How to Earn ACCA Units and Choose the Right Topics

For Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualified professionals, staying current isn’t just best practice; it’s a requirement. That’s why continuous professional development (CPD) is a core part of maintaining your qualification and demonstrating ongoing expertise.

Whether you're a finance leader looking to strengthen your skills or an employer supporting professional growth, understanding ACCA CPD requirements is essential. Fortunately, there are many flexible ways to earn ACCA CPD, from accredited training, industry events, self-directed learning, and ACCA online courses.

The challenge is knowing which activities count, how to document them properly, and which learning opportunities will have the greatest impact on your career. Without a clear strategy, it’s easy to fall behind on requirements or miss valuable development opportunities.

This guide explains how to earn ACCA credits efficiently, covering approved learning formats, ACCA verifiable CPD examples, documentation requirements, key differences from CPA programs, and tips for aligning ACCA courses with your long-term career goals.

What is ACCA CPD?

ACCA CPD is the ongoing learning and development required by the ACCA to help members maintain and enhance the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment needed for their roles. Rather than being a one-time qualification requirement, CPD ensures finance professionals stay up to date with changing regulations, accounting standards, technologies, and industry best practices.

The ACCA recognizes that learning can take many forms, which is why members can choose from a range of development activities, including ACCA courses, industry events, webinars, and self-directed study. The goal is simple: Support lifelong learning and continued professional competence throughout a finance career.

How many units of CPD do ACCA members need to complete?

To meet current ACCA CPD requirements, ACCA members following the unit route must complete 40 CPD units each year, with at least 21 units classified as verifiable CPD. This approach gives finance professionals flexibility while ensuring they continue developing relevant skills and knowledge throughout their careers.

• Verifiable CPD refers to learning activities that you can prove you took part in. Common ACCA verifiable CPD examples include completing accredited training courses, attending webinars or conferences, participating in workshops, or taking ACCA CPD courses that provide certificates of completion or attendance records.
• Unverifiable CPD includes valuable learning activities that are more difficult to formally document, such as reading industry publications, researching technical topics, listening to finance podcasts, or mentoring colleagues.

Members also need to submit an annual declaration confirming they have met their ACCA CPD obligations and should retain supporting evidence in case they are selected for a compliance review or audit.

How to meet ACCA CPD requirements

One of the biggest advantages of the ACCA qualification is the flexibility it offers in meeting ACCA CPD requirements. Rather than limiting members to a single learning pathway, ACCA recognizes a wide range of professional development activities that can help finance professionals build new skills, stay compliant, and advance their careers. Whether you prefer structured training, independent research, or flexible digital learning, there are multiple ways to earn ACCA CPD throughout the year.

ACCA-approved courses and events

One of the most straightforward ways to meet CPD obligations is through ACCA courses and events provided by ACCA or approved learning partners. These may include technical workshops, professional development programs, webinars, and specialist training sessions covering financial reporting, audit, taxation, governance, and leadership.

Because these learning activities are designed specifically for ACCA members, they align closely with professional competency requirements and often focus on current industry developments. They also make compliance easier, as participants typically receive certificates or attendance records that can be used as evidence of verifiable CPD. For professionals looking for a reliable and efficient option, ACCA CPD courses are often the simplest route.

Industry conferences and seminars

Finance and accounting conferences can also contribute towards CPD requirements. Industry events offer opportunities to learn from subject matter experts, explore emerging trends, and gain insights into changing regulations and best practices.

Topics may include IFRS updates, sustainability reporting, digital transformation, risk management, artificial intelligence in finance, and corporate governance. In addition to earning verifiable CPD credits, conferences allow professionals to expand their networks and exchange ideas with peers from different industries and regions. Before registering, it's worth reviewing the agenda to ensure the content aligns with your professional responsibilities and development goals.

Self-directed learning

Not all learning takes place in a classroom. ACCA also recognizes self-directed development activities that help professionals maintain and improve their expertise. Examples include reading technical publications, researching regulatory changes, participating in internal company training, mentoring colleagues, or contributing to professional bodies.

Common ACCA verifiable CPD examples might include documenting research into new IFRS standards or preparing and delivering a training presentation. Other activities, such as reading industry news or listening to finance podcasts, may count as non-verifiable CPD. This approach offers maximum flexibility, allowing professionals to tailor learning to their specific career objectives.

Online learning platforms

For busy finance leaders, ACCA online courses offer a convenient way to earn CPD from anywhere. Platforms such as Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, and specialist finance training providers offer courses on technical accounting, data analytics, leadership, project management, and other in-demand skills.

Online learning is particularly useful for professionals balancing CPD with demanding workloads, as many courses can be completed at their own pace. When selecting a course, ensure the content is relevant to your role and that completion records are available if you intend to count the activity as verifiable CPD.

