Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer ACCA
ACCA-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY
WHAT IS ACCA?
ACCA standards for Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. It is a United Kingdom originated professional accounting qualification that is globally accepted. ACCA can be done by a school lever Grade twelve with full certificate results, or any person that wants to switch from any accounting programme or any career. ACCA has three stages known as ACCA Level 1, 2 and 3. All levels can easily be completed in 3 years. ACCA is a flexible course with only 19 courses in it with a pass mark of 50% only. It is a highly recognised paper in the world and originates from the United Kingdom as an international professional accounting qualification. A bachelor’s degree in accounting is an academic program while ACCA is a professional qualification. There is a Chattered Account Zambia qualification which is the same as ACCA, the main difference being that CA Zambia is a local qualification while ACCA is an international qualification. Local meaning that the subjects covered do not only focus on the international standards, but also include the local subjects in terms of taxation, audit etc. that apply to Zambia.
WHERE DO ACCA GRADUATES WORK?
ACCA members can work in Banks, Investments companies, Mining companies, audit firms and any other companies as Accountants, Finance Managers, Finance Directors and Chief Finance Officers. ACCA graduates have the advantage of working in any country around the world because it is an internationally accredited qualification.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
- Preparation of financial statements for review by directors
- Accounting for all costs and income for the company.
- Any other accounting tasks (read more on accountants job)
The primary task of an accountant is to prepare and examine financial records. To make sure that records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time.
Accountants and auditors* perform overviews of the financial operations of a business in order to help it run efficiently. They also provide the same services to individuals, helping them create plans of action for improved financial well-being.
* An auditor is a person authorized to review and verify the accuracy of financial records and ensure that companies and/or businesses comply with tax laws and accounting policies and regulations.
WHERE DO ACCOUNTANTS WORK AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
Many are the times when people think that accountants are people who only work in banks and count money. However, the fact of the matter is that there are a number of accounting careers that an accountant can pursue depending on the nature of the business and the industry as indicated below.
| Accounting Career type | Duties |
| Public Accountants (e.g external auditors such as KPMG, GRANT THORNTON, PWC, EY etc) | Their clients include corporations, governments and individuals. They fulfil a broad range of accounting, auditing, tax and consulting duties. |
| Management Accountants | Also called cost, managerial, corporate or private accountants. They record and analyse the financial information of the clients they work for, and provide it for internal use by managers, usually not for public use unless at the discretion of management. |
| Government Accountants (e.g Office of the Auditor General) | They maintain and examine records of government agencies, audit private businesses and individuals whose activities are subject to government regulations or taxations. |
| Internal Auditors | These are accountants who work within the organisation to check for risk management of an organization or businesses' funds. They then identify ways to improve the process for finding and eliminating waste and fraud. |
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF AN ACCA MEMBER?
The work schedule of an ACCA member depends on the organisation one is working for. If one is working for a government department, they typically follow the normal 8 hours to 17 hours work schedule Monday to Friday. If one is working for a private company, they will work based on the hours the private company has put in place which typically are 8hrs to 17hrs.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
The job market for ACCA members is good.
Once you are done with ACCA, you have high chances of working for big organisations such as Bank of Zambia, Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines, World bank, PWC and any other big companies you may think of.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To enjoy being an ACCA member, you need to be a person who loves numbers and a business minded person. It is quite an interesting programmes and relates to real life situations.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer ACCA
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
Main subjects involved are:
- Financial courses
- Management courses
- Accountant in Business
- Zambian Taxation
- Zambian Law
- Auditing
- Business leadership courses
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
Five O' level credits or better in Mathematics, English and any other 3 subjects.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE AN ACCA MEMBER?
Other programmes that can make one an ACCA member are accounting based programmes such as Masters in Business Administration, Chartered Accountant programmes, Chartered Financial Analyst programmes etc.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Once you study ACCA, you may decide to pursue a Master’s in Business Education. Other options are Chartered Financial Analysts and other Advanced accounting programmes. With Masters one would become Chief Financial officer (a senior executive responsible for managing the financial actions of a company).
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER ACCA
UNIVERSITY OF LUSAKA
Programme duration: 2 years professional qualification
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Long Distance
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: January only
Location: Leopard Hill Campus – off Leopard Hill Road - Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 258505 or +260 962127952 or +260 976075850
E-mail: academic@unilus.ca.zm
Website: www.unilus.ac.zm/fees.php
ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
Programme duration: 2 years professional qualification
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka, Chingola, Chilanga
Contacts
Tel: +260 978168317 or +260 955398992
E-mail: admissions@zamim.org
Facebook: Zambia Institute of Management - ZAMIM
ZAMBIA ICT COLLEGE
Programme duration: 6 months per level
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: January and July
Location: Ndola
Contacts
Tel: +260 - 955 610492 or +260 - 955 640044
E-mail: info@zictcollege.com
Website: www.zictcollege.ac.zm/study/professional/acca
SUNNINGDALE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 2 years professional qualification
Mode of study: Full-time only
Admitting school: School of Business Studies
Intakes: January only
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 976 842 520
E-mail: info@sunningdaleuniversity.ac.zm
Facebook: Sunningdale University
LUSAKA OPEN BUSINESS COLLEGE
Programme duration: 6 months per level
Mode of study: Full-time and Open Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Business Studies
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 967 683 129
E-mail: info@lobcollege.com
Website: lobcollege.ac.zm/fees/
COPPERSTONE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 2 years professional qualification
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of business and management studies
Intakes: January and July
Location: Baluba - Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 967 499 161 or +260 967 499 149 or +260 967 499 292
E-mail: copperstonecustomercare@gmail.com
Website: copperstone.education
NKUMBI INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
Programme duration: 6 months per level
Mode of study: Full-Time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: January only
Location: Kapiri Mposhi
Contacts
Tel: +260 979329699 or +260 968756184
E-mail: nkumbi@ymail.com
Facebook: Nkumbi International College
EVELYN HONE COLLEGE
Programme duration: 2 years professional qualification
Mode of study: Full-time and Open Distance & Flexible Learning (ODFL)
Admitting school: School of Business Studies
Intakes: June/July only
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +0211225127 or +260 211 220971 or +260 964 032960
E-mail: info.ehc@evelynhone.edu.zm
Website: evelynhone.edu.zm/academic-fees/
UNICAF UNIVERSITY ZAMBIA
Programme duration: 4 years professional qualification
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Business studies
Intakes: June/July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211250522
E-mail: info@unicafuniversity.com
Website: www.unicaf.org
ZABTUC
Programme duration: 1 year certificate
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Business studies
Intakes: May only
Location: Impala House, Chachacha Road - Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 969 228-344 or +260 979 447-941
E-mail: admin@zabtuc.com
Website: https://www.zabtuc.com/index.php/prices