For many ACCA candidates , it often seems like they have two full-time commitments in balancing ACCA subjects preparation and a full-time job. Many professionals doing the ACCA program may struggle to find time to study effectively while managing their work responsibilities and work deadlines. With good planning and a disciplined routine, most professionals can continue to pass ACCA exams consistently and be able to perform satisfactorily at work.
However, you must maintain a combination of a structured routine, work/study priorities, and conscientious learning for every study session. It may be possible to find your productive hours, adaptive work hours (where possible), and learning styles that will enable you to learn efficiently. With the right approach, professionals can juggle their Association of Chartered Certified Accountants path with their professional commitments quite easily.
5 Ways to Manage ACCA Subjects with Full-Time Work Responsibilities
1. Set Clear Objectives and Prioritize Subjects
Setting clear and achievable goals is essential for those who juggle work and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants exams. Focus on identifying short-term and long-term goals, such as completing a specific module within a month or mastering a subject by a specific date. This gives you the right path for your preparation. Next, make a list of all the subjects that you need to cover and rank them based on complexity and familiarity. Then, focus on topics that carry higher weightage or those in which you are weak, so that you can allocate more time to these areas without compromising on your preparation.
Furthermore, you should break your wider objectives down into smaller milestones to create a sense of accomplishment and purpose, as well as to keep you feeling motivated. For example, you may target a chapter, a set of practice questions, or a section of the syllabus for each day or week. Monitoring these indicators visually, such as on a whiteboard or in a study journal, can provide direction for progress.
2. Develop Time Management Skills Specific to ACCA
Time management is crucial when preparing for ACCA subjects alongside a full-time job. Every paper has a defined exam time, so it is important to practice in defined time blocks. You may wish to divide your studying based on the difficulty and weight of each exam. For example, a Strategic Business Leader (SBL) needs time to read and evaluate, whereas Financial Reporting (FR) requires computation experience and precision. Create a timeline that assigns specific hours to each paper for balanced coverage without neglecting any subject.
Practicing time management is also a part of the assessment. Give attention to the skill of learning to divide time in the sections, planning answers, and having time left over for review to support success in assessments. In addition, take the same principle into preparation to reading topics in parts working in a focus study time of 1 to 2 hours focusing on each module. This will help make consistent progress and simplify management work simultaneously.
3. Break Down the ACCA Subjects Into Micro-Topics
The curriculum from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants can be quite daunting when you look at it as a whole. In order to manage your time you need to think about limiting the amount of content to study on a particular day by segmenting the exam content into smaller topics. For example, in Financial Reporting (FR), I could look at the ACCA syllabus and break it down into topics; for example, the various IFRS standards, financial statements, and adjustments. This allows all professionals to focus on one part of the syllabus, making it easier to track progress in that area.
This method helps make revision more feasible during your work weeks because rather than feeling anxious about “studying the whole subject at once,” you can choose to study one micro topic in each session. Progressive gains can build up over time so that you can get a lot done, without compromising your workload. You can also fit micro-topic reviews during short breaks, your commute or even lunch.
4. Focus on ACCA Exam Techniques
The Association of Chartered Certified of Accountants exam assesses the knowledge and technique of candidates, such as answer structure, question interpretation and time allocation. Paper such as Strategic Business Leader (SBL) or Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) requires scenario evaluation.
In addition, Financial Management (FM) and Performance Management (PM) involve calculation accuracy and implications in different situations. Doing previous papers with a time limit will develop a reliable examination technique to relieve the pressure of the exam as well as scoring as high as possible.Also, try to read the question carefully to avoid poor mistakes eg. misreading scenario-based questions in the Ethics and Professional Skills (EPSM) modules. Use examiner reports to point out things not to do, indicate areas of commonality.
5. Manage Workload and Minimize Stress
Working full-time and preparing for ACCA subjects can be stressful unless managed well. I recommend that you speak with your employer about your study commitments. This will provide you with some flexibility in your work commitments during an exam period! You can also free up the time to study by delegating work responsibilities and managing your deadlines better.
In addition, incorporating stress management practices in your routine is essential. Methods like short meditation breaks, short walks or physical exercise can assist in relieving tension and enhance concentration level. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as diet and sleep, allows your brain and body to manage both degree responsibilities. This ultimately aids in enhancing your productivity and achieving a better work-life balance with your work deadlines and ACCA preparation.
Conclusion
Achieving balance while preparing for your ACCA subjects and keeping up with full-time work commitments truly requires good time management, good discipline, and a practical study plan. You can complete study goals, prioritize tasks, and use time wisely on small fractions of free time while still making progress in your studies, without adversely affecting your work performance.
Furthermore, consistency, focus and review is important for managing work commitments and gaining ACCA qualifications. For more information about the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants course, contact the team at Zell Education today.
FAQs
1. What is the best way to struct a ACCA study plan?
Break down the topics down into smaller topics. Divide the time, allocating as much time according to difficulty with regular revision and practice built in.
2. How do I stay motivated to keep studying while also working full-time?
You should set smaller goals, monitor your progress, and engage with other students for support and accountability to create a comprehensive ACCA study plan.
3. How many hours should I prepare for the ACCA exams?
2-3 study sessions of 1 hour per working day and 4-5 hours for the weekend. However, it depends on your personal goals, work schedule and exam dates.