How to choose the right topics

Meeting your ACCA CPD requirements is important, but the most valuable CPD activities are those that support both your professional development and your organization's goals. Rather than selecting courses simply to earn credits, consider how each learning opportunity can help you perform more effectively in your current role, prepare for future career opportunities, or address emerging business challenges.

When planning your ACCA CPD, focus on topics that align with your responsibilities, long-term career aspirations, and industry trends. Key areas to consider include:

• IFRS Updates and Global Accounting Standards: Essential for professionals working across international markets or preparing financial statements under evolving reporting requirements.
• Governance and Ethics: Strengthens decision-making and helps finance leaders uphold professional standards while navigating complex regulatory environments.
• Risk Management and Cybersecurity: Provides insight into identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial, operational, and cyber risks that could impact business performance.
• Strategic Business Management: Covers areas such as financial planning, mergers and acquisitions, business valuation, and performance management to support leadership and commercial decision-making.
• Digital Transformation and Technology: Explores emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, automation, and data analytics that are reshaping modern finance functions.
• Sustainability and ESG Reporting: Helps professionals understand growing stakeholder expectations around environmental, social, and governance reporting and corporate responsibility.

By choosing learning activities strategically, ACCA courses and development opportunities can do more than maintain compliance—they can help position you for future leadership roles and create greater value for your organization.

How to document your ACCA units

Keeping accurate records is an important part of meeting ACCA CPD requirements. ACCA members must submit an annual declaration confirming they have completed the required CPD, and supporting evidence may be requested during a compliance review or audit. Maintaining clear, organized records throughout the year can make this process much easier.

For each learning activity, it's a good idea to document:

• A description of the activity and what was covered
• The date or dates completed
• The provider or source, such as a training organization, conference, webinar host, or publication
• The number of CPD units or hours claimed
• Evidence of completion, including certificates, attendance records, presentation materials, or assessment results
• A brief reflection on what was learned and how it supports your professional development or current role

To simplify record-keeping, ACCA provides an online CPD tool that allows members to track activities, store evidence, and manage their ACCA CPD records in one place throughout the year.

ACCA vs CPA

Both ACCA and certified public accountant (CPA) qualifications demonstrate a high level of accounting expertise, but they differ in scope, recognition, and continuing education requirements. CPA qualifications are typically governed by national or regional accounting bodies, such as state boards in the US, and CPD requirements often vary by jurisdiction.

One of ACCA's biggest advantages is its international recognition. The qualification is respected in more than 180 countries, making it a popular choice for professionals pursuing global career opportunities or working across multiple markets.

There are also differences in how ongoing learning is measured. While many CPA bodies require members to complete a set number of continuing education hours each year, ACCA uses a more flexible unit-based approach. Instead of focusing solely on time spent learning, ACCA CPD encourages members to undertake development activities relevant to their roles and career goals.

For professionals comparing qualifications, understanding potential ACCA credit hours for CPA equivalencies and local licensing requirements is important, particularly when working internationally or pursuing dual credentials.

How to make CPD work with your career progression

While ACCA CPD helps professionals maintain compliance and stay current with industry developments, it can also be a powerful tool for career growth. By approaching CPD strategically, finance professionals can build skills that support both organizational objectives and their own long-term ambitions.

Start by identifying skilsl gaps between your current capabilities and the requirements of future roles. If you're aiming for a leadership position, for example, topics such as strategic planning, business partnering, or people management may be valuable additions to your development plan.

Performance reviews are another useful source of insight. Feedback from managers and colleagues can highlight areas for improvement and help guide your choice of ACCA courses and learning activities.

It's also worth networking strategically through industry events, professional associations, and mentoring relationships. Conversations with peers and senior finance leaders can reveal emerging skills and knowledge areas that are becoming increasingly important.

Where possible, integrate learning into your day-to-day work by volunteering for new projects or responsibilities that stretch your capabilities. Finally, plan ahead by creating an annual CPD schedule. Spreading learning throughout the year makes it easier to meet ACCA CPD requirements while supporting consistent professional growth.

Be strategic and make the most of your ACCA units

Completing ACCA CPD is more than a compliance exercise—it's an investment in your long-term success as a finance professional. By choosing relevant learning opportunities and aligning them with your career goals, you can strengthen your expertise, stay current with industry developments, and remain competitive in an increasingly global profession.

The most effective CPD plans balance business needs with personal development, helping you build skills that support both organizational performance and future career progression. Take time to review your current learning plan, identify any knowledge gaps, and explore new ACCA courses, industry events, or ACCA online courses that can help you get more value from every CPD unit you earn.