Friday 20 September 2013

Frequently Asked Questions about FIA - ACCA

 What are entry requirements to register with FIA ?

 There are no formal entry requirements.Any secondary school student of age 16 years  can start FIA .
As Foundations in Accountancy consists of a suite of awards you can pick the qualification which is best for you.
 
 Is FIA going to difficult than CAT ? 
   
Overall both are of equal difficulty level.When comaring papers of both qulafications there is no much difference .CAT papers T1 to T4 are equal to FIA,s first four papers.But there is somehow changing in syllabus of T5,T6 and T7 papers of CAT in FIA.These papers are updated just including some advance level topics.Now all papers in FIA are CBE,s so don,t worry ,take it easy because there will no more Manual papers after every six months in June and December.So overall FIA is simple ,easy and more beneficial than CAT . 

 How much time is required to complete FIA ?
           
There are 9 papers in FIA like CAT .So here in FIA you also have to sit in exams for 9 papers. So it will take almost the same time as CAT (1.5 yr Max.).But, if you are not doing FIA completely  then it depends on the student.
For example:

Introductory level certificate : contains 2 papers and are CBE based so student can sit these exams in one attempt for which student might need 3 months to prepare.

Intermediate level certificate : contains 2 papers and are CBE based so student can sit these exams in one attempt for which student might need 3 months to prepare.

Diploma contains : Contains 3 papers and are CBE for which students might need 4 months to prepare.
Finally, to do the last 3 optional papers student might need 6 months to prepare.

How many papers does FIA have in CBE,s?
 
First 7 papers in Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) can be given as Computer Based Examinations (CBE,s).

Is there any exemptions are available to FIA students in ACCA ?

Exemptions for FIA students in ACCA qualifications are determined on the basis of qualifications they have acheived under Foundations in Accountancy because , FIA is not just simply a certification or qualification instead it has many qualifications under it. To get  exemptions in ACCA qualification while doing FIA, then students have to complete all three papers under Diploma in Accountancy and Business in FIA. Once you have completed this diploma you will be awarded exemptions in first three papers F1,F2 and F3 of ACCA.

How can i transfer or convert myself from FIA to ACCA ?
For automatic conversion from FIA to ACCA you have to opt-in for 'automatic conversion' while registering first time with ACCA,Otherwise you have to make your conversion by yourself before 31st of January and July after completion of your papers.If you failed to do this you have to pay conversion fee .

From where i can get certification or diploma in FIA and how ?

When you have passed your papers for any certification or diploma you can download your certificate or diploma from your ACCA account at any time but you have to complete Fip module found in your ACCA account first to get diploma or certificattion to be awarded to you for download.

Introduction to Foundations in Accountancy-FIA


FIA-ACCA , Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) is not simply another qualification rather it is an entire new suit of capabilities all set to might be Certified Accounting Technician (CAT).  FIA,s entire suit is subdivided into three certificates and a Diploma.



CAT             ==>          FIA               ==>         ACCA
                                 
  T1                               FA1
  T2                               MA1

                                 Introductory
                                 Certificate in
                                   Financial 
                                      and
                                 Management
                                 Accounting
                                    
 T3                                FA2
 T4                                MA2
                                 
                                Intermediate 
                                 certificate in
                                   Financial
                                      and
                                 Management
                                 Accounting

T5                                 FAB                   ==>             F1          
T6                                 FFA                   ==>             F3         
T7                                 FMA                  ==>             F2     
                                
                                 Diploma in
                                 Accounting

                                     and
                                  Business   

 T8                                FAU
 T9                                FTX
 T10                              FFM

                                 Optional papers
                                   Two must be 
                                 Selected out of
                                 Three  papers
                                            =
                             Certified Accounting
                                   Technician 

Above skech of FIA shows that it,s a suit of qualifications not simply a certificate.Students now have the option to register for Diploma directly skipping introductory and intermediate certificate stages . Upon completion of 'Diploma in Accounting and Business' students become eligible for ACCA .

After completion of  FAB, FFA, and FMA students are given exemption of three papers of ACCA (F1,F2,F3) and a diploma also.Diploma can be downloaded from student,s accounts after completing FiP module found in their ACCA,s account. 

FIA is a new name for previous certification known as CAT but due to different certifications under it, this ensures compatibility of  ACCA in continuously changing environment of  accountancy and business.