Foundations in Accountancy (FIA)

The FIA programme allows prospective students to select the most appropriate entry route and progress to additional qualifications, based on their previous qualifications, experience and future aspirations. With this in mind, ACCA has set two entry routes to the FIA as follows:

Route 1: No formal academic qualifications  

Students with no formal academic education can register to take exams at any level within the F.I.A. There is no requirement to complete the ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2) or the ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3) prior to completing the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4), although students are strongly recommended to do so by the ACCA. The mature student entry route (MSER) to enter the ACCA Professional Qualification has been disbanded by ACCA since students can start studying the FIA at any level, including the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4), which is equivalent to the Applied Knowledge exams of the Fundamentals Level.

Route 2: Meeting the minimum entry requirement for the ACCA Qualification  

Students who meet the minimum academic entry requirements to commence the ACCA Qualification can either register for the ACCA Qualification and commence their studies at the Applied Knowledge Modules with BT, MA and FA; or register on the FIA and complete the ACCA Diplomas in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Levels 2 & 3) if they prefer to take this route initially, in order to obtain additional certificates before commencing their studies on the ACCA Professional Qualification.

SBCS also strongly recommends that FIA students start from the ACCA Diplomas in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2 & 3) in order to obtain a solid foundation for the ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business modules which are now the same modules comprising the Applied Knowledge Exams of the Fundamentals level of the ACCA Professional Qualification.

English and Mathematics Self-check modules

In order to assist prospective students in gauging their general level of ability in English and Mathematics, ACCA has developed optional self-check modules in both English and Mathematics. Needless to say, if performances in these modules are weak, a prospective student should take heed and start from the ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2) to ensure smooth progress through the FIA. These two Modules are free of charge, optional and easily accessible from the ACCA website at www.accaglobal.com using the following link: ACCA’s Virtual Learning Centre.

Deadline date for registration – January 24, 2025

If you are unable to register by the deadline date, let us know so arrangements can be made on your behalf.

Course Outline

• ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management (RQF Level 2)
  • FA1       – Recording Financial Transactions Paper     
  • MA1      – Management Information    

Duration Of Programme

The entire programme can be completed in as short a time as one and a half to two years depending on whether the student wishes to fast track to the ACCA Qualification Programme (one and a half years) or complete the CAT certification (two years).

Registration Deadline

Computer Based Examinations (CBEs) are also available for ACCA Diplomas in Financial & Management Accounting (RQF Levels 2& 3) and ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business level papers for this programme. To attempt CBEs you must be a registered ACCA student with an ACCA registration number. ACCA normally takes approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks from the date of submission of a complete registration package to process a student’s application which must be allowed for, when doing Computer Based Exams.

Registration fee of £45.00 is payable to ACCA on completion and submission of your online registration form together with all the necessary supporting documents. 

Also, as a result of a joint scheme relationship between ACCA and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago (ICATT), all Trinidad & Tobago resident students are required to become student members of ICATT upon payment of a registration fee of TT$185.63 and submission of an ICATT application form.  Foreign students who wish to sit examinations in Trinidad & Tobago are also required to join and pay this Initial Registration fee to ICATT if they are also residing in Trinidad and Tobago. Annual subscription fees are also payable to both ACCA and ICATT from the 1st of January following the year of registration and every 1st January thereafter. 

NOTE: It is important to note that the first annual subscription fee will also become payable for the following year if a student initially registers between 8th November of any year and 8th May of the following year. If a student registers between 8th November, 2022 and 8th May 2023, then the first annual subscription will become due for 2023 immediately after approval of the student’s application by ACCA.

Computer Based Exams (CBEs)

All FIA papers are examined as a computer-based examinations. SBCS students preparing to sit Computer Based Examinations (CBEs) can enjoy the benefit of getting their results immediately after sitting computer-based examinations. SBCS schedules CBEs at the end of each semester for students who are currently registered for the relevant courses within the semester. CBEs are also scheduled for every other Friday (except on public holidays, SBCS’ school holidays or SBCS’ examination weeks) for both internal and external students. For CBEs held every other Friday, SBCS requires a student to register for the examinations with the school at least one week prior to the exam date.  For the end of semester CBEs, students are required to register for the examinations at least four weeks prior to the commencement of the examination week. Students must have their ACCA Registration Numbers upon registration for any CBE. The examination fees (payable to SBCS) for each ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2 & 3) paper/ module is presently USD$125.00 and USD$155.00 for each ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4) paper.

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