Do You Need Maths for ACCA?: Eligibility Explained in 2025

By IIC Lakshya

13 Sep 2025

Do You Need Maths for ACCA? Eligibility Explained in 2025

The most common question that students ask when planning to pursue the ACCA course is Maths compulsory for ACCA! When considering the eligibility criteria of ACCA, we need to discuss a few factors that will give us more clarity.

Is Maths Compulsory for ACCA?

If you are wondering, is there maths in ACCA? Let us discuss in detail how the paper is designed around finance skills and practical accounting. To put it simply, ACCA does need maths, but it is not compulsory. You do not need to know advanced mathematics like calculus, trigonometry, or algebra.

Mathematical Concepts in ACCA Curriculum

As a 12th Commerce student, if you are wondering how to start the ACCA course, you need to learn more about the papers. Most of the concepts that you study in ACCA are related to the mathematics topics from school days. The mathematics concepts that you need to know when learning about the ACCA curriculum are as follows:

Basic percentages
Simple interest
Logical calculation
Ratios

These concepts will help you create financial statements and calculate profit, depreciation, or margins. If you are an Arts or Humanities student, you do not need to worry because you can even carry an ACCA-approved calculator in the exams.

With longer sums, you can use the calculator; thus, the overall process is quite logical and straightforward. Therefore, if you are from a different background, you might feel nervous first, but you can excel with the right use of resources, the best books for ACCA and other materials.

Math-Focused ACCA Papers

There are 13 ACCA papers you have to study and pass if you want to become a certified professional. However, there are only some ACCA papers, where you will need to know, use, and learn numbers.

In the following papers, numeracy, mathematical calculations, and concepts play a significant role. In these papers, you get to learn about real-life situations where the mathematical concepts evaluate and resolve accounting and finance issues.

Performance Management (PM)

In this paper, the concepts that you need to learn and develop as skills are variance analysis, budgeting, and ratios. It is not just limited to mathematical calculations; instead, you also have to apply understanding and logic. Furthermore, the numbers in these practices are not just calculated but meaning is also have in it.

Financial Management (FM)

Areas that you will learn and develop skills in this ACCA paper like risk management, appraisal techniques, and cost of capital. Once you have qualified this paper, you calculate present values, returns and future values based on the formulas in this paper.

Advanced Financial Management (AFM)

You will develop a detailed understanding in this paper as you learn about concepts like capital budgeting, forex risk, and derivatives. When you read these concepts, it is mostly step-based formulas. However, you won’t face difficulty because you can practice using a scientific calculator.

When you buy some of the best books for ACCA, you will learn about these concepts in detail. Below is the tabular form of applications under each of the papers described above. Furthermore, we are also sharing the difficulty level of the paper.

Name of ACCA Paper	Maths Application	Difficulty Level
Performance Management (PM)	Variance analysis, budgeting and ratios	Moderate
Financial Management (FM)	Investment appraisal and cost of capital	Moderate
Advanced Financial Management (AFM)	Derivatives, capital budgeting, and Forex	High

Why You Don’t Need Advanced Math to Study ACCA?

You do not need advanced mathematical knowledge; instead, it is all about being simple and logical. In pursuing the ACCA course, you will need to focus on business applications, finance, and accounting. If you are questioning, can I do ACCA without maths? Well, the answer is no.

Nobody can actually do away with maths because calculations and measurements are everyday elements in our lives. Hence, the overall course will be about developing your skills in accounting, financial management, investment, and calculating profits. However, the difficulty level of ACCA cannot be judged based on the mathematical concepts.

Skills Needed to Study ACCA

You have to know what skills you will need as an ACCA professional. There are significant aspects that are needed to understand finance and business. With these skills, you are enhancing your resume, which will contribute to a higher ACCA salary. Here are some of the important skills that are necessary for aspirants below:

Logical Reasoning
Business Awareness
Analytical Thinking
Basic Numeracy
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Consistency & Discipline

Common Misconceptions About Maths and ACCA

It is a common misconception that maths is compulsory for ACCA, as a lot of people think the course is all about calculations, statistics, formulas, and numbers. However, that is not the case; instead, it increases fear and hesitation among students.

ACCA maths is more about understanding finance in business, having insights, and interpreting business operations that will bring benefits to stakeholders. This is why when you get ACCA certification, one of the benefits is a high-paying job.

This is why it is not about solving complex math problems; instead, it is also about knowing basic numeracy and using it to explain and make decisions about business. The decision-making aspect leads to profitability and successful growth.

Eligibility of Non-Maths Candidate for ACCA?

So, are you ready to pursue ACCA even if you did not have maths in your 12th grade? With this article, you now know that you need to have a deep understanding of business and finance. Calculations, audit, taxation, and numeracy are aspects that you learn in the course, leading to a successful career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is ACCA too hard?

ACCA is not too hard because it is doable. Compared to Accounting and Finance qualifications, ACCA is much less rigid.

Can I finish ACCA in 1 year?

You can easily finish the ACCA course in 1 year based on your capability and willingness to finish the course. The number of exemptions that you gain from ACCA based on your performance will contribute to your timeline.

Can I do ACCA with BCom?

Yes, you can do ACCA with BCom because it is a significant option for your career growth. Additionally, you need to maintain a balance between the two courses.

What is the ACCA strategy for 2025?

To become an accounting professional, you have to adapt to digital transformation. Develop strategies related to artificial intelligence (AI), the rise of automation, and data analytics, accordingly recognizing the role of technology in accounting.

Is it worth doing ACCA in 2025?

Yes, doing ACCA in 2025 is worth it because it offers extraordinary opportunities for accounting professionals. Considering the financial sector is rapidly changing through transformation, it will be perfect for ambitious professionals.