Open any ACCA forum right now and you will see the same worry: “Which subjects am I actually going to study in 2027?” With new exam codes, new names and a brand new level, it is easy to feel confused. The good news is that the new structure is far more logical than it first appears.
This guide walks you through every subject, level by level, explains what changed from the old syllabus and shows you how to plan your journey. We wrote it at Abeel School of Accountancy so you can bookmark it and come back whenever you need a quick answer.
The Big Picture: Four Levels, One Qualification
From 2027, ACCA moves from three levels to four. The old Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills and Strategic Professional levels become Foundations, Knowledge, Expertise and Strategic Professional. ACCA has also added Essential Employability Modules, which are short, assessed online modules that build workplace skills alongside your exams.
According to ACCA’s official qualification levels infographic, the full list of subjects looks like this.
Level 1: Foundations
Foundations is the entry point for students who do not yet meet the requirements to start directly at Knowledge level. It has three subjects:
- F1 Accounts Preparation: the basics of recording and preparing financial information
- F2 Management Information: how organisations use information to plan and control
- F3 Decision Making with Data: an early introduction to using data for business decisions
If you have completed high school and want a gentle start, this level builds confidence before the heavier papers arrive. It also leads to the Diploma in Accounting and Business and the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) designation.
Level 2: Knowledge
Knowledge replaces the current Applied Knowledge level. It has three subjects:
- K1 Financial Accounting
- K2 Management Accounting
- K3 Business Law
The most visible change is Business Law. It used to sit in the middle of the journey as Corporate and Business Law (LW), and now it is one of your first three papers. Business and Technology (BT) no longer exists as a separate exam. You will also complete the Responsible Business Management module at this level, which covers ethics, governance and sustainability. Finish this level and you earn the Higher Diploma in Accounting and Business.
Level 3: Expertise
Expertise replaces Applied Skills and has five subjects:
- E1 Taxation
- E2 Financial Reporting
- E3 Audit, Risk and Control
- E4 Finance and Investment
- E5 Performance with Data Analysis
Going from six papers to five makes this level lighter on paper, but do not mistake that for easier. Each exam now carries more digital and data thinking. E5 is the clearest example, since it takes the old Performance Management content and adds data analysis. You will also complete the Digital Tech and Innovation module here.
Level 4: Strategic Professional
This is the top of the mountain. You sit two compulsory exams and one options exam:
- S1 Business and Sustainability Reporting
- S2 Strategic Business Leader
- One options exam from the list below
The five options are Audit and Assurance Professional, Corporate Finance Professional, Data Science Professional, Performance and Insights Professional, and Taxation Advisory Professional. You also complete the Ethical, Sustainable Leadership module at this level.
Old Subjects vs New Subjects: Quick Comparison
| Current subject | 2027 equivalent |
|---|---|
| Financial Accounting (FA) | K1 Financial Accounting |
| Management Accounting (MA) | K2 Management Accounting |
| Business and Technology (BT) | Removed as a standalone exam |
| Corporate and Business Law (LW) | K3 Business Law |
| Taxation (TX) | E1 Taxation |
| Financial Reporting (FR) | E2 Financial Reporting |
| Audit and Assurance (AA) | E3 Audit, Risk and Control |
| Financial Management (FM) | E4 Finance and Investment |
| Performance Management (PM) | E5 Performance with Data Analysis |
| Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) | S1 Business and Sustainability Reporting |
| Strategic Business Leader (SBL) | S2 Strategic Business Leader |
Treat this table as a guide. ACCA’s own transition tools give the official mapping for your personal exam record, so always confirm there before making big decisions.
What Is Genuinely New?
Three themes run through the whole subject list.
Data is everywhere. F3, E5 and the new Data Science option show that ACCA wants graduates who are comfortable with numbers beyond the ledger.
Sustainability is examinable. S1 puts sustainability reporting right in the title, and the employability modules reinforce ethics and responsible business.
Flexibility is bigger. Foundations and Knowledge exams will be on-demand computer-based tests, so you can sit them when you are ready rather than waiting for a fixed window.
You can check the latest rollout dates on ACCA’s official timeline page. At the time of writing, the first Foundations and Knowledge exams begin in July 2027 and the first Expertise and Strategic Professional exams follow in September 2027.
How to Choose Your Options Exam?
With five choices, this decision can feel heavy. A simple way to think about it:
- Love numbers and investments? Corporate Finance Professional is a natural fit.
- Drawn to compliance and risk? Choose Audit and Assurance Professional.
- Enjoy tax planning? Taxation Advisory Professional builds a valued specialism.
- Interested in business improvement and management? Performance and Insights Professional suits you.
- Curious about analytics and technology? Data Science Professional is the newest and most future-focused route.
Think about the job you want in five years, then pick the option that supports it. Not sure? Our team can talk it through with you on our ACCA counselling page.
A Smarter Way to Study These Subjects
Having the right subject list is only half the story. The other half is how you prepare. Most students lose marks not because they lack ability, but because their revision starts too late and their syllabus finishes too close to the exam date.
This is where Abeel School of Accountancy stands apart. We are the only institute that conducts weekly live revision sessions along with smart course completion, something no one else offers. Every week, our students revisit what they have learned with a teacher live, so concepts stay fresh and doubts are solved immediately. Smart course completion makes sure the full syllabus is wrapped up early, leaving proper time for past paper practice.
With new content like data analysis and sustainability reporting, that weekly rhythm matters even more. These topics reward steady repetition, not last minute cramming. Take a look at our ACCA programme details to see how the weekly structure works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many subjects are there in the ACCA 2027 qualification?
Excluding the Foundations level, you sit 3 Knowledge exams, 5 Expertise exams and 3 Strategic Professional exams (two compulsory plus one options paper). That gives 11 exams, alongside the Essential Employability Modules.
Q2. Is Business and Technology (BT) still part of ACCA?
BT is removed as a standalone exam. Its themes are spread across the new Knowledge level subjects, and Business Law now appears as K3.
Q3. Do I have to start at the Foundations level?
Not always. Foundations is designed for students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements for Knowledge level. If you already qualify for direct entry, you can begin at Knowledge.
Q4. Which options exam is the easiest?
There is no single easiest option, because difficulty depends on your strengths and interests. Choose the one that matches your career goals, then prepare consistently. The expert faculty at Abeel School of Accountancy can help you compare them before you commit.
Q5. Will my current exam passes count in the new structure?
Yes. ACCA has confirmed that exams passed under the current structure carry across through a mapping process, so your hard work is protected.
Q6. Are the Essential Employability Modules exams?
No. They are online assessed modules that develop practical workplace skills such as responsible business practice, digital technology and ethical leadership. They are required for your qualification but are not sat as timed exams.
Q7. What makes Abeel School of Accountancy different from other ACCA institutes?
We are the only institute offering weekly live revision sessions combined with smart course completion. Students revise every week and finish the syllabus early, which means calmer, better prepared exam days.
Final Thoughts
The ACCA subjects list for 2027 may look unfamiliar at first glance, but once you see it level by level, the logic is clear. You build knowledge, then expertise, then strategic leadership, with data and sustainability woven through every stage.
If you want a team that follows every ACCA update and a study system built around steady revision, Abeel School of Accountancy is here for you. Visit our contact page and start planning your ACCA journey today.
Plan your next step
Use these related guides to connect the changes with your own exam record and revision plan.
- 2027 changes and current-student checklist
- How to check your passed papers in the transition tool
- Build a sitting-by-sitting study plan