After CA Intermediate, What Next? ACCA Exemptions, Time and Cost for CA Inter Students
The CA Intermediate September 2026 result is expected around the end of October or early November 2026. ICAI had not announced the exact date when this post was written; last year’s September result came on 3 November 2025. Whatever your result says, you have already done something most commerce students never do: you studied accounting, law, tax, audit and costing at a professional level. This guide shows you how to use that, whichever way the result goes.
On Google, searches for “after CA Intermediate what next” have grown by about 300% over the last five years. Many students are asking the same question.
Key Dates
What | Date | Why it matters |
CA Inter Sep 2026 result | Expected late October / early November 2026 (official date awaited) | Check on caresults.icai.org |
CA January 2027 exam form | Opens 3 November 2026; last date without late fee 16 November 2026; with late fee 19 November 2026 | For a group re-attempt in January |
CA Inter January 2027 exams | Group I: 2, 4 and 6 January 2027. Group II: 8, 10 and 12 January 2027 | About 8 to 9 weeks after the result |
ACCA December 2026 exams | 7 to 11 December 2026 (standard entry closes 2 November 2026) | Too close for most new students; plan for March 2027 |
(Sources: ICAI January 2027 exam announcement as reported in October 2026; ACCA Global Important Dates. Confirm on icai.org and accaglobal.com.)
Your Plan Depends on Which of These Three Results You Get
1. You cleared both groups
Congratulations. The natural next step is the CA route: articleship and CA Final. Many students also add ACCA at this stage, because the papers you have cleared earn ACCA exemptions and an ACCA qualification gives you international recognition in more than 180 countries. If you hold or are completing a B.Com, see the exemption section below.
2. You cleared one group
This is the most common situation, and it is a strong position. You only need the other group, and the January 2027 exams are about 8 to 9 weeks away. Look at your paper-wise marks: if you missed by a few marks in one paper, a focused re-attempt makes sense. At the same time, it is a good moment to look at ACCA or US CMA as a parallel or backup route, so your progress does not depend on a single exam.
3. You did not clear either group
Take a breath. This is not the end of your accounting career. You have two honest choices: re-attempt in January 2027 with a changed preparation plan, or move to a route where the knowledge you already have counts. ACCA and US CMA are the two most common choices for CA Inter students, and neither has an entrance exam.
ACCA After CA Inter: How Many Exemptions?
ACCA has 13 exams. Because you have studied many of the same subjects, ACCA gives exemptions so you do not repeat them.
Your qualification | ACCA exemptions | Papers left |
B.Com completed | 5 | 8 |
CA Inter cleared + B.Com | 6 | 7 |
Qualified CA | 9 | 4 (Strategic Professional only) |
(Source: Megha Bhansali Classes, ACCA Exemptions for B.Com and CA Students: Full List. ACCA decides exemptions case by case through its Exemptions Calculator, and the exact papers can depend on your university and which CA groups you cleared.)
Cleared only one group, or still doing your B.Com? Your exemptions may be different from the table. Do not guess. WhatsApp us your CA Inter marksheet and B.Com details, and we will check your exact exemptions on ACCA’s calculator for free before you register.
Exempt papers carry an exemption fee: about £84 (Rs.10,670) per Applied Knowledge paper and £111 (Rs.14,100) per Applied Skills paper, at Rs.127 per GBP. Full fee list: ACCA Exam Dates, Deadlines and Fees in INR.
How Long Would ACCA Take After CA Inter?
ACCA runs four exam sessions a year: March, June, September and December. With 7 papers left and two papers per session, many students finish the exams in about two years. A realistic plan from now:
- October to November 2026: check exemptions and register with ACCA.
- March 2027 session: first two Applied Skills papers. Your CA Inter accounts and audit knowledge gives you a head start in FR and AA.
- June 2027 onwards: remaining Applied Skills papers, then the Strategic Professional level.
Many students keep CA Final and articleship going alongside, but that is demanding. Plan it with someone who knows both courses.
The One Big Difference: ACCA Exams Are on a Computer
CA exams are pen and paper. ACCA Applied Skills and Strategic Professional exams are computer-based, with spreadsheet and word-processor answer areas. Strong CA Inter students sometimes lose marks simply because they have never typed a long answer or built a working in an exam spreadsheet under time pressure. The fix is simple: practise in the computer-based format before your first ACCA exam. Read ACCA CBE Spreadsheet Exam Technique.
What About US CMA?
US CMA has only two parts and focuses on management accounting and corporate finance, which matches the costing and financial management you studied in CA Inter. You can take the exams while completing your degree and receive the certification once you have a bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience. See Advantages of US CMA Over CA and US CMA Course: Fees, Syllabus and Salary.
Quick Comparison for CA Inter Students
Route | Exams left | Next possible exam |
CA (re-attempt a group) | The group(s) not cleared, then CA Final | January 2027 |
ACCA (CA Inter + B.Com) | 7 papers | March 2027 session |
US CMA | 2 parts | Next IMA testing window (Jan/Feb 2027) |
Take the Next Step Today
The fastest way to see whether ACCA suits you is to try it. Take a free ACCA mock test and watch free demo lectures on the MBC LMS, in the computer-based style ACCA uses, with a worked solution for every question.
Megha Bhansali Classes is an ACCA Gold Approved Learning Partner, and our faculty includes CA and ACCA qualified teachers, so we can compare both routes for you honestly. WhatsApp us your marksheet for a free exemption check, or book a counselling session.
Call / WhatsApp: +91 96807 56998
Website: www.meghabhansaliclasses.com
Visit us: Megha Bhansali Classes, Plot 718, Mahaveer Nagar, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 302018
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the CA Inter September 2026 result?
ICAI had not announced the date when this post was written. It is expected around late October or the first week of November 2026.
How many ACCA exemptions does a CA Inter student get?
A student who has cleared CA Inter and holds a B.Com usually gets 6 exemptions, leaving 7 papers. If you cleared only one group or are still doing your degree, the number can be different. Check on ACCA’s Exemptions Calculator or WhatsApp us for a free check.
Can I do ACCA and CA together?
Yes, some students do, but it needs careful planning around articleship and CA Final. Talk to us before you commit to both.
Can I sit ACCA in December 2026?
The December 2026 standard entry deadline is 2 November 2026, which is too close for most new registrations with exemptions. The March 2027 session is the realistic start.
Is CA Inter knowledge useful for ACCA?
Very. Accounting, audit, tax and costing overlap with ACCA’s FR, AA, TX and PM papers. The main new skill is answering on a computer.
Still unsure what to do?
WhatsApp our team on +91 96807 56998 with your marks and we will help you decide.
