For aspiring finance professionals in Nepal, the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification is a gateway to global opportunities. However, one of the key requirements for becoming a fully qualified ACCA member is completing 36 months of relevant work experience, known as the Practical Experience Requirement (PER).
For many ACCA students in Nepal, gaining this experience can seem challenging, particularly while balancing their studies. But with the right approach, strategy, and awareness of local opportunities, students can start building meaningful experience before completing all their ACCA exams.
This article explains how ACCA students in Nepal can begin gaining practical exposure early, why it is important, and the steps to take to align with ACCA’s Professional Experience Requirements (PER).
Why Gaining Experience Early Matters
ACCA is not just an academic qualification—it’s a professional one. Employers value candidates who can apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings. That’s why building experience early has several advantages:
- Fulfils ACCA’s PER requirement while still studying.
- Enhances understanding of complex concepts through practical exposure.
- Builds a strong resume that stands out to local and international employers.
- Helps students discover which area of accounting or finance they enjoy most.
- Increases employability immediately after qualification.
The good news? You don’t need to wait until you’ve passed all your exams to start gaining experience.
Understanding ACCA’s Practical Experience Requirement (PER)
To become an ACCA member, students must complete:
- 36 months (3 years) of relevant work experience.
- 5 Essential Performance Objectives.
- At least 4 Technical Performance Objectives.
These objectives help ACCA ensure that you not only understand the theory but can apply it effectively in a workplace setting. Experience can be gained before, during, or after your ACCA exams, providing students with the flexibility to start early.
Ways ACCA Students in Nepal Can Gain Experience
1. Join an Audit or Accounting Firm as a Trainee
Accounting and audit firms, especially those affiliated with the Big Four (Pwc, EY, KPMG, Deloitte) or mid-tier firms in Nepal, are often open to hiring ACCA students for entry-level roles. These roles might include:
- Audit assistant.
- Junior accountant.
- Tax trainee.
- Accounts payable/receivable executive.
Working at such firms allows students to apply ACCA knowledge directly to client work, financial statements, and audit procedures.
2. Internships During ACCA Studies
Internships are an ideal starting point. Many Nepali students believe they must finish exams before applying, but that’s not true. Starting with a 3- to 6-month internship during your Applied Skills or Strategic Professional level can help you:
- Understand corporate finance operations.
- Learn basic accounting software (Tally, QuickBooks, Zoho, etc.).
- Handle real data, reconciliations, and ledgers.
Many internships in Kathmandu and Pokhara are available to ACCA students, sometimes initially unpaid, but offering great learning value.
3. Part-Time or Remote Accounting Jobs
If you’re studying full-time, part-time work can be a smart option. Look for opportunities such as:
- Freelance bookkeeping.
- Virtual assistant roles for finance tasks.
- Remote data entry for accounting firms.
In Nepal, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMES) seek part-time accountants or assistants to assist with VAT filings, payroll, and account maintenance. These count toward ACCA’s PER, especially if the work is supervised and verified.
4. Join a Corporate Finance or Accounting Department
Many Nepali companies across various industries, including banking, insurance, IT, and FMCG, have finance teams that welcome ACCA students as interns or trainees. Roles might include:
- Finance assistant.
- Budgeting and reporting intern.
- Junior management accountant.
This type of in-house corporate exposure provides students with a real-world understanding of budgeting, cost control, and business analysis.
5. Work in NGOs, INGOs or Development Projects
Nepal is home to many NGOS and INGOS which require accounting and reporting professionals. These institutions offer:
- Structured finance roles.
- Donor-based reporting.
- Audit and compliance exposure.
Students who align their experience with ACCA’s performance objectives can gain PER recognition from these types of roles.
6. Volunteer Work with Financial Responsibilities
Volunteering doesn’t always mean unpaid work with no learning value. You can volunteer at small organisations, community groups, or student bodies and manage:
- Bookkeeping.
- Budgeting.
- Reporting.
As long as the tasks are relevant to ACCA’s objectives and supervised, they can count towards PER.
How to Document and Track Your Experience
To ensure your work counts, follow these ACCA PER guidelines:
- Record all experience in the My ACCA account.
- Identify a workplace mentor or supervisor who can verify your work.
- Match your tasks with the ACCA Performance Objectives.
- Reflect regularly on your learning and improvements.
Keep detailed notes of tasks, responsibilities, and outcomes. This not only helps with ACCA compliance but also prepares you for interviews and resume writing.
Conclusion: Start Early, Stay Ahead
For ACCA students in Nepal, building experience before qualifying is not only possible but essential. With a little initiative, networking, and effort, students can gain valuable exposure that aligns with ACCA’s global standards.
Whether through internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, or working in firms or corporations, real-world experience will give you an edge both during your studies and after qualification. The earlier you start building this foundation, the more confident and career-ready you’ll be.
