in Malaysia? Check out our comprehensive comparison table for the programme here!