Back in the 90s, pursuing ACCA was like running a marathon uphill. The qualification demanded me to clear 18 papers, spread across three (3) grueling levels.

Today, students face just 13 papers, and honestly, I can’t help but marvel at how much “easier” the journey has become.

One of the most nerve-wracking moments of my journey was Level 3, where I had to pass the last four papers in a single sitting.

There was no piecemeal progress. You cleared them all, or you went home empty-handed and resit next examination date.

Speaking of exam dates, we only had two sittings per year back then, compared to the four available now.

Then came the Accounting Standards, especially in Levels 2 and 3.

Unlike today, where you can access reference materials at the click of a button, we had to commit every single detail to memory.

Yes. We memorised everything.

Pages upon pages of technical jargon were burned into our brains because, in the exam hall, there was no such thing as open book or online tools.

As if that wasn’t enough, we also had to memorize the Companies Act and the Income Tax Act—section by section, clause by clause.

Fast forward to today, and ACCA students have so many advantages—fewer papers, modular exams, online resources, and four sitting per year.

To the current generation of ACCA students, appreciate the system you have now.

Yes, it’s still challenging, but trust me, it’s nowhere near the grind we endured.

If we, the old forks, could overcome 18 papers with limited resources, there’s nothing stopping you from acing 13.

Your journey may be different, but the rewards are just as sweet.