ACCA

ACCA at The Westminster College, Kupondole, Lalitpur

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a UK-based professional accounting body that awards the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification. It was founded in 1904 and now serves hundreds of thousands of students and members worldwide across more than 170–180 countries.

At The Westminster College (TWC) in Kupondole, ACCA is offered as a structured professional course with a typical duration of three to four years. The college follows ACCA’s global syllabus and examination structure while providing classroom teaching, mentoring, and access to campus facilities for students based in Nepal.

You study a sequence of exams grouped into three levels, complete an Ethics and Professional Skills Module, and gain relevant work experience to qualify as an ACCA member. TWC positions this pathway for students who want an accounting and finance career that can connect both to Nepali organisations and to international employers.

Highlights

• Qualification: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

• Awarding body: ACCA, United Kingdom

• Provider in Nepal: The Westminster College, Kupondole, Lalitpur

• Levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, Strategic Professional

• Total examinations: 13 papers, with possible exemptions for eligible degree holders

• Additional requirements: 36 months of relevant work experience and completion of the Ethics and Professional Skills Module (EPSM)

• Typical duration at TWC: 3–4 years, depending on entry point and exam pace

• Intakes: March, June, September, December

• Internship / placement: Marked as “Available” through institutional and employer networks

Curriculum Details

ACCA at The Westminster College follows the official ACCA qualification structure. The course is exam-based and progresses from fundamentals to advanced professional subjects.

Applied Knowledge

This entry level introduces the foundations of accounting and business:

• Business and Technology (BT)

• Management Accounting (MA)

• Financial Accounting (FA)

Students learn how organisations operate, how management uses cost and performance information, and how basic financial statements are prepared. For many Nepali learners coming from 10+2 or A Levels, this stage acts as a bridge from school-level commerce or science to professional accounting study.

Applied Skills

The second level deepens the core technical skills needed in most accounting and finance roles:

• Corporate and Business Law (LW)

• Performance Management (PM)

• Taxation (TX)

• Financial Reporting (FR)

• Audit and Assurance (AA)

• Financial Management (FM)

Here you move from simple bookkeeping concepts toward interpretation of financial information, planning and control, taxation rules, audit procedures, and financial decision-making. Many of the case-style questions reflect real organisational situations that accountants face in practice.

Strategic Professional

The final level prepares students for senior responsibilities:

• Essentials: Strategic Business Leader (SBL), Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)

• Options (choose any two): Advanced Financial Management (AFM), Advanced Performance Management (APM), Advanced Taxation (ATX), Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

At this stage, you integrate knowledge from earlier levels, work with longer scenarios, and practice judgement in complex business contexts. The papers encourage analysis of strategy, reporting standards, risk, and professional ethics.

Alongside exams, membership requires the Ethics and Professional Skills Module and at least three years of documented, relevant work experience recorded through ACCA’s online system.

Objectives

The ACCA course at The Westminster College aims to help students:

• Build strong technical understanding in financial and management accounting.

• Learn how tax, audit, and financial management function within organisations.

• Develop ethical judgement that matches international professional expectations.

• Gain confidence in business communication, presentations, and written reports.

• Prepare for roles in audit firms, corporate finance departments, banks, NGOs, and public sector bodies.

For Nepali students, another key objective is to link global accounting standards with the realities of local practice so that you can work effectively in Nepal or abroad.

Scope

ACCA holders work in many sectors, including audit and assurance, taxation, banking, consulting, manufacturing, and services. The qualification is recognised across a wide geographical spread, which helps graduates consider roles both within Nepal and in other countries that accept ACCA membership.

In the Nepali context, students often combine ACCA with degrees such as BBS, BBA, or MBS, or use it as a primary professional qualification while working in accounting or finance roles. At TWC, the presence of technology-focused degree programmes on the same campus also creates opportunities to understand how finance interacts with data, information systems, and digital platforms.

Learning Outcomes

By the time you progress through all ACCA levels at TWC, you are expected to:

• Prepare and interpret financial statements for different types of entities.

• Apply costing and budgeting methods to support management decisions.

• Understand core principles of Nepali and international taxation covered in the syllabus.

• Explain the purpose of audit, apply basic audit procedures, and discuss assurance concepts.

• Evaluate investment choices, sources of finance, and financial risk.

• Analyse business scenarios, identify control weaknesses, and suggest practical improvements.

• Communicate accounting information in a clear written and oral form.

These outcomes follow ACCA’s competency framework while being taught in a classroom environment that reflects the needs of Nepali learners.

Skill Development Modules

Although ACCA is an exam-based qualification, the way you study at The Westminster College supports broader skill development:

• Technical skills: Journal entries, financial reporting formats, variance analysis, tax computations, audit files, and financial modelling in spreadsheets.

• Analytical skills: Interpreting ratios, assessing performance trends, analysing cash flow, and linking numbers to business decisions.

• Professional skills: Time management during exams, structured writing for long-form questions, and teamwork during class tasks and presentations.

• Ethical awareness: Discussion of ethical dilemmas, professional codes, and how misreporting affects investors, employees, and society.

For many students, these skills shape daily work in audit firms, banks, and corporate offices even before completing all exams.

Teaching Methodology

ACCA teaching at TWC follows a classroom-plus-self-study model. Students attend lectures where core concepts are introduced, followed by problem-solving sessions and exam-style question practice.

Faculty members use:

• Topic-wise explanations linked to ACCA-approved study texts and question banks.

• Regular class tests and mock exams before the main exam windows.

• Guided use of online resources and practice platforms.

You are expected to study independently between classes, revisit examples, and solve past questions under time limits so that exam technique improves along with subject knowledge.

Admission Requirements

Entry to ACCA at The Westminster College follows both ACCA’s global criteria and the college’s own academic thresholds.

For the Applied Knowledge level at TWC, typical requirements include:

• Completion of Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) / NEB 10+2 or CBSE with at least 55% or GPA 2.4, or an equivalent qualification.

• For A Levels, a minimum of 3.5 credits with three full-credit subjects.

• Any other qualification assessed and approved by the Course Leader before acceptance.

Students must also complete ACCA registration and provide academic transcripts and identification documents as required by ACCA Global. The college admission team usually guides you through the online registration and exemption process.

Career Opportunities

Graduates who complete ACCA exams and membership requirements may work in roles such as:

• Financial accountant or management accountant

• Internal or external auditor

• Tax associate or tax consultant

• Financial analyst or credit analyst

• Risk and compliance roles in banks and financial institutions

• Finance manager or controller in corporate organisations

Some students progress further into leadership roles after gaining experience, while others choose specialist tracks in taxation, audit, financial management, consulting, or academia.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Westminster College applies its general scholarship philosophy to encourage access to professional courses, including ACCA. While specific percentages may change over time, the main categories usually include:

• Merit-based support for students who perform strongly in school-level exams or ACCA papers.

• Need-based support or fee waivers for learners from low-income families, remote districts, or disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Sports-related support for students who represent the college in recognised competitions.

• Targeted Westminster College schemes that link academic performance with inclusion criteria such as geography or marginalised groups.

You can discuss available scholarships, documentation, and renewal rules directly with the Student Services Department or the admissions desk, since policies may be updated annually.

Why Choose ACCA at The Westminster College?

For a Nepali student who wants a professional accounting qualification, the ACCA route at TWC offers several practical advantages:

• You study an international syllabus while staying in Kupondole, close to major commercial areas of Lalitpur and Kathmandu.

• You gain access to the same campus facilities used by degree students, including computer labs, library, e-resources, and student support services.

• You can combine ACCA study with part-time work or further study, depending on your schedule and exam choices.

• You receive guidance on exam planning, exemptions, and practical experience so that your learning path remains structured rather than random.

For many families, this mix of local study environment and international qualification helps balance cost, quality, and career reach.

Conclusion

ACCA at The Westminster College is a structured professional route for students who want to build a long-term career in accounting and finance while remaining based in Nepal during their study years. The course follows ACCA’s global syllabus, combines exams with ethics and work experience requirements, and connects learners to a wide range of career paths in audit, taxation, financial management, and corporate reporting.

If you plan to move from school-level commerce or a bachelor’s degree into professional practice, this programme offers a clear, exam-focused pathway supported by a campus that understands both academic study and workplace expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How long does it usually take to complete ACCA at The Westminster College?

Most students need three to four years, depending on their starting level, exemptions, and how many exams they take in each session. 

2. How many exams are there in the ACCA qualification?

There are 13 exams across three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. Some degree holders may receive exemptions for certain papers. 

3. Can I work while studying ACCA at TWC?

Yes. ACCA’s modular exam structure and multiple sittings each year allow many students to combine study with part-time or full-time work, provided they manage their study schedule carefully. 

4. What minimum qualification do I need to join ACCA at TWC?

You generally need 10+2 / NEB / CBSE with at least 55% or GPA 2.4, or A Levels with a minimum of 3.5 credits and three full-credit subjects, or an equivalent qualification approved by the Course Leader. 

5. Does ACCA require work experience?

Yes. To become an ACCA member you must complete 36 months of relevant practical experience and record it through ACCA’s official system, along with passing all exams and completing the Ethics and Professional Skills Module. 

6. Where can I find the latest fee details for ACCA at The Westminster College?

Fee structures change over time, so you should refer to the official TWC ACCA course page and ACCA Global’s fee information for the most current figures.